ROCK ‘N’ ROLL LEGEND RETURNS WITH STAR-STUDDED NEW ALBUM DEFIANCE PART 1 sees collaborations from the late Jeff Beck, Johnny Depp, Joe Elliott (Def Leppard), Billy F Gibbons (ZZ Top), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses), Todd Rundgren, Slash (Guns N’ Roses), Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Robert Trujillo (Metallica), Waddy Wachtel (Stevie Nicks, Keith Richards), Brad Whitford (Aerosmith), Dane Clark (John Mellencamp), Billy Bob Thornton & J.D. Andrew (The Boxmasters), Dean DeLeo, Eric Kretz and Robert DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots)
FIRST SINGLE, “BED OF ROSES,” FEATURING MIKE CAMPBELL AND RINGO STARRPREMIERES TODAY – LISTEN HERE DEFIANCE PART 1 ARRIVES VIA SUN RECORDS ON FRIDAY, APRIL 21 PRE-ORDERS AVAILABLE HERE
Rock At Night says: Lyrically, the song and video tell the story of a venue “Star-Club”, a landmark venue in Hamburg, Germany that entertained many of the American and British greats, including the Beatles, Fats Domino, Jimi Hendrix, and more. It operated between the early-1960s and 1987 when a fire destroyed it. Hunter recalls all his great memories and pays homage to the long-forgotten club in a twangy, foot-tappin’ rock song whose melody will stay with you long after the song is over.
Rock ‘n’ roll legend Ian Hunter has announced the release of his landmark new album, DEFIANCE PART 1, arriving via the Sun Records label on Friday, April 21, 2023. Pre-orders are available now HERE.
Easily among the most star-studded original albums ever recorded, DEFIANCE PART 1 sees Hunter joined by the late, great Jeff Beck, Johnny Depp, Joe Elliott (Def Leppard), Billy F Gibbons (ZZ Top), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses), Todd Rundgren, Slash (Guns N’ Roses), JeffTweedy (Wilco), Robert Trujillo (Metallica), Waddy Wachtel (Stevie Nicks, Keith Richards), Brad Whitford(Aerosmith), Dane Clark (John Mellencamp), Billy Bob Thornton & J.D. Andrew (The Boxmasters) and Dean DeLeo, Robert De Leo & Eric Kretz (Stone Temple Pilots). DEFIANCE PART 1 is heralded by today’s premiere of the nostalgic first single, “Bed Of Roses,” featuring guitarist Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Fleetwood Mac) and drums by Ringo Starr, available today at all DSPs and streaming services. An official music video for “Bed Of Roses” premieres today on YouTube. “It was a fluke,” Ian Hunter says. “This was not planned. Really, I’m serious. I really couldn’t believe some of them. I mean, it’s amazing what’s happened. It’s been such a buzz.” Now in its seventh decade, Ian Hunter’s illustrious career has long been marked by collaboration, from the golden age of Mott the Hoople to his fabled partnership with Mick Ronson and 21st century renaissance with his crack backing combo, the Rant Band. Now, with DEFIANCE PART 1, the legendary singer-songwriter, author, and rock ‘n’ roll star takes creative solidarity to an unprecedented new level with spectacular accompaniment from a truly awe-inspiring roster of special guests, famous fans, and lifelong friends. The album first came together in early 2020 with the dawn of the pandemic era. An inveterate hard worker, Hunter took the lockdown as a creative opportunity, writing a series of new songs which he tracked in his Connecticut basement alongside his longtime collaborator, guitarist/producer/multi-instrumentalist Andy York. Working with little more than a computer, guitar, V5 piano, and “a very small keyboard,” Hunter and York created a collection of bare bones demos but with quarantine rules still in effect, were unable to flesh them out further by hitting the studio with the Rant Band. Manager Mike Kobayashi and renowned rock ‘n’ roll photographer Ross Halfin suggested reaching out to some of Hunter’s fellow legends who might perhaps use some of their own lockdown to contribute a track or two. To Hunter’s delight, the project quickly escalated, with a galaxy of stars clamoring to be involved. With time on their hands due the pandemic, his fellow musicians took the demos and stems that Hunter and York put together in his basement and added unforeseen power and creativity through their own trademark talents.
