And again…..Happy New Year…..who knows…..!

 

Bill:

I recently ran across a work email I wrote a few years ago, it was brilliant. I occurred to me when in the mood I approach emails like it is song writing, informative and entertaining. At this point this could all be your fault or I just have a disease. Who knows. But I was left with the thought“I did that?”, like I was overperformed

You always talk about how ATGOAT came up short of your intention (not sure I agree) but is there an example of something you feel matched exactly what was in your head? Where intention matched execution?

At this point, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

IH: Hi Bill – You’re the designated opener this month!!

Some of the stuff on the last two records went beyond expectations. ‘Bed of Roses’, ‘Guernica’ immediately come to mind, but.a lot of my songs have turned out better than I originally thought they would thanks to the likes of Mick Ralphs, Ronno, Andy York and all the great musicians I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years.

 

 

Liz K:

Hello Ian and Trudi, Hope the Holoday Season finds you both well and happy. Really loving Pt. 2 . What a one-two punch with both albums. You sound as inspired as ever. Looks like we will have plenty of things to inspire you… ‘nough said.

Sure do miss seeing you and the Ranters. Some of the best times I ever had. Really, REALLY special times.

Moving, guess I won’t be Liz from St. Louis anymore. I’ll be on the other side of the river .

Wishing you both a beautiful 2025,

All the best,

Liz K

IH: You’re always moving!! All the very best in ’25. Luv from me and Trudi.

 

 

Dru:

Everybody’s Crazy But Me resonates with me

IH: Same here.

 

 

Sharon:

Do royalties from Great White’s “Once Bitten Twice Shy” get you a nice dinner occasionally?

IH: I’m sure they’ve paid the rent here and there over the years.

 

Reginald Playken:

Hello! I am 16 years old, and for some reason you have become my idol. I love your music so much that when I become famous, I will tell you who inspired me – Ian Hunter. Thanks for everything! greetings from Kazakhstan.

IH: All the way from Kazakhstan!  Just call yourself Playken – one name – that’s a good name.

 

 

Ryan Wellington:

Hello! While listening to the remaster of “Schizophrenic,” I sometimes hear foreign voices in the song, especially at the beginning or end of tracks. Apparently, these are studio conversations that were forgotten to be removed. I have no idea why there are extraneous sounds in the song. Particularly in the track “Outsider,” at the very beginning, there is a distinct voice heard during the piano part at the start, and this voice was never present in the original (1979). The remaster is great, though!

IH: No idea. Like you say, probably studio chat. That album was a lot of fun to do.

 

 

Jeff:

Ian, you and your family have a merry christmas and a very happy new . Cheers! Brain capers rocks i can’t keep my hands off it. Thanks for all the great music.

IH: Thanks – goin’ back a bit.  All the best.

 

 

Snowman:

Hi Ian Hunter, I hope this message finds you well. So, I wrote some lyrics in your style. It’s probably embarrassing, but tell me—how hopeless am I?Russian Russian. And if anything, the original is written in Russian, and in Russian the text has rhymes and more meaning. Okay, just kidding, the meaning is the same.

I shaped myself in tough days,

Frosty and cold days.

Carrots and pebbles – just so no one knows who I am,

My hands melted in the light, it’s so hard to hold myself,

And now no one laughs at me,

Even though, when I melt, I become what’s scary – myself,

But as long as my heart is warmed by the cold of winter,

I’m just an ordinary snowman.

IH: “Carrots” doesn’t fit”  “Ice and pebbles”. I know snowmen have carrot noses, but it’s a horrible word. Otherwise, really good (Opinions!).

