Ian Hunter | June 2026 | Horse’s Mouth
Here we go – thank you all for reminding me how ancient I am – it’s really great!!!
John Frawley: Happy 87th Birthday Ian!! Thank you for being a major part of the soundtrack of my life. Enjoy your day!
IH: Cheers!
Garetb: Happy 87th Birthday Ian!! Thank you for being a major part of the soundtrack of my life. Enjoy your day!
IH: Thank you!
Tim Hewston: Happy Birthday, Ian. Just think, every birthday brings you closer to your next release. Except that there is an 83 year old from some town called Liverpool who is definitely stepping on your turf, doing all this childhood nostalgia stuff that you have been doing par excellence for decades. I’m sure he has been studying your back catalog and telling himself, “I want to be like him.” Good choice! In truth, it’s a pretty decent album, and he has the advantage that Shrewsbury and Northampton don’t have a Dungeon Lane, but I don’t think he has quite nailed down your authenticity. Perhaps you need to phone him up via your mate Ringo to offer a few hints and tips. And everyone goes on and on and on about his being 83, the whipper-snapper. Give it a few years, and we’ll see if he can still cut it like you always do.
IH: It’s a race to the finish!
Wade from San Diego: Happy B Day. A few questions about the future: How many tracks are we looking at for the forthcoming album? Any chance it won’t be called Defiance Part 3? Any chance of the extra songs from Defiance Part 2 (lp) to make it on an official CD release or Download? Please, please please put you reciting your Poem for Guy Stevens on this album. (Okay that one isn’t a question.) More importantly than any of this, I hope you and family are doing well. Thanks for all the great music! I hope you have a great birthday. All the best,
IH: 1) Dunno yet. 2) Dunno. 3) Never thought of that – good idea. I’ll think about it. 4) Cheers.
larry woodside: Happy BIRTHDAY my friend.
IH: Cheers!
Shinobu Kokubun: Hi Ian, Happy 87th Birthday🎉 Wishing you a wonderful day filled with love and joy. Thank you so much for your beautiful music. It has touched my heart for many years. Shinobu
IH: Cheers!
Nick Price: A fantastically Happy Birthday, Ian – and MANY more Wheels to Ride
IH: Mini’s still going!
Shug Laverty: Happy Birthday Guv’nor, hope you have a fantastic day with your family. Must take you a while to blow out all those candles ! Keep on rockin’ mate. Slàinte mhath ! Shug.
IH: Yeah, there’s been family her lately. Goodtime had by all. No candles – forgot!
Keith Hollinshed: Happy birthday Mr H. Live long and prosper! Hope all is well in Hunter Towers. Looking forward to new music. Missing you and the Ranters but I’m grateful for the last 50 odd years. I can’t believe in 2026, I must be knocking on.
IH: We are all mates.
Mick McKenzie: Happy birthday, youngish dude, and hopefully many more to come. Thanks again for the music, and some great gigs & times. Cheers.
IH: Thank you.
Bitten: A lot of Happy Birthday Ian! We all miss you and your gigs and hope your birthday will be wonderful! Many hugs & love from me & family, the hole Hatpeople family! 🎉🎩❤️🌸🍀🌼🎂🎈
IH: Miss you all too! Same here!!!
Cameron Harris: It’s 6/3 and once again we wish you the happiest of birthdays dear Ian. You are not only a rock n roll hero but a role model. We are proud of you; keep up the good work. 🥳
IH: Love ice cream. Gotta get a little roll of the model.
Reginald Playken: Dear Ian Hunter, wishing you a very happy birthday! Can’t wait for your new album, Defiance Part III!
IH: Cheers, Reg
George Martin: Happy Birthday To Us! Just wanted to wish you and me a happy birthday, hope all is well and let’s hope we get a whole bunch more! God bless you at 87, I’m 67 today and I feel it. All the best. George Martin
IH: HB! You’ve got 20 more years to deteriorate before you get to me….
Thomas Brecht: Happy 87th Birthday, legend! May your new year of life be as loud, colorful, and exciting as your songs, and may the stage of life grant you many more encores. Cheers!
