Enjoying the spring?
Luke Dempsey:
How did three of Ronno’s mates from Woodstock come to play on Gun Control, but Mick himself’s not on it?
IH: Dunno – he was probably doing something else at the time. I think Todd produced this track – it was a one off. I like this track a lot. I think it was Robbie Alter on guitar.
Dave:
Hello. I don’t know if this was the case, but it seemed like there was less “room” for solos on II than there was on I. The downside of this was fewer and shorter solos. The upside was that the less “room” for solos resulted in some brilliant work by Brian and Jeff Beck as they did some amazing work with the limited room they had. My question is: assuming my sense that there was fewer and shorter solos on II , was this a conscious decision you made (if so, why) or did it just happen that way? How are the songs for III shaping out – more room for solos?????
IH: You need to remember, when I was writing these songs I had no idea who was gonnaa be playing on them. Had I known, – adjustments would have been made !!!! As far solos go in general – if the song want sa solo it gets one. The song tells me.
Duu:
I wish I could have been at that Who Roundhouse gig.
IH: Yup. I was speechless!
Gary:
Hi Ian,
Leon Russell made an album with Elton John shortly before Leon passed away. Just wondered if you have heard the album and what you thought of the album.
IH: With Leon I’m kind of particular. There’s a few songs that set him apart. I know his groove, but that’s about it. Gospel Rock inbred. Whatever Leon did – Elton kinda copied there for awhile. It was nice that Elton gave him that huge lift a t the end.
Lilah M
I’m really into rockabilly recently. And I’d like to know how it was like to be a teenager and listen to the music in the ’50s. Also, do you have any favorite musicians from that era? (My favorite is Gene Vincent by the way)
Looking forward to your next album!
IH: Gene Vincent – now that was punk long before punk was even thought of. Fats Domino, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, The Platters – the list goes on.
Matt Parish:
Headed to work this mornin’ and stomach was grumbling…then this passes me by…
Right then…off to the muffin’ shoppe!
: )
IH: I like animals.
Peter Jordan:
You occasionally mention (with a mix of gratitude and bewilderment) about the muse that sets off the writing.
I had a very strange experience the other week. I was flicking through the rubbishy UK channels and found one advertising repeats of old game shows.
The VITAL question “What will the 22nd century make of Bob Monkhouse?” started rattling around in my head. Years ago I read an interview with him in one of those LNER magazines you could read on the trains and he was objecting to the smarmy tag saying he was their to help people on the show through an unfamiliar experience not pretending to be a friend for life!
It must have stuck because the two things came together and
I wrote a thing called ‘Showman’ about a long dead ‘Compere without compare’ justifying his act and bemoaning the lack of repeat fees!
Not Shakespeare and yet I was happy that this thing came along.
I wondered if any of your songs had arrived in a similar way and if you could share that with us?
IH: Not ablout Bob Monkhouse they didn’t! SMARMY.
Seth:
Im devistated, I think the Shrews might be on a collision course with relegation to League 2 Saddly, I think Lenny the Lion has failed us
IH: It’s money. It’s all about the money – or lack of it. They’ve got no chance next year either if somebody doesn’t buy the club and invest A LOT. That’s how it is nowadays Sad.
Stonefly:
Greetings Ian,
First an observation: Your ” Brainwashed” could be the new American anthem.
Question: I’ve noticed that many English recording artists talk with an English accent (go figure) but when they sing, their voice sounds more Americanized. You, on the other hand, sing with a thick accent and when I listen to your interviews, that accent is rarely exhibited, unless you are making some off-hand comment.
Curious, do you have any opinions regarding English recording artists and their singing voices in terms of the how and why? BTW- Your songs would not be as powerful without your accent: My opinion.
Thanks,
Stonefly
IH: And a couple of million dollars for the airplay! Some stuff does sound good ‘Americanized’. Jagger always sounded good. I don’t think it really matters, but I know what you mean. Then again – it’s what the song requires – heavy blues ain’t cockney.
Dan Hartmann:
My tinnitus is much improved. Every case is different , of course. In my case, my ENT doctor advised that little hairs in the inner ear were were touching each other because my inner ear was collapsing and needed to be popped. So I now irrigate my sinuses each morning, using Neil Med Sinus Rinse. I did find the powder which comes with it to be too harsh, so I use 1/4 tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp of baking soda. After irrigating, I blow my nose, and my inner ear often pop. After irrigating for a month, I noticed that the ringing in my ears stays away until after dinner or does not show up on a particular day. To be safe, I use distilled water. After filling up the Neil Med container, I warm it up in a Philips Avent baby bottle warmer.
