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Issue #57, Part 2 - October 18, 2005

Colin Donegal: The thing is we're not exactly over-staffed. Brian's got an office.

James Knox was at the Uris, 'The greatest concert I ever attended.' Did we think Queen would be a big as they got? Spend a half an hour with Freddy, Brian or Roger and you just knew.

Martha Binek bought tickets to the Steve Miller gig at DTE in Michigan to see us. Yes, I was looking forward to that one as well. Sorry.

Alex: We'll be in Chicago.

Alan/Santa Fe: 'Who tuned your pianos on the road and at home in MTH days?' Well the short answer is piano tuners. They came in the afternoon before the sound checks, and some of them were slow! Am I glad modern times brought in digital pianos? Well, there's a certain organic feel with a natural grand piano or organ, but they take up oceans of space when you're doing clubs. Plus, you can also detune digital pianos. I sing a semi down on the old days. Some of the keys would be more difficult for me not to mention the tonal change. Overall, I guess I'm glad you've got the choice now. Real is better but sometimes it just isn't possible.

Robert Small: 'Seeing Martha Stewart getting her own TV show after her prison stint reminded me of - 'And now evil gets elected and sinful get selected.' Did you have anyone specific in mind when you wrote that?' I wrote that? What in?

Geff Ratcheson says he found a BMG special products release called 'Ringo Starr and His All Star Band - extended versions - The Encore collection'. Track 4 is listed as me doing, 'I Still Love Rock 'n' Roll, but it is in fact 'Irene Wilde'. It also has several other tracks not released on the original King Biscuit version. Thank you, Geff

Eric Hemphill lays claim to being the world's youngest Hott Mott. He was adopted at 6 by the ladies as they thought he was cute in 1973.

Simon Lyons: 'My daughter showed me round her new uni at the London School of Economics. I got a deja vu in the student union bar. Did Mott gig there? Don't know for certain, but it's likely.

Greg Wheeler: Is it true Mick Ralphs brought the rough draft of 'Can't Get Enough of Your Love' and you dirtied it up a bit and turned it into 'One of The Boys'? No. 'One of the Boys' came earlier. We did mess with another song (which later became a Bad Co hit), but this wasn't it. The opening riff is virtually the same, but it's a general riff that lots of bands have used over the years.

Randy Romig says Ohio is making a comeback. 'It's taken 20 years for the music scene to recover from the introduction of MTV.' Question: NCAA is banning the use of native American nicknames like 'Seminoles', 'Utes', 'Chippewas' and even generics like Warriors, Savages, Redmen and Braves. Is this right? Well, I think it's rather up to the chaps involved. Well, I think it's rather up to those involved. If the Utes say, 'it's OK we know it's fun' then the NCAA should shut up, but I can see where some tribes may have a problem. Ask the tribe. Play Akron.

Steve Molnar: There is a lot of stuff out there. Sony (UK) did a magnificent job with the reissue of my first solo album this year, but Sony U.S. have different ideas. Sony UK want to reissue AAAB next year, but Sony U.S. remains doing best of's. Other newer labels have stuff out there too, but the smaller the label the more difficult it is to find the CD or DVD. I can't do much about it. I guess collecting moi is more difficult, but it's fun when you unearth something.

Cary Fisher: Hello mate! Jesse was just out there! We'll keep the numbers and get you ours. See you next time we are in LA. Love to all….

Martin Sheard: His first email ever! (i) I don't know yet (ii) No!

Tim Smith: No - I never did go back further than Bob. It didn't appeal until Bob did it. That's the thing that I noticed on the DVD - a lot of the old songs were copped! 'Traditional' is what used to appear on some records. I don't cop - never did - but I can see why. It's a tradition in folk circles - it's a way of carrying on the tradition…and I think that's great.

Bucks Burnett: Anyway, Bucks is president of the Mr. Ed Fan Club. Members include Monty Python, Jimmy Page, Tiny Tim and a bunch of others including Mick Ronson. Would I like an honorary membership? Definitely! 'Rant' for me too.

Jeffrey asks if the driving version of 'Twisted Steel' was my idea on 'Truth'? Yes it was. I finally got it how I wanted it after a few changes.

Andy Baker says the Picturedrome in Holmfirth is a great venue. Excused my ignorance but where is Holmfirth?

James White's band (Skint Heroes) started playing 'Violence' on their gigs. They've done six gigs and three punch-ups started during 'Violence'. They've already been banned from two places. They've got two more gigs but the promoter won't let them play the song. James says it gets a great reaction, but the rest of the band want more gigs and a tad less excitement. Well - you have to gig - so I guess a temporary elbowing is appropriate (although I wouldn't have said that 30 years ago!). Sneak it back in later. Your Dad's right. He did see us and David at Dave Stopp's Friars. Quite an in place at the time. Your cousin is wrong.

Bob Barnes: Congratulations on winning 'Classic Songwriter' at Classic Rock's 'Roll of Honour'. Am I going to be there to pick up the thing?' Yup. I went and got it. Very nice too. Thanks to Classic Rock for thinking of me. It was a great fun night and I met a load of old chaps just like me!

Steve: Don't forget Aylesbury, Ian! I don't - but Dave Stopps does!

Matt Nojonen: One of the things about my business is that it's OK to be contrary. Yes, we do have fans in Scandi - great ones, too. No Hunter mania in France (they don't know what I am - apart from Louis) or Italy (please!), but we're working on Spain a bit. Booked out - too busy.

Hope Campbell: 'Congrats on the songwriter award.' Blush.

