Lee Ann: 'What's on your rider?' Nothing much - red wine two bottles of champers - salad- mirror- ironing board - beer. Not exactly a diva.

Pete March: 'Any idea when you will be touring with the Rant Band next?' September/October

Jay Tashjian: Better to send it to JJ. Glad all is well.

Brian Mccauley: Be well.

Staale Einarsen: Hopefully October as I've said before in this month's column. 'Have you had any other jobs?' I haven't had a proper' job since 1969. Had plenty of them before that. S.H. extras haven't been played live - as of yet.

Jeff Scott: 'Where was the picture of 'Man Overboard' taken?' Locally!

Jeffrey: There's no bloody spring in the air! I'm out in it every day - still have small mounds of snow. No spring yet. I know the daffodils are sprouting, but I know the smell of spring and I haven't smelt it yet.

Tom Keith: 'Years ago you walked into a club I was playing in Marina Del Rey (the Red Onion). I was on stage and I saw you walk in and sit down... your music has always had a huge influence on me. And when on break, I did not have the heart to come over and say 'hi'….regrets! Do you have plans to come to California - you have a huge following here.' Well, Tom, we were just there this past January. We had a great time and we hope to go back soon.

Joe S: Just play what you want to play. I just write them. It's up to you which tracks you prefer. Good luck to your son at college radio.

Laurent: Marshall 200's. They sounded bloody awful when anybody else played them, but Mick would plug in and out would come 'that sound'.

George Saadi says that in the April issue of the Hollywood Reporter it mentions that Aeorsmith opened for Mott the Hoople in April 1974 at the Santa Monica Civic. I remember that gig - an echo chamber. Thanks, George.

Jeff Williams: 'What did you think of the movie, 'Yellow Submarine'. Never saw it; I played the song though. My youngest, Jess, said to me, 'I can't believe you just played 'Yellow Submarine' (after Jones Beach with Ringo). I'm so not cool.

Krister: So Dan Hylander's still in the biz! I remember hi. He once did a tour with Ronno and me. I think I did give him a belt - he liked flashy stuff. It was too flashy for me- although I was still a bit that way at the time - I was starting to tone it down!

Joe Brazino: 'You keep getting better and better.' A lot of people keep saying this and it's kind of worrying. I hope you'll all be kind to me when I start sliding down again!

Phyl Faulkner: Must have been genetic. Get well soon and take it easy.

Tod Denison: Don't worry about the picture. I've got plenty of stuff!! I've only met him to say hello.

Wolfgang: No England in August, although there's a chance in October for Germany, but it's not in my hands. We'll see how it pans out.

Seth Purvin: 'How well did you know Jaco Pastorious?' Pretty well at the time (he spent some time living with us).

Gordy: 'Milwaukee?' Maybe in September.

Bob Knight: 'Saw the new MTH film on Friday in Hereford. Very good; thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a pity Pete Watts never took part. Was there a reason for that, or did he just not fancy it?' I have no idea.

Richie Cornacchio: 'You mention you are an avid reader and you also seem to be interested in American Indian culture. If I bring some books on Cheyenne culture would you be interested? I could bring a few to New York shows. Also, are you a Vauxhall or a Mini guy? I have a Mini and I love it.!!' I have a little green Mini Cooper which I zot round locally in (34 miles to the gallon!). Always up for a good book.

Steve : 'Will you please come to the Northwest?' Promoters don't ask.

Peter: 'Any plans for Australia?' Two thing happen here, either there's no interest from promoters, or they're interested, but it doesn't make sense financially. These are tough time for a lot of people and then we have to deal with taxes just to play in certain states and countries - entertainment taxes! It's all getting rather silly - or corporate, as I prefer to call it.

Rick Rolski: 'I was at the Detroit show mentioned in the last Horse's Mouth. The monitors were feeding back and it came to a head during 'Hymn for the Dudes'. You threw your guitar and exited stage right - the band went ahead and did 'Ready for Love' and you came back on. Yup, ya got booed, but I think we got over it. In fact, Detroit likes that sort of thing. Great show - it was the Ford Auditorium with Frampton's Camel opening. I was 14, 'All the Young Dudes' had just come out and the world was catching on. What a great memory! Recommend any good books lately?' Bloody monitor operators. They're all pretty good these days, but it use to take all the fun out of it. Ready 'Crazy Horse and Custer' (Stephen E. Ambrose). It's a bit slow, but the subject mater is interesting so I'm persisting. P.S. There is an Austerity II now.