IH: Cheers!
Dave Griffiths MBE: Happy birthday Ian And thanks for being part of my life since 1969 All the best Dave
IH: You’re welcome – long time…..
Matt Giarrizzo: Happy Birthday!
IH: Ta!
Irina: Happy Birthday, Ian! Keep on rockin’! Very much looking forward to Defiance part3.
IH: It’s on the way.
Ray Mackie: Happy Birthday Ian Wishing you all the best Ray
IH: Cheers, Ray.
Hal: Hey Ian, Just wanted to wish you a happy birthday, from a fellow Gemini. Hope you have a great day! Been there since the first Mott album, age 14! Now I’m an oldster, but totally thrilled that you’re still around and making great music! Youe music has been a very important part of my life. Any release date set yet for Defiance Part 3? If you ever consider doing an acoustic and Q&A type event, take a look at TCAN – The Center for the Arts in Natick, MA. It’s a fabulous venue, intimate, not a bad seat in the house. I recently saw Graham Parker there and he was amazing – great storyteller, self-deprecating, funny, and great songs. Stay well! Still playing Bastard a lot despite my retirement! Best wishes, Hal
IH: Thanks. Yes, Graham is amazing. We’ve had some good times together; he is a naturally funny, talented guy. The genuine article. Cheers.
Rick Goward: Happy birthday to my favorite rock star. Can you tell us how you’ve kept in such amazing shape whilst so many other of your peers have not fared as well ? Also are there any plans for any sort of tour whether it be acoustic or speaking or even a one off celebration ?
IH: Thank you. 1) never get majorly involved in dope. 2) did a lot of running/walking in more recent years. I was fairly athletic when young. 3) lazy a hell. 4) Marry well!
It’s out there – I’ll just have to see.
Amanda: Many Happy Returns of the Day! Friars, Hammersmith, Roadmender, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Oxford Zodiac, The Forum, MK Bowl, Swindon Wyvern, Monmouth, uplifting memories – Thank You.
IH: Wow – you’ve been around. Glad you enjoyed.
Phil: Happy Birthday Yes still listening to Overnight Angels and all The other great songs, boy and Irene Wilde bring back great memories The band I played bass with in 77 played at the same working men’s club in Wombwell week before Def Leopard They rose we fell doubt Joe remembers that far back Keep on Rocking Phil
IH: Joe forgets NOTHING!
Gare Joyce: I turned my high school buddies on to Mott back in 73, 74–our neighbourhood in the east end of Toronto might have had more Mott fans per capita than any community outside the UK. I was an analog influencer and hopeless rock mag consumer. I’ve always wondered what it would have been like if you had joined Mick Ronson on the Rolling Thunder Revue–was there any talk of it? Did Mick chat it up and what was his take on the experience? Thanks for all your music.
IH: Mick actually rang me three days into rehearsal and said ‘come down’. It was very haphazard, one huge jam. I just didn’t want to intrude. It wasn’t Mick’s gig – it was Bob’s. At the end of the tour everybody lined up to be paid. When it was Mick’s turn – they gave him a bill (seriously, bad card player!). The tour got him off a Les Paul and onto a Telecaster. Most annoying!
Pasquale: Not a question, just to wish a wonderful birthday to the man who gave and will give us lot of music and joy. What would we all be without you?
IH: You’d be fine!
Bob Kleb: Happy Birthday Ian, I hope your enjoying ur lucky day again as you will hear today and forever thank you for your great lyrical content and phenomenal music for all these years, you have been and will continue to be the ” soundtrack ” of many people’s lives couldn’t ever thank you enough Ian. Quick question years ago did you see yourself as you are now musically, lyrically and mostly vocally at this point of your life looking back…say when you were in your 30s, any changes you would have made. Best wishes today Ian, I wish you many many more. Bob Kleb
IH: Management! Good now, bad then (except for Steve Popovich and Sam Lederman who were great).
