Pete Overend Watts
| Peter Overend Watts | |
|---|---|
 Overend Watts performing with Mott the Hoople, reunion gig, Hammersmith Apollo, October 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Peter Watts |
| Born |
13 May 1947 Yardley, Birmingham, England |
| Genres | Rock, hard rock, glam rock |
| Occupation(s) | Bass guitarist, vocalist, record producer |
| Instruments | Bass guitar, acoustic guitar |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Labels | Chrysalis, Island, Vertigo |
| Associated acts | Mott the Hoople, British Lions |
| Notable instruments | |
| Gibson Thunderbird | |
Peter Overend Watts (born 13 May 1947 in Yardley, Birmingham) is an English bass guitar player and founding member of 1970s rock band, Mott the Hoople.
Following the departure of Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson from the band, in 1974, the remaining members of Mott the Hoople recruited relative unknowns Ray Major, on guitar, and Nigel Benjamin, on vocals. The name was abbreviated to Mott and a further two albums were recorded with this line-up, before Benjamin quit.
Watts continued with Dale "Buffin" Griffin, Morgan Fisher and Ray Major in the Mott successor British Lions, recruiting former Medicine Head member John Fiddler, until their demise around 1979. He later became a record producer, producing albums for artists such as Hanoi Rocks, Dumb Blondes, .[1]
Watts's bass of choice was a white Gibson Thunderbird, one of which was later sold to Wishbone Ash bassist Martin Turner. In 1978 he sold a customised cream Gibson Thunderbird bass guitar to Shanne Bradley, bassist with The Nipple Erectors, The Nips and The Men They Couldn't Hang. It can be heard on many of her recordings.
In January 2009 it was confirmed that Watts and the other original members of Mott the Hoople would reform for three 40th anniversary reunion concerts in October 2009.[2] The reunion at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo, London, England was extended to 5 shows due to popular demand.[3]
In August 2009 American rock music group Mambo Sons released their double album "Heavy Days" featuring a song in tribute to him entitled "Overend Watts".[4] The video for this tune has become a fan favorite, viewable on YouTube at "Mambo Sons - Overend Watts".
In November 2013 Mott The Hoople again reunited, with Martin Chambers once again sitting in (for an ailing Buffin) on drums, for a series of UK gigs in Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle and Manchester, before concluding at the o2 in London.
Publication
Watts is well known for his long-distance walks. His book "The Man Who Hated Walking" was published in 2013.[5]
References
- ↑ "Pete Watts". AllMusic. 13 May 1949. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
- ↑ "Mott the Hoople 40th anniversary reunion shows". Music-news.com. 22 January 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
- ↑ "Mott The Hoople". Mott The Hoople. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
- ↑ "Mambo Sons Original Rock & Roll Music!". Mambosons.com. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
- ↑ "The Man Who Hated Walking". www.wymeruk.co.uk. Retrieved 1 December 2015.