 

 

Mary Murray/Ziegler:

I was unprepared for your Q&A about Defiance and Fiction, I just bought a new stylus( pre tariff!) and now I can painlessly peruse this small fortune in records! You were deft at answering an off-subject question by adding to the setting of your next answer. That’s perspiration turned to inspiration! So, we saw this photo of you on Short Back and Sides, next to a pic of you with very short, kinda Brylcream hair- so I said, “do you think he was a Teddy Boy? ” Then someone said, hey, ask in The Horse’s Mouth! What with AI, I doubt it. So, what’s the word? (from the horse’s mouth?!) – My record player deserves a new cartridge as it’s graduated from ‘old” to Vintage”! Thanks for staying with us🤩- Mary

IH: Nah, I I was never a Ted, although if I’d had any money, I probably would have been. My Dad was very anti-Teddy Boy. I had to move – so I was paying rent.

 

 

Martyn Storey:

Is there any other song recorded by another artist you wish you had composed yourself?

IH: Tons of them!! ‘Like a Rolling Stone’; ‘See My Baby Jive’; ‘Dudes’.

 

 

Stonefly:

Greetings and Salutations,

Ian, you and I have discussed the late, great Leon Russell as one of your significant influences. I’ve been watching many of the great pianists (In my opinion) on the ol’ intranet as of late. I truly dig Professor Long Hair and his protege, Dr. John. They both have that amazing left hand action for which Leon was so acclaimed. Just wondering, do you listen to either of these artists? If so, is any of that “Ian Boogie” influenced by that New Orleans sound?

Best Wishes,

Stonefly

IH: Yeah, but for me, Leon takes the cake. It’s not just the action, it’s where and when you push.

 

 

Mark F:

Read an interesting article about the chef who prepares meals for various music venues in town.

Have you had any particularly memorable pre or post gig dining experiences?

IH: There was a great chef on a tour I did with Ringo and his band. It was all vegetarian, but it tasted so good.

 

 

Jonnie Woodland:

Hi Ian

Been a big fan since the mid 80’s. “Welcome to the club” was the entrance.

Then I saw you & Rant 4 times in Sweden and the “GOD BLESSED” gig at Dalhalla. I enjoyed every millisecond.

Being a musician myself, I recorded “All The Young Dudes” myself. It turned out a little too similar to the original so I’m not happy with it.

On the other hand, a song like this can’t be made better is just the original.

 

With love: Jonnie Woodland

IH: Yeah, Dalhalla was a great place to pay – quality! Why re-record ‘Dudes’? Record something new /original.

 

 

Scott Reppert:

Ian: Ever considered doing a Christmas song?

IH: The problem is one never turns up I’m up for it, but it just doesn’t form in my head. Shame – they sell!

 

 

Abby:

Hi Ian!! I started listening to you and Mott the Hoople about a year ago since I’m a huge Ronson and Bowie fan, and you are so cool!! I admire you for continuing to make music this long, it must take a lot of energy after some time. Anyways, do you have tips for a young musician?? I started guitar almost a year ago and it’s fun, but I’m trying to write my first song and it’s harder than I thought 😅 so I thought why not ask the best?? Hope you’re doing well, have a lovely Christmas! ☺️❤️

IH: You just keep at it.  The first 10 minutes are the most important. Don’t think too much – just open your mouth and hope something original comes out. Don’t give up – one day something will happen – it’s subconscious.

 

 

Michael B.:

Hi Ian,

In the December Horse’s Mouth, Cliff Carpenter (aka Swishy) asked about the “friend” named in Mott the Hoople’s version of “Your Own Backyard.”

I always understood the name to be “Robert Zimm,” as a reference to Robert Zimmerman, the birth name of Bob Dylan.

Happy New Year to you and yours, with best wishes,

Michael

>>>[Here is the previous question referred to]

>>> Cliff Carpenter (aka Skwishy):

After listening to Mott the Hoople hundreds of times over the past fifty years, I still don’t know who the friend is in “Your Own Backyard “. I know it’s not the same as Dion’s friend. Internet versions of the lyrics say it’s “Robertson” but I’m not sure that’s correct. So why did you use whatever name you chose?

IH: No idea – too far back.

IH: Could be.

 

 

Les Cooper:

Hi Ian, did Tracie’s band The Rebelles ever release an album? and if so is it available anywhere?