Helge: Hi Ian, I’m a 63-year-old Norwegian fan, ever since *Welcome to the Club*. *Irene Wilde* in the live version is a fantastic song. I met you briefly in the juice queue at breakfast at the Park Inn (now the Mercury) in Northampton, the morning after the concert at the Roadmender—I think it was in 2012. Then, when you left the hotel on Sunday morning, you drove off in an old Transit van. No limousine there! The day before, we were supposed to see Barclay James Harvest in Wolverhampton, but that concert was cancelled. Two questions: 1. Is *Irene Wilde* a song you still listen to yourself, and one that you personally think is exceptionally good? 2. Do you, like me, enjoy Manfred Mann? The boss himself is still remarkably youthful—if I’m not mistaken, he turned 85 last October. Happy Birthday, and may you come to Norway again—preferably to Bergen! Best wishes, A Norwegian fan from Bergen 🇳🇴
IH: I don’t listen to my old stuff – only interested in what’s next Haven’t heard Manfred Man since the 70’s. Excuse me!!
Scott Smythe: Hope it’s a great birthday!
IH :Cheers!
Peter Abrams: Happy Birthday Mr. Hunter! I’m 27, raised on your records & run a social media page sharing online info to my generation about all the ‘great outsider artists’… naturally I’ve made a video about you. THOUSANDS of young people have commented about how much they love your music. At the same time ‘ATYD’ is the title of a ‘Harry Potter Fan Fiction’ (whatever that means) & as of today, is the MOST read fiction writing on the internet… the series highlights Mott & all the glam anthems. My question is: Do you give a thought to your legacy? What you’d like it to be? How you feel about all the new ways people are finding your work? I assume you avoid social media like the plague, so wanted to share that, in our own weird way, my generation of dudes is so thankful for your music. We really do ‘like’ it! Haha. All the best, Pete
IH: I think it’s GREAT that you are helping younger people find my stuff. Keep going!
Cheers, Peter.
Jimmyboy: Hi Ian…Big, big fan. I’ve met you a few times in NYCl; always polite, keeping my distance. Sending big love your way. Here is my Q (maybe not a Q but a comment?)…In your honor, on your Bday, decided to take out the six string razor and play a few of your songs (after/along with a few beers) for my wife, the birds, chipmunks etc…I came across Crossroads from way (way!) back. Easy to play, beautiful tune. Curious to know where, when, how, why that tune came to you and your reflections on putting it on vinyl. Apologies if you have answered this before…and by the way…being born in 1960, 1969 was a really great year for my awakening as a youth turning into a young adult. Anyway…pls address whatever you wish and thanks for so much great music and satisfaction (you see, you can get some!) over the decades. Bravo Ian H.
IH: Too far back. It might have been Guy Stevens who suggested ‘Crossroads’.
Francis L: Ho-ho Happiest of Birthdays to you, Sir Ian! And many more returns to the day … ! Hey, if I can be Ambassador Franklin, then you can be Sir Ian. Peace
IH: I’m up for that!
Jane Adams: Happy Belated Birthday!
IH: It is indeed belated (but still appreciated).
Model X: Hello Ian Hunter. What do you think about making a hyperpop track for the new album, Defiance Part III? Hyperpop is a wonderful music genre that would definitely suit your album!
IH: Never heard of it. I’ll have a look later – you never know.
James Michael Davis: I was a big fan in my youth. I rediscovered you at a very difficult time in my life decades later with the Rant Band albums. It really helped get me through. ‘Life’ and ‘Stranded in Reality’ are two of my favs! Did you ever intentionally study poetry/lyric writing?
IH: Left school at 16 – English teacher hated me. I wrote poems which he accused me of stealing. I didn’t – so I knew I was onto something!
Ray Harper: Happy Birthday Ian!!! May you have many more. A question please: in 1970 when Mick Ralphs recorded a version of ” Can’t Get Enough, were you offered to do the lead vocal on this track?
IH: Dunno. Mick and I never argued If he wanted to sing it – he sang it. If he wanted me to sing it – I sang it. It was all for the good of the music. That came first.
Phillip Grant: Happy Birthday, Young Man. I hope you had a wonderful day with your family and friends. Thank you for all the joy you’ve given me since your first album and since your first performance that I saw live in Atlanta Georgia June 1971. You all rocked the house then and you’ve kept on rocking the house ever since. Looking forward to the next cd. Love and Mercy.