“Everybody’s sitting around,” says Hunter. “It’s Covid. Nobody’s going anywhere. We started sending them out. Slash started doing something. Robert Trujillo from Metallica. Ringo Starr, Mike Campbell. Joe Elliott is on a few tracks. Johnny Depp said ‘Jeff Beck’s with me and we’d like to do a couple of songs.’ I know Todd Rundgren, I toured with Todd way back, he’s done an amazing job. Billy Gibbons. Billy Bob Thornton and JD Andrew from The Boxmasters. It’s never ending. I mean, every day we’d get a phone call, this guy wants to do it, that guy wants to do it. It was like, I can’t believe this.” Despite its genesis during the pandemic, DEFIANCE PART 1 is remarkably upbeat, ablaze with the life-affirming energy and unbridled passion that has marked Hunter’s music since the start. Indeed, “Pavlov’s Dog” is Hunter at his ferocious best, a snarling rocker featuring the surviving members of Stone Temple Pilots – brothers Dean DeLeo (guitar) and Robert DeLeo (bass) and Eric Kretz (drums). Songs like “I Hate Hate” and the album’s rebellious title track – the latter showcasing the one and only Slash on guitar with Metallica’s Robert Trujillo carrying the groove using the late Jaco Pastorius’ signature fretless bass, the same instrument played by the legendary jazz musician on Hunter’s groundbreaking second solo album, 1975’s ALL AMERICAN ALIEN BOY – offer indisputable evidence that Hunter’s voice remains as uncompromising and provocative as ever before. Having spent the better part of two years on the project, Hunter isn’t done yet. As its title promises, DEFIANCE PART 1 will be followed by the arrival of DEFIANCE PART 2. The second chapter will feature an equally stunning range of special guests while projecting an entirely different thematic approach and songwriting aesthetic. With the wind at his back, Ian Hunter has somehow managed to pull off something impossible. DEFIANCE PART 1 is a full-speed-ahead rock ‘n’ roll record rarely heard in this day and age, recorded with a crew of irrefutable rock ‘n’ roll all-stars and released on the definitive rock ‘n’ roll label. “There are a lot of reasons for calling this album DEFIANCE,” says Ian Hunter. “It’s like, people my age shouldn’t be making records, blah, blah, blah. But we’ve still got a bit left.” # # # IAN HUNTERDEFIANCE PART 1(Sun Records)Release Date: Friday, April 21 TRACKLIST 1. DefianceDane Clark: DrumsRobert Trujillo: BassSlash: Electric, Rhythm and Lead Guitars Dennis Dibrizzi: Background Vocal Andy York: Background VocalIan Hunter: Electric Guitar 2. Bed Of RosesRingo Starr: DrumsTony Shanahan: BassMike Campbell: Acoustic and Electric Rhythm Guitars, Slide Guitar, Mandolin Andy Burton: OrganRich Pagano: Tambourine Andy York: Background Vocals Ian Hunter: Piano 3. No Hard FeelingsDane Clark: Drums and PercussionJohnny Depp: Acoustic and Electric Rhythm Guitars, Slide Guitar, Background VocalsJeff Beck: Lead GuitarAndy York: Electric Guitar, BassIan Hunter: Piano 4. Pavlov’s DogEric Kretz: DrumsDean DeLeo: Electric Rhythm and Lead Guitars, Acoustic Guitar, Slide GuitarRobert DeLeo: BassDennis Dibrizzi: Background VocalAndy York: Background Vocal, Maracas Ian Hunter: Piano 5. Don’t Tread On MeRich Pagano: Drums, Congas, PercussionTodd Rundgren: Rhythm and Lead Electric Guitars, Background VocalsAndy Burton: OrganAndy York: BassIan Hunter: Piano 6. GuernicaDane Clark: Drums and PercussionMike Campbell: Electric Rhythm and Lead Guitars Joe Elliott: Background VocalsAndy Burton: HarmoniumAndy York: Bass, Baritone Guitar, Background Vocal Ian Hunter: Piano 7. I Hate HateDane Clark: DrumsAndy Burton: KeyboardsDennis Dibrizzi: Background Vocals Andy York: Baritone Guitar, Tambourine, Background VocalsIan Hunter: Piano 8. AngelTaylor Hawkins: Drums, Electric Guitars, Electric Piano, Background Vocals Duff McKagan: BassBrad Whitford: Slide GuitarWaddy Wachtel: 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Lead Electric GuitarsIan Hunter: Piano 9. Kiss N’Make UpTaylor Hawkins: DrumsBilly Bob Thornton: Percussion, Lead and Backup Vocals Billy F Gibbons: Electric, Rhythm and Lead Guitars J.D. Andrew: BassJames Mastro: Electric GuitarRich Pagano: CongasAndy Burton: Keyboards, Vibes 10. This Is What I’m Here ForTaylor Hawkins: DrumsWaddy Wachtel: Electric Rhythm and Lead Guitars Joe Elliott: Background VocalsPaul Page: BassAndy Burton: OrganAndy York: Baritone GuitarIan Hunter: Piano 11. I Hate Hate (Alternate Version)Dane Clark: DrumsJeff Tweedy: Electric Guitars and BassAndy Burton: KeyboardDennis Dibrizzi: Background VocalAndy Burton: OrganAndy York: Tambourine and Background Vocal Ian Hunter: Piano All Songs Written By Ian HunterProduced By Andy York and Ian HunterMixed By James Frazee # # #CONNECT WITH IAN HUNTERIANHUNTER.COM | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
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