It's common knowledge that Ian Hunter and his Mott the Hoople pals were just about ready to pull stumps before Bowie came along and bequeathed them All the Young Dudes in 1972. A great rock and roll yarn for sure. But where's Leon Russell in Mott's back story? Russell's place in the rock pantheon is every bit as assured as Bowie's but his benevolence to Hunter barely gets a mention.
I'm referring to a track he stuck on side two of his eponymous debut album from 1970. Not only did Roll Away the Stone give Hunter the material for one hit single it also provided the foundations for a second. I'm talking about Roll Away the Stone (obvs) and All the Way From Memphis. I do hope that Mott did the honourable thing and bunged Russell a few coins of the realm but I doubt very much they did. Leon Russell was the real deal. Mott the Hoople? Coat tails. Beware of imitations.
Leon Russell - Roll Away the Stone (1970)
★
Leon Russell (1942-2016)
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