IH: Cheers, Phil.
Jem H: Ian – ‘rock’n’roll sweepstakes volume one: mott’s the story’, has just been delivered! (Via Amazon)
IH: Enjoy.
Pat: Happy Belated, Ian!!
IH: Cheers!
Gary: Howe has your songwriting changed since your early days of writing?
IH: You kinda go with what’s going on in your world – and the rest of the world. Life changes – you try to stay with it – unless you don’t’ agree with it and then you avoid/camouflage it!! It’s a little harder because I’ve written a lot. You just do what you do.
Owen Kelley: i was wondering if during the course of your recording career you ever recorded a song that you had written years earlier? Kind of like The Beatles did with One After 909 during the Get Back/Let It Be sessions? They realized after playing with it during their rehearsals that it was a good song they had overlooked when they originally wrote it. Just wondering if you’ve ever experienced something similar….
IH: I came downstairs one day and there was a cassette sitting on my desk. I’ve no idea why or how it got there. It’s good, so we’ve smartened it up and it’s included in the next lot. First time this has ever happened to me. It’s gotta be from way back – it’s on a CASSETTE!!
Rick Goward: I just saw that Stewart Copeland of The Police is doing a spoken word tour With your tinnitus might this be something you would be interested in ? I’m sure you have plenty of takes to tell and I know people are interested. I just hope that there can be something as I’m not prepared to say I’ve seen you for the last time already.
IH: It’s still in the ballpark.
Mike Flanagan: I asked in a past question if you were aware of a medical device that reminded me of a TENS unit with a lead for the tongue for relief from tinnitus. I was hoping you tried it and found relief. I understand privacy might require an answer only reply from you. Cheers mjf
IH: I know you mentioned this before, but there are other issues.
Sam Hallenbeck: Hi Ian. I’m often fascinated by hearing tales from the trenches of R&R acts as they make the rocky ascent up the mountain to success in front of a live audience. As Mott The Hoople toured the world as an opening act, what were some of the more challenging acts you found yourselves opening for and, conversely, once you’d comfortably cemented your place in the headling spot, were there any opening bands that you found challenging to follow after they’d played? All the best, SH
IH: I remember Ronno and I opened to a headliner we thought were horrible, but they went down great. Most annoying. Never had a problem with openers.
Stonefly: Hi Ian- AI indicates Blue Plaque is real! Issued in Oswestry, Shropshire. “The plaque is located on a terraced house on York Street in Oswestry, where the singer was born in 1939.” Congrats!
I always thought both of the Davies boys were/are brilliant. Ray for his songwriting. Dave for his masterful guitar playing. We, the public, get to hear about Ray, as he is generally in the spotlight. Any thoughts about Dave? Have you ever met him? Thanks
IH: Mott supported the Kinks at the Spectrum. The Davies brothers argued a lot; brothers in bands often do. Don’t know about the plaque thing.
Dirk Faude: Thank you for the song Guernica. I was reading Russell Martin’s book Picasso’s War when the record was released. What was the impetus for the song? A beautiful, haunting lyric. A personal favorite.
IH: We were in Madrid and staying not too far from the Reina Sofia Museum where Guernica was. Andy York, Tru and I paid a visit. I guess it just stuck with me. Trudi and I had a place on the South Coast of the UK and it was actually one place they brought the kids who survived Guernica. That kind of jolted me into writing the song. One hopes mainstream eventually hear it.
