Ballad of Mott The Hoople

This song was written by Ian Hunter, and is exactly what it sounds like. It begins:
"I changed my name in search of fame..."

Ian Hunter was born Ian Hunter Patterson on June 3, 1939, the eldest of 2 sons in Shropshire; his father was a Scot.

The "Rock And Roll Circus" referred to in the song was the name of a Mott tour, and Mick Ralphs did lose his guitar as mentioned; this and other incidents inspired the song "All The Way From Memphis," which was the A side. The single was released in September 1973; Mott The Hoople disbanded in December the following year.