Morning all. I've half an eye on Greece/Nigeria (1-1 at the moment).

Bill C: 'What were you thinking on stage, Wednesday, at the City Winery?' Forgot. 'You made a comment about not singing Babylon Blues.' Well - you can trip up on the words really easily - at least I can.

Judy: 'Didn't do 'Irene Wilde''. Sorry.

Bill Wilken: Sorry, Bill but we don't do that.

Bobby Smith: 'Were you happy touring with Ringo?' I enjoyed Ringo.

Rich: 'The show at the Winery blew me away - are you back in the New York area this year?' Yes, we'll be back in November. Watch this sight.

Big Licks: 'Ticket Master have announced a UK tour.'

Rich Walen: 'City Winery - incredible. You and the band in rare form. Great to see Andy York and various guests.'

John Caswell: 'Somewhere' was from 'West Side Story'.

John King: I was sitting watching Dylan doing one of his 'odder' gigs at the garden years ago. Some fan near me stood up and shouted 'Rest In Peace'. I thought that's a good title for a tune.

Liz Rose: It sounds like a Junior - maybe a little heavier. Very pleased. Give him my regards.

Jeff: 'Who's the backing vocalists on 'Guiding Light' ?' Mary Lee Kortes, Christine Ohlman and Jeff Tweedy.

Carolyn: 'Really enjoyed NYC, UK and Italy.' Thanks for the support.

Verne: See.

Harry Oddsock: Special guests are usually last minute - people are busy. Looking forward to Birmingham.

Jeff Wilson wants us to play the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, LA. Don't know about that one, but we are working on visiting the West Coast late January/early February next year. Watch this site.

Mark: Steve Holley (drums), James Mastro (guitar), M.C. Bosch (lead guitar), Paul Page (Bass) and Andy Burton (Keys).

Kevin Gatewood: 'Love to see you in Denver.' Bit high…

Paul D: 'Would like to see the 'Rocking' again.' I get what you're saying, but I kind of like mixing it up a bit. 'Ain't No Way to Treat a Lady' worth considering. Maybe!

Mike Briant: Ringo called it 'Be Somebody Someday.' - It's 'Irene Wilde' off of 'All American Alien Boy.'

Neil Roberts: See you in October.

Phil (St. Louis) Well - I did M.O. MTH - tabled.

Irina: Happy Birthday - Thank You!

Glynn: Victoria Hall - I remember that one. Too much echo right? Glynn's going to Manchester. 'What songs from M.O. in the set?' Too early to say.

Jeffrey Asher - Hey Jeff, Sorry, but we just got this now. Hope you enjoyed the show - we left straight after.

Jan Peter Reeves: Glad you're enjoying yourself. Lovely emails.

Roger Logan likes 'Man Overboard' as does his daughter.

Liz wishes me Happy Birthday amongst other things. Thank you, Liz.

Oscar Walker: Cheers.

Al Moore: 'How do you decide which songs fad and which songs end?' Easy - if you can't find an ending - fade it! Of course you've got to find an ending live, so I generally leave it up to the Ranters. 'What's your favourite intro?' Well, I open a lot with OBTS and that's because it comes in an instrument at a time, thereby giving the front soundman a little extra help.

Rick Graves went to Atlanta.

Bill Maxwell: Re: High Voltage with Joe Elliott. 'Any chance of Live CD with bands from that concert?' Nobody's said anything yet.

Steve Baratta: Re: 'I Need Your Love' Never got that one right. That one got away.

Keith Nickless: Happy Birthday. 'Did you chat with Iggy or Ozzy?' No, didn't get the chance. Ozzy's PA rang me afterwards, but I was on the move.

Mick McKenzie: We MAY do Oslo late October, but it NOT firm by any means.

Tony Day: I think we're on just before ELP.

Fiona: You never know - it's a crap shoot. Hope it works out.

Alan in Kent, WA: 'Just to let the Puget Sound fans know that Crossroads Silver Platters in Bellevue play MTH in their store. Did you miss a photo shoot with MTH, because you had no money and Guy Stevens stood in for you?' Yep.

Andrew Field: 'Violence' was a reactionary blast against a society that's squeezing the life out of you. Sometimes the capitalists and elitists get so greedy that you need a bit of rough and tumble.