Don Wood: Ian, Aloha. I live in Hawaii but born in the Bronx and raised upstate. I know you live in Connecticut and I just recently found out that Keith Richard is a long time resident of that state also. So I was just wondering if you “dudes” are like neighbors or mates or anything? You know sooo many rockers and musicians… Also, there are only 2 people still alive that I would give anything to meet. One is Willie Mays! The other is you. I’ve been close enough to you on several occasions to introduce myself and shake your hand, but I always got a little nervous and then stepped away. (Same sinario with Willie had same result) I wouldv’e never known what to say anyway But I can say this to you now. You are the most amazing song writer I have ever heard. Your ballad Too Much, makes my girlfriend cry. Your Ballad Micheal Picasso makes me cry… But your rockers snap me out of it again. My mom, still full of piss and vinegar is 11 years older then you young man! Or should I say “young dude”? Be well. I know yah got a bunch of great songs in yah. Can’t wait to hear ‘em! Sincerely Don Wood
IH: Love Hawaii!! Yeah, Keef lives somewhere south of us, but I’ve never seem him. There’s a few people moved up here. Getting’ fed up with NY, I guess. Muh appreciated!!! Cheers, Don!
Doug from Stl: What are your thoughts on Willie Deville? How about Burton Cummings?
IH: Good reputations.
James Barry: I feel fortunate to have seen you and Ronno perform at several venues in Michigan back in the day. Recently it occurred to me that Ronno is most associated with you, Bowie, and Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue. That’s lofty company, what do you think? BTW thank you for signing my copy of Diary of a Rock Star right before you went back into the theatre for your encore in Muskegon, MI.
IH: We were best mates – I loved the guy. He was full of talent, full of humor, he was my other brother.
Stephen Myles: Happy belated birthday! What are your memories of the Glasgow Apollo? It’s got an Australian theme pub on the site now.
IH: You approached Glasgow Apollo gigs with trepidation!! If they liked you – it was great, but if they didn’t – leave immediately if not sooner. Still got the trophy!
Matt Parish: Re:…last months thoughts on writing a song about opinions…. I always thought “Correct Opinion” was a good name for a news show or band…
IH: It’s written, but may not see the light of day.
juan ribas: Dear Ian. Juan, from Barcelona, Spain First of all, happy birthday. God bless you. Some short questions and comments. How about your timnitus? After all these years, it doesn’t matter if you can,t touring because of your timnitus or whatever. But please, keep on writing songs. I hope you are working on Defiance iv. I’m expecting to Defiance 3, to get it. I was surprised when you told that Mick took your records away, without your permission, I suppose. How did you feel it?. Do you have a good relationship with his family yet?. Again with Mick, it’s possible he participated in the backing vocals, or choirs in the song all the good ones are taken? Finally i hope someday visit Barcelona . Temple of Sagrada Familia is a wonderful place to be. That,s all. Again, thanks for everything during your long career. God bless to you and your family.
IH: Cheers, Juan. Nah, if Mick liked a record he would just ‘borrow’ it. That’s how it was!
Tony Jay: Hi Ian. You may already be aware now, but the blue plaque is being installed by Oswestry Town Council. Their councillor Duncan Kerr is a long standing fan of you and Mott the Hoople. He is taking the lead on this. A unveiling ceremony is being planned with celebration events being held in the town that day in your honour. I will be going!
IH: I keep hearing about this, but there’s been no direct communication. If it’s true, I’m very honoured!!
Jem H: Hello Ian – Last time I didn’t mention all the very best to you, for the early part of your 88th year, so I’m doing it now! Hey, I am on p215 of ‘Mott’s the story’ (Campbell Devine) and I’m enjoying it massively, so thank you (and CD – and all contributors to the story)! It’s heavy (literally) and you were all great – but slightly crazy! It struck me that in the year 1968 , just before ‘the band’, there was a bit of a parallel between you and Bowie (both working on songs for others, initially – and both ‘waiting’ for the first hit). It’s a great read anyway. Moving to Mott’s early ‘ live repertoire’ (p133 refers), did you consciously write ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ in 5/4 time, with the extra beat in the bar, or did it just organically develop that way once you started playing it? – the only other rock song I’m aware of with that signature, is ‘Living In The Past’ by Jethro Tull. VBW… P.S. I’ve always liked that part of the Ian Hunter persona – sunglasses (since ’72, when I became aware of you and Mott’s music) – but equally, I like the image of the man without the shades (character) . Because you’re a star to your fans, for me, as one of the very many, it’s almost like having two characters for the ‘price’ of one! Thanx again!!
