Here we are again!!!

 

Rick Clark:

Mr. Ian Hunter

Been following you since the 70’s. Your writing and music have made a positive impact on my life. We lost our 23yr. old son in 2015 and this is the ten-year anniversary of his passing. He was raised on your music, and he was a young fan of yours.

This year with the passing of Mr. Ralphs has brought to light the quality of all of your work. Seems like many people are re-visiting the work all of you produced over the years. We still miss Mick Ronson and all those that have gone before us. We have your new work and just love it. It is good for the soul. I for one am glad you are still kicking and writing. Prayers and best wished to you and the family. Glad you’re here!

Question: Any plans to write a book or any new songs coming?

IH: Feel bad for Susie and the family. I ‘apparently’ did a click bait on google -, NOT. (Bad, although I had nothing to do with it.) Funny with Ralpher; I loved the guy – that’s about all I want to say at the moment.

As far as new songs are concerned, I’m very happy with them – on the 11^th lyric. That doesn’t mean they’re anywhere near finished, Andy has yet to insert his multiple talents with whomever we decide to accompany us. He’s busy on various projects at the moment, so it could be a while – but all is well in that department. 

 

 

Charley Whiplash:

What ever happened to your trusty ol’ Guild S-90?

While not as flash as the “H” or the Cross, it was cool & unusual, sounded great & looked good on you.

Its provenance would make it worth a pretty penny today!

IH: Might be in the cupboard.

 

 

Jim McConnell:

Hi Ian,

Missing The Rant Band gigs but was wondering if Defiance Part 3 is likely to be you and the guys back together for this one.Just been playing When I’m President for the umpteenth time and the playing from you and the chaps is fantastic.

Also I realise that the tinnitus is a pain but do you ever get to have even an acoustic get together with The Rant Band.

IH: This one’s down to Andy. Tinnitus – not good – even that would make it angry. We’re still mates, so it’s most annoying.

 

 

Audra Driscoll:

No question, just a note of thanks for the decades of amazing music and for also always responding to my messages on the Horse’s Mouth… You have always been a hero of mine, your music has been the soundtrack of my life and I am eternally grateful… My sister Karin and I have seen you numerous times since the 1980’s … We love you!

Audra (NYPD Retired) Thankful always and forever for Twisted Steel. May God bless you always!

IH: Your ‘presentation’ takes pride of place in my music room. That can’t have been an easy gig. (I lived in NYC for a few years!!!)  My Dad was a cop – that wasn’t much fun  -and we were in the country! Thanks, Audra….xx

 

  

John McMillan:

Ian, first off.sincere condolences on the loss of your mate Mick Ralphs . Definitely a great under appreciated blues player. And a thank you for the entertainment back in 79. When I first saw you and Mick R in Toledo Ohio at the sports Arena. The venue long torn down. But some dont know what a joy it is when you live in dreary Industrial working man towns. Like Toledo was. What a great escape it is for a couple of hours to hear master craftsman at the top of their game. You’ve had other highs but that band you had at the time was pure musical fire. Lol the kids today dont believe me when I tell them that bands in those days gave you a two hour show for let’s say 10 dollars. God Bless ya . Look forward to your next one..

IH:  Yup – I lived in small towns. A night out was a big deal!

 

 

Thomas Silvers:

Still love your music after all these years……

IH: Cheers, Tom.

 

  

Robert DeCilla:

Hey Ian hope all is well. Sorry for the loss of your band member and friend Mick. Any plans on doing any gigs in the near future. I am in New Jersey. I have seen you numerous times never disappoint. Hope to see you soon.

IH: It doesn’t get any easier. Old man stuff!! Maybe we’ll sort something out eventually, but it won’t be like a regular gig. Ears too far gone.

 

 

UNNAMED:

From last month :

IH: Yup. It’s not totally, factually accurate, but – yes (he didn’t lose it – it was nicked!!).

I give you then…Nicked Ralphs!

 

I actually had a question if you don’t mind. I was listening to a lot of Bad Co last week and just wondered if there was a song of theirs that you really like and natch Ready 4 and Cant Get Enough (of One of the Boys apparently!) is not allowed as an answer.