For the most part, you are the sole songwriter on your songs, but from time to time, their is a co-writer. How often are these written as collaborations v. completing another’s song. I’m thinking of songs like “Sucker,” “Black Scorpio,” “Violence,” “Drivin’ Sister,” “Pain'” and “Scars.”
IH: 1) I’ll tell Trudi – thanks for the info. 2) In the case of ‘Violence’ – Mick Ralphs came in with that great chord sequence. Can’t remember the others – it’s usually a riff and it gets me going into vocabulary! (Really like Scars.)
Johnny stieferman:
hi Ian how have you been doing my friend ? A few ? First off hows the hearing problem you had awhile back? Second who sings I,m a Cadillac off the Mott album it does not sound like Pete to me not sure what micks voice sounds like is it Mick ? If so he has a great voice i heard the song on you tube the other day can.t get it off my mind love the guitar work also pl,us the classical sound towards the end, have you spoken to Mick lately and if you have how is he doing?? hope to see you on the road again you and your family take care and stay healthy have see you a half a dozen times es have even met you i have a picture of me and you as my screen saver on this i-pad really proud of that you were very kind to stand with me before your gig here in chapel hill N.C a few years back you never disappoint and will be right back if you ever get this far south again…thanks for the memories
IH: Mick Ralphs sang, ‘Cadillac’. He’s doing pretty well. They’ve had him up and out a little recently. Saw a picture and he looks well healthy!!
Matt Parish:
LOL… I saw your reply of “These Poor Kids, Leave Them Be!” to my Last Will song performance provision…
I just wanted to assure you that they will love this and hopefully I’ll be there somehow with them in “spirit” cause I love them so dearly the thought of not being around them forever is truly too tough to take.
Anywhoo thanks for allowing me to share my love of your music with them for so many, many years.
If you didn’t write all these gems there would be no treasure to share…
On your recent Basement Tour on Youtube ( which was brilliant ) I was squinting very hard in hopes of seeing the pic I sent you of the actor Ian Hunter but alas it wasn’t meant to be as this was a shrine to MTH and not Sardi’s! : )
Cheers-
Matt
IH: ‘The Basement Tour’ was an on the spot idea – I was being photographed for Part II and Kaylie (management team) suggested it. Short ‘n’ sweet.
Matt Nojonen:
Dear Mr. Hunter,
Is there a poet whose work you favor or often return to?
IH: No, my Dad liked Robbie Burns, but then all Scottish Dads did. They would quote him (when pissed). When I was a kid we went to Burn’s cottage – the Kirk – and the witch’s bridge. We took Jess years later.
Julian Richards:
Hi Ian
Hope you and Trudi are ok.
I have an idea for a Christmas song. It’s about a soldier who hasn’t been home for years.
I’m coming home for Christmas Day, I’m coming home for Christmas Day. In the tune of Red Letter Day. That’s all I have. I am sure you can fill the rest in. Don’t forget my credit.
Hope to see you in the Uk soon and looking forward to your 1st Christmas song 😂
Julian
IH: I always thought Christmas songs a bit pandering to the masses, so I continue to wait until a natural comes along. Lot of pandering in the music biz – I don’t.
Tony:
Hi Ian, I’ve been a faithful fan from the start, so I hope you’ll be as delighted as I was to hear a 19 year-old singer called Frida Solveig reference you in a podcast as an influence. She says some great things about you and your music. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed! The interview is 28 minutes long and a good watch, but if you or others don’t want to see it all (and I think you should), she speaks about you approximately 13 minutes in.
It’s from ‘My Music Interview With Frida Solveig’ by Graham Coath.
It’s wonderful how your body of work reaches across generations. That’s gotta be the ultimate compliment!
IH: How lovely. It is the ultimate compliment!! I’ll have a look when I finish this. Thanks for the info. (BTW our first dog – an adorable little mutt – who ruled our lives for nine years was called Solveig.)
John:
In a previous HM you mentioned “I crossword.”
How good are you? NYTimes Fri. & Sat?
IH: Not bad.