IH: ‘Jekyllf and Hyde’? Don’t remember this one. 2 for 1 – that’s OK.
Ole: Hi Ian Just wanted to share this review from a Norwegian site about Defiance part 2 Iann Hunter å Defiance Part 2 – Fiction (2024) At 84 years young, Ian Hunter continues to pour out music that hits listeners like me right in the heart. Defiance Part 2 – Fiction is the follow-up to Defiance Part 1, which was released in the spring of last year. It was an energetic and vibrant album that received glowing reviews here at Popklikk. So glowing, in fact, that one might have thought the best songs had already been used up on Part 1. But that is not the case, because Part 2 is every bit as good as Part 1—if not even better. All the songs on both albums were written during the COVID lockdowns, a period that led Hunter to write material and send it across the internet to an impressive group of friends and collaborators, who were given considerable freedom when it came to adding their own contributions. Like Defiance Part 1, Part 2 offers a fine blend of hard-driving rockers and more melodic, laid-back songs. The guest list is almost otherworldly, featuring contributions from Joe Elliott, Jeff Beck, Johnny Depp, the members of Cheap Trick, Lucinda Williams, Brian May, Taylor Hawkins, Morgan Fisher, Billy Bob Thornton, Benmont Tench, Waddy Wachtel, and Phil Collen, among others. The album is produced by Hunter together with Andy York and James Frazee, a partnership that works brilliantly both in terms of the arrangements and the ability to weave all these contributions into a cohesive whole. The album opens with two highly spirited and melodic rockers, “People” and “Fiction.” Both songs feature lyrics in which Hunter points to aspects of modern society that he believes are going wrong, whether in the media, politics, or elsewhere. Joe Elliott provides powerful backing vocals on the former, while Morgan Fisher handles the keyboards. And, naturally, both tracks swing like crazy. The string arrangements on “Fiction,” performed by David Mansfield, are among the album’s highlights, adding elegance, momentum, and energy to the song. “The 3rd Rail” is a classic Hunter ballad, with both Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp given room to stretch out on their guitars before another rocker, “This Ain’t Rock And Roll,” takes over. Two excellent songs that join the long list of memorable Hunter moments we have enjoyed since the curly-haired frontman conquered the world with his legendary band, Mott the Hoople. It is easy to understand why the catchy rocker “Precious” was chosen as a single. This is a song that takes only nanoseconds to lodge itself in your mind, thanks in no small part to the wonderful guitar work of Brian May and Joe Elliott. Across the next five tracks, the quality may dip by a few milligrams here and there (yes, that is actually possible), but not enough to diminish the pleasure of listening to them. “What Would I Do Without You” is a beautiful ballad in which Ian Hunter’s and Lucinda Williams’ voices blend together movingly. Benmont Tench’s keyboard playing is, of course, top-notch. When Hunter opens the rocker “Everybody’s Crazy But Me” with “allo’ allo’ allo’,it becomes almost impossible not to feel a touch of nostalgia. Waddy Wachtel’s guitar is given plenty of room to shine. The album concludes with the beautiful piano ballad “Hope,” featuring a soulful and uplifting lyric delivered with great conviction by the man himself. The backing vocals from Billy Bob Thornton and Lucinda Williams undoubtedly elevate the song even further. It is a fitting and dignified ending to yet another superb album from one of our era’s most talented and coolest artists, with or without sunglasses, blessed with a voice capable of moving mountains. P.S. Credit is also due to Johnny Depp for creating the album’s striking cover artwork. Photo: Sun Records.
IH: My best to you and Popklikk.
Lewis: Hello Mr Hunter. No question, just observations… I don’t normally listen to the radio these days, but sometimes necessity intervenes (my I phone was misbehaving and I didn’t feel like pulling over and fiddling with it.) So, I switched on the radio. The FM stations are lacking so I was tuned into an AM rock station and I couldn’t believe my ears. Out of the blue in the midst of a string of ok songs Walking With a Mountain jumped out. Kinda cool to hear it jamming out of an AM station in the Four Corners area. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it on the radio. As far as I am concerned, Mott The Hoople did “Take the Mick out of Top of the Pops!” Not to denigrate Mick and the boys but I can’t remember a single thing about the time I saw them at a concert in Germany, but I can recall quite clearly the two times I saw Mott the Hoople at the Celebrity in Phoenix and the time you and Mick Ronson played an amphitheater in Mesa, AZ. Thanks for the great trip! (And the continuing journey.) As Edward Abbey opined: Life without music would be an intolerable insult! Lewis
IH: It’s trickling back!!
