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So I was in England and Wales and we all had a great time and I got back last week, but had stuff to catch up on before I could catch up on the Horse's Mouth, so here we go again........ Rich asks: In 'One of the Boys' I wrote 'Borrowed Gypsy's Gibson just to show them...' Was Gypsy a real person? Er, no. Kevin: A big fan, asks what he should call his band? 'Kevin' if you've got any sense lad. Steve Preston: Another convert from the Ringo tour (Thanks, Ringo). Will I tour the south? Too early to say. Willie fi Glasgi: 'The next time you're penning a song like 'Rip Off' remember to exclude Scotland.' (Well, I would have, but what rhymes with 'excluding Scotland?') Willie's written to the Glasgow Lord Provost and Jack McConnell (Scotland's PM) and they have assured him I will get the key to the city and a ticker tape parade. Willie also wants me to be the next king of Scotland (no bloody fear - I remember what happened to the last one). All this and all I have to do is sing 'No Wheels to Ride' in Wullie's front room and he'll toss in a few (and I mean a few) bob to boot. Scunner. Tom McGarry: I lived in Hamilton from 1-5 and saw two games. Well, you have to ham it up a bit. Michael leaves his strings on till their 8 years old (luxury!). Say's he knows I can't tune up on stage (I can, but I'm into delegation) and asks what strings I use. Free ones mainly. Gauge - I'm a rhythm player, 11-56. Does Ralpher have a nickname other than Ralpher? Nope, Ralpher it is. Kevin Doyle - Any video compilations of old days on DVD? Kind of difficult to do. This label paid for this one, that label paid for that one...... Kevin Greening: Having a good time bonding with his 15 year old son/bass player on old Mott and IH stuff. Excellent. Mike Grabau wants my favourite bands. I can't say as I don't see so many these days. Stick with the people I've always liked. I never seem to like the bands that everybody says is the new big thing. Frank: Is Steve Holley the drummer on Wings, 'Back to the Egg'? Now if you'd asked me yesterday - I was with him and could have asked. I know he was in 'Wings', but I don't know exactly on what. Consult your liner notes. Loves, 'Rant'. William 'Dixie' Howard: Did we ever consider a 'Mott' reunion? We were never all skint at the same time is the short answer. Jeffrey Stanke says 'When you've written as many weather forecasts as I have you begin to think you can control the weather - ludicrous, isn't it?' PEEJAY: 'My daughter's boyfriend told me recently that 'All the Young Dudes' was sung by Bowie. He's never heard of MTH or IH so I got the single out to show the (spotty-ed) pillock. Who's song is it?' David Bowie wrote it; I sang on it. Ralpher wrote the intro riff on it. David gets the bacon. Fabulous song. Tom Ross tells me Michael Stanley married Wayne Newton's sister-in- law! Janey Todd: Says she won an art contest one time for a w/c she did of AOTGOAT. 'It was lovely! They thought you were a chick!' Now, I've been called a lot of things in my time, Janey, but you must have tarted me up real good for that. Jeffrey Stanke: It's all tongue in cheek, Jeff. Keep doin' it! Kelly Boles: Sony don't have plans for 'All of the Good Ones are Taken' so I asked them to license it out to a smaller label. Let's see what happens. Milo asks if we have artistic control over mastering? Well, I don't because it doesn't interest me, but you can get involved if you want to. Some do; some don't. 'Isn't Connecticut just a big suburb of NYC?' Yes, but you can breathe and it's pretty. Tom Andrews (Studmufyin bassist) is looking for 'Welcome to the Club'. 'Silver Needles' was about Sid Vicious. Why don't you hear me on the radio? Demographics - we're all demographics. Kelly: H. B. thanks, Kelly. Will we do 'Morons' on the next tour? Nah! It's too involved - I couldn't sing all that in one go!! Bobbyballoch: Oh, oh it's the Glasgow fitba thing. I'm on the fence here. I have to play Glasgow again! Steve Karmazin: Why not talk about the meaning of my songs on the web site ala VH1 Storytellers? Well, it's a good idea, Steve, but I don't really want to do it. I said what I wanted to say. Matt Nojonenh: Excellent spoof, Matt. Excellent! DMJ says, 'Happy Birthday' Richie: No knowledge of this at all, but glad we had a good time! Alan Keinch: They're playing 'All the Way From Memphis' on Bruce's (Springsteen) pre-show tape. Nice one. Mathew