Graham Hillman:
Ian, it’s been a very long time that I’ve been enjoying your Muse . I think since 1971-2 at the Charlton Athletic Football stadium where you were on the ticket. You guys were the stand out band.
I simply adore and love your view of life and your reflections back on it .
So many stand out tracks over the years, personal favourites are , The Outsider, Dead Man Standing, and bizarrely Second Love from Brain Capers.
Occasionally I still dream of the spine chilling Ronno openings with FBI at various gigs Fantastic. Over the years you have collaborated with some brilliant Musicians.
Last time I saw you live was in Murcia Spain where I converted a load of Spanish people to the cause.
Than you so much for the quality and quantity over the years
Graham
IH: Cheers, Graham. The dead man wasn’t standing – he was walkin’ ! And Second Love was Phally – not me! You nailed it with ‘The Outsider’.!!
Steve:
Why was Shrunken Heads removed from the music apps? Amazon, Spotify, etc thanks for the great music!
IH: We’ll check on it!
Scott:
No question just thanks. I’ve been washing my car/truck in my driveway forever (70 years old now). The tradition is Mott and Ian blasting while cleaning. Keeps my neighbors on their toes for great music !!! It makes my weekend and it’s because your music reminds me that I’m young at heart. So thanks and you are the best!!!
IH: Excellent!
Matt Parish:
I’m sure this has been asked before but I couldn’t find it searching the catacombs of the Horses Mouth archives…
Which one of your songs would you love to hear Bob Dylan cover?”
TX!
Matt
IH: He’d be good on ‘God Take !’.
Ailu Müller:
Hi Ian, I hope you are doing alright. I remember some years ago you said here once that Mick Ronson gifted you a picture, I wonder if it was a painting or so. I know he liked to draw and I also wonder if you know what kind of things he liked to draw, what media he used, and if he was the kind of person who enjoyed visiting art museums. Thanks in advance!
IH: Don’t remember this.
Bill Milks:
I was listening to Wash Us Away for the millionth time in the car tonight. What a terrific song. I know that they are all your babies, but, is that song one that evokes a smile?
IH: It’s a good one…..I’m no good backtrackin’….
Mike Scerri:
Hey Ian, been a while since I asked a question….was listening to You’re Never alone earlier ( best rock n roll album ever released by the way), for probably the 3000th time and it got me thinking…wouldn’t it be amazing if you came out and did a tour where you played the whole album track for track…do you see this ever happening?…and if so and you come to Toronto, I will buy the drinks after the show!!!
IH: Doubtful – nice idea, but doubtful !
John Ewbank:
Mr. Ian Hunter , I have been a fan since Rock and roll queen came out in 69, A woman played the album for me at the local record shop outside of Philly . The escher cover caught my very young eye and I begged to hear the album .That was the beginning of something I can not put into words. I had many fights with friends that were into the Dead and Allman Brothers and such. Mott saved me through my youth and the original Mott was my favorite. I followed you closely with Ronno and the Rant band. But now I need to look up all the new stuff. You are the only hero still left in my old age and I just wanted to say hello and thanks You are the man .Gratefully, Bob Ewbank
IH:Cheers, John – appreciated.
Anders Åkerström:
Hi Ian!
Just a short question! Did you ever consider tony visconti as a producer for your work?
not a question but i have to tell you that you are the soundtrack to my life
hope you’re ok!
IH: Back in the day, we didn’t have the money for the big guys, but we still got by. We actually had Andy Johns as Guy Stevens’ engineer for a while. Andy was Glen’s brother and extremely adept. Went on to do great stuff.
Janey:
Hi. I’ve been watching a Who documentary. Roger sings a song called Good Looking Young Man (or boy, I forget). While I was painting my kitchen, not watching, I thought My God it sounds just like Ian. His voice and the type of song too. I hope that won’t sound like a left-handed compliment to either one of you. Earlier in the film he had said that even if he knows he can’t hit a note he’ll still go there, and then he said if the emotion is there, it doesn’t matter so much. That raw honesty that you have too. I doubt if either one of you ever ha any kind of calculation as to your singing but – my ? is – when you started out, did you have any vow that you made to yourself as far as how you would proceed as a singer?
