Ariel Bender Band

Luther

Ariel Bender had been known to the band from the early Island days. Back then he was the real Luther Grosvenor and guitarist with Spooky Tooth. The name was changed for his Mott days and was coined, originally, by Lyndsey de Paul.

Prior to Spooky Tooth, Luther had learnt his trade with Deep Feeling (which included his Evesham buddy and Traffic bound Jim Capaldi), the VIPs and ART. This latter act were signed to Island and, on the suggestion of label boss Chris Blackwell, they joined up with American Gary Wright, producer Guy Stevens and re-christened Spooky Tooth.

After initially quitting Spooky Tooth to make a solo record 'Under Open Skies' (Island October 1971 ILPS 9168) after which he joined Stealers Wheel until Gerry Rafferty returned to their ranks. That all fell apart in the early summer of 1973, coinciding nicely with Mick Ralphs' resignation from Mott The Hoople.

Ralphs period of notice included the first leg of the US tour to promote 'Mott', but not the second leg which followed a two-week break for the band.

Grosvenor was contacted and had the fortnight break to join the band, get used his new name and learn the album and Mott standards.