Morning all,

Not much happening round here at the moment. went to Oslo for 5.1 mixing. Bjorn doing an excellent job. You've go to mix 5.1 and stereo separately or it gets too confusing. We're trying to get the DVD together first. The last day of mixing was 23 hours. We left the studio at 8:00 am and headed for Oslo airport. Bjorn then left for Trondheim and I got on a plane to London. Arrived in London at 1:00 PM; the connecting flight to New York was at 3:30 PM. I missed the plane!!! I was having a drink and I missed the plane! That's all you need having worked all the previous day and night. I never miss planes. I had no phone numbers except Trudi's - and she wasn't at home!! Well, I won't go on; it turned out fine in the end.

Hot out here. Can't write much. Beached whale. Anyway, here goes:

Rick Graves comments on the fact that several fans travel no matter where. 'It must be satisfying knowing you have such a dedicated following.' Well it is, Rick. I know a lot of them now and most of them are great people. They'll get theirs when the DVD comes out. Most of them are in it!

Marc Sutton loves 'Picasso'. Thanks, Marc.

Tom wants a DVD of Ronno and me. There's a full-length German video of a show we did in the 80's called 'Beat Club' or something like that. Says I write more personally and freely since Mick died. That is true.

Bob Defandorf loves 'RANT'. Excellent!

Tom Lupo: 'Please get off your bum and do the East Coast. John Entwistle R.I.P. We'll see, we'll see.

Dave Lilley was at the Burnley show (best of year so far) oh - and (won't be beaten). 'Next year?' In one shape or form or another.

Bruce: Says local dealer is nicking 'Cleveland Rocks' for his car dealership 'Hyundai Rocks'. Why didn't I think of that? Loves 'RANT'

Robert Graser says 'RANT' is great, but 'Schizo' is still above them all. Wants us to go to Australia. You never know.

Stig Ronning: Vivaldi - me - and Ian Kilmister (Lemmy) are his favourite musicians. Any chance of me and Lemmy getting together? Mmmmm don't know Lemmy. If I bump into him, I'll mention it.

Larry's been around awhile! This is a long one Larry. He remembers stuff I've forgotten. Apparently somebody nicked my glasses in Tampa and they stopped the show til I got them back. Pathetic, isn't it! What was the first song I ever wrote? Something like 'Lucinda Brown.' I had it for years. I came home from work every day and battled away at 'Lucinda Brown.' I was in my twenties; started writing late. Lovely letter, Larry.

Robert recently discovered 'RANT.' 'Dead Man Walkin' the best song he's ever put an ear to! He says, 'It's all worth it, you know.' I sometimes wonder, Robert.

Vytautus Iskeliunas: His wife loves 'Bastard.' He says Trudi and I had a ball ringer of a fight and I went on and did a fantastic show straight after it. Do these conflicts inspire me? No, they don't actually - they piss me off. But when you're pissed off you play better.

Al Johnson: re: my first E gig. What I meant was the entire audience were out of their minds. Could've been wrong, but I don't think so.

Tony Adams: No, I don't hear from Ellen Foley. I think she married a guy who writes plays, so she moves in different circles, but she's great. Saw Mick's Les Paul at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Actually one of mine (the Weapon) is in the process of being put in the hall of Fame next to Mick's. We've located the guitar (which was in Japan) and my mate Rick from Guitar hangar is getting the paper work sorted before it goes to Cleveland.

Brian Easton: Yes, I do remember most of Ronson's jokes and if they weren't bad to begin with, after repeated airings (up to three times a day over a three month period) they became intensely boring. Obviously not to the people we met the once, but man we suffered! He had this horrible one about bacon and eggs and it went down a storm in Helsinki. I think it was the delivery; he says 'Glasgow' brilliantly.

Janet Quinn: There's a double album (Sony Legacy) called 'Once Bitten, Twice Shy'. I thin the poems on there. It was originally at the end of 'It Ain't Easy When You Fall' from the first album.

Robert Clayton: 'RANT' deserves a Grammy for Album of the Decade!!! Robert's a psychiatric nurse on the graveyard shift. So, I'm assuming he's all right. Thank you Robert Jr. and Sr.

