Very English day - grey, overcast, damp - beautiful!!

Andy P: 'Was 'Irene Wilde' based on true facts?' Yup.

John Stieferman: Right from the off it was MTH originals.

Shawn Jones: 'U.S. Life on Mars - final tally: two MTH songs - one Mott song quoted, one song referring to Mott, and one character named from a Mott song - so - who's the fan?' Haven't a clue, but it would be nice to know.

Jay Tashjian: 'Just watched DVD showing old Mark 1 MTH and PRAY October shows even come close.' Same here. 'The UK Rock Legends show was nice to see….' Didn't know anything about this.

Rich B: 'Ever meet or play with Bill Nelson.' Yes, I met him once. Very nice chap and a creative player.

Rik Rolski wants a DVD. The powers that be are working on it but I've got nothing yet .

Steve Walker: 'Just hoping nothing happens that gets in the way of October.' Ditto.

Kellianne Flynn: '17 month old Bridget sways to Golden Opportunity.' She'll grow out of it.

Dominic Descreux: 'Does the MTH reunion inspire you to any text or song - and what do you think of nostalgia?' If anything's gonna hit me it will be when we rehearse, and we haven't done that yet. Mott was always good to write with in rehearsals. Nostalgia sounds like a disease to me. It's just another adventure.

Big Bowby: 'When you're on a gig and you can't be arsed - how do you get through it when you just can't be bothered? I play in a pub band - sometimes it's murder.' Well, the thing is, people pay good money to see you - me - that is - and I hate to let the side down. Pubs can be a nightmare - that's where I started out. Do they pay you? If they do - do it with a will.

Paul Prizer: 'Saw you on the Broadway Tour in Allentown, PA in '74. Seeing Queen opening was mind blowing.' Paul's popping over for the MTH gig.

Liz: Nice one.

Steve Robson: A few of you are asking for stuff to be signed at the gigs. As you probably know, it's hit and miss on gigs like these. It's going to be busy, so don't bank on it.

Rockin' Rob: 'When do rehearsals begin for the reunion?' Sometime nearer the shows; you can rehearse yourselves into the ground.

Jim Thomas: 'Where can I purchase sunglasses like the ones you wore in the 70's?' At any motorway garage. I remember one pair cost me 5/9d. Figure that out.

Joseph Ackerman: 'Any chance the U.S. will see MTH? San Francisco needs to rock.' Not to my knowledge.

Ken Moore: 'For the love of God and country - please have the MTH reunion immortalized by recording it and making it available on DVD and CD. This is a rare and precious moment in R + R history and will never be seen again!' We'll see.

Kevin (Newcastle): 'Came across a website 'Seatwave' selling tickets for the first reunion gig - despite being billed as 'sold out'. Cost for two tickets £188 each + £65 commission +£6.50 pp = £448.42….WHAT!!! I've got my tickets for 5th October - but what the hell's going on?' The immediate answer that comes to mind is scalpers. There are people who bought a bunch of tickets right from the off and are now trying to make a killing on them. Welcome to progress 2009. Wonderful ain't it.

Phil Taylor: 'How much practice does it take to achieve the required level of perfection. Will there be difficulties?' Well - we were never what you'd call 'perfect' in the first place. We'll just get it so we're smiling and having a good time. Hopefully when we get on the old bike the wheels will slowly start turning - oil her up and off we go!

Carl Barnard: 'I've seen photos of you playing a Rainsong Guitar; what's your opinion of them?' I have four Rainsongs - two I keep in England and two here. I think they're great guitars. When you turn an electric guitar low it's difficult to get any attack out of it. Plug a Rainsong in and it's percussive as hell - plus it has a nice, natural acoustic sound as well. Get one.

Jim S.: 'How did you hook up with Foreigner's Mick Jones to do 'Just Wanna Hold' on his solo album?' Can't remember - but he must have asked me or I wouldn't have been there, would I?

Ray Waters: 'Best wishes for rehearsals where I hope five friends remember what they gave to us; the reason there are so many of us old fogies hanging around. Looking forward to October and hope you all get as much of a buzz as we will.'

Ooooer Wullie: 'Have you thought of releasing a MTH single prior to October? I can think of a perfect choice that would guarantee you the number one slot on the day. I promise to buy EVERY copy in Scotland.' Oh shut it!!! 'You mention solo gigs to promote Man Overboard before October - any idea which side of the pond?' That would be the U.S. side, scunner!

Bob Elliott: 'Will there be another LP like 'Welcome to the Club' coming soon? No idea. It's a thought.

Jim Stotts: 'If a CD/DVD comes from the upcoming Hammersmith shows, what title might you give it?' Hammerin' Furiously!

Rick Graves: 'Saw Alejandro last night and he did 'Mother' as part of his encores. Told me he learned how to play acoustic by learning 'Mother''. Makes sense - it's easy enough.

