Jeff: No problem.

Sonic Salamander: 'OK, I've heard you're a lover of art (good - that is.ed) so - er yeah - this is shameless self promotion, but I'm a big fan and an art student. My site - if you fancy a gander at some of my work is: http//sonicsalamander.deviantart.com/ Yeah I know - but the more people see what I'm doing - the more chance I've got!' I bet you're doing this to all the boys - good luck.

Keith: Well. I'm not seeing Andy till next week so I can't tell you what he used on 'Truth'. I think he was still on his PRS at the time goin' through one of Mick's Gibson Goldtops. You have to remember he uses a lot of peddles - I don't know what was going on there. He's since dropped PRS and is using Gibson Les Pauls.

Al Maddox: 'Congrats on Classic Rock Award etc.' Thanks, Al.

Bucks Burnett brings up an interesting point. His film work has just been bootlegged. If all you chaps out there who love bootlegs were bootlegged yourselves - how would you feel? He calls 'em 'clowns in the circus - life is fiction.' That's as good as anything else I've heard.

Kristie: 'Way back in high school in the 70's my then boyfriend tried to convince me that MTH were fab. I scoffed and said I didn't like 'that kind of music.' I was an idiot - don't even ask me what I listened to back then - its embarrassing beyond belief. Went to college - expanded my musical horizons and discovered he was right after all. Got a gig at a college radio station and the first song I played was 'Cleveland Rocks'. Held one of your albums in the station picture when we all held our favourite records. Finally, got to see you - amazing - couldn't believe were were in the same room. Wish I could have shared it with that old high school boyfriend, but we lost contact many years ago. I have a son in high school now and his marching band play 'Cleveland Rocks' much to Mom's delight. I put this in because MTH were always a 'guy's' band, not a girl's band. I don't think girls liked the look of us and it did bother us at the time. Guys always seemed to have to 'convert' their girlfriends - and it still happens to this day. Perhaps girls liked less threatening music (Trudi was a huge Cat Stevens fan). I think they liked 'sexy' singers and good looking lads (why not indeed?). But you know, (as most teeny bop reality boy bands eventually find out after a couple of years) - you need more than a pretty face and a cover tune to stay the course - and you need lots of guys who have taste!

Dan Hathaway: Saxophonist. Wants it! Ever listen to the 'Upsetters' (Sam Cook/Little Richard). You got to read Sam Cook'e book everybody. It's effin great. In store now!!

Melanie: 'If you want the great Kitty Lester single 'Love Letters Straight from Your Heart' I got it yesterday! It's called 'Rock 'n' Roll Grafitti' (vol.4) from http.musicnashville.com/frameindex.html It's expensive, but it's worth it.' Thanks, Melanie. This track is guaranteed to move you.

Susan Martin appreciates the 'intellectual' undercurrent on the 'Rant' album. Thanks, Susan.

Neville Peacock: Brighton? Mmmm. Don't know. London's not toooo far.

Paul and Jackie: Please play Cardiff - car clapped out - oh dear.

Caroline: the moon is up in Miami - time to update - love 'The Outsider' sit in the dark and listen to it for hours and hours.' oooer!

Bucks Burnett becoming a regular! Load of stuff culminating in best song yet?' You know, this is like asking me which one of my kids I prefer.

Ed Marentette: ' Been with you since '70. Got new DVD and was blown away by the quality of the songs, singing, the playing, obviously having fun and Andy and Mick playing beautifully together. Saw MTH many times back in the day and will always treasure the memories. The musicianship now more than makes up for the energy then. I know Mick won't fly - put him on the QE2 for us Stateside fans who can't get to England. Saw the Stones last week. You play better and it ain't $350 a ticket!'

Rich V asks what cars do we drive? A Merc and a Volvo. What cars did Ronno drive? Anything from a Cadillac to afford wreck. They never lasted long. Susie use to total them. Mick didn't care about cars (I don't either). As long as you can get from A to B.

Bart: 'Some Spades hate Rock 'n' Rollers - They're all the same.' An unfortunate turn of phrase, but acceptable at the time, and obviously, not what you thought.

Jan Engen: Noted. We will get back to you.

Pee Jay: 'Doing the Astoria?' I don't know.

Nick Malcolm: 'Did you ever play with Mickey Gee?' Doesn't ring a bell.

Screamin Davis: Sorry - I'm glad it was of some slight help.

Jeffrey: Emoting!

Judy: Hi Jude!

John Sutton: 'When you hear press releases regarding artist sales they seem to be extremely high. Is it common practice to inflate sales figures: Well, there's sales and then there's returns. A record company might 'ship' a million but you won't hear about the half million shipped back!

Paul Abbott: Do I ever bump into Keef as he lives nearby? Well, he's always out doing stuff isn't he. I know Roy (who lives with him) and he's a ways away from where I live. Do I know where he lives? Yes, but I'm not telling!

Bart 'Just got the Astoria CD in the U.S. You've still got it!'

John Caswell thinks 'Overnight Angels' is a great album 0 but it doesn't sound like me. Have I ever thought of rerecording with the Rant Band? No. Thinks the songs are brill. Am I coming to Boston? Hopefully in the near future.