John Gantz: Went to London to get my book. Finally found it at 'Helter Skelter' (Denmark Street in the West End). Regards to the kids, coach. Dean Smart: Thanks for the information. I'll pass it on. Michael Daish: 'Was Half Moon Bay in California the same place?' No, I made it up. We went to California later on and there it was. Michael left, but came back with 'Rant'. Also found YUI Orta. Welcome back! Danny Finnell: Heard Mott first on 'Midnight Special' or 'Don Kirshner's Rock Concert' (We did them both). We were the coolest band on the planet to Waddy KY. There you go. Hope Campbell (16) gets off on playing Little Richard LP's at 45 rpm. GO GIRL! No, it's not sad - it's great. What taste (she's talking about other stuff she likes). You're on it. Nick Wood: Could have been. I doubt it, but it could have been. Merrick Rotenbury: do I still use Gibson amps? Yes. I'm very fond of Gold Tops. Alex is most upset with the slow process of the Oslo DVD/CD. What can you do? Patrick Martinez: Worked for Fox Sports (like Lionel Bienvenue). Hates hanging on people's ankles just for a job. Amazing - every time you see talent on TV it leaves pretty rapidly. Apes don't like talent. So we get these faceless young corporate chaps - boy does this sound like the record industry? Patrick (who has been through the system) says I must be a magician to get away with it. Whatever it takes. Andrew Field: What was my take on Guy Stevens as a manager and as a friend? As a manager he saw in us what no one else did and he had an almost frenetic energy, which you need at the beginning. He was totally contrary - probably bi-polar, but we hadn't heard of it then. As a friend, he could be great and then treacherous. None of this was really Guy's fault. He was messed up from the off. We got on because, at that time, I was messed up too. Guy could be the boss one minute, and your little kid the next. Guy would look like he had no concept of money, but his contracts were hard and airtight. Some of Guy's ideas were great, others awful, so there you have it. A man of extremes - no middle ground. Guy tried to escape himself, but he couldn't, so he subconsciously aimed to self destruct. Guy was temporary - not made to last; he burned too fiercely for this little planet. Rick A.: Before. Rick Goward: HB Tim: What about David Werner? David was recording at the Power Station in New York at the same time we were doing YNAWAS. He asked me to help out a bit and I did. I think he's out of Philadelphia - that was it. Paul Grunill: In June's Classic Rock Magazine it says, 'When Jimmy Page formed the New Yardbirds an offer from pre-Mott Ian Hunter was politely fielded.' See this is rubbish, but people read it and believe it. Glad you wrote. Steve Petrus says he 'heard' there was creative and high-spirited banter between Ringo and me. Says Ringo's Vegas show was the best ever. Did I push him to shake some dust off? No. We just did it and it all seemed to work. He just said 'let's have fun' ...so we did. It's kind of nice riding shotgun - don't have all the attendant stuff that comes with doing your own tours. Put myself in Darrell mode. J.P. keeps shouting for 'Drivin' Sister' at gigs and doesn't get it. Stop shouting! D. Kelvin says a French magazine 'Crossroads' published in its May issue a whole commented discography of MTH. Says he knows because he wrote it! Keep he flag flying! Willie (from Glasgow): As soon as I saw this I knew what I was in for! See Willie's a Rangers fan so I'm dead 'n' buried! Well, Rangers did do the sweep last year (I'll just pop that in). Willie's on about the last Horse's Mouth which I did while watching Celtic, but as Willie correctly points out - they did lose - and as I pointed out - it was because I was watching them. Must be genes. Get over it! Prof Clemens: What happened to the Cale/Hunter/Ronson/Laing tapes?' I don't actually know . Steve Parsons: Being as the chaps are sometimes not available would I go solo one time? It's something I think about. We'll see. Birthday wishes are included in this one. Thanks. Michael Marchelos: Happy birthday (thanks). Will they release 'Shades Off' on CD? Probably, but there's a lot of other stuff coming out over the next two years, so there might be a bit of a wait. David Crisfield: His 7 year-old daughter has drawn a picture of moi. How does she get it to me? We'll ask Auntie Trudi. Willie (from Glasgow) obviously over his bout of pique