Mott The Hoople: Roll Away The Stone Single (1973)

A Glam Rock Resurrection

Mott The Hoople’s “Roll Away The Stone” 7-inch vinyl single, was released in the UK on November 9, 1973, on CBS Records (catalogue: S CBS 1895). Backed with “Where Do You All Come From,” this anthemic glam rock track, written by Ian Hunter, was produced by Mott The Hoople. The A-side’s driving rhythm, Hunter’s vocals, and Thunderthighs’ bridge peaked at No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart for 12 weeks. Issued in solid centre, knockout centre, promo, and sunburst reissue versions, it’s a defining moment from the band’s Ariel Bender era.

Single Overview

A-Side: “Roll Away The Stone” (3:02)

Written-By – Ian Hunter. Produced by Mott The Hoople. Lacquer Cut By – Rays.

B-Side: “Where Do You All Come From” (3:22)

Written-By – Buffin, Hunter, Ralphs, Watts. Produced by Mott The Hoople.

Release Details:

Label: CBS Records (UK pressing, 45 RPM).

Published By – Island Music Ltd.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Records

Formats: Vinyl, 7", Single

Solid Centre

(S CBS 1895): “Roll Away The Stone” / “Where Do You All Come From.”

A-Side: “Roll Away The Stone” (3:02, Ian Hunter) – Written-By – Ian Hunter – Producer Mott The Hoople – Lacquer Cut By – Rays

B-Side: “Where Do You All Come From” (3:22, Buffin, Hunter, Ralphs, Watts) – Written-By – Buffin, Hunter, Ralphs, Watts – Producer – Mott The Hoople

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Records – Published By – Island Music Ltd. – Lacquer Cut By – Rays – Producer – Mott The Hoople – A UK Production – Made in England.

Knockout Centre

(S CBS 1895):

A-Side: “Roll Away The Stone” (3:02, Ian Hunter) – Written-By – Ian Hunter – Producer Mott The Hoople – Lacquer Cut By – Rays

B-Side: “Where Do You All Come From” (3:22, Buffin, Hunter, Ralphs, Watts) – Written-By – Buffin, Hunter, Ralphs, Watts – Producer – Mott The Hoople

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Records – Published By – Island Music Ltd. – Pressed By – CBS Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton – Lacquer Cut By – Rays – Producer – Mott The Hoople – Made in Holland – ℗ 1973 CBS Records – A U.K. production.

Promo, Single Sided

(S CBS 1895):

A-Side: “Roll Away The Stone” (3:02, Ian Hunter) – Written-By – Ian Hunter – Producer Mott The Hoople – Lacquer Cut By – Rays

Single sided UK "Special Discotheque Record."

Single, Promo (S CBS 1895):

A-Side: “Roll Away The Stone” (3:02, Ian Hunter) – Written-By – Ian Hunter – Producer Mott The Hoople – Mastered By – Rays

B-Side: “Where Do You All Come From” (3:22, Buffin, Hunter, Ralphs, Watts) – Written-By – Buffin, Hunter, Ralphs, Watts – Producer – Mott The Hoople

Published By – Island Music Ltd. – Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Records – Pressed By – CBS Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton – Mastered By – Rays – Producer – Mott The Hoople.

Sunburst, Solid Centre (Reissue) (S CBS 1895):

A-Side: “Roll Away The Stone” (3:02, Ian Hunter) – Written-By – Ian Hunter – Producer Mott The Hoople – Lacquer Cut By – Rays

B-Side: “Where Do You All Come From” (3:22, Buffin, Hunter, Ralphs, Watts) – Written-By – Buffin, Hunter, Ralphs, Watts – Producer – Mott The Hoople

Published By – Island Music Ltd. – Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Records – Pressed By – CBS Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton – Lacquer Cut By – Rays – Producer – Mott The Hoople – Made in England – A UK Production – Sunburst label (re-issue), solid centre.

Notes: A UK Production. Made in England (most versions).

Country Variations

The single was released in several countries:

Australia (CBS 1973)

Germany (CBS 1973)

Netherlands (CBS 1973)

South Africa (CBS 1973)

Sweden (CBS 1973)

New Zealand (CBS 1974)

UK (CBS S CBS 1895):

Production and Context

Recorded in 1973. Produced by Mott The Hoople. Personnel: Ian Hunter (vocals, rhythm guitar, piano), Pete Overend Watts (bass, vocals, rhythm guitar, 12-string guitar), Dale "Buffin" Griffin (drums, vocals, percussion), Ariel Bender (lead guitar, vocals, slide guitar), Morgan Fisher (keyboards, synthesizer), Lynsey De Paul (backing vocals), Mick Ralphs (rhythm and lead guitar – Bender added harmony lead line), Thunderthighs (Karen Friedman, Dari Lalou, Casey Synge – backing vocals). The first version, recorded before Mick Ralphs left, had Ralphs on lead guitar and Thunderthighs on the bridge. Re-recorded for The Hoople (1974) with Bender and Lynsey de Paul. Performed on BBC Top of the Pops on November 15, 1973. Released amid glam’s peak, it followed Mott (No. 7 UK, 1973).

Chart Performance:

UK: No. 8 (Official Singles Chart), charting for 12 weeks.

Entry Date: November 24, 1973.

Peak: No. 8 (December 15, 1973).

Weeks on Chart: 12 (Nov 24, 1973–Feb 9, 1974).

“Roll Away The Stone” is a Mott glam anthem, with “Where Do You All Come From” a quirky B-side. Original UK 7-inch vinyls (solid/knockout centre) fetch £3–£10 on eBay/Discogs, with promo and sunburst reissues (£8–£20) rarer. Verify catalogue S CBS 1895.

Streams on Spotify preserve the analog roar.

This single is a must-have for Mott fans and glam collectors.

Have you snagged this Mott classic in your vinyl collection? Does “Roll Away The Stone” move you? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Prince Vault, Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube