Mott The Hoople Album (1969)

A Dylan-Escher Hard Rock Debut

Released as a vinyl LP in the UK on November 22, 1969, on Island Records (catalogue: ILPS 9108), Mott The Hoople’s self-titled debut — their only album with the original line-up — was a raw hard rock/psych gem. Produced by Guy Stevens at Morgan Studios, this 8-track opus featured covers (“You Really Got Me,” “Laugh At Me,” “At The Crossroads”) and originals, with M.C. Escher’s front cover drawing. Peaked at No. 66 UK, No. 185 US. Issued in gatefold with pink 'i' labels, Orlake pressing, mispress variants, and 1970 cassette. The album that started the Mott legend.

Album Overview

Release Details

Label: Island Records.

Formats: Vinyl LP (gatefold), cassette (1970).

Full Track Listing

Vinyl LP (ILPS 9108) – UK

Side A

1. You Really Got Me (3:04) – Written-By: Davies

2. At The Crossroads (5:14) – Written-By: Sahm

3. Laugh At Me (7:22) – Written-By: Bono

4. Backsliding Fearlessly (3:15) – Written-By: Hunter

Side B

1. Rock And Roll Queen (5:08) – Written-By: Ralphs

2. Rabbit Foot And Toby Time (2:12) – Written-By: Ralphs

3. Half Moon Bay (11:01) – Written-By: Hunter, Ralphs

4. Wrath And Roll (1:32) – Written-By: Stevens

Cassette Album (CIR 15018) – UK 1970

Side A

1. You Really Got Me

2. Rabbit Foot And Toby Time

3. Half Moon Bay

4. Backsliding Fearlessly

Side B

1. Rock And Roll Queen

2. At The Crossroads

3. Laugh At Me

4. Wrath And Roll

UK Reissues & Variants

- LP, Album, Gatefold – Island ILPS 9108 – UK – 1969

- LP, Album, Gatefold, Orlake press – Island ILPS 9108 – UK – 1969

- LP, Album, Mispress, Gatefold – Island ILPS 9108 – UK – 1969

- Cassette, Album – Island CIR 15018 – UK – 1970

Production and Context

Produced by Guy Stevens. Recorded May–June 1969 at Morgan Studios, London. Line-up: Ian Hunter (vocals/piano), Mick Ralphs (guitar/vocals), Overend Watts (bass), Verden Allen (organ), Buffin (drums). Cover drawing by M.C. Escher.

Singles Released and Chart Performance

- Rock And Roll Queen (Oct 1969) – no chart

Album Chart Performance

- UK: 66

- US: 185

Legacy and Collectibility

Mott The Hoople is the raw debut that launched glam’s godfathers. Original UK pink 'i' gatefold vinyls. Verify catalogue ILPS 9108. Streams on Spotify preserve the psych grit. This LP is a must-have for Mott/Bowie collectors.

Do you have Mott The Hoople in your vinyl stack? Is the rabbit foot lucky? Share in the comments!

Sources

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