wishing me a Happy birthday. Thanks, Willie. Denise says, 'Hi sexy (come on!) Happy birthday (which will now become HB) Waiting for the DVD. September, I'm told by the International chaps at Universal in London. Phil T: HB Richard: HB Cranked 'Rant' in my honour and also 'Lounge Lizard' for personal reasons. Renee: HB (no pleading for DVD or begging for west coast tour just this once.) I dunno. I like a bit of begging and pleading. Dave Poole: HB Waiting for Oslo. Just picked up a '58 Les Paul. Ah, but it's not a '56 .....and I have two! Mark Hughes: HB Joe Niznik Jr: HB Tom + Vicky Doeing: HB Saw opening show of last U.S. tour in Boston. Traveled 500 miles, his sister flew in from Florida and his brother from Buffalo. Says it was awesome. Do I listen to my own stuff? Not unless I have to. Dave Griffiths: HB 'Pension next year.' SWINE! The Fletch: HB Waiting for the DVD. Terry Greenhalf: HB Lars Davidsen: HB Will we perform live in Norway with the Oslo DVD? Well, we'd like to. everybody wants to, but it's pretty complicated and expensive - assuming you can get hem all together. Don't know as of yet. Hope Campbell: HB Hope writes a lovely letter, but I won't print it. Thanks, Hope. Dean Roecker: HB Read Ronno's book. Says my birthday was listed in the Scr Mike Saunders: HB 'Long may your plectrum pluck, the words flow from your pen and your chuckle be ever dirty!' Listening to 'Seeing Double'. Gerard York: HB from Tallahassee. John Satterfield: HB 'none of us are getting any younger.' (Must be English). Nick Wakefield: HB Nick's booked 'Nott the Hoople' for his 50th birthday next April. Dana Wilson: 'H. B. lad' Thank you. B.D. says Virginia is crawling with I.H. fans. Well, I never. Gets into some rather heavy stuff that ends up with, 'is this fuzzy thinking or clear insight?' The latter, old chap. Daniel Halferty has recorded 'I Wish I Was Your Mother' and wants permission to put it on his album. You don't need permission, Daniel. Once it's out there, anybody can cover it. Good luck. Joyce: You're welcome - keep at it. Ed: Was 'Overnight Angels' an attempt to play in a band again? Did I tour with the band? Was the producer the same guy who did 'Queen'? Why didn't the band carry on? Yes, 'Overnight Angels' was a band for about a year. I particularly enjoyed Peter Oxendale's talent and company. Mad as a March hare. Earl Slick was also in that band, and yes, we did tour. The producer was Roy Thomas Baker, who produced a lot of people including Queen and the Cars. Roy's humour is second to none. The band didn't carry on because I was in the process of changing labels and (as usual) I was in a bit of a mess. I'd have to say, I'm not happy with that period. I was doing something I shouldn't have done. I did learn from it though, and that was important to me. Ken Hess says he thanks me for keeping him singing and thinking at the same time. Dave Turner loves AAAB. I performed 'Dudes' at the Freddie Mercury Memorial with Bowie on sax, Ronno on guitar, Queen and Def Leppard (Joe and Phil). It's not often that happens, is it? Bob Kleb: What do I think of these guys: Byrds' McGuinn - liked a lot of it; The Waterboys - loved the original band; Steve Harley - done very well for himself; Tim Buckley - too good for me. Trudi would tell you different. Apparently Bob is my double and has had a lot of fun with it. Mike Phillips: No problem. Peter Squires has suggested Cardiff City use 'Bluebirds' for their next season (division 1 no less), let me know what happens. I spent a few bob in Abersoch recently - does that help? Richard Usher: A blast from the illustrious past. Says they've got Dutch style coffee shops in Worthing now. Time marches on. Tom Tulley would like to hear from you. Mike Stannard: forwarded. Dave Edgar Alan Doeing: 'Where's this place called 'East Enders?' Well, it's more of a TV set. It's a soap opera about daily life in London. It's been on British TV for yonks. Gerry Campbell: Obviously no friend of Willies! Says he's sending me all the Rangers games on video next season - in the hope I'll jinx them. I'm staying out of this. Herve wants the CD promo of 'Red Letter Day', the CD 'Good Girls' amongst others. Try eBay. Andrew Field says he just read the Roger Waters interview in Mojo where he says the rest of the band didn't understand his lyrics at the time. Did that happen to MTH? It did, actually. Pete in particular, has said this to me several times; Ralpher