John Hess: Spring in Detroit? There's a good chance we'll be there.

Tony Conley: (i) What's your favourite self penned tune? Don't know. (ii) What do you look for in a guitarist? A guy with depth and, who thinks about the song first and the solo last. Melodic rather than up and down the fretboard like a greyhound, innate quality and an inventive mind - it helps if they sing and look good too! They don't grow on trees and they're usually odd but they're worth it!! (iii) Any chance of a memoir? Memory's not that great.

Broghan Carey: Has one of the first five thousand copies of the first MTH album which has 'Road to Birmingham' on by mistake. Is he going to be rich? Well, it's probably worth a few bob to someone on eBay.

DCJ: London in the spring? We shall see how the recording goes.

Fred H. Fred found the 'All of the Good Ones' video on iTunes music store. Thanks, Fred.

Jim Scully: 'Finally! Got a copy of 'Just Another Night' that plays on my DVD player (NTSC). BRILLIANT1111 I love it! More shows in the New York area! Andy York Rocks!'

Mike Costanza: 'How did Jaco Pastorius (the Hendrix of bass) end up playing bass on 'AAA Boy'? He was staying with Bobby Columby (drummer with Blood, Sweat and Tears), who lived near us at the time. I played him some songs and he left Bobby's house and moved in with me. 'Any stories - recollections?' I was living in Chappaqua (about an hour from NYC). My brother in law, Kevin, drove us back and forth each day to Electric Ladyland (me, Jaco and Cocker's wonderful piano player, Chris Stainton). We did this for two weeks solid and Jaco told jokes all the way down and all the way back and never repeated himself once. Admittedly, at the end the jokes were verging on the totally naff, but I still considered it a sterling achievement. 'All American Alien Boy' (which died a death at thetime) will be re-released by the excellent Sony Legends team in London next year. 30th Anniversary - with additional tracks they've found.

Renee got 'Just Another Night' over the weekend. Brilliant - the band's great - the sound and pictures astounding and you're not prat like in any way (thank goodness for that!). Remarkable things can happen to anyone. Renee says, ' Two choices - record soon or visit the West Coast soon.' I'm trying to do both. Probably won't work out that way, but we're trying!

Shawn from Scottsdale: 'Love your work with Jaco Pastorious. God Take 1 probably my favourite tune.' Shawn's a friend of Tommy Bolin's family and apparently I signed a book for him and gave him some advice he unfortunately didn't heed. 'I can't help thinking 'Silver Needles' is loosely based on Tommy and a lot of other victims of that era.' Shawn says he's happy I survived and continue to be prolific and relevant. It's a fluke really, Shawn. Your parents can prepare you for an average existence, but no one can prepare you for a life in the music arena. I was lucky in that MTH were totally clean as a band. Any odd behavior was immediately stamped on by other members of the band so by the time I came out of that I was old enough to think for myself. I've seen so many people going to parties I wasn't invited to - I actually felt like a vicar at times! Of course I wasn't an angel, but the music always came first. Maybe I should have done stuff - the funniest thing was Ringo moaning at me for having a drink! Talk about the reformed calling the kettle black!! I'm just lucky - that's all. Regards to Tommy's family.

Keith Smith saw Tracie at the Running Horse in Nottingham and says, 'You would have been proud.' Well, we did see her in London at the Borderline a few weeks back. New stuff is definitely a step up. She's getting ready to record now. Hopefully this is it. Love the new stuff and the band's fab. Drummer terminally good and cute. His Dad's a nice chap too.

Jim McConnell: When will the new album be available and will it be different to 'Rant'? We'll do the second one first. It's totally different to 'Rant' - so far. It should be done by the end of February - which is dodgy timing as I haven't concluded a deal yet. There's always interest, bur we have to be satisfied too. Perhaps it won't be released until after I've toured……solution…..put off the tour until the autumn. I'm not saying I'm doing that, I'm just saying what's happening. It takes a label around 8 - 12 weeks to get a record out - so it's tight. I can't do it earlier as the musicians I want have time frames of their own.

Sophie Burghardt: Will you tour England in 2006? I hope so.

Matt Nojonen says small time halls with small time bands ae charging big time money. Could be Clearchannel? Everything they touch is guaranteed to squeeze. Your're right about the joke, Matt.

George Saddi: 'I just read the Horse's Mouth and thought I'd back you up on something. You did indeed do a TV show with Wolfman Jack. I remember it well; he introduced you doing 'Ships' saying something to the effect that you had written it, though Manilow had recorded it, and this was the way it was meant to be done. I remember it not only because I was a fan, but I saw it in a hotel room during a high school party for some function (prom?). While I was busy watching you, my date was locked in the bathroom having sex with another guy in the tub! - I still got the better of the deal.'

Bucks: Appreciated

SB: 'No Xmas show?' I've discussed this with the chaps and unless it was something really special we'd rather stay home.

Hope Campbell: Got it - got it. Can't remember everything.

