'I am still a Shropshire lad at heart': Rock legend from county gets blue plaque unveiled

A north Shropshire market town commemorated one of its most famous sons over the weekend.

A blue plaque was unveiled at the Oswestry house in which Mott the Hoople frontman Ian Hunter was born.

Locals and rock fans gathered to see Oswestry mayor, Councillor Jonathan Upton, and Mr Hunter’s own grandson, Jay Patterson, unveil the special historical marker at the rocker’s old York Street address.

Mott the Hoople were famous for their 1972 hit song All the Young Dudes, which was written by David Bowie.

Mr Hunter, who is now 87 and lives in Connecticut in the United States of America, was born in Oswestry on June 3, 1939.

Following the unveiling of the special plaque, organisers and crowds flocked to the Hermon Arts Centre, Oak Street, to hear a special pre-recorded message from Mr Hunter himself.

In his message to those who had gathered, Mr Hunter said: “Hello, first of all, let me thank Duncan Kerr and the Oswestry Town Council for doing this - it is a surprise and it’s an honour.

“Thank you, Jay, my talented drummer grandson, and Mayor Upton for sticking me up on the wall. Now the occupants of No. 6 are going to see a 25 per cent increase in the value of their property, according to the internet.

“I was only in Oswestry for 3 months, so it is difficult to say much. It would have been [there] longer, but Hitler found out. So my dad went in the army, and my mum, a Shropshire girl, she was from Shrewsbury, made a dash to my dad’s relatives in Scotland - a hell of a way.

“We did come back to Shropshire after the war, to places like Whitchurch, Market Drayton, Ellesmere. I went to six schools actually, winding up at 23a Swan Hill, which I later wrote a song about. I got itchy after the Priory [school] in Shrewsbury.

“I went to Northampton first, then London, then New York - bands, music, albums, singles, hits, misses. I got to play with loads of incredible people along the way. And I wound up where I am now here in Connecticut. But I am still a Shropshire lad at heart.

“Anyway, once again cheers Duncan and all you people who turned up today, I am eternally grateful for all your love and support. It has been 50-odd years. When you are 87, you do need a little support. Bye.”

Talking ahead of the unveiling, Councillor Duncan Kerr, who has been at the heart of the project to get the plaque installed, said: “Back in the early seventies, Mott the Hoople was an international success, with the likes of Queen supporting them on tour, and David Bowie gifting them the song ‘All the Young Dudes’.”

He added: “So, I thought it was about time his achievements were recognised by us.

“The plaque features one of his lyrics ‘I’m gonna be somebody, someday’ and I hope it inspires the next generation.

“My thanks to the current owners of the house who have given permission for the plaque and the very many fans and local people who have helped organise the event.”

The Oswestry-born rocker, Mr Hunter, was the lead singer of Mott the Hoople from its inception in Herefordshire in 1969 until he left the group in 1974.

The band had other commercial success after their hit single, including their albums Mott and The Hoople.