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Issue #64, Part 2 - May 18, 2006

Keikka: 'Just bought three re-released Mott the Hoople CDs. Somehow it pisses me off to buy the same albums again and again. No one said I had to, but….' That's called loyalty to a cause, Keikka - loyalty is a dying trait - as is conscience. Thanks for hanging in. It's appreciated and I do know what you mean.

Kevin: Definitely wants Newcastle. It's rather up to the promoters in Newcastle. They have to make the offer to Helter Skelter; it is promoters who put on the shows - not me or the agency.

Jeffrey - talking Spanish again.

Michael B: Which bands did I get along with best and which were the most difficult? I think it's all down to common sense. Difficult band are usually not too sure of themselves so they tend to get precious. Good bands - or bands who know where they're going - or bands who know what they want are usually really nice to be with. I can't remember ever having a problem with a band actually. I pretty much get on with everybody. You do get the occasional ego maniac - or hypocrite - but generally that's just a phase hey go through (hopefully) before they realize that talent doesn't make you better than everybody else; talent is a gift you should be thankful for.

Alan Keinch: 'It just hit me - whilst listening to Spike Milligan's song 'Wormwood Scrubs Tango' the car sounds are the same as 'Drivin' Sister.' Aaah, the good old BBC noise records! Actually, if you have kids, or grandkids - and they're playing up on a long car journey invest in Milligan's tapes. The kids catch on in no time at all. We always have Milligan (The Goons) tapes on tour.

Mike Sodi wanted all these songs I didn't have time to do in AC. Sorry about that.

Don Terry wants a gig in Toronto.

Phill + Lin: I don't remember being given the glasses or the Goa, India thing. Must have got lost in transit. She's got to stay under the moon.

Gary Hurst: We are on it.

Buck Winehold: How lovely!! (as we say in Blighty). I'm humbled. Enjoy!

Kellianne Connell: Didn't go to AC because she is getting married (feeble excuse!). Have a great wedding - congrats all round. Marrying a Mr. Flynn. Look after her.

Ralph Cohen: 'Hi mate - how's it goin? I was at the Nags Head with Mr. Aspinall the other day and we got to wondering - do you still get the come on from groupies and are they young bints or nearer our age? Will you be watching the World Cup?' I never was a groupie magnet really, so no. I can't really tell. People are nice to me and Trudi's never far away, so who knows. I will be watching the World Cup if Fox Sports World carries it. I got bit by a dog last week and the doctor at the hospital that treated me was going - I was dead jealous.

Richard: 'Help.' What?

Charlie Hardcastle: 'Is it true Zal Cleminson was considered for MTH?' Yes, it's true, but I can't remember what happened. I don't know if we actually asked him, but I remember his name coming up. Charlie's mate, Phil Ash, is laid up with Sciatica. It's bloodly awful, and it goes so slowly - but it does go. Patience old chap. Charlie's a wine merchant in Essex. He already ships excellent wine from the south of France to the States if anybody's interested charleshardcastle@josephbarnswines.com. Whilst in the south of France - traveling through the vineyards, we drank some excellent wines - all around the 11-17 euros mark. Also excellent champagne at 22 euros. Never heard of any of these wines over here. I think they keep the best in France and send us the rest.

Martin Dench: I think what happened was that I had too many slow songs for 'Schizo' and Mick and I produced Ellen, just before that. I've always had a soft spot for the song (Don't Let Go) so when it came to digging up obscurities for the 'Strings Attached' DVD it was a natural - glad you liked it.

Andrew Stewart: 'Will there ever be a DVD release of the Mick Ronson Memorial Concert?' I don't know; will check with Maggie Ronson about that. Should come out - it was a memorable night.

Ryan: This rings a bell - but that's about it.

Dave Parry: 'Back in the 70's which bands were Mott matey with and who did you avoid? Did you get on with Ferry, Slade and the Faces? Said hello to all of them from time to time. We got on great with the Queenies - didn't really avoid anybody. We always seemed to hang out with decent people - we didn't know idiots.

Louie: Do I remember the 'Paramount' on Staten Island? Yup.

Jeffrey: What's the point of upping the Saw Mill two inches when three inches fall on it? Maybe it gets over it quicker.

Dave Rubin: Cheers

Matt Nojonen asks if we ever worked for Bill Graham? Sure. We did the Fillmore East two, maybe three times - the same at the Fillmore West. I liked him. He could be nasty if the show was running thirty seconds late, but that's what good promoters do - run a tight ship. I've seen him walk someone on a bid trip up and down the block. Once we didn't like one of the bands we were playing with in S.F. and he gave us his office. He was OK with us.

Mikey: Sorry about that - ain't that the way.

Mark Leigh: Am I still in contact with Fred Lee and did he teach me everything I know? Fred was a character; he was and is a great singer and piano player. He's unlucky in that he's quiet naturally a ringer for Jerry Lee Lewis. Sutch had just let Fred go when I met him. Fred had fallen into an orchestra pit during a Sutch show and in hospital - Fred was no further use to Sutch so Sutch got Paul Nicholas in and Fred wet back to steel erecting. I met him in a pub quite by chance and convinced him to give up erecting and move to Northampton. I vacated the singing spot in my band and my band became his band - I moved over to bass. I guess if I didn't already have the bug - Fred gave it to me. We became hot locally - Corby - Kettering - Wellinborough (all around Northampton). Somehow we got bigger in London - my mate, Miller Anderson, was now playing lead. We started doing colleges and signed to NEMS. Wound up at the Star Club in Hamburg and other German clubs during the mid sixties. Did he teach me everything I know? I don't know about that. I remember he told me once 'You write a decent song Ian, but don't ever try to sing.' Fred's a great showman and I guess I served my apprenticeship with him, but in all honesty, I don't think he was that much of an influence on the music that was going on in mine and Miller's heads. Good on yah, Fred!

