Supporting Mott the Hoople (1973)

In the autumn of 1973, a still-largely-unknown Queen got their first real break: a support slot on Mott the Hoople’s UK tour, promoting their just-released, self-titled debut album. Mott the Hoople were riding high off “All the Young Dudes” at the time, and the tour put Queen in front of paying crowds night after night for the first time — exactly the kind of exposure a new band signed to EMI needed.

This case brings together four pieces from that moment: an EMI promotional flyer, autographed during one of the English tour dates; a historic reel, a copy of the master tape for the first LP; and the American promotional edition alongside a UK test pressing, both presented at a press conference EMI Records held in spring 1973 to introduce their new signing to the world’s press.

This piece is part of “Keep On Rockin’ — the 2019 Exhibition.” See the full exhibition here.