IH: Well, I wasn’t a singer really – I played bass and did harmonies. Miller Anderson encouraged me to sing more and Freddie Fingers Lee encouraged me to sing less! It was Guy Stevens who gave me the confidence to sing lead on a regular basis with Mott. No vow was made – I just nicked off Dylan until my own voice ‘emerged’.
Janey Todd:
The song is Real Good-looking Boy. Even your shamefully! sentimental songs are more subtle, we know, but it was the two together, the voice and the song . . . and the style. It was uncanny. Hope you’re well. I’m still a shamefully ardent fan. xo
Janey:
Sorry, duh, I didn’t say – Roger Daltry singing on that one.
Janey:
No, I take it back – good song. Heartbreaking sweet like yours.
Jack:
Do you travel/take vacations?
Do people recognize you when you’re out in public? I’m sure you know you have a “unique” appearance……
IH: Not really into sun and sand and all that. Done enough Travelling – Trudi would differ on this one! Do people recognize me – sometimes. But people are nice – doesn’t bother me.
Oour wullie:
Hello
How is the tinnitus?
Hope you are on the mend
Miss the live gigs so much….those last 2 amazing defiance albums are just too good not to tour.
All the best to all the family,motters and ranters
IH: Up and down – changes with the weather. I know – it’s a shame – but what can one do. Cheers my man!
Graeme Rintoul:
Hi Ian.
Been a fan since the 70’s, would you say that the Artful Dodger was a turn around in finding success again, and drawing in new fans, loved the album, it proved that you were back.
IH: There’s a lot of good stuff on that record. It got average reviews – maybe people should look again! 20 years later – people love it!!! Who knows.
Glenn:
Your most honest and touching work of your career was “All American Alien Boy” as it shall forever reside within my heart and soul and has left a profound emotional effect on my life. Why do you always downplay the Lp Ian?
IH: Never downplayed that record – at the time, everybody else did!!!
Lounge Lizard;
Hello Ian, I’ve always been curious about the ending of I Get So Excited from your debut album. The song abruptly cuts off—was this an artistic choice, a studio decision, or something else? I’d love to hear the story behind it. Thanks!
IH: It was probably a cock up!
Tom Caulfield:
Hi Ian. I’m hoping you and Trudi are both well? 🙂 Wishing you a Happy 50th Anniversary for March 28th on the release of your classic self-titled first solo album in 1975. I bought the album as a young teenage music fan in Melbourne when it was first released and I have loved it ever since. It’s a fantastic tribute to both you and Ronno’s fantastic chemistry together and still one of your best. According to Wikipedia it made it to number 21 on the UK charts, number 36 in Australia and number 50 on the US charts. If you had toured Australia with Ronno and your amazing band at the time promoting the album it would have made the top ten, the tour would have been a huge success and you would have been touring Australia and New Zealand about every five years ever since . In your recent biography it says that you got an offer to tour Japan and Australia just after the band had gone off the road and scattered after your tour promoting the album – what might have been 🙂 🙁 Congratulations on your two latest ‘Defiance’ albums – I love them too and they are both right up there amongst your best as well. I look forward to ‘Defiance Part 3’. Cheers and lots of love from your Aussie mate. Tom.
IH: How’s it going, mate! Up to 1700 I see!
Scott
Mick doing Madman Across The Water….best version and one of his best….thoughts?
IH: It’s Mick!
Laporte
Keith Richards just received the “Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence.”
You should be next.
IH: I’m waiting!
Jerry Lakeman:
Hi Ian.
I’ve just finished reading Earl Slick’s Auto Biography . A very good read. In his discography it says he played on Once Bitten Twice Shy. I know he was in Overnight Angels but is it true he played on that track? I’ve had the album for 50 years and I’ve never heard that. Cheers, keep making these superb albums please.
IH: Slickie didn’t play on ‘Once Bitten’ – that was all Mick.
Seth:
Ian When was the first time you saw Bob Dylan live? What is your favorite Dylan song? Ever thought of asking him to play on Defiance 3? When did you get the infamous harmonica from him?
IH: The first time I saw Bob Dylan wasn’t an actual gig. Mick and I had popped down to the Village one night and stopped by Paul Colby’s Other End. The place as empty and we sat to have a drink when in walks Bob with Bobby Neuwirth. Dylan puts down his guitar case – opens it -pulls out the guitar and proceeds to play the whole of the ‘Desire’ alum to Bobby Neuwirth. We were agape! One table away – suddenly phones were ringing and people buzzing – the Other End (minute by minute) was becoming the hottest place in town. It was great to watch. Bob was comedic – exaggerating bits here and there making Neuwirth (and us) laugh. the club room with the stage. Mick got thrown out three times that night for being drunk.