Geoff Pearson: Hi Ian, The first time I saw MTH was in April 1972, at Guildford Civic Hall, on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus tour. I have just listened again to the live recording of the Wolverhampton gig, a couple of days prior to that, and it captures something of the raw, visceral power of the original band when performing live, exemplified by ‘The Moon Upstairs’. A couple of questions if I may: 1) The CD is only 65 minutes long so either it is not the whole set, or the set was shortened somewhat, perhaps because of the other acts that had to be fitted in. Do you have any recollection of this? 2) The set includes ‘Mr Bugle Player’, your alternative lyrics to ‘Mr Tambourine Man’. Do you know if your lyrics can be found anywhere? It’s not possible to pick them all out from the live recording. Max Wall was a genius, wasn’t he? I know a few of the northern crowds didn’t give him a fair hearing on that tour but in Guildford, he had us in hysterics. I have a vague recollection of Max being called back for an encore, but the passing of 54 years may be playing tricks my memory.
IH: Yeah, Max was wonderful, but he had to have complete silence to weave his magic, and rock audiences usually aren’t that way. The further south we came, however, the quieter it got for him. He was on the point of quitting, when it turned in his favor and he ended up slaying them!! One of the all time great British comedians and actors. I remember the Guildford gig well!!
Scott McCrumb: Thank you Ian and Trudi for all the great work. Been a fan since 1973 ( it took Maryland fm radio awhile to get you to me ) and have been to Shows in Baltimore, D.C. , Salisbury, Landover, Annapolis, and the recent gig at Keswick/ Philly Question: Defiance 3 – Is it possible for 1 to 3 tunes to feature Morgan, Verden, and Mr Ariel Bender ? Ian Rocks!
IH: Cheers, Scott.
BillC: Happy Birthday I was reading the new HM with ice packs on my knees from over doing it(again) . Your repeating comment “old man stuff” makes me wonder how I’m going to feel in 25 years. Going down swinging . I was reading an article about the DC Metro upgrades in process. One of which is platform screens. All airport trams have them but I have never seen them on subways. Your song 3rd Rail is very visual (for me anyway), but it never occurred to me there is a solution and how insane and exposed subway tracks are. There may be a last one day. Again, Happy Birthday
IH: London subways are fine, Japan’s also excellent. NYC???
Dean Precott: Hello Ian, I hope your summer is perfect. My love for your music is deep. Wishing the best for you, Trudi, and the kids. Dean (In Oregon)
IH: It’s not bloody perfect!! TOO HOT!!! Cheers, Dean
Stephen Green: Just FYI The Village Underground tapes await … Your item arrived at the BRIDGEWATER, CT 06752 post office at 8:55 am on June 20, 2026 and is ready for pickup. Your item may be picked up at BRIDGEWATER, 19 MAIN ST S, BRIDGEWATER, CT 067529998, M-F 0700-1700.
IH: Thanks, I’ll tell, Trudi
Fredric Cooper: Any thoughts on Clive Davis? You mentioned he classified MTH as an album act. What else did he say?
IH: He said, ‘sign ‘em up’. We met Clive at the Savoy Hotel in London and that was it. He was also responsible for Barry Manilow cutting ‘Ships’. Great record man – old school.
Malcolm Lay: Just listening to the extended Mott album with an old version of Honaloochie boogie plus a great live version of Drivin Sister. Which brings me to my question…….Why was Whizz Kid not in the live set or MTH live???Also did you ever consider releasing it as a single??? For me an obvious single??
IH:
Whizz Kid’ was difficult to do guitar wise live.