Marc Romeo: 'RANT' is great. Says he hopes it's the start of bigger and better things for me. You obviously aren't in the 'business' Marc. We'll see.

Len Costello: It was of interest to me, Len. And when you're in Hamilton, next time you will see that the flat still exists. It's up above a pub. There is a restaurant there, called Peter Equies, which once visited has to be revisited. It was there when I was just a wee yin. You mention Ringo's DVD. They are advertising it for the Direct TV pay for view show on August 11th. David Fishoff sent me the CD and it's actually very good. Really good. I haven't seen the DVD yet.

Kevin O'Hara says he can't stop talking about the Village Underground gig. It's been a while Kev. Shut it!

Mark Hannon: 'RANT' gets better and better. Wants to see Ralpher and and me in DC.

Arizona DeVille looking for Dave Foucher. Used to be known as Sandy. Sandy grew up and got some sense. Can be reached at azdeville@yahoo.com It's up to you David.

Doug Moss asks if 'Twisted Steel,' 'Rollerball,' 'Go Your Own Way,' and 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square,' are on the DVD/CD. 3 out of 4 Doug. 'Your Way' is not on the DVD. I don't know about the CD at this point.

Richard Fraczek wants me to do seated venues for a change. You have a point, Richard. I don't have a problem with it - it's really who books you where. Maybe if we get this orchestral thing going we'll be able to do that. A lot of people like seats - a lot of others don't. I'm one of those people - there's arguments both ways. Sorry about the back.

John Medd: 1) Nothing about the Nottingham gig ruffled my feathers except we'd been hoping more people would show up. 2) I live in Connecticut.

Dean Smith bought 'Artful Dodger' which apparently is not on sale and wondered about 'Michael Picasso'. It's about Mick Ronson with whom I worked on and off for twenty years.

Bobby Balloch: What happens when my body says......whoooooe there! My body's fine when I'm running around. It's when I stop and do nothing that I feel achy. You've got to keep moving.

Jim Madden was very happy to see Ralpher and me live at Wolverhampton.

Victor Sedillo: Long Beach Mott fan. Annoyed classmates (I wonder why that was). Wants House of Blues. Not a problem when they make me a workable offer.

Joan McHugh: Kris Gray is telling us he's not selling 'Artful Dodger' on Citadel, but we're being told he is. He doesn't pay me and he doesn't have the rights to sell the record any longer. But see what happened when you put 'Rant' on!!! It's not your fault - it's just life in 2002.

Paul Walker, 22, and came to Sheffield with his Dad and his friends. He says he must admit he's becoming a fan himself. He thought we were fantastic. Can't wait to see us again. I.H. Rox. You know this whole age thing amuses me. Obviously, when Rock started it was anti-old people because old people hated Rock music. That isn't the case any more. Older people get off on it now days. The media would have you believe this is the 50's! It's simple. It's either good or bad. Simple as that. Sod age. Checked out Radio One lately?

David Anderson: No, Mick was the Sparks fan - not me. It isn't that I didn't like Sparks - I just didn't know that much about them. Sorry.

Barry Harding saw the Toronto show - made his year. What do I think of Robert Plant's version of 'Darkness Darkness'. Haven't heard it yet; I hear it's very good. Barry wants me to join Queen!

Paul Kennett says we should play 'The Courtyard' in Hereford next year. Well, you mentioned Stan, he knows who you should talk to.

Ann McNally: Welcome to the site!! Calm down!!

Mike Constanza: 1) When Mott's 'All the Young Dudes' hit big what was Guy's reaction to it. Well, Guy was mixed in all kinds of problems of his own at that time. Guy was just trying to survive. I don't think he probably cared either way. That time was gone. He'd have probably said 'justifiable sell out', if pressed. 2) I am a dog person. Having said that we have a cat called 'Stinky' who's been with us 12 years (courtesy of my youngest, Jess). I don't like the cat and the cat doesn't like me. Loves Trudi.

Andrew M.: 'Ain't gonna trade with the made 'n' the New York Dolls' Search me.

Geoff Ratcheson: Would Ralpher ever overdub 'Hoople'? Naw.

Roger: It's been a long time since I was in Connecticut. I'm here now. 'Twisted Steel' will be on the Olso DVD and CD. Whenever they're ready to go.