Sean (Belfast): 'Being from Ireland I don't remember 'Saturday Gigs', but I was there in my mind. Any chance of making this a reality?' Not at the moment.

Kevin Junior: 'Do you know what you'll wear on the MTH reunion shows yet? How long do you take to decide things like this?' Well - being chaps of 'a certain age' dignity rears its ugly head. I never saw myself at Butlins Minehead covered in silk and perched like a budgie, nor do I hope the audience will go to such inordinate lengths. I talked to Pete about it - it's ongoing. I can't see clothes playing a major part. It's the music you know.

Ooooor Wullie - I've told you once.

Mark F: 'Read 'Diary while flying to San Diego - four hour flight. Noticed a lot of pawn shops (and tattoo parlors) around Broadway - have you checked these out?' Briefly. NY pawn shops were not where we went. The wilder the country the better the pawn shops.' Have you met Bob Dylan?' Yup.

Chris Miller: I'm just a fifth of it.

Busks Burnett: 'Kind of amusing, and tiresome, to see everybody suddenly trying to determine what the reunion should be/do/turn into. I think bands should only do what they're sincerely into. I like the vibe of doing just a few gigs to see what it's like - without trying to predict the future of it. I thought it was great that L.Z. didn't tour after their reunion - because they weren't all into the idea. If MTH does a few shows and decides to do no more - I'll think it's great you did a few shows. If you love it so much you decide to tour, more power to you. I'm glad everyone is so enthusiastic, but I hope the fans, especially those found here at THM, will realize it's not up to us - none of it. It's about a band having fun for the first time in forever. We should all relax and let you guys do your thing.' That's it right there.

Walter Hood: 'Looking forward to the new album - you mentioned you might play a few dates to promote it. Will this be in the U.S. or U.K.?' The U.S. (U.K. next year)

Tod Denison: 'I just sit back and laugh at all this MTH talk. I read how Mott was then and is now, and while I agree, so many times I want to write and say, 'Yes, things change over time, but never forget your roots.' I mean - how many artists record with a band and do solo work also. I'm not saying the reunion is going to bring everyone back together again, but you're part of musical history in lots of peoples' minds, and because of MTH many fans soldiered on with you. Give yourself a pat on the back and enjoy the fact that many of us never get tired of the music that brought us together and never say NEVER.' Fine!

Kevin Green: 'Did you ever work with Joe Meek?' No, a bit before my time. I knew where he lived - used to pass it all the time.

Merwyn Thompson: 'Glad you're getting together with Mick. I know he hates flying - will Andy be there too?' He keeps on saying he coming over. I guess it all depends on What Mellencamp's up to.

Enid Chase: If you saw it yesterday, why can't you google it?

D: Thanks.

Phil John - Told you you'd be OK.

Martin: 'I know you tune your guitar a semi-tone lower than standard. Why do you do that?' Because that's where the music suits my vocal range. 'Is that why your songs end up in different keys? I've tried playing along with my keyboard (which I cannot play) and that makes it difficult.' You can get keyboards nowadays that will change keys at the press of a button. Go down a semi on your keyboard and your problem is solved - although it isn't 'cos you can't play! 'My brother is a Buddhist and thinks you may be one too based on your lyrics.' I remember meeting one of the Guinness family back in the 80's. He came up to our house with a very famous guitarist's wife and son. Instead of going into his father's banking industry immediately, he toured the world and investigated every religion. I thought it was a neat thing to do - fortunate guy to be able to do it. Anyway, he asked me a bunch of questions and then pronounced me a Buddhist - so I guess your brother's not far wrong.

Keith Nickless: 'I saw Mick Ralphs playing a free gig at a small estate pub in High Wycombe with three friends. They just played covers, but he looked like he was loving it. They did a great version of 'Can't Get Enough' and I'm glad to report he's still one of the best. Not flash - just blisteringly good. I had a chat with him as well, and he can't wait 'til October!' Mick told me he asked Pete if he had a bass. Pete said, 'No - they're too long for the house.' Vintage Mott.

Kevin Quinn - Not bad, Kevin, but could be better.

Rolf: Keep it up, Lad. Good work!

Bill McCue: 'You 'old guys' are the best in the business. You're only as old as you feel.' Well, thank you, William.

Peter: Rumours - rumours - rumours - how do they all get started? Peter's popping over from Libya; my regards to the Colonel.

Andrew Field: We'll get to that when we get to that.

Mick Steele: 'Midlands?' I don't know about MTH, but I was planning on dropping in next year.

Brit Fan: 'Will Pete, Mick, Buff and Verden be going to the gig by bus? It's free at their age, isn't it? I think Pete and Buff might still have to pay, but it's a thought. Apparently, owing to my ex pat status - I still have to pay, too. 'Wife can't stand I.H. or MTH, but has been to Shepherds Bush and is going to three nights at Hammersmith.' Serves her right.

Stay tuned for Part 2 ...