Charley Whiplash: Sad to hear something to the effect that you’ve come down with the “Blue Plague”. Is it painful? Us old guys gotta watch it. Luxuriating on my screen porch in Woodstock, blasting MTH loud enough for you to hear on your vast estate down the ‘pike. I vainly hope you’ll toddle on up here & play The Colony, or Bearsville, or some other bucolic venue, to celebrate the new one…but alas! Anyhoo… care to share a Woodstock tale or two that Campbell didn’t cover? ~You’re the Nazz (or was that Todd?)
IH: Yeah, nazz was a Todd word. I just nicked it.
John: Holy Guacamole you have a net worth of $10 million? Now there’s a good idea for a song….
IH: You actually believe this garbage?
Nigel Harris: Hi Ian, any chance of a digital release of “Women’s Intuition” please? Much love Nigel
IH: Not my call.
Frank Cino: 1) Do you really live in a white house in the country? I do, in PA near NY state line. The song is a great ditty, but ‘you are the only one for me…’ literally makes me tear up. M.Picasso, Fatal Flaws, a few others. GOD is a brilliant writing. Was cherry picking from your ‘history’ collection last night. (Lots from RANT, S. HEADS, PRESIDENT, FINGERS. Brilliant. 2) Heard you almost did a song with Steve Harley, is that true? He’s great too, polite, appreciative. Pretty sure you influenced him a bit. You’d mesh. You are so special & an honest talent that so many of us cherish for decades. Thank you. Love ya, Frank Cino Brackney, PA PS: your son is always so cordial at your shows! Seeing him, it’s socez to blurt out “do I know how great your dad is?” he grins & takes it!
IH: I do – yes, Steve rang me out of the blue, but he didn’t realize I was in the U.S..
Dru: On this day in 1955 Mick Jones – best known as producer of Short Back N’ Sides which foreshadowed Undercover and Let’s Dance – wasn’t born as much as he fell out
IH: Happy Birthday, Mr. Jones!!
Bob Boyle: Guess they’ll be plenty entries of discussion on this one Clive Davis the Columbia/CBS/Arista Exec died recently, Did Clive insert any of his influence on Mott’s creative output He was said to have the gifted talented of knowing if a newly signed artist could stay the longevity, anyone can sell a half million and fade away after 2 years, Clive wanted the ones that could last in the business for decades, and giving them that rare once in a lifetime chance to do so condolences to his immediate family and grandkids
IH: Clive was a song man. If you had songs – he was in.
Bob Mackintosh: Hi Ian cast your mind back to the 1960s the national anthem has just played with the fluttering flag then the black and white telly goes off broadcast and you get a snowy screen with a loud static noise this is exactly how my tinnitus sounds just wondering what sort of sound you get take care ,kind regards to Trudy Bob ps thank you for all the concerts you did in Scotland over the years
IH: It varies; mainly ‘sea’ in the back of my head. It’s commonly felt that tinnitus is ears – it’s not. It’s burnt nerves – somewhere in the head. Bass payers get it a lot because they’re usually standing next to the drummer’s cymbals. A lot of my family have it, so it may be hereditary. All I know is there ain’t no cure for anything I’ve got!!!
Scott: Really sad that the whole Rufus Publication thing was a rip off. I lost $850!!! I know it’s not your fault but I just wonder what happened to all the Depp pictures that you autographed?
IH: You still have a problem? Other people got theirs….you didn’t get one?
Dave Piner: My question relates to songwriting. In rock history, certain songs were written with the “help” of controlled substances. Thinking “I Am the Walrus” or Paul Weller’s “That’s Entertainment”, among many others. Is there any song on your resume that had this type of assistance? (To be clear, I understand songwriting is hard work, so I am not making light of anything.) Thanks.
IH: Like I said before, I never did speed or anything in that department. Might have had a joint or two whilst doing ‘All American Alien Boy’; might have had a few drinks, but that’s about it. Mind you, my memory is not that great. Stan Tippens says my memory was bad back then!!
And so I’m heading for 88!
Thanks to all of you on the Appreciation Society, as well.
Until next month……
IH
THE HORSE’S MOUTH