Michael Corbett has never seen anything on VH1 or MTV ever. Well, they only show the good stuff on their shows don't they?

John Graham says, 'Putting aside your personal opinions of Bowie, are there any Bowie albums you listen to?' No. 'Are there any you consider worthwhile?' Loved the early stuff. 'Have I listened to Heathen?' Yes, twice. 'What is your opinion?' The first time I liked the first four songs and the last two songs. The second time I wasn't getting any feeling from it so I took it off. I do like the second track. It's a cute rocker.

James Wesley Young: You never know - maybe you did. Well done.

LJK explains what I actually said and didn't say in Baltimore with regard to 'Dead Man Walkin'. Well, that's sorted then isn't it! Says she was the cute one who shoved her entire fist in her mouth when I got to the na na bit in 'Boy'. Did I miss that? I hope not.

Gene from San Francisco - Has it been twenty years? I'm so much better now! Did I ever play with any members of 'The Who'? Not really. Roger Daltry got up during my little set at Mick Ronson's Memorial concert and I've always got on with Pete Townsend over the years, but that's about it.

Gene II - Just as Gene sent this email, Paul Shaffer's band did 'Memphis'. Do I get royalties? Yup, and Paul did 'Central Park and West' last week. So that's a dollar fifty right there.

Relayer: I don't hang out with other bands so I'm not really the guy you want to ask. Hope things improve. Hang in.

Jeff Pavlock says 'Rant is stupendous.' thank you, Jeff.

Michael W. Smith: Long one Mike. Actually what you're saying is on my mind quite a bit. I can't believe how many people are hitting this site. Whether this would translate to sales we don't know because we never tried it, but I'm thinking about what you're thinking. The main problem is continuity. If you start something you want to be able to keep it going. I just worked solid for nearly three years. A lot of the time Trudi was with me. Who's going to look after the shop? Rick at Guitar Hanger would do it with me, but we don't seem to be - or I don't seem to be a salesman. We'll see. It's a distinct possibility in the not too distant future.

Steve Jones seems to think I've got a lot of archive footage/music with Ronno that I don't or won't put out. Why don't I package it, put it out, etc. This is a little simplistic to say the least. I don't put things out - I don't package things and I don't have archives full of Ronno and me. People who shoot the videos put them out. They pay for the shoot. I have no say in the matter.

Russell Haines: Books in stores at Rhino in Westwood, LA. Says they've got a better PA and its more intimate. Tell Len Fico at Fuel 2000, Russell. They're in LA. Russell highly recommends 'Guided By Voices' a band with an album called 'Universal Truths and Cycles' Best of luck, chaps.

Dave Clemens: Did I get my sense of humor from my Mum or my Dad? Actually, neither.

Carol and Mathew Fisher: I had no idea!! We'll have a look.

Pasquale Boccia says the T-shirt he bought at the Bowery gig is now tattered and wants another one. Anybody?

Finn: The title you include (I'm not saying it for obvious reasons) is my favourite and I have stated that most vociferously to Mr. B. (I didn't see Petter this time round). All I get is the old Norwegian blank. Get the celery out, Finn, I'm with you. Lovely seeing you again.

Patrick Powers asks if I've ever met John Entwistle? Don't think so.

Simon Abbott: What next album with Echo?

Paul 'n' Jake Almond: I signed Jake's guitar for him and now the entire village knows about it. C/F/G, Jake, C/F/G.

Scott Dasson: Don't be thinkin' that way Scott. Love to Charlotte.

And Jake! The cigarette I was smoking messed the picture up so now we have to do another one next year. Cool.

Bruce Cameron: Loved the Garage show in Glasgow. Loved reworked version of 'Walkin' With a Mountain.' This was Ralpher's idea so I won't mention the shirts now in case you've changed your mind. Had to do the Cathouse in order to build it up to the Garage. That's the way it is.

Dave Clemens asks did I write 'Ships' with John Cale? No. John was just there when I happened upon the chord sequence for the verses. Page Alison - born June 3rd - excellent day! Congrats.

Janne Olsson asks if it's true that Mott had a fight with Led Zeppelin. Well, there was a fight but it was in New York at the Uris and not Las Vegas. Mr. Plant and I were not involved.

