Ian Hunter

As leader of '70s British rock legends Mott the Hoople and as a hugely influential solo artist, Ian Hunter is widely revered as one of rock 'n' roll's most compelling performers and one of its most articulate songwriters. As the author of such immortal anthems as "All the Way from Memphis," "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" and "Cleveland Rocks," and the voice of such landmark albums as Mott the Hoople's All The Young Dudes and Mott and the solo recordings Ian Hunter and You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic, he remains a hero to fans and fellow musicians around the world.

While his achievements during his first decade as a recording artist would be more than enough to insure his iconic status, Hunter has never been one to coast on past achievements, and When I'm President amply demonstrates his ongoing musical vitality and creative restlessness. Indeed, in the past dozen years, he's made a series of riveting albums that stand with his best and most resonant work, while making a decisive return to touring, delivering incendiary live performances that show his fire to be burning as brightly as ever!

"To me, music is holy, and it should be treated with respect," Hunter asserts, adding, "For the first 15 years of my life, I had no idea what I was here for. But then Elvis came out, and it was 'Oh, that's what I'm here for.' Rock 'n' roll got me out and gave me a great life, and I don't know what I'd have done without it. It's all I know, and my identity is all tied up in it.

"It's been 40-odd years, and it's been a great ride," he concludes. "It's still fun for me, and at my age, that's a good place to be. I'm still messin' about, so we'll see what happens."