Marc got 'Strings Attached'. Particularly fond of 'Death of A Nation'.

Keith Nickless: 'Why don't Punks ever mention 'Violence'? Don't know - never thought about that. Says current MOJO got a lot of MTH in it. I just did an UNCUT piece as well. And Campbell Devine wrote an article for CLASSIC ROCK. We don't seem to go away, do we?

Gary Flaherty: Don't know about this. Sorry.

Paul Rivers: Play the UK. I will, it's just things have to be geared round a new recording and it takes a bit of sorting out.

Gerry Zehr just purchased a Rick Derringer CD with me as one of the guests and says it is excellent. Very fond of 'Living in a Heart'.

John Meadows: 'I read on Jethro Tull's website some of the masters are either ruined or unusable. Has this happened to you?' There's stuff missing and people have tried to trace it down to no avail. Early on masters weren't really looked after that well and nobody knew how long the music would last. Lots of stuff went missing or rotted in poorly ventilated warehouses.

Dan Baker: 'I've read in several books regarding the music industry that it's harder for record labels to rip off songwriters that owned their own copyrights and publishing. Is this true? Not really.

Don Owens: 'Will you get more royalties for 'Ships' since Barry's record sales have jumped from being on American Idol? What happened to David Werner? Ellen Foley? What's Jesse doing?' I get paid for 'Ships' and I don't know about David Werner. Ellen's still singing in NYC - Andy met her recently and says she's looking great. Jess has pro tools and plays with various people under the working title of 'LunchBox'. He's in the Bahamas for a break with his lady, Karen.

Dan Baker: 'What is a master tape? Master recording?' It's basically the finished article - the final mixes. Now it's hard drives. Usually the people who sign you and then pay for the record retain the copyrights and the masters. If I own the record - then they're all mine.

Joe Cordolla: 'If Bowie has so many gold albums in the U.S. why doesn't the Recording Association of America recognize them on their all time best sellers list? He's not listed.' This is part of the biz I know nothing about. 'Also, do you make money off 'Dudes' or does Bowie get the king share?' David wrote it so he gets the publishing. We recorded it so we get a royalty from the record company.

Tom Villemaire …'saw one of the concerts in Toronto (where I wish you'd return, you prat!) and the guitarist was Mark Clarke.' Nope. Mark was playing bass for us for a while. I haven't talked to Pat Kilbride in a while. Amazing bassist.

Paul Stirk says lots of stores who didn't carry IH stuff in Canada - now do. Good to know.

Gary B asks if I gamble in AC (Gary's a craps dealer in AC)? Nope. I think it's a mugs game, but that's just me.

Richard Mace: 'What happened to Jeff Appleby - does he still play? Unfortunately, Jeff had a few mishaps and has been confined to a wheelchair. This happened when he was young so was dealt some awful bad luck. He was lucky that he had a loyal girlfriend, Moi, who basically sacrificed her life to look after Jeff. We still see him now and again. Usually in Leeds. Great lad; rotten luck.

Kevin: Come to Philly - we'll be there.

Rick Lake: 'Rollerball' is only on 'Strings' DVD and CD. I wrote it specifically for that project.

Jack Mack: 'How long a set in AC?' Well, you know now! What was it' About an hour?

Steve Council: 'Martin's Folly' was being produced in New York by Eric Amble. They asked me down one evening to help out on a cover of one of my songs. I think Steve Holley got me to do that. I didn't really spend much time there - it was a session in and out - so I don't have any addresses. Hopefully, Paul Page may see this. council 61@msn.com

John McMillan says I'm one of the few who haven't sold out. You know, I really don't know what this means. I do what I do. 'Are there any guitar players you'd like to work with' Yeah - dead ones. Be nice to sit down with Keef. I'm lucky - I know great ones.

Andrew Wood getting married to Michelle on 3rd of June. Says Michelle is massive IH/MTH fan, so we all must congratulate Michelle and Andrew. All the best (you do know that's my birthday - by the way).

Yugen: I can only go as fast as the business lets me. Glad of your support.

Krister: 'Have you heard the new Willie Nile album? AY playing lots of instruments - it's tremendous.' Willie sent me a copy. Well done!

Rick Newby: Thanks

Tom McGarry: No, never worked with Fogerty. AY has and thinks he's great. So do I.

Joe Sinibaldi says AC was great. 'Loved Steve Holley set up - should have let him do a solo.' Never thought of that. 'Will I ever tour with my daughter?' We've done a few tours in the UK. 'Have I ever performed without shades?' Not on purpose! 'Will you ever produce an MTV like video for airplay?' No.

Rooster enjoyed the AC show. Happy I'm not smoking (don't talk about it). 'I was a little concerned I would not like the acoustic thing - but I was wrong - the set list was perfect. Really got the feeling you were telling stories. Please do it again soon.

Kevin Hymer' Are you and Trudi still together?' Yup.

Peter Camilleri: Australia? Don't know as of now.

And finally, Willie fi Glasgi: 'I didn't think for a minute you would actually do the opening of NWTR.' Oh, come on. I had to, or I would have felt guilty! Colin was there from Newcastle as well. Hi Colin. Says they stayed at the same hotel as about twenty folk from the message board - people from Canada, Texas, Boston, Philly, Jersey and NYC. They had a three-day ball. 'Great set list for limited time. What was Steve Holley playing?' I don't know but he loves it. It's a musical box. It has snares inside and somehow if you kick the right spot it sounds like a bass drum as well. Ideal for acoustic gigs. His hands were sore, though. He's only had it a week.

Pet peeve: crappy ads on BBC America trying to con people.

OK, that's me done for now. Take care you lot!!

IH
The Horse's Mouth