IH: I don’t think they ever made an album. They recorded – Tracie did ‘Junkman’ with Joe Elliott, and they did backin’ on a lot of stuff, but I don’t think they did an album. She was with us for Christmas – just gone back. Looks good!!

 

 

Josh Williams:

Hola Ian,

I have read that ‘All the Young Dudes’ is something of a sequel to the song ‘Five Years’ off the Ziggy album. Did you ever sings those two songs consecutively in a concert set? Or did you ever play your excellent song ‘Dandy’ before or after ‘All the Young Dudes’?

Lastly, do you have a memory of David Bowie you would care to share?

Thank you, Ian. You are an inspiration.

Sincerely,

Josh Williams

IH: We never did ‘5 Years’.  We did ‘Dandy’ during sets which usually finished with ‘Dudes’. As far as memories go, there are quite a few, but I still remember him sitting on the floor in an office playing us ‘Dudes’. I got the chills (and I’m not the kind of chap who gets chills). We immediately knew it was a hit.

 

 

Fred Burkhardt:

Hello IH,

I recently was in a collectible record store in North Florida and came across All American Alien Boy – 1976. It brought back memories and I purchased same for my vinyl collection.

You never know where you will find treasure. My favorite songs are the title track and God Take 1.

Thank you for all the years of rock n roll & great lyrics.

Merry Christmas & a Healthy Happy New Year to you & Trudi.

Keep rocking in 2025.

Fred

IH: “AAAB’ is the album that people didn’t get at the time. It’s a shame, because it was a good record – and still is.

 

 

Mark F:

In an ideal world if you were touring with the Rant Band, what tunes from D1/D2 would be on the setlist?

IH: Duno. You run them with the chaps and we do what fits. ‘Bed of Roses

 

 

Jim Brady:

With the news of Defiance Part 3 being in the works I have a suggestion.

You “connect”‘ with your fans.

Create a track that needs a lead guitar part or maybe a tag solo.

Load the WAV onto the IanHunter.com site or have a register to download process and let those of your fans who are accomplished musicians, who YOU have influenced, be a part of a track.

Let us upload our finished parts. The amazing sounds you can create in a ‘home’ studio tower above what many of us started out with in professional studios.

The same level and dedication to excellence you have in records will be upheld and it IS your final say what works, let us be a part of.

There is no greater way to say Thank You to YOU than show you the influence you have been to many of us as songwriters and musicians..

You brought us in touch with Luther and Mick who inspired many of us to BE better players.

My best wishes mate!

Jim

IH: Again – Dunno! I’m not at that stage yet, and there are several different ways Defiance III will go. We shall see, but thanks for your idea. I will mention it to Andy.

 

 

Bitten:

I wish you Ian, Trudi & the family a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year! Many hugs and lots of love from us, the Hatpeople-family (Bitten, Jenny, Oscar, Lisa & Josefine)

IH: How’s it going you lot?!! Have a great New Year!!  Xx  Ian ‘n’ Trudi

 

 

Keith Nickless:

Merry Christmas Ian, hope you and Trudy have a wonderful time surrounded by all of the family.

Quick question, which of your songs reminds you most of Christmas? For me it’s Waterlow, don’t know why but it does

IH: Probably because of the kids. But Steve was here with Jones. Jesse was up with Leigh and Tracie was here with Ian – all doing well.

 

 

Tom Curtis:

Greetings, Ian!

Obsessed fan here, trying to make you some money while making your fans very happy in the process! Got your ear? I know your tinnitus prevents you from playing loud Rock onstage anymore. And touring even an acoustic/QA show would be costly, physically-demanding, and would still reach only a small fraction of your followers. May I suggest filming a show in a studio, where volume could be controlled, even with electric instruments? You could charge for a stream on Facebook Live (or other platform), and offer it also as a download for a fee, and/or release it as a DVD. A win/win for all! And no travel!