VYT: 'The eBay page or feature you are attempting to access is not responding.'

Richard Mills says I don't tell you enough about who the songs are about. Well, I think I do.

Kenny Mac: 'Was 'Artful Dodger' swept under the carpet? A bad deal? Yes. P.S. It's reverted to Bjorn. A couple of small labels want it, but he won't give it to them. He feels it's better than that (and so do I).

Todd Denison went to see Queen with Paul Rogers. He was blown away. 'Queenies still got it and Mr. Roger's fantastic. Only Paul had the balls to take on this enormous challenge and pull it off.' I was meant to go to the New Jersey show but had to pull out at the last minute but everybody's saying the show is fantastic. More power to them!!

Bart: 'Have you ever met Tom Petty? No. Opinion of his music? I wasn't too sure at first but I came round. Knows just how to record his stuff perfectly. Great band (I remember meeting the guitarist and the organist at the Village studios in LA). They were up for doing something but I had nothing going for me at the time. Extremely nice people.

James Knox: I have to be honest. Guy Stevens wanted that song on the record. I did it, but as I was 'not involved' as they say - I just sang it for Guy (who, by the way, had impeccable taste and 'was - involved').

Jeffrey's wishing me 'Happy Veteran's Day' Sod off! (Just kidding!)

Mikey: 'Just finished watching the Astoria DVD again. Great show. New tour? Needs an IH fix.'

Tom Day: When was the lat time you met Bowie? Wembley - Freddie's Memorial show.

Steve Fisher: 'England 3 Argentina 2'. See, the English media!! They were burying them last week and now they're going to win everything - call themselves sportswriters - I call them demolition experts. 'Whatever happened to Kelvin Blacklock?' Don't know. Did you try Mick Jones' web site? Mick knew him well. This last bit's really interesting, Steve. If and when, I'll keep all these details and get Stan Tippins on it. Thanks for the offer - we just might take you up on it!

Callmeafan says my appeal is in my blue collar roots (I worked in factories for eight years). Says I speak to him and for him - he spreads the word slowly, buy surely making converts. 'Keep doing it.' How can I not with people like you hustling for me!

Dr. David named his son after moi…..send your photo (two copies?) to: Jesse John Music, P.O. Box 245, Bridgewater, CT 06752 - include relevant info etc. and we will take care of it.

Richard White: Re: Guy producing the Clash's London Calling in Wessex Studios. Guy would just ring me and panic - it wasn't the same - he couldn't do it - they didn't understand him - they didn't get it! He couldn't do it - and on and on. I just kept saying - you CAN do it - I didn't know if he could but I kept telling him he could. It wasn't all the time. I just figured he'd had a bad day now and again . It happens all the time with bands. Guy was not very secure. He may have looked secure, but he was one of the most insecure men I've ever known. I loved him, but he was a pain and I'm sure the Clash got fed up with him from time to time. I know he stretched my patience and the rest of the Motts. You either got it or you didn't. He could get a little rowdy, and you know, - you are trying to DO something here. He was trying to create live magic in a studio - not an easy thing to accomplish. He was this mad - one man - 2000 seater audience, broken seats and all!

Tom Davis says he watched a program featuring Tal Bachman (Randy Bachman's son) and Brad Roberts (from the Crash Test Dummies). Tal related a story of how Randy would ring his son at college and bemoan the fact that he was wasting his life on education and should be in a band instead. What did I say to my kids? The sort answers - nothing. They all did what they wanted. They're all doing fine - but they all know what they want. They're all stubborn and I was exactly the same. I f you know what you want it do - do it. That's what life is all about. If you want to go to college - fine. If you don't - fine - it's your life (the wife would tell you different).

Jackie just listened to the Astoria CD. Says I'm getting better! Dead Man Walkin' got her teary, The Journey a big plus. Come to Florida. Say hi to Andy, 'You guys complete each other.' Well, thank you.

Wyatt Ford: 'Come to Ohio.' You know I will.

Mary: (i) Congrat on Classic Rock Songwriter Award - how does it feel? Well, I've never been first in anything since the 100 yard dash for the under 12's at Shrewsbury police sports, so it did engender a bit of a chill on the walk one morning. Spiffy! (ii) Going to England for a gig next year. Mary's been in an accident with a cab (his fault) and she's just getting better. You'll be fine in time.

Paul: 'Bought the Astoria DVD and absolutely love it. Canadian version plays without a hitch. Amazing see you in Toronto!'

John: 'Is Mott a common name in the U.S.?' I wouldn't say it was common but it crops up now and again.

Paul Rashbrook: 'Will 'Artful Dodger' ever be released?' If I ever get a hit record they'd be on it like a bear in a honey hive.

Current gripe: The Daily Mail - the only UK paper I can get here daily is getting dumb and dumber. How can people vote with all this bias crap flooding the UK?

Another gripe: Wilkinson sword blades - can't get them here anymore. Bought out (as usual) by one of the other giants (Gillette or Schick). How many blades do you need to shave? Currently 4!! And it's going to be five soon. Brilliant.

Alls well that ends well - for now!

IH