Beagle Guy asks if Mott have a 2001 release? I can't remember one. Sony Legacy is putting one out next February.

Klaus Luckefeld: C'mon Klaus. We lost by less than you did!!!

Glenn Williams asks who do you hassle to get me to Japan? Precisely.

Chris Kelly: 1) The black acoustics I use are called 'Rainsongs'. They are not custom made. 2) The tall lady is Sue Mum. She's been with us a few years now. Works her socks off.

Pete Jordan: Says there was a short gap between my worst (Overnight Angels) and my best (Schizophrenic). What happened? Well, the short answer to that is I must have realized I was jerking off and got down to business. I can't really remember. No, sadly you can't bottle it. It just flies away if you relax for a second, and Relax a lot. 'Rant' is better song wise.

Dean Roecker: Asks me stuff I don't know although I think you've got 'Scars' right. Dean also wants to contact Buffin. Dean's site is: overend99@hotmail.com

Greg: The Manchester gig will be released - it's just a question of when. Jerry Lee Lewis is the man for 'It'll Be Me'. That where I got it.

Trevor Yeardley says we canceled in Doncaster in 1972. He's got the paper cutting to prove it. Did we make up the date?

Peter + Julie/Wales: This was NOT to be taken seriously, but a few drops wouldn't hurt.

Andreas Weineich and his wife would like some gigs in Germany. Not on the agenda at the moment Andreas. If anything comes up this site will be the first to know.

Glenn, Mr. 'I' does the sensible thing in his Phys Ed class. He sneaks in Mott and Hunter and tells them we're brand new bands when they ask. Glenn doesn't say if this cunning ruse is working, but definitely food for thought if successful. What keys do I write in? No particular keys really. Just adjust to the voice. I do favor B flat recently. B flat or F. There was a Mott Song book. Try Ebay.

Roddy Williams says 'RANT' is great. I shall forward the rest of this email to the appropriate party.

Mike Brideweser asks what I did with the 'Iron City Houserockers'. I can't really remember. Pittsburgh band. Steve Popovich had them. I remember Steve was producing them at one time and I know Mick helped them out. I think I did too, but to a lesser extent. As far as Manilow recording 'Ships', the story went he felt it encapsulated the relationship between him and his father - that' why he wanted to do it. A valid enough reason.

Dan Hartman says July Pulse (Tower Records) Magazine has an article on glam bands. At the end the author recommends 'Rant'. Thank you, Dan (and the author).

Hope Campbell: Nicked her uncles albums and won't give them back. Says 'Schizophrenic' is awesome and I'm cute on the cover. Well Hope hasn't seen me yet live and that cover is 22 years old so when she does eventually come to a show I hope I don't put her off too much as Hope is 15 and I'm whatever I am! It's 4 AM Hope can't sleep and wants a cure for insomnia. You've go me there, girl. How does a 15 year old go to sleep? Just invent yourself a dream and wander off into it.

David O thinks Rant is fantastic. From Columbus. I've played Columbus but not in recent years. The old East Enders question. 'East Enders' is the title of a British soap opera.

Hope (again). Obviously found a cure for insomnia. Starting up an IH web site. Wants to print lyrics. Off you go. It's OK.

Kevin Mcmanus: Talks about an incident which occurs during 'Angeline' on Mott's live album. I'm saying 'It took us a year to live that down.' The only thing that comes to mind is we were instantly considered gay after 'Dudes' came out, but it's a long time ago. Loves the site. No, I won't play your pub.

Elisabeth: Happy Birthday Hope and many more! Elisabeth and Hope were married by the Society of Friends (Quakers) in Canada. It was a first and they played 'Living in a Heart.' Historic! Congrats.

Andy Harris asks if I ever see the Motts anymore. Well, I just toured with Ralpher and Stan. Verden got up with us in Cardiff. I saw Pete a couple of years ago - so we're still in touch.

Colin Powell says 'I Get So Excited' should have followed 'Once Bitten' as a second single. Looking back, you could be right, but at the time I didn't like 'I Get So Excited' so I probably wouldn't have gone for it then.

