Hi - How are you all doing?

Tricky, some of this email. Where do I get this? Where do I get that? To tell you the truth, I don't have all that many of my own records, and I don't know where to get them either!

I also get a lot of mail asking why don't I play this place or why don't I play that place. The truth is - it's not really down to me where I play- it's down to the promoter and the agent. If a promoter doesn't fell he'll make money - he won't book me - he's not daft!! I am an acquired taste. I don't sell boatload of records so to those of you who do like me, it is, and it has always been, difficult to follow me.

I'm aware of this and all I can do is make an album now and again and hope to reach a wider audience. All I can say is I'm eternally grateful to those of you who do support me and that's what has kept me going all these years. That and the fact that I'm no good at anything else!

There's a lot of mail about Ringo's tour. The only reason I haven't mentioned it before is I've still to sign the contracts. I don't think it's a good idea to talk about something until its definite. I've lost count of the times I've opened my big mouth and said I was doing something only to have it backfire on me five minutes later. The dreaded "Murphy's Law." It does look pretty much on at the moment. How do I feel about it? How many people get to play with a Beatle!! Some are saying why now, just as "Rant" is coming out. The argument to that I've been told is that it will raise the profile and put me back in the public eye. I intend to tour the U.S. afterward, and by that time I will already have toured England and done a radio promo tour of the U.S. All in all a busy year - if it all works out. While we're on the subject of the U.S. promo tour (which is still being set up as I speak) I've had mail regarding the Cleveland Hall of Fame "gig". It's true it did sell out in seven minutes - mainly because it's a very small venue. It is not, however a proper gig. It's a promo gig. As it stands at the moment, myself and Andy York will sit down and do a Q and A session and maybe play a few songs acoustically. I intend to return to Cleveland in the fall and play there with a full band, so please understand this is not a proper gig. I don't have a problem with autographs after the show, but I don't know what it will be like when we get there so bear with me.

When is "RANT" out? In the U.S. Fuel 2000 have set a release date of April 23rd; and in the U.K. the Papillon date is May 21st.

Papillon have the rights to "RANT" for the rest of the world and they will undoubtedly be dealing with their affiliates in Europe, Japan, etc. I have no information yet on what these labels might be.

Terry wants to know if I'm English. I'm half English and half Scottish.

Alan says he rang the Astoria for tickets for the 8th of June and they told him it was canceled. Whoever you talked to was wrong. I'm playing the Astoria on June 8th. Remember, it's an early show there.

Dave says he's seen articles calling the new album "Worm's Eye View". It was a working title for a while, but we wound up with "RANT".

Tyler/ Australia. Although the Ronsons appreciate your wanting to pay your respects, they feel that Mick's resting place should remain that way. You've paid your respects already by writing this email.

Dave Ramshaw wants Darrell to do "Blondes" at Newcastle. Bit of problem there Dave. The chaps from the English band are all rather busy this year. I'd already pushed back the tour to accommodate Gibbo and Steve Holley who had other commitments and we finally decided on early June, but then it turned out that Darrell had a conflict. Trev said he was offered the same gig - what should he do? I said go for it. A change is as good as a rest and Cuddles is overdue and more than capable of handling the front. The new bass player will be Gus Goad and the second guitar player is for me to know and for you to find out!

Roger Coe - yes, there is a 23A Swan Hill.

Tony Lambert - No, I haven't bought it.

Ed says how do I sing gig after gig with no days off. The voice is a muscle. I start two weeks before the band rehearses and slowly sing for longer and longer each day and then it usually hangs in. Touch wood. It does actually hurt all day and sound checks sound awful, but it usually starts to clear up about 7 or 8 in the evening.

Gary wants to know what songs I'm gonna play on the English tour. Right now Gary, I haven't got the faintest idea and that's the truth.

Jon P. - No, I don't watch Coronation Street! Bloody Hell!!

Sam Richards says there are two small towns in North Dakota; one town is called "Mott" and the other is called "Hoople". Are you having me on?

"Ready to Spend" - We're just not set up for it yet.

Hey Tricia - I know all this stuff before you do!

Richard - Yes, Crewe! And on my birthday! I told Cuddles I learned to tie my shoelaces sitting on a train waiting to get into Crewe. He said "How old were you?" I said, "5" . He said he learned when he was two, but he didn't suppose it really mattered.

Donnie Blais - Got your number Donnie. Send the limo!!!

Marshall Hall - Newcastle was always one of Mott's favourite gigs. It is, however, mainly City Hall that I remember. I remember doing one gig up there (it might have been the Mayfair), and it got a bit crazy and Alsatian dogs appeared on the stage. The dogs were scared and to this day I think that was about the stupidest thing I've ever seen a ballroom manager do. Fortunately, they got them off the stage without anybody getting hurt. Kids were wild in Newcastle. They'd have the tour bus two feet from the stage door entrance and still they'd get you. Shades smashed, hair pulled, clothes ripped. Ah the good old days! Got booed off city hall stage by 2000 kids one night when the drummer turned up legless. I was the mug who had to tell them the show was off. Not a pretty sight or sound. Great audience. I remember they loved Free. Best of luck with the book mate.

