It was 1973 and Mott the Hoople was enjoying the big success they'd found with their 1972 album, “All the Young Dudes.” They were touring the U.S. and were set to play the final show of the tour at Ellis Auditorium, in Memphis three days before Christmas.

Guitarist Mick Ralphs and organist Verden Allen elected to drive while the rest of the crew flew. In the confusion of the split travel, Ralphs' guitar got lost. Whether it was the band's fault or the airline's, the instrument somehow turned up in Oriole, Kentucky. 230 miles from Memphis, near Madisonville, KY.

According to the lyrics, the musician gets halfway to Memphis before he realizes his guitar is missing. And it takes a month to track it down. When he gets the guitar back, he is scolded by a stranger for being neglectful and self-centered.

The loss of the guitar became symbolic of Mott's frustration with the tour. Ticket sales for their final show were abysmal, Ralphs' hotel room got robbed, and the roadies got lost from the band.

The growing strain had the whole band feeling tired of the rock and roll lifestyle. Ian Hunter wrote "All The Way From Memphis" on the day of that final concert and dedicated it to two of their crew, Lee Childers and Tony Zanetta plus the city of Memphis, Tennessee. 

The song reflects a weariness with the rock and roll lifestyle, including the strain of constant touring and the low public opinion of rock 'n' roll singers. This theme appears in the chorus, which is repeated with minor variations: "you look like a star, but you're still on the dole," "you look like a star, but you're really out on parole."

Regardless, "All The Way From Memphis" became a Mott The Hoople fan favorite and one of Ian Hunters finest songs. As the first track on 1973's Mott, it reached #10 in the UK. The single didn't crack the US chart, but the Mott album reached #35.

"All the Way from Memphis" is also featured in the movie Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.

Various Sources