Tru-ly appreciate 🙏 you…

IH: Too near to home, yet a different neck of the woods. I DO think Paul and Mick were a marriage made in Heaven though. Paul’s voice is unbelievable. I knew Boz from Kings Lynne – way back when he was a front man – lovely chap – as is Simon.

 

 

 

Anne Castellano:

Hi Ian – I’m a huge fan of yours, and I think you are one of the best and most consistent songwriters out there. Thank you for all the great music you’ve given us, and I look forward to Defiance Part 3. I’m a singer/songwriter/guitarist, but I’m not nearly as prolific at songwriting as I would like to be. I was wondering if you have ever gone through a period where you had a hard time coming up with new songs, and if so, how did you work your way through it? Can you give any advice on how to overcome writer’s block? Thank you.

IH: I took time off – became a Yankee fan – lost it completely. Not a good idea in the ‘business’ sense. I wasn’t going out seeing bands etc.. In short – no inspiration. Then I got this song (‘Now is the Time’) and I knew I was on the way back. My problem was I was learning algorithms and that’s the opposite of creativity for my brain.  I had to stop with the math and eventually I got back to organics. Hope this makes sense. Good luck!

 

 

 

UNNAMED:

Hello Ian…love this picture 📸

Any stories that you can’t talk about result from this gathering?…..oh wait…thats a cork stopper right there.

😜 Did you and Jon or Ozzy ever discuss working together?

Or is that too Lazy, Crazy or fugazi?

😉

IH: John Lord was a nice chap – my mate Miller Anderson played with him a fair bit. Ozzy was lovely – a total gent. I rapped on his version of ‘Dudes’. He was a funny, likeable guy. He had his regular pub when he was in New York City and you could go and have a pint and a chat any day around noon. Very fond of Sharon too. When she worked for her Dad in LA (Don Arden managed a bunch of bands. Some of them successful, some unsuccessful) the unsuccessful ones were always skint. Sharon would always slip them a few dollars on the side. Good girl. So sorry for her loss – he was a one off. 

 

  

Kurt Braun:

Hello sir! Just want to thank you for all the music over all these years. Ive been a fan from the first, to the most recent. You are one of two artists that I buy as soon as I’m able to preorder, without giving it a second thought. Still stuck on vinyl, and I’m happy your works sound so good on that medium. When mixing, do you mix with the format in mind, or is it not considered? Cheers, and looking forward to whatever comes next!

IH: Nah – I leave it to Andy and James to get the mixes up to speed and then sit down and fine tune towards the end.

 

 

Rick Clark:

This is the tenth anniversary of my 23yr. old son passing. A good friend sent me a NEW copy of Ian Hunter with Strings and a copy of Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson at Rockpalast. It was great to hear your work from the past again. My son and I listened to anything Ian Hunter related. Great memories. I have been enjoying the new work even more. The new songs strike a note with us and appreciate the stories in the music.

*Are there any plans for a live version of the new material?

Take care of the family Mr. Hunter and we love you!

IH: Sorry about your son, Rick. No ‘live’ plans at this time. Unfortunately, all of the ‘stuff’ I’m dealing with cannot be sorted at this time. Hey – I’m 86! Who wants to see an 86 year old rockin’ out? I’m happy writing stuff.

 

  

Mark B:

Hi Ian

I hope you are doing well. As you know recently Jeff Lynne was forced to postpone a few shows due to health related issue as well as being involved in a car accident while traveling in a taxi. One of the shows was cancelled literally minutes before the start of the show. However, it was just amazing that fans for the most part were very caring and there weren’t a lot of complaints. In fact many fans showed up at Hyde Park and just sang ELO songs. It goes to show the impact artists can have on our lives.

I was curious what you thought of ELO and Jeff Lynne?

Love you sir!

IH: I liked him with Roy Wood. That’s great what his fans did.

 

 

Jim:

Ello Ello Ello Good Sir!

Has anyone (band or rant ) ever recorded one of your songs that ya thought was really good or any that ya might have thought “why did ya do that”?

Cheers!

Jim and THE PepperKitty

IH: Covers are other people’s interpretations of said song. It’s always a compliment – whether you like it or not.

 

  

Fred Burkhardt:

Good morning Ian & Happy Belated Birthday. I am celebrating one this month & wonder where the time has gone. Sorry to hear about Mick Ralphs .