Dave Simpson asks about "Salvation" Sometimes songs get caught up in a time warp or something. It happened with "Wings". I like "Salvation" ; just didn't do it on the new record. I guess all the songs on "RANT" fit each other, although "Salvation" would have fit in too really. Don't ask me!

Kevin Carey - yes, I have heard Webb Wilder's version of "Big Time". I think the speed he did it at was much better than the speed I did it at. Last year in England I did it at his speed and it was much better.

Irene Wilde - I don't know what the chords are Norbert, but its A on a G String based.

Isto asks me about the world's situation at the moment. He's not happy about the greed. Basically he's right. Thatcherism. Greed in the music business. Well, it's not just the music business - it's every business. I think it's getting hard to have a good time. Ever see "Rollerball"? Corporate cults. But hey, I've picked up newspapers for 40 years now and it used to be worse. It all depends on how you look at it. Somehow we get by. Violence is totally alien to me; I just don't get it. WILL SANITY PREVAIL - haven't got a clue! My influences? The Stones and Bob Dylan. My old stuff is re-released all the time, but probably not in Finland. Sorry about that. Perhaps an internet site?

Steve - Yes I remember the Coach House in San Capistrano. Played there a few times. Loved it.

Dean R. tells me he thinks Buffin is the best drummer that ever lived. There you go Buff.

Brett Dezarn - Noted and thanks.

Mr. Tony asks why Darrell Bath's web page isn't linked to mine. I'll ask Trudi. She said she didn't know he had a web site. No one has asked for a link.

Usher - How the hell am I supposed to do that from here? Talk to Kris. How are you doing. I'll mention it to Trudi.

Paul Linbrick wants to know who "Bastard" was written for. I'm not telling him. yeah, i heard Ellen Foley's "Night Out" just the other day. What chops!

Mike - Yes, it was something Columbia put out because "Schizophrenic" was doing well, and they wanted a piece of the action. Jolly unsportsmanlike if you ask me!

Ken Grady - You keep that flag flying mate!

Kevin S. - There is a chance I might nip back to England late on in the year. Depends how well the album does.

Requests for "Picasso" and "The Journey" keep cropping up. Just thought I'd tell you.

Paul Coombs - "Shades Off" was written on a tour bus going somewhere. I think it was in Scotland.

Richard Mills - Kris is out of the country at the moment. I'll mention it to him when he gets back.

Sue Bliss - My daughter's name is Tracie and my wife Trudi says there's a link from this site to hers.

Ellen Mclintyre - So Ellen - you lost your cherry (Sorry I couldn't help it.). I actually did "Do Ya" on a short tour I did with Todd Rundgren. Good song and no, the words were never completed to Henry and the H. Bomb.

Steve Parsons asks why don't I use Miller Anderson on guitar? Because he's my best and oldest mate. He's absolutely brilliant on guitar. Actually, it's probably because he's a better singer than me too! We have thought about it, and I don't know about him, but I still do. I'm a great believer in fate. If it's meant to be it will happen. Cuddles is a big fan of Miller's too. A lot of people are. I just don't ever want to fall out with him and it has to be said - I am a bit bossy!!

Rob - It's coming - it's coming!

Barb Shewchuk wants to know what my eldest son does. He is in partnership with another chap and they own a software firm that is very successful.

Lisa Ronson still lives with her mum and still sings in bands. Enough said.

Kermit asks if I ever feel like not doing a gig. Every day about 5 PM I don't want to gig. Something happens about 8 PM and I usually enjoy every one of them. Energy.

Jimmy from Perth, Australia asks if I have had songs in movies. Yes, about 8 movies have my songs in them.

Tony G - I got your email - 4 times over - did you press something wrong? Sorry about the car - it wasn't me.

Morrelli - Hi John! Wife - daughter - house!!! My how time flies.Good to hear from you mate. Stay well.

Bob - Thanks!

There was tons of mail this time around. Hopefully we've sorted some of it out. Again a lot of people thank me for songs that have helped them through a bad time. This makes me feel good if it's true. Let's face it, rock Ôn' roll is not neurosurgery. It's a selfish business and you have to be selfish to do things your own way. This selfishness has bothered me over the years, but then I get mail like this and it makes me feel I have given something in my own little twisted way. I can't react to these emails one by one as they are personal and sad, but I do read them and am more than glad to have been of service.

Thanks also to those of you who simply write and say I'm fab! My - I could live like this forever, but there's a big ugly world out there I've got to go and see to!

Thanks for tuning in.

IH