Phyl: It's an easy one to remember. Thanks.

Scott: 'What's the chance of you guesting with Alejandro Escovedo at the Borderline this month?' I'm in another country at that time, but try to get to his show - he's for real.

Phil Mandy: 'Happy Birthday - got our tickets to Manchester.' Ta.

Drew: 'Happy Birthday.'

Jeffrey: HB

Got tons of birthday wishes. Now you remember!! Thanks to all.

Bill Kershaw was at Sellersville. 'M.O> great - but so was SH.'

Kellianne Flynn: Keep your chin up!

Constance Van Beek: Happy Birthday. Winery shows incredible.

Brent Coursey: Happy Birthday. The version of AAAB you refer to will probably remain a family super 8.

Ed M: Went to Boca Raton. Ta

Tom Crolley: 'HB. I was at the Winery for the last show. What a F------killer show. How do you do it? You sounded great and looked salubrious. There were 11 of us from Scranton there - and we all loved it. Is there a River Festival this year?' We'll be doing a couple of PA shows in the middle of November - watch this site for details when confirmed.

Francis L: 'Happy Birthday. It's been a while, hasn't it? Do you really remember your 21st so fondly? What a great story - you bring the writer to Rock 'n' Roll!' More fear that fond!

Thomas from Germany: Happy Birthday! (See you in London in October.)

Christian Govenius: 'Happy Birthday!'

Mike Channon: Seems like the only venue that fits. Never done it before so I don't know it. I think it's definitely on in Bristol.

Janet Rotko: 'Play Lexmtc' Tell them. (To call High Road Touring!)''

Pasqual Truglia flew to Milan but got turned back because of lightning. Got there a day late and found a poster in the rubbish! Full marks for effort Pasqual. Sorry you missed us.

Tricia Devine: 'Happy Birthday - Tony Curtis is 85 today. I think June 3rd babies have to tick the handsome box - before they're born!' I knew I forgot something.

Pat: Happy Birthday!! Many more!!'

Andre from Panama: 'Not a lot of people know about you here, but I hooked some folks to MTH at Cristobel High School. High time you toured the South. When's another book coming out?' Oh, I don't know about that, Andre.

Mike Marker: H.B. Mike was going to Mizner Park - hope you enjoyed it.

Fiona: H. B.

Mark Hughes: Thank you, Mark.

Rick Graves: Noted.

Fred and the Hat People (Sweden): Happy Birthday!

Paul Macy: 'Who introduces the band on 'Welcome to the Club'?' Don't know - don't remember - anybody?

Kevin from Newcastle: 'You're coming to Newcastle!! Fantastic!! Forgot to mention, Martin Chambers did a fantastic job with MTH.' He did indeed.

Jeffrey: Actually, I was in Florida.

Mike Bavone: Mizner Park - YOU THE MAN! When are you coming back? My only complaint - too short.

Chuck Pandrea: Disappointed our set was so short. Come back and do a full show.

Kelly Wallace: Great show - fans loved you and wanted an encore pretty bad (Florida). Don't be a stranger.

This is the thing. I can't get to Florida doing a full show. That's why I took the Tull dates. When you open - as anyone will tell you - it's a bit of a mess. We didn't have a monitor guy - it was rented gear (as it was for Tull - only it was their first gig) - and all in all - a little chaotic. You're not in control in these situations. The gig has a curfew and the headliner - justifiably - gets the full set and long sound checks. I'm not moaning - it happens to bands that open for me. Ian and Martin were very gracious. Atlanta was difficult through some trick of atmospherics - or monitors - 'it was difficult to find the notes - especially on 'Somewhere'. Both Steve and I were having trouble. I tell you, all this because it's just not a question of walking on and everything is perfect and glorious. Sometimes it's hard work!!

Ralph Heibutzki has been reading 'Shades Off' in his own spoken word performance. His web site is: www.chairmanralph.com. Regarding your request - not now - get back to me at a later date.

Ed O'Neill: 'Hello - just wanted to tell you I enjoyed your version of 'Somewhere' in Boca. Not sure if you realized the sound system was bad. Still you should have played longer.'

Alan Shiell: 'Edinburgh was fantastic!! Looking forward to Glasgow. Will it be a completely revