Remembering David Bowie's Call: A Ross-on-Wye Woman's Musical Journey with Mott the Hoople
A woman from Ross-on-Wye fondly recalls the time when David Bowie called her at home, a moment she treasures from her youth. She was a big fan of Bowie and vividly remembers watching him perform on Top of the Pops, sitting close to the TV screen. The connection to Bowie came through her brother, who was part of the band Mott the Hoople, co-founded by Pete Overend Watts and Dale Buffin Griffin. Bowie offered the band a song he had written, "All the Young Dudes," which became their most famous hit. During this collaboration, Jane Watts had the opportunity to speak with Bowie, an experience she cherishes.
Reflecting on the lead-up to the release of the 1972 single, Jane recalls the excitement of hearing the rough copy of the song at home. The combination of her brother's band and David Bowie's involvement was a dream come true for her. When Bowie called her at home, she was thrilled but found herself speechless during the conversation. Despite her excitement, her best friend was upset and didn't speak to her for six weeks after hearing the news.
Following the release of the Bowie single, Mott the Hoople gained significant popularity and success. Jane remembers how the band's live performances were outstanding, and their career took off after the release of "All the Young Dudes." The band's success led to a surge in media coverage, prompting Jane's mother to purchase more scrapbooks to keep newspaper clippings about the band.
This weekend, Ross-on-Wye is honoring Mott the Hoople and its ties to the town with a two-day festival featuring live music, film screenings, and spoken word events. A memorial bench is being unveiled for Pete Overend Watts and Dale Buffin Griffin, who passed away in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The town is celebrating the band's legacy and the impact they had on the music scene.
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