Ian Hunter (July 17 1976) "Hunter Opts Out " (New Musical Express)

SOURCE DETAILS   Publication: New Musical Express 

Date: July 17 1976 Country: United Kingdom Section / Pages: Feature column – Page 8 Title: Hunter Opts Out of Suicide Plan

This reflective feature by Charles Shaar Murray captures Ian Hunter’s post‑Mott the Hoople transition and his determined rejection of rock ’n’ roll martyrdom. Murray’s provocative headline — “Hunter opts out of suicide plan…” — frames Hunter’s candid discussion of survival, creativity, and purpose after years of fame and fatigue

He describes the exhaustion of constant travel, the absurdity of celebrity, and the need to rediscover authenticity. Hunter’s humour remains sharp, his tone philosophical yet grounded.

He discusses new material for his solo work, his fascination with American life, and his admiration for contemporaries like David Bowie, while distancing himself from the self‑destructive glamour that often surrounds them.

Murray’s portrait reveals a man who has stepped back from chaos to find clarity — still passionate, but now purposeful.

A monochrome photograph shows Hunter in leather jacket and dark glasses, removing his shades to reveal a direct, weary gaze — symbolic of his decision to face the world honestly.

CONTEXT AND NOTES  

This article marks Hunter’s emergence as a solo artist with renewed focus and maturity. His conversation with Murray balances cynicism and optimism, showing a performer who has survived the excesses of the early ’70s and found meaning in craft rather than chaos. It stands as one of the most insightful NME profiles of the mid‑decade, bridging the gap between glam’s decline and the coming wave of punk realism.

Sources: New Musical Express (London), July 17 1976; Discogs; Wikipedia; BBC Archives Copyright © 1976 Charles Shaar Murray / New Musical Express. All rights reserved. Archival reproduction for educational and historical reference only.

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