DEF LEPPARD report:

"No bigger fan of MOTT THE HOOPLE than Def Leppard's Joe Elliott. The band split up in the 70s, but in almost every interview Joe has done, Mott (or at the very least, lead singer and friend IAN HUNTER) gets a mention.

Their influence on Joe is immense, and the handful of reunion shows Mott The Hoople has scheduled for October couldn't have come at a better time; the October 6th show will be opened by Joe and THE QUIREBOYS (under the name DOWN 'N' OUTZ), just in between the second and third legs of Def Leppard's 2009 tour.

Recently, Joe interviewed Ian Hunter about the band's past, the reunion shows and the possible future. Read the interview here.

As previously reported, The Down 'n' Outz comprise of Joe Elliott and The Quireboys, whose lead singer Spike has kindly agreed to step aside for this one night. "Though, Spike will be making an appearance of some sort," says Joe, "I would feel bad if he didn't!!"
"When they guys in Mott The Hoople made it known they wanted me involved somehow in their run of reunion shows, I was extremely flattered," adds Joe, "They know I've been a fan forever, so I guess it's their way of acknowledging that". As for the set list, all Joe will say is that it will feature songs that the guys in Mott The Hoople were involved with after they split up, so expect songs from the back catalogue of Ian Hunter, Mott and BRITISH LIONS. "There won't be any Leppard or Quireboys stuff at all! I'm doing this for that legion of Mott The Hoople fans who followed them after they broke up, so it all ties in nicely together."

As for how the Quireboys got to be involved, Joe says, "I know Paul Guerin (guitar) from his days playing with Ricky Warwick, and I know the boys are BIG Hoople fans, so when someone put us in touch again, I knew it would be the perfect partnership and a great way to get in to see Mott The Hoople for free!!"

Joe Elliott and Def Leppard guitarist and Phil Collen's CYBERNAUT project from 1997 cover Mott The Hoople's 'All The Young Dudes':