too. We were pretty busy and you just got on with it. I think band guys want to know more now about the lyrics than they did back then. Patricia: 'How long did Queen tour with you?' Well, we did an English tour and then a U.S. tour. They got pulled off part of the U.S. tour because Brian got sick. Actually, Mott's double live album is going to be re-mastered and re-released in CD form next year by Sony. Queen were on both those gigs, but obviously, they're not on the CDs. Lovely and talented chaps. Dean Roecker: Who are 'Weird 'n' Gilly'? They are two fans of Mick's from Cleveland, Ohio who wrote the Ronno bio. Rick Graves asks how did I hook up with Andy York? Steve Holley asked me to do a benefit in New York and Andy was there. I saw him on stage with two other guys doing a Stonsey type song and I said to Steve, 'That's the guy'. I didn't know at the time he was with John Mellencamp and we didn't actually get together until about a year later. It was well worth the wait. Hope Campbell: Hope read a book called, 'Singers 'n' Songwriters'. I'm in it plus photo but the bloke who wrote it thinks I'm dead! Why don't these people do their homework? Jim Stotts: Just got the BBC Hunter/Ronson Band CD through Amazon. Do they pay me? If it was an import from the UK they do. They have no license to sell it in the U.S. (Let us know the label and catalog number if it's not the Strangefruit release). Says he's glad I rail against Clear Channel. Well, there may be some nice guys in there, but I hate the concept, which is basically screw yourself out of business. Corporations will never learn. They squeeze everything dry. Everybody gets laid off and a few 'directors' walk away with zillions. Silly sods. Dan Hartman: Did Andy York ever explain what a chamberlain was? If he did, I've forgotten. I was credited with playing an Echo Vamper on Mott. Beats me. Hit a lot of stuff over the years. John Phillips: When will I tour (in capital letters!)? When will I do a show in New York? Well, I don't know exactly. I'm definitely planning on next May in England. You never know. Dave Powell; Do I know the chords to 'Sweet Dreamer'? Well, I did because I played a gospel-y sort of piano behind him. The changes were beautiful once you got the hang of them. It modulates quite a bit - section by section - that's the way I learned it, but I've forgotten it now. Greg: 'The Girl Can't Help It' (I think) is on 'Play Don't Worry'. It's a cover of Little Richard. 'It'll Be Me' The best version I know is Jerry Lee Lewis. Yes, I was on 'The Girl Can't Help It'. Gart Allan wants me to play the Lochgelly Centre, Fife so all his mates can see us. I really don't know. It's up to the local promoter to contact Emma Banks at Helter Skelter. I don't play where I want to - I play where they want me. Jan Hollinghurst: When you write a book you have to want to write it. There are no shortage of people willing to publish another book if I write one, it's just I've never felt the inclination. When I do - I'll do it. Glenn likes the humour in the Horse's Mouth. Says it makes his month. Well, I'm just reacting to you guys (and gals). I don't know if it's that funny this time, because there's a hell of a lot of it. Anyway.... Mandi comes to us via 'Great White' sleeve notes (her Dad always taught her there was more talent in the liner notes than in the bands) and assorted bins. Took her son to a Def Leppard concert - he loved it and found me again in their liner notes. Now he's listening to 'Rant'. We get there in the end, Mandi. Judy (Jesse's former baby sitter extraordinaire) says she loves, 'Knees of My Heart' but her daughter, Ashley, always says Judy hasn't got any hearts in knees! You're a cold woman, Judy!! Chambo says my son Steve's rendering of 'To Be a Penguin' reminds him of his spotty youth when he had a girlfriend called Anna Pilgrim (age 12). At assembly he and his mate, Steve Inkersole, would sing loudly 'to lay Anne Pilgrim.' Brilliant. Who chooses the support bands? Well, usually you would be approached by people 'bearing gifts', but the band had to be good. Queen were no exception - touring is very expensive. HB Paul Stepto: Noted. Chris Kelly want to know about the Motts and getting back to Shropshire. I talked to Watts that grand English eccentric for three hours the other night. Pete walked the lower end of England earlier this year (340 miles) and told me the whole torrid story. We went out to dinner a few times with Ralpher and went to his house, which is beautiful. Mick's looking leaner this year. We were in Shropshire for the Christening of my third grandchild (all boys) at a lovely old place just outside Shrewsbury. Peter Jordan: Quite a few references lately as to dry spells in writing - what was your longest? It's not really the songs; it's the lyrical idea. Once you get an idea it's like a movie. You fill the bits in. Wants a fans choice tour. What a bloody nightmare that would be. No two of you think alike. I'd be there all night. Tony Pender: 'I was a great admirer of Uriah Heep's music and I heard you got offered the gig.' Yes, I did turn it down. Tom McGarry 'What about some pictures of you at Hunter Towers while you're penning the Horse's Mouth?' It's too ugly Tom. Too ugly. Paul Dakin: Remembers me doing 'Central Park 'n' West' on MTV from a live video. I think that was the Pier 84 show. Robbie Altar, Mark Clarke, I think it was that band. 9,000 people. Ann Diamond: I was married once before and had two kids, Steve and Tracie. Trudi and I have been together over 30 years now and have Jesse. Steve has his own business, Tracie is doing great stuff with her band and Jess works in the city and rehearses his band constantly. I'm told it's good, but we're not allowed to go - yet. Mick had three children Lisa, Nick and Kim. He was married to Suzi. Kenny Denton: Red boots marches on in a different direction. Willie: Ahh - the kazoos - the kazoos!!! Gerry Draper: The Carpenters came to England in their excitement at being feted all over the place they let slip they'd seen this awful band called Mott the Hoople. It did not have the required effect and it taught them a big lesson. Actually, I kind of liked her voice. I like Anne Murray's voice too. Jeffrey Stanke says he has a great time on the message board. Says my fans are good people. Just had his 6th grandchild. It's those wet Virginia springs mate! Andriette Redmann: 'Please do NYC, we need a show.' Actually, Andy's always on about doing one. It is local-ish. We'll see if we can find a window. John Rokosny: 'Do the Bowery Ballroom soon.' Tom Villemaire: Thank you for that! David Rovneyko: 'Talk about 'Life After Death.'' You know, sometimes this stuff just comes and you do it. The hook came first - had that for a while and then the rest came later. I can't remember the lyric, but I'm sure it was how I was feeling at the time. Heather: Says she loves my music so much she can't stand it! Thank you, Heather! Loves 'Rant' (and she's only 23!). Brent Coursey - Oh - go on then. Karen and Murray went to Barker Street. 'She' wasn't there. Says they're not really mad. I was there myself a couple of weeks ago. Rowley's mansion's still standing. Phil Smith: I plan to tour England (so far) next year. I'm not signing things at the moment. Phil doesn't like the English scene at the moment. I don't know, I saw some of Glastonbury on TV and I though some of the bands were great. Alan McClelland: Am I now a U.S. citizen? No, I'm a British citizen and a U.S. resident. How do I see the differences between UK and the US changing? It's business as usual in the U.S. but the UK has got to do something. The services in the UK are sadly lacking and I don't know if it's money, or a general decline in people's belief in the people they're supposed to respect. Ain't too keen on management in the UK, I don't think anybody is. Hey, I'm English - I'm allowed to queue and whine.......Alan's thinking about forming a band called, 'Not the Hoople'. It's been done already. Mike Channon took his lady to Bristol - FAILED - volume drowned out the voice. I didn't know that. Was it where you were standing? First complaint I've had. Glenn Williams: No idea, but the H. was heavy. Bryan McGowan: Wants 'Irene Wilde' in the next set. We'll see. Roger. R. asks 'Where is the piano riff that used to be on your web site -that was awesome - can I get a copy?' Well, I've never heard it so I don't know what it is, but maybe Todd or Justin will read this and put it back on. Mac from Boro got 'Rant' and is back in the fold. Howard Apgar: 'Roll Away the Stone' is in C (starts in A min). Don't ask me about the middle bit, I let the band do that. I know it finishes up on a suspended G. Chloe: Noted. Peejay: Is it better to tour before or after a release? On it or after. Where do I holiday in Europe? Varies. When you go on tour do you fly economy? We bus