Too many songs to mention. I’m thinking ‘Watchin’ the River Flow’ at the moment because Leon Russel plays on it.. It wasn’t a harmonica – it was a harmonica harness.
Shug Laverty:
Hi Ian,
Hope you and all the family are well. Hard to believe but it’s now exactly 50 years since the first solo album was released. Given that you were now stepping out from fronting the greatest rock band ever and going it alone was there any concern that things wouldn’t work out or were you confident of success ? To be fair you had the support of the genius that was Ronno and by that point your songwriting skills were in full flow !
All of us fans were delighted by the classic that was the result and is still held in the highest regard today – the first of many brilliant pieces of great music which are imprinted on our lives.
Keep on rockin’ dude 😎
All the best, Shug.
IH: Pretty amazing, huh. 50 years and still happening!
Scott:
Good Lord, 50 years ago for Ian Hunter and tha last 2 years with the Defiance series….that is a career that no one else can compare and hopefully more to come!! BTW, where is the 50 year reissue???!!!
IH: Ask Sony.
Joe:
Hi Ian
From a music and experience point of view, what were your favourite mott records. Either writing them, recording them or touring with them?
Cheers… you’re one of the best x
IH: To be honest – the last two. I liked ‘Mad Shadows’ too as I learned a lot on that one.
Reginald Playken:
Hello, Ian Hunter,
I wanted to ask you about the song Boy. Whenever I try to write a song inspired by your work, I end up with something completely nonsensical. Here’s a part of what I came up with:
“No need to wait for the sun, the storm has already passed,
Don’t wait for another storm, warm yourself in the sunlight now.”
« Warm your heart with your dream,
Your plane is filled with purpose, it’s not empty,
The time for V1 has come.»
In Russian, there is a rhyme. In the translation, the rhyme disappeared. I’d really appreciate it if you could share your thoughts on how you find inspiration and work on your lyrics.
Thank you!
IH: Your antenna has to be up – especially first thing in the morning. You should have the melody in your head so you don’t have to actually play it. I guess it’s different for everybody. I was told that at one point Ray Davies could only write a song whilst on a plane – expensive business. I guess it’s like comedy. You just ‘come up’ with the jokes.
Dru:
Peter Wolf’s book is really good. Not only do you not have to be a fan of his or his former band to enjoy it you don’t even have to know who he is.
IH: I like Peter. Toured with him. He went out of his way. Really nice guy. Steve Harley rang me once – he wanted to co-write a song but he didn’t realize I was in the U.S. – and that was it!
Hal:
Hi Ian,
Listening to Ricky Byrd’s new album, NYC Made, which is quite good. Some of the songs remind me of yours. Transistor Radio Childhood is his version of American Music, I think you would like it. There is also a song about R n R’s Demise (Has Been Greatly Exaggerated). I’m pretty sure he toured with you in the 80s or 90s, any good recollections? He seems like a good guy and had nice things to say about you in a recent podcast and was blushing online when the host compared his style to Ronno’s – he made it clear that he is one of his favorites. He also has a Jeff Beck tribute on the album, another connection to Ronno and you
Hope you are well and can’t wait to hear Defiance 3 and hopefully see an acoustic Q&A at some point.
IH: Yeah, Rick and I tour a bit in Europe way back when. He’s the genuine article – he loves Rock n Roll. He’s a good guy.
Jim McConnell:
Greetings Ian- hope you and Trudi are well. Have you ever met Billy Idol since The Generation X days? Not a question now but you have no idea how much we all miss The Rant Band.You have all been so approachable over the years. Looking forward to future music .Best wishes.
IH: No, haven’t run into Billy. Think he’s LA based.
Matt Nojonen:
Dear Mr. Hunter,
Johnny Rotten has made many highly critical remarks about the Sex Pistols touring, including calling the whole premise “karaoke.” Any opinion?
Thanks,
Matt
IH:I agree with John most of the time – not all – but most!
I gotta stop with these exclamation marks. Too many!!!! (see!)
Until next time
Yours Sincerely
IH
The Horse’s Mouth