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Issue #86, Part 1 - May 15, 2008

May 15, 2008

Well, the sun's shining, chipmunks are playing by the pool and I'm home for the first spring in yonks.

David Pickard says Leeds was magical. Thank you.

Cody Melville saw the Bowery show (Andy York and I got up at CBGB's for four songs), and says it was great. John Varvatos is a mate of mine so we popped down and did it for him. CB's is now one of John's shops.

Al Johnson: 'Have you heard 'Rockferry' by Duffy? It's the best thing I've herd since your last album.' Saw her on TV the other night. She does have something about her.

Jim Dworman asks my opinion on XM and Sirius. Any radio station that doesn't take payola in one form or another is fine by me.

Robert Mathison asks if 'Central Park 'n' West' is about John Lennon. No, 'Central Park 'n' West' was written as a poem; I've always got a few poems stashed away. Mick Jones read it and put a few chords to it and off we went. The song was written when Mick Ronson and I lived in the Mayflower hotel for six months; it was located on Central Park West.

Tom: Takes me to task on Obama. We shall see.

Capt. Joe Fincher - (New Orleans Fire Department) Joe lived a half mile from the break in the 17th Street Canal and his home was flooded with eight feet of water. His wife and kids (one named, Ian, of course) agonized for a week as Joe could not be contacted. Joe can be seen in National Geographic, 'Drowning New Orleans' and in an up and coming movie 'America Betrayed'. Joe's house is almost finished (and better than before) so everything's on the up. Glad you all made it, Joe. Thanks for your uplifting note.

Stephen just saw a documentary film called, 'A Good Life' about Joe Gruschecky and the Iron City House Rockers. Apparently Joe discusses Mick and me back in the day - and it's all complimentary!

Bryan Paterson (one T, not two!): 'Just bought Jesse Malin's new CD. Ian credited - also cover of MTH's Greatest Hits appears big style on the inside cover.'

June Challans: 'Who are you singing about on 'Silver Needles'? Sid.

Kenny Gourley: 'Thanks for a great evening in Edinburgh, but you could have done with sitting on a slightly higher stool!' Sorry about that. 'If there's one song you could have written, but didn't, what would it be?' Two that immediately come to mind are, 'Like a Rolling Stone' and 'Addicted to Love'.

Pat first heard 'Rest In Peace' on 'Strings Attached'. Now heard it as a bonus track on 'The Hoople' reissue. 'Beautiful Song, loved the American line in 'Saturday Gigs' - hilarious and spot on (can't remember what that was at the moment - full of the new stuff) Do you watch Family guy?' I'm sort of picking at it. 'I can hear the Ronnettes doing 'Foxy Foxy'.' Actually I've talked to Ronnie Spector about this.

Joe Moldovan from Seattle: 'I know you know you rock (yes, I do!). I'm 52 and disappointed at what passes for music today. IH/MTH keep me young. Question: Any plans for a Seattle gig with Steve Miller?' I was going to open for Steve a couple of years back, but sadly, my back went out and I couldn't do the gigs. Great shame - I was looking forward to it very much. Hey - you never know.

Kris wants the sheet music to 'Read 'em 'n' Weep'. I don't think there is any.

Tony Jay: Thanks for the tip - I'll check it out.

Alessandro Fagioli: 'What do you think about your videos on Youtube.com? I don't look. He says finally he sees MTH live - Maybe not. Most of old MTH footage comes form lame television shows. You had to see them LIVE.

George Saadi: 'Heard my sister introduced herself to you at the Varvatos gig (she was there with her husband Wayne Kramer). She mentioned you were very cordial, but a bit unsure if you knew whom she was talking about (saying I was her brother). Heard the show was great. She mentioned you're a great singer (it's all lies) and didn't realize you your songs impacted her (believe she had a moment - hearing things live that she first heard blasting out of my bedroom and car when we lived in Ohio.' So how's it going George? How's Clear Channel doing these days! Nice to hear from you. I have to say, the Varvatos gig was quite chaotic. It might have been I couldn't hear her properly because of the din and because I'm half deaf. Regards to all.