Tom Rose: 'Fabulous show in San Francisco - love 'Man Overboard' and 'Shrunken Heads'. As a struggling songwriter I sometimes have trouble getting out of my own head, but your songs always seem to have a universal feel/appeal. Is it natural, or is there some secret you're willing to share?' Well, for a kick off, if I was that universal, I would sell far more than I do. I'm not privy to any special information. Just write what comes into my head - or what's pissing me off - or what's moving me. Right now, I'm up against it lyrically. I find the musical side of things easier than the words, although they're both difficult. If I could give any advice at all it would be - search for an idea. Once you have the germ, it's there to be expanded upon. Good ideas don't come easy, but sometimes an'odd' memory may stick in your bank. Withdraw! On the other hand, just pick up an instrument and see what come out if it! Wish that happened more often.

Dave Griffiths MBE: 'Any chance you'll give us the clue as to what the question is when answering?' You know, I do this in long hand and it takes many hours. If I write the questions as well, it gets longer and longer and I don't have the time. Besides, sometimes it's better not to know the question. Dave went to the Mott the Hoople film, met Mick, and had a good time.

Al Johnson saw the MTH movie and met Buffin for the first time. 'What a great guy.' Buff seems to be doing really well. I hope it continues. He met 'The Great' Ariel Bender - 'full of energy'. Enjoyed the film - 'it tells the story exactly as it happened - warts 'n' all.'

Tony Jay: 'My mate, Dave Griffiths and I had a great night in Hereford last Friday watching the Mott the Hoople movie - really good, brilliant archive material. Buff was in good spirits - laughing and joking with fans. Stan, Mick and Phally also on top form accepting free drinks from everyone (sluts!). Luther admitted a tryst with Bette Midler during your 1973 tour. Care to comment?' Bette's tour coincided with ours that year and we would very often wind up in the same hotels/bars. Bette really took to Luther's humour and of course, vice versa. They were great mates; other than that, I've no idea.

Beth Khoury: 'Hope you get a chance to see Scott McCaughey with the Baseball Project. You're both playing Hoboken.' I'll look out for him.

Adam Hammond: 'Finally decided after 20 years of investigation that 'Brain Capers' IS the best album ever made.' So there!

Ernie: Noted - send it to Jesse John Music, P.O. Box 245, Bridgewater, CT 06752. Say hello to John.

Paul Walker: Watching 'Ships' on 'Strings Attached'. Blown away. Thank you for the reunion. Timeless! How do you write songs that grab people like that?' Dunno!

Paul Rivers: 'Mick Jones said in a recent article in the Times that the Mott The Hoople gigs were the best reunion gigs he'd ever been too.'

Marty G: 'While Mott did finally enjoy American success - a great many British bands didn't. I'm wondering why, in your opinion - Americans never caught onto bands like 'The Move', 'The Small Faces', 'Wishbone Ash' or 'Status Quo' just to name a few?' Some of it's just down to what you like and what you don't like. Management plays a part. I don't think the Small Faces ever toured the U.S. I'm sure they'd have cracked it if they had. Some labels, managers didn't want to lay out the money - it was an expensive gamble if it didn't pay off. We did gigs for peanuts early on. Somehow, somebody paid for it. Obviously, we did eventually, but initially, somebody else did. Plus, we badly wanted to play the U.S. Some bands didn't.

Alan in Kent: Verden calls it 'whoosh'. 'It's gotta have that whoosh.' Is Phally's favourite expression - among many seasonal expressions he repeats year in and year out! Brian May doesn't have to make me a Maltezer - the one Joe Elliott gave me is great - like a junior only heavier.

Eric: 'Love your work on 'Down in the Bowery' with Alejandro Escovedo. How did that come about?' His people got hold of us and asked if I'd do it.

Gerard York: Nice one!!

Well, that's it - I'm off. Hope I included enough QUESTIONS!! (Don't get use to it.) It's all according to the mood one's in.

P.S., sorry if I didn't react to you this time. Try again - it's nothing personal!!

IH
The Horse's Mouth