it. Have you been to the Maldives or Sri Lanka? No. David Hatfield: Get 'Rant'. Jim Asker: Yeah, I see Little Steven now and again. He's a lovely guy with a true Rock 'n' Roll heart. Thanks for playing my stuff on college radio. You wouldn't get away with it now. Glenn was reading early H.M. entries. What did I make in the factories? Rolls Royce automotive engines - ball bearings. Center lathe - capstans - milling- drilling. Boring, but the camaraderie was good and there's nothing that beats the feeling when the siren goes on a Friday night. David Newton: Universal is a massive company. You try for a worldwide release, but it's more complicated that that. I'm new to them and it takes time for territories to kick it. Territories are kicking in, but all I know is International in London want it for England in September. I don't know about the U.S. yet, but I know Canada is on board. Andy Blackhurst: You naughty, naughty - interesting man! Dave Donner: noted and forwarded. Bart: Thanks for the information. Mary Ann has been enjoying my music for decades, however her 10 and 20 year old nieces think I'm weird. They're absolutely right, Mary Ann. Ted Dotson teaches art at Murray High School and plays them old stuff they think it's better than the current music. Some is, some isn't. Regards to the kids, Ted. Merwyn Thompson says a guy has a syndicated show called 'Current Classics' where they feature classic stars and their current releases. Merwyn requested an expose of me and the DJ said 'he'd try'. On my birthday Merwyn made a 'Rant' request which the DJ did not play, but he did play 'ATYD'. Afterward, he gave me a good talk up, but said I was a cynical person. Me? Cynical? If I were a cynical person I'd say, 'He'd try' means - no way in hell. If I were a cynical person - I'd probably think he played ATYD because he's never heard of 'Rant' or his policy (or his PD's policy) is not to play it, or he just hasn't got it. Do I see myself as a cynical person? Nah! Kevin: Favourite memory of Mott? Don't really have any in particular. It was great, but nothing sticks out. Same with Ronno - so many good times. Am I playing with Ralpher soon? More than likely. Got to get the Rant Band out next year - they need an airing. Greg Holloway: Read about the Mott biopic - am I involved? No. Am I working on a new CD yet? I'm in the foothills, but these things take time. A lot of other stuff's coming out in the next year or so. Peter Purnell is re-releasing all the Island catalog, Sony's got another MTH release, The Oslo show is being put out by Universal. There's no real rush for a studio album at this time. Ralpher and I also have the Manchester show on Angel Air - all in all - quite saturating. Incidentally, I saw the figures for the IH 'Once Bitten' compilation when I was at Sony - surprisingly healthy. Thank you all for participating! Stuart Woodward: Will we play Leeds on the next tour? Yep. Paul Clark: Still talking about the Garage in Glasgow. We'll be back. Allan Wigney: Noted. Don Odell: Noted. Joe Zang: Was I aware there was a women's basketball team called the Cleveland Rockers? No, but isn't that lovely. Bill McCue speaks well of www.classicrockproductions.com Vegetableman: Was I into Syd Barret and Psychedelia? Well this all ties in nicely. No - I was a rocker. Teg writes, 'Get your arse back to Leeds.' Ian Tollefsen: Mmmmmmm. Willie from Glasgow: Ah Wullie! Ooer Wullie. Hoba: 'Long time since updates' Been on my hols. John; Not really. It was Bowie's idea to do 'Sweet Jane'. I remember Silverhead, but that's about it. Mike Moore wants to know if I was at a chip stand in Paramus in 1977. Probably. Hope Campbell: I'm back - I'm back. Stu McKenzie: Saw 'Darkness' at a live performance at Virgin Megastore. Stu was wearing his 'Rant' T-shirt and the bass player, Frankie Poullain, asked Stu if he'd read the book and said it was the best book around. Yes, I've seen them on TV a couple of time - and I like 'em. They rock. Pete Lewis: How the hell did I manage to sing over Buff's squeakie high hat on 'My Mind's Gone'? There aren't any drums on that track, are there? Jon Bolton: The MTH Island catalog is coming out on Angel Air starting in September. Alwyn Turner: Noted. That's it! Apologies to those missed. Maybe next time. It's an overcast day at Hunter Towers. Humidity gnaws and the basement beckons. Respect yourselves, You never know how long you're going to need you. IH |
Jul '12 |