Mick McKenzie: Christmas lights in Shrewsbury. Not to be.

Martin says this was in this weeks BBC Radio Times Magazine: 'Steve Lamacq starts a weekly book club on the best Rock 'n' Roll reads (there's no contender - Ian Hunter's Diary of a Rock Star is perfect!)' (wow HM) Apparently it is on BBC digital Radio 6 on the Phil Jupitus show from 7 AM (gulp). Thanks, Martin.

Steve Baratta: 'Off to the Indian' a rather spiffy restaurant near here. Lyric - tres bon.

Steve K: 'Once Bitten played on Steve Wright's yesterday - you seem to be on the play list as well on Planet Rock (Digital Station). Good, good, good…

Jeff M.: 'Any chance MTH fans will see deluxe reissues of 'Dudes'/'Mott' or 'Hoople' albums like last years live reissue? Don't now. It's up to Sony.

Mike Riley: 'Back in the day, did you hang out with Mods or Rockers? Rockers. Did you have a Vespa or a motorcycle? Neither - bussed it.

Glenn: 'Congratulations - it's about time.'

Simon Lyons: I think so, but I'm not sure. We were playing 20 - 25 gigs a month.

Phil Huband just watched 'Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore'. 'You must be proud to have your song playing at the beginning of a Scorsese film and your name prominently displayed in the credits along with Gershwin, Hank Williams etc al. I assume you granted permission for the song? How are you advised of such requests?' Yes, we gave permission. Usually the publisher rings you and tells you who's interested and what they want to go for. You can agree or disagree. 'Have you ever turned down requests for the use of your songs in films or commercials?' Yes. 'Did you ever meet Scorsese or Kris Kristofferson?' No.

Rich Whalen: Rundgren/Hunter again? Who knows. We're still mates.

Bonnie: 'Do you live in Connecticut now? Love Marc Bosch.' Yes, we live in Connecticut and Marc is excellent.

Oor Wullie: 'Put 'Salvation' on the next albie.' We'll have a look at it.

Amish Bob: 'Without music - life would be a mistake.' Nietzche.

Anthony P.: Ain't stopping yet.

Billy Coulter: I know what happened.

Dave Fowler: Thanks, David. Relax - I'm way past the 39-9.

David Taylor: If Sony (UK) do put out a DVD I'm sure it won't be useless as they're on our side.

Phil Bonell: 'Honaloochie Boogie' Where did the words come from? I really don't know!

Fiona: 'Congrats on the Classic Rock Award.' Thank you.

Paul Callow: 'Characters' always get blown out by corporations unless they're beyond big. Corporations like conformity and control - they understand that. 'Characters' are a pain in the ass. They want sterility - and they get it.

Dave Bambauer: Married 20 years - met at Agora in Akron. Says we rocked. Do I still go out? Check this site for next spring.

Stu in Saudi: I asked Mick to do 'Ready for Love' but he just wanted to play.

Rick Graves: Raves about Andy York's playing on 'Truth'. Will I work with Andy in the future? I would think so. Andy and Liz came to London with us. I saw him yesterday and I'm seeing him tomorrow. It's just scheduling sometimes gets in the way.

Alan Maddox: At last, recognition for Worlds greatest songwriter (cringing blush).

John Huntingdon: 'Dead Man Walkin'' starts with a drum machine which continues even after the drums come in. What was the thinking? It isn't a drum machine. It's a loop Andy and I got Tommy Mandel to make for us. It's atmospheric (at least we think so!).

Bill Cantlon: 'was the song 'Silver Needles' written about anyone in particular? Yes.

Kevin Muth: Come to Florida!

Bucks Burnett: Re 'Los' - no knowledge of this - at all.

Mac the Axe loved Bristol.

Matt Nojonen: Smallest - probably Wales. Tiny place - maybe 125 people wedged in. Largest? Wembley - Freddie Mercury tribute. 75 thousand live - one and a half billion watching.

Bill C: 'Why would a blue collar dude from the UK give a shit about the fate of the American Indian?' Because it was a holocaust.

Andy Martin: Football on the telly, yes. I'm pretty fair at snooker - golf? No.

Janet: We'll see. It's a bit of a schlep.

Brian Calingaert asks if I've met the Stones? Yup.

Steve Barratta: Did I ever hang out with Wolfman Jack? I remember we met him - I think we did a TV show too.

'That Welsh Girl' went on a first date with the guy of her dreams to Cardiff Engine rooms (May 15, 2004). Had the greatest night of her life! Whoever you are (and you're an Irene Wilde fan) she says you are a special person (and she wants us back in Wales).

Charlie Bermant: The best version of 'All of the Good Ones' is on the 'Strings' DVD and CD. That's the correct groove. Didn't get it right the first time around. Charlie says the video's 'odd'. I though I was fab!

Chris wasn't able to make the Queen but Trudi and I both wanted to go. How was it? I'm hearing great things all the time.

S.B.: What was Ronno feeling about 'Saturday Gigs'? I think we did this before the final tour and Mick was in scintillating form in the studio. It only got to 32 on the British charts - which bemused us all (too much like 'Dudes'). It has, however, stood the test of time and still is one of the more popular songs live.

John Harris found 'Rant' and loves it. Came to Chicago!

Michelle sends me her love! What a way to go.

Well, that's it. Hunter Towers is being 'improved' as I write, banging and crashing etc. Hope it didn't make me too terse. Sorry to those I missed - try again.

Deepest sympathies to the Farrell family from Trudi and me.

IH
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