Pat Fitzgerald thanking Tracie and me for stopping by Daniel Rey's place (Tracie was singing on a track). 'Tracie was brilliant on the track - everybody was thrilled with her vocals. Pat was formerly with Martin's Folley (Good drummer!) and latterly with Sour Jazz. Use to play with Paul Page. Thanks, Pat - I'll pass this onto Tracie.

John Alexander: 'Just played 'Memphis' again. Took me back to the days when attending your concerts ame with a public health warning. It also lured me into looking at this website to see what you're up to. As a consequence, I came across photos from your earlier days playing with Ronno. I grew up with Mick in East Hull and he was a lovely guy. I was about 16 when he went off to play with some bloke called David Bowie. Anyway, I'm 55 now and I want to say thanks. People like Mick and yourself and all the other dudes of the 60's and 70's were an inspiration to working class lad like myself. Without you lot, I may never have left Hull, seen the world, done or learned so many things. Some of my friends have now fallen by the wayside and it could have happened to me. But even if it did, I would have no regrets. Thanks mate, for a fantastic journey. Wouldn't have missed it for the world. I think I'm supposed to ask you a question rather than a blurb so, after all of these years, do you enjoy your working life more as a mature musician, rather than the pop star thing you had in your youth?' First of all, I completely identify with this email. Secondly, it aint over by a long chalk and thirdly, I much prefer what I do now. Thanks for blurbing!

Dave R (ITT): 'Great tour. Any chance of a live recording from any of those shows?' Scooby record three shows but I haven't heard them yet as Scooby was in Portugal. He seems to think they're OK. It's ongoing. Yes, I did do a couple of tracks with Amy on her new CD - she let me pick which ones.

Viv: 'My daughter is searching for a copy of the slow version of the song, 'All of the Good Ones Are Taken' to dance to at their wedding with her father (it is one their absolute favorite songs) - we only have it on old vinyl…any clues? I would love to find this for them. Trudi says that it was re-released on CD in the USA in 2007 on a label called American Beat (catalog number 24022). Amazon.com have it.

Ian Jones: 'Hey Dudes, so the REAL Ian Hunter is at the other end of this message. Oh, wow! I'm a 52 year old Aussie TV producer who has been boppin' to your great music since the Mott days when I was a pimply scrawny snot who couldn't even play air guitar very well. Still get pleasure from the comfort songs on my ipod. Great selection from 'Welcome to the Club'! Timeless - wonderful stuff. You've saved my sanity in a zillion airport lounges across the globe.!' So - when do I get my show?

Rene Lansink: 'I wonder why Ian never plays Holland? I surely would like it.' Nobody asks.

Andrea: 'Ian, please settle a bet. Did you live at the Apthorp about 20 years ago?' No.

Patrik Hanson: 'It seems you are suddenly label mates with Robert Forster from the Go Betweens. One of the best writers ever. Give 'The Evengelist' a listen.'

Dee Byrne: Be well.

Jen Darty: 'My father has a classic rock cover band. Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson, the Kinks and Mott the Hoople….that's it. He likes ONLY The STINKS (Kinks and MTH). I am his daughter.' Well, Mr. Darty - this is from me and your daughter - Happy Father's Day!!

Kevin Pipher: Sorry about that, Kevin. It gets blurry after a while. Sid Vicious.

Billy Innes: 'What brought on the new batch of songs?' Don't know - the music kept coming. What's taking the time is the lyrics - but they're coming along fine now as well. 'Are they a continuation of 'Rant' or 'Shrunken Heads'? or brand new terrain?' Less politics; fun, but with an edge.

Pat: 'I heard 'Waterlow' for the first time on 'Strings Attached' - beautiful and sad.' With regard to the Keith thing - ain't that typical.

John (Indiana): 'How do musicians and promoters determine who will be opening acts.' Money, John - it's all about money.