IH: Already thought of, but lack of ‘scenery’ in a studio bugs one of the people involved. I think this may be a way I can do it – apart from Q/A acoustic  – we’ll see.  Right now, I’m in the middle of Defiance III.

 

 

Wade:

Hello Ian,

Thanks for all the great tunes on Defiance(I and II). Is there any chance you could arrange to have the extra songs on the LP (Fiction) put on your YouTube channel? It would be great to hear them.

Happy Christmas, and New Year to you and the family (real and musical)!

All the best,

Wade
IH: We’ll look into it.

 

 

Dan:

Hi Ian! Been a fan since my early teens, I’m almost 60 now.

Magnus Uggla is probably Sweden’s most famous rock singer. (His lyrics are in Swedish so he is not well known outside Scandinavia). In the 70s he wrote a tribute to you and Mott the Hoople called “Balladen om 70-talets största rockband” (=”Ballad of the greatest rockband of the 70s”). I imagine you may have heard of the song? https://youtu.be/HR0wbs1Z1cg?si=Wk7ZrMy_NDKLyRF-

…

PS regarding the Swedish tribute song by Magnus Uggla… I forgot to say that the same album – his breakthrough record and a huge seller in Sweden – contains a second song which praises Mott the Hoople, as well as rock and roll music in general (Bowie and Mark Bolan also get a mention). Good song, I think you can hear the influence! https://youtu.be/-XYvAfJunp0?si=mUhVEzD9o9ttHYC

IH: How Nice. I think I may have met him (even done a gig with him) way back when.

 

 

Jem H:

Hi Ian

I’ve yet to catch up {fully} with the Defiance diptych (possibly to become trilogy) but one track that I already love from Part 1 is, ‘No Hard Feelings’. By the time this post is readable in the next edition of The Horse’s Mouth, it will hopefully already be on my old (Walkman) stick, joining Honaloochie…, Once Bitten… and Ripoff (although I’ve also referred to Flowers – last time – this isn’t currently on my stick because the whole album is ‘nearby’ and because the album was fifteen years ago…you know). The (potential – in the plural) narrative is, as always, interesting in its own right and the music – in essence one piano phase underlying the top-line melody (?) – is catchy and memorable. Even the ‘chorus’, ‘no hard feelings…’ continues the sweet simplicity of the hook, it’s great! What makes the song gel well into completeness, are the (two) guitar solos, in each case, after the ‘choruses’. I can imagine that with the second of these, there is real potential LIVE, to extend the final solo slightly by raising it an octave or two? (No disrespect to the soloist on the record) but I couldn’t help imagining what Mick Ronson would have done with it! Anyway, great work by all involved.

IH: : Well, you’re talking about Jeff Beck here. I think it would be wise to leave it as it is – beautiful.

 

 

Jem H:

P.S. Sorry Ian, I meant phrase not phase, within my post above. Your ‘No Hard Feelings’ track is, for me, a superb example of the use of a powerful musical phrase. A healthy, happy and prosperous 2025 to you and yours!

IH No prob.

 

 

Jem H:

P.S.2 – I certainly meant no disrespect to the guitarists guitarist, Jeff Beck. Like Mick Ronson, a big loss to popular and rock music. I suppose though, I am with Morrissey on the sheer quality and style of Ronno…xx

IH: Well, Jeff was Mick’s hero. Enuf said

 

 

Gary Walden:

What is the craziest experience you ever had with a fan?

where do you draw your inspiration from when writing a song?

IH: 1. Some guy tossing himself in front of me on a gig in Japan.  True!

2. I don’t know really. You observe – stuff happens – you have opinions. Some odd things get stuck in your head – titles appear outa nowhere – you wake up with a riff – etc.

 

 

Eddy Johnson:

What’s your typical day like when not writing songs?

IH: Pretty boring, actually. We’ll pop out – maybe dinner with friends – bit of reading – bit of watching. The usual house stuff. I’m always writing songs – most everyday. It’s what I do.

