When David Bowie Rang My Doorbell: A Rock 'n' Roll Phone Call to Remember

Jane Watts, who grew up in Ross-on-Wye, was a huge fan of David Bowie. As a child, she would sit just inches from the television to watch him perform on Top of the Pops. Her brother, Pete Overend Watts, was one of the founding members of the band Mott the Hoople. Although the band had a loyal following, they had not yet found major commercial success. That all changed when David Bowie offered them a song he had written called 'All the Young Dudes. ' This song became the band's biggest hit and changed their lives forever. Jane recalls the exciting time leading up to the release of the song. She remembers her brother bringing home a rough copy of the track. She listened to it and thought it was amazing. It was a dream come true for her: her brother's band working with her favorite singer. Not long after, Pete came into the room and told her there was someone on the phone for her. He said, 'I think he said his name's David. ' Jane immediately knew it was David Bowie. She was thrilled and a little nervous. She spoke to Bowie on the phone for about ten minutes. Jane describes him as very kind and easy to talk to, but she admits she was so starstruck that she could barely speak. After the call, Jane was eager to tell her best friend about her conversation with Bowie. However, her friend was so jealous that she refused to speak to Jane for six weeks. The success of 'All the Young Dudes' brought Mott the Hoople into the spotlight. Jane remembers how her mother used to collect every newspaper article about the band. After the song became a hit, her mother had to buy more scrapbooks to keep up with all the news. The band became known for their energetic performances and quickly gained a much larger audience. Mott the Hoople was formed in 1969 and stayed together until 1974. They reunited for a few special shows in 2009. Jane looks back on those years with pride and excitement, remembering how quickly everything changed for her brother and his bandmates. This weekend, the town of Ross-on-Wye is honoring the band with a two-day festival. The celebration includes live music, film screenings, and spoken word events. A special bench and a blue plaque are being unveiled to remember Pete Overend Watts and Dale Griffin, both founding members of the band who have since passed away. The plaque on the bench reads, 'We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. ' Jane sits on the new memorial bench, wearing black leggings, boots, and a blue coat, holding leaves in her hand. The bench stands on a paved area and features a silver plaque with the names of Pete and Dale. The festival is a way for the community to celebrate the band's legacy and the impact they had on music. Jane is happy to share her story about the day David Bowie called her house, a memory she will always treasure. The music of Mott the Hoople continues to inspire fans, and the festival is a reminder of the joy and excitement the band brought to so many people.