Mike Riley: ' 'Read 'em 'n' Weep' - I think people love the song because we've all had that similar experience. It's a powerful memory; it never leaves you, does it?' And they call it puppy love!!!

Justin Capaldi: 'Just want to say that of all the albums that have come out over the last few years from all the icons (McCartney, Ray Davies, the Boss, Dylan etc) 'Shrunken Heads' is top of the list!!' Oh, well.

Pat: 'Is it tough to get a good meal on the road?' All depends who's in the band. Tony Shanahan is great with Italian. Gibbo's great with all the country pubs - Steve's taken over this job now and is doing great.

Jim (Chicago): 'Thanks for being there.' Blush.

Keith Holcombe: 'Saw you in Annapolis, MD….great show. Trying to get airplay for 'Soul of America'. Great song for somebody running for office. Any choices?' Mr. Obama. 'East coast soon?' Next year. Thanks for hustling!

Peejay: 'Play 'Bastard' acoustically.' Too much like hard work.

Paul Tyke: Great Wavendon gig; thanks for giving 'Footsteps' another airing and thanks, especially, for putting a link to my review on the media page.

(Mad) Mick Lambert: Imagine that. Who'd have thought you'd wind up in France. All the best with the house. I heard Tony Blackburn lives next door.

Seth Notes: The new one will be recorded this year and come out next year.

Kevin Mahoney: Apparently Dave Drew is getting great response for his rendition of 'Michael Picasso'. Nice one, Dave. Thank you, Kevin.

Jeff Williams: 'Any chance of Korea?' Which one?

Stephen - K/C - Yes, I did. I'm not going to wear it, but it has gone into the memorabilia department. Thank you!! Matt Nojonen: 'Just finished 'The Buzzard: Inside the Glory Days of WMMS and Cleveland Rock Radio.' by former program manager, John Gorman. You and MTH are mentioned favorably in the early chapters. The book opened my eyes to some of the underhanded, sleazeball tactics employed by record companies to lie, steal and cheat from artists, manipulate markets, obstruct competition and make it harder for music to be heard. It is also pretty clear that radio stations weren't above collaborating with such corruption if it was good for their bottom line. What a bunch of assholes - the book probably only scratches the surface too. What have been your best and worst experiences?' Thinking some of these people were actual friends. I don't include people like Goddard Lieberson or Dick Asher in this. They were honorable men and, in the case of Dick Asher - his bands suffered because he wouldn't play the filthy game that is the music business - or what's left of it.

Rick Burchel: 'Come back to Ferndale; all your shows are great. I'll be the guy standing in front of you singing every word of every song.' Comes in handy when I forget the words!

Graham Stark: Have a great time, Graham. Give all my love and thanks.

Verne: No, your hunch was correct. I had a problem that was corrected after the tour. Medical stuff now done and dusted.

Jeff: Same as usual. Balmy and springlike.

Josh Stavrakoglou: 'I really loved 'Real or Imaginary'. Being 23 and in Iraq, that song hits home. I was just wondering where you got the idea/urge for that song? 'Death of a Nation' also strikes a chord - like where America's headed next.' I'm so glad you like this song. It kind of snuck by most people, but it's one of my favorites even thought it's not on the 'official' bit of the album. I think young kids can sometimes get themselves into difficulty for all the right reasons. It's strange the way life is. I think the U.S. will soon have a more respectable future.

Joe: 'So I walk into this bar called 'Friends' in Fells Point, MD (smaller version of Greenwich Village). DJ is spinning 'Rock and Roll' (Velvets) song fades into Jerkin' Crocus. Thanked the DJ - got her to play 'Dudes'. 'Dudes' comes on and a number of 20 somethings (I'm 49) begin asking who's that - what a great song - heard it in 'Juno'. Spent the rest of the evening detailing MTH and IH history, advising on what to buy and where, in and around Baltimore. It was great watching youngsters getting into and learning about one of the true masters of Rock and Roll writing, performing and stewardship. You're R+R royalty!!' Thank you, Joe.

Stay tuned for Part 2 ...