In response to your H M Grumbling Question – My guess is the summer of 1981, maybe August?

Stay healthy and keep rocking on, time is precious.

Fred (from Florida)

IH: Time is indeed precious. I always wondered what it would be like. Now I’m getting it!!

 

 

Jeff Cross:

Hello Ian. No question, just a gigantic thank you for so many life defining, soul touching moments in your music. Too many to list.

Jeff

IH: Thanks for dropping by, Jeff.

 

 

James Ovard:

Hi Ian

No one is expecting any live band gigs,but are you still considering ‘an evening with …’ maybe a little acoustic stuff and a fan Q and A .

I’m sure it would be appreciated,but with all the traveling and organising, it might not be viable ,what’s your thoughts?

IH: I have something in mind which is not unsimilar to this, but more of that later.

 

  

Mark F:

Latest trend seems to be sending you lyrics to review. I’ll give a shot, “A Fine Young Man” :

He was a fine young man, he was turning his life around. He was A fine young man, now he’s laying dead on the ground.

He was a fine young man, he was turning his life around. He was a fine young man, at least the body was found. Joyce gave him no choice, she said in a dark brown voice (A nod to the Kinks “Lola”) when all is said & done there will be nothing left to say or do, be extremely careful with who you try to screw. He was a fine young man, he was turning his life around. He was a fine young man, he was turning his life around. Hal’s going to go to hell cause he turned right on red when the sign said no right turn on red. Now that dealer is dead, the dealers dead, that’s what I said. (this line samples Curtis Mayfied’s “Freddy’s Dead). He was a fine young man, he was turning his life around. He was a fine young man, he was turning his life around. Allison cried, Jamie cried, Dana cried, Lisa didn’t cry can you tell me why the day that dealer died. He was a fine young man, he was turning his life around. He was a fine young man, he was turning his life around. He was a fine young man. He was a fine young man. He was. (abrupt ending) Feel free to nick any or all, just give a co-writing credit.

IH: Nothing wrong with this – pursue!

 

 

Russell Newton:

Morning,

I’m hoping you may be able to help with some information regarding a Gibson Les Paul Studio that was signed (on the back) by yourself along with many other musicians (Alice Cooper, Steven Tyler, Mick Ralph, Meat Loaf, Jeff Wayne, Geezer Butler etc).

I believe the guitar to be genuine as I’ve tracked down a photo of you holding this guitar (sat next to Lisa Ronson I think) as well as photos of Alice Cooper, Steven Tyler, Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt all holding this guitar.

I think it would have been in 2007, probably late 2007 and was at a event sponsored by Gibson.

Is It at all possible for you to provide any more information about this event, or confirmation from yourself that you definitely did sign this guitar.

I’m not looking to sell it, for me this is an incredible piece of rock and roll memorabilia that I have no intention of letting go! I would very much like however to know what event this was and to hopefully identify some of the other 30 or so signatures.

Any help you can offer would be hugely appreciated!

Thanks, Russ.

IH: This happens. We do these things now and again – but it’s not memorable. Genuine – it might be, I just don’t remember.

 

 

Patrick Malboeuf:

You’ve heard it all – all of the people asking if “Irene Wilde” was a real person to “what it was like working with Bowie?” – over and over again – and you keep answering yet they keep asking – you have the patience of Job-

 

My message is a little different – and I do hope you see it – i really do

 

My parents divorced when I was 3 years old in 1973 – my older brother was 13 – and he bought those Mott The Hoople albums at the time – all of them – saving up his school lunch money to buy them – he was and is my hero – and he turned me onto you – I was the world’s first 3 year old Mott fan – aside from your own kids i guess – we still have all of those records – the first one I got myself was MTH Live when I was 4!!!