 

 

John McMillan:

Ian, you stated in the last horses mouth. You’ve

Never performed something s going on from all of the good ones are taken. I am here to say you

Did. In Detroit. It was right before the release of

The album. Not one of your greatest songs. But you rocked it at the piano that night! Good luck in getting back on the road. You’ll have no trouble selling tickets. God Bless.

IH: I’m sure you’re right; it’s all a bit of a blur.

 

 

David Holt:

Hi Ian,

Is there any chance of you or Mott the Hoople going on tour in the UK this year? Last saw Mott in Birmingham, 2019 – was a great night.

IH: Nothing planned at this time.

 

 

Robert W Kleb:

Happy New Year’s Ian to you & your family, hope you and the wife brought 2025 in relaxing and toasting a few beverages. I just finished re- reading my “Original ” Diary of A Rock and Roll Star, its around 50 yrs old, i remember where i bought it & where Peaches record store on Sunrise Blvd in Ft Lauderdale, fla i was living there with couple friends after we graduated in 1977. The rider getting a little aged as we have but I cherish owning it knowing it’s the original, I guess I should get the updated version, is it so different then the original or adds current at that time information? Just one question/ thought, Ian any advice you would give any young lad growing up in this era on life & if so considering getting into the music scene/ industry in some form. Thank you Ian you always respond to my question and I so much appreciate you taking the time wishing you & yours a genuine 2025 🍾

IH: Get a lawyer!

 

 

Jon Pearce:

Hi Ian, did you ever work with or come across Frankie Miller?

IH: Sure I’ve met Frankie. Great songwriter – great singer – great fun to be with – and he’s Scottish!

 

 

Pat:

Happy New Year Ian!!!

I recently met a Brit of certain age who failed his math class because of you. He says he was so distracted in math class by the kid next to him who was perfecting a drawing of you “ …all curls and glasses.” that he failed the class.

IH: Nah, I don’t believe that!

 

 

Mick:

Do you have any tattoos?

IH: I don’t see the necessity.

 

 

Bill Milks:

You are the only artist that I know of that has a such a large body of work where I can enjoy your solo work now as much as MTH. The Defiance releases are fantastic. I was just listening to Pavlov’s Dog for the 1000th time and was wondering if Mr. DeLeo suggested the slide guitar or did you have that idea when you wrote the song? Thanks again for so much terrific, intelligent music.

IH: I can’t say enough about the De Leo brothers and Eric. We sent them back tracks – just vocals and piano and Andy’s machine drums – and what they came back with was stunning! It’s not on ‘Pavlov’ – look at what they did with Weed!!  You’re absolutely right on with the word ‘intelligence’. I had no idea how good it was going to be. Great people and great musicians.

 

 

Dru:

Paul Rogers poaching Mick Ralphs was very savvy and best for everyone. None more so than you.

Defiance 2 is awesome

IH: Yeah – but it was very upsetting at the time. I don’t blame Paul or Mick – they suited each other perfectly. But it was a giant pain in the ass. 

 

 

 

Alex Daniels:

Hello! Merry Christmas, Ian Hunter!

I hope the coming year feels like a beautiful song for you—one where each verse brings a new opportunity to grow and become an even better person. I wish every day to be like a joyous party, with plenty to drink, eat, and dance to your heart’s content.

By the way, whenever I listen to “Pearl ‘N’ Roy,” I notice something intriguing. At the end of the song, when the lines go:

“Roy atta’ boy, silk suit slicker

Easy fee degree, cute boot licker.

Pearl atta girl, high school hooker,

Money funny honey, cook book looker.”

But if you listen closely during the fade-out, something shifts. At one point, it seems to go:

“Roy atta boy, high school hooker, money funny honey…”

Then the vocals stop, leaving just the instrumental.

This always stirs up strange feelings and questions in me. So, I wanted to ask—was this intentional? Or was it something spontaneous that just worked in the moment?

IH: Coulda been meant – coulda bin an accident!

 

We’re done.

 

Happy New Year to you all from

HM & Co.