Mark Hannon was wondering if 'Nation' in 'Death of a Nation' was Mott the Hoople. No, it wasn't.

David Anderson says Sparks play the Royal Festival Hall on 19th of October 2002. Tickets on sale now!!!

What am I over here!

Odd Joran Lien: I was in Norway in January and we did two concerts in Oslo and they were filmed in FVD 5.1. It hasn't come out yet. Watch this site. We will tell you as soon as we know.

John Cafferty from the King Biscuit Entertainment group will be releasing a CD and DVD of Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band. The Pay Per View is August 11th. There you go John. I've done my bit and Justin's done his bit for the site. I have heard the CD and it is very good. It brought the whole tour back. It's got the vibe of the tour on it.

James Boyd talks about 'Now is the Time' and 'Open Your Eyes'. They remind him of Dire Straights/Mark Knopfler. The way the guitars interweave. Am I a fan? Well, no, I've never listened to Dire Straits, but there's some lovely guitar playing on 'Artful Dodger' courtesy of Darrell Bath, Torstein Flakne and Robbie Altar. Incidentally, Darrell's got a new album out on Angel Air with Honest John. I was just listening to it. Their stuff always makes me smile and it's so true to them. Bjorn Nessjo (who produced 'The Artful Dodger') maybe he's a Dire Straits fan. I'll have to ask him!

Steve Seidel: Any history behind 'One of the Boys'? Well, this was probably 'All the Young Dudes' only different. Around that time we sold out every venue we played in England and a night at a Mott gig was rather like an army. We had lieutenants organizing the troops and they always had that intense loyalty thing that is still in existence today. It was a sense of all of us together. Not just me - not just the band. A whole movement.

John Scialfa says 'RANT' is my best ever (I needed that - we've had a few Schizophrenics this time around). Good Samaritan's the one!

AJ/UK: Interaction between Mott and Purple. You say I knew Blackmore and Simper in Germany. I don't think I ever met Simper. I remember Ritchie. I don't think we spoke that much. Roger Glover and I worked at Francis, Day and Hunter and that was it. Our paths crossed once when we opened for them at the Red Car Jazz Club in the northeast of England. I got up with Ritchie one night at the Speakeasy. A lot of this stuff is geography. If you live near somebody you hang out, but if you don't you don't. AJ cycled twelve miles to Bristol and twelve miles home. Stout fellow.

Paddy and Pete: Saw Manchester - efin brill! Usually the spring.

Steve Fitzgerald: Is there any chance of posting all Mott/IH lyrics on this web site? I don't know - I'll ask the wife.

Michael Wenot: Pete Watts - I hope you're reading this! He saw us at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. You had a whip hanging out of your thigh boot. For Michael it's a true benchmark in Rock and Roll. God, what a slut!

Paul Kennet asks will Oslo be on the VHS format. I don't think so Paul. I'm not certain, but they seem to think VHS is about gone. It's all DVD now.

Dan Baker talking about G______r who have a ton of my music you can download plus they've got annoying pop up ads' so they are obviously making a few bob. Do I get royalties? NO. Those sites sprout up and get caught and dissolve all the time. I know no one from that site has tried to contact me. It would be the decent thing to do?

Paul Alvarez: 'Resurrection Mary' is based on a true story of a ghost that walks outside the walls of Resurrection Cemetery in Chicago. That is the basis of the song - somehow I took it into Big Jim Colossino land and got the Mafia involved. That's just the way it went. I'm a fan of this song as well.

Rockin Martin: How you doing Martin! Glad you had such a good time.

Louanne: Alright Louanne. I will.

Kitty Shuffler: Toronto, Canada - anytime soon. Don't know.

Bob Barnes says 'RANT' is to be re-released in September in the U.K. on Repertoire Records (through Koch/BMG). Trudi checked with Echo and they say no.

Well that's about it for now. Thanks all of you for keeping in touch. If I didn't answer your particular email don't get offended. I just react to what I read. If it's something that doesn't need an answer, then I don't answer it. Everything gets read. Before I pop off, I'd just like to send out our best wishes to Sharon Osbourne. I'm sure Ozzy's beside himself. Sharon's great and we're rooting for her. C'mon Sharon, you can do it. You Rock!!