 

Those songs did and do resonate with me – all throughout my life – all of the weird feelings i had about myself – all of my relationships with girls – all of my self doubt – for some reason my friend your words and music have always resonated with me – always and forever my favorite – behind you and Mott there are The Rolling Stones and Television – you get first place-

 

I live in North Carolina – I had a chance to maybe meet you in Durham but I didn’t want to – there is no way I could’ve said any of this without coming off like a creepy fanboy – I remember you saying something about not wanting to meet Jerry Lee Lewis – i just didn’t want to bother you with my nonsense

 

My world has been a better place because of you and your music – and I know that sounds stupid too- no way to say any of this without sounding like a goof – life is short – and in the wake of the Great Mick Ralphs passing away I just wanted to say this to you and tell you that you made a difference in my life – God Bless You and your family-

 

Your pal –

Pat Malboeuf

IH: Well, how lovely!! Cheers, Patrick. Make it all worthwhile.

 

  

Steven:

Sad about Mick been fowling you and him for very long time see him with company and last see you in Brighton few years back god bless

IH: He was special – very special.

 

 

Rob:

Hi Ian. I am Rob from sunny Melbourne Australia.

Did you ever come here / tour here ? I saw all of David Bowie’s Tours here and all of Iggy Pops.

 

My first intro to you was lunchtime in a Melb dept store called Myer’s. They used to feature two artists daily in their “record bar”. That’s when I heard Once bitten for the first time, and an album called Del Shannon live in England. I brought both albums, both are two of my faves, both are still played.

 

I’ve loved a lot of your songs – When I’m president is a real fave. I too loved Micks version of “slaughter” but above all my favourite track of all time from any artist is Mick Ronsons “music is lethal” – truer word never said. So I have two questions for you …

1. Would you consider a duo on Defience 3 with you and the late Mick doing Music is Lethal ?
2. If you’re still touring, and I know Oz is so far away but would you please consider touring here, we’re music and sport mad here.

Thankyou for your time, I love it the older muso’s like you still pump new stuff out. Covid was actually great for new stuff from muso’s back when, OMD, Iggy, Monkees, Vapours, soft cell, Wendy James, real life, new order, MiSex, The Angels, Stones, P/Furs, to name a few all brought new stuff out – all were brilliant too.

 

All the best. Rob from sunny Australia.

68 yr young music lover. ……. Music IS lethal !!

Music, the worlds greatest equaliser.

IH: 1. Not possible.  2. Not possible.  Sorry, Stay genuine!

 

 

 

Matthew:

Hi Ian – still grieving with the rest of the world on the loss of Ozzy – but happy he was able to have such an epic sendoff. I was a 90s kid raised on country music, but Ozzy & Sabbath was what first turned me onto harder stuff. A few years after I found Mott, Ozzy covered Dudes. Forgive me if you’ll get a lot of this question, but just curious on how that came about with you on his recording, and curious if you ever crossed paths before then. Also curious if Mick ever mentioned Randy Rhodes – Randy said he wasn’t into Sabbath, and took more influence from Mick. (Also I reckon Ozzy’s song Lay Your World On Me from the Black Rain album would make one hell of an Ian Hunter ballad!) Anyways, all the love – be well. X

IH: Sharon rang up and asked. How could I say no!  I remember Ozzy coming to a MTH gig in Worcester in the early 70’s. Always a gent.

 

 

Mark Bauer:

Greetings Ian. A question came up in a music forum regarding Mott’s interest in recording “Drive in Saturday ” perhaps to be part of “Mott”. Can you elaborate ? Another Bowie fan insisted you wanted it but didn’t use it because David had to teach you how to write. Of course I called that RUBBISH as you quite successfully wrote MTHs 5 previous records. Others were also chiming in I’m confused (true) with the story around Suffragette City and Atyd. Anyway, if you might be so kind…. Stay safe and be well. Regards to the Mrs.

IH: There’s so much shit on the internet, one just needs to ignore it – which I do. Why bother with it?  Were these people there? Did they witness these encounters? I was there – it was no big deal at the time.

1. David offered ‘Suffragette’ we said no.
2. David offered ‘Dudes’ – we aid yes.
3. David offered ‘Drive in Saturday’ – we said no – BUT then I found an entirely different arrangement for it an I wanted. To do it. I can’t remember if the band wanted to do it, but I did. Then, Defries (Bowie’s manager) said David didn’t want us to do it. So we didn’t. Then David shaved his eyebrows off because we didn’t do it.

So, it seems Defries was telling us one story and David another.  But, really,…..does it matter?

 

 

Till next time!  (It’s bloody hot round here)

IH

The Horse’s Mouth

K.E.C.