When you think of rock and roll legends, it’s hard not to picture the likes of Ian Hunter, Bob Dylan, and Mick Ronson. In a recent interview with Rock Cellar Magazine, Hunter shared an unforgettable story about how a drunk Mick Ronson managed to impress the one and only Bob Dylan.
Ian Hunter and Bob Dylan had crossed paths a few times, but it was their encounter at the Other End, Paul Colby’s place, that made a lasting impression. The admiration between these two rock icons goes way back, and Hunter has often expressed how much Dylan’s music inspired him throughout his own career.
In the interview, Ian described how he and his bandmates were just looking for a quiet night out when they stumbled upon an unexpected performance. Bob Dylan walked into the nearly empty venue and, without any fanfare, proceeded to play his entire album, ‘Desire,’ just for them. At the neighboring table, Mick Ronson, the talented guitarist of Mott the Hoople, was enjoying himself a little too much.
As the night wore on, Mick Ronson’s alcohol-fueled antics led to him being thrown out of the venue three times. Not one to be deterred, Ronson even threatened to re-enter the bar through the window. This wild behavior somehow left a mark on Bob Dylan, who eventually invited Ronson to join his band.
Here is how Ian Hunter recalled that night:
“I met him [Bob Dylan] a couple of times. I met him very early on down at the Other End, Paul Colby’s’ place. I met him once when I was with Mott, and then we went in there one night just for a drink; the place was empty. He walked in there with [folk singer] Bobby Neuwirth and played the whole of ‘Desire.’
We were at the next table, nobody was in there. He just walked in with a guitar, took it out of the case, and he played the whole of ‘Desire.’ Mick [Ronson] got completely drunk. Colby threw him out three times. Then he threatened he’d ‘come back in through the window. And wound up joining Dylan’s’ band.'”
The story goes to show that sometimes, rock and roll history is shaped by the most unpredictable moments. Dylan’s admiration for Ronson’s drunken determination is a testament to the raw spirit and energy that defines the genre. In the end, it was the passion, talent, and grit of these legendary musicians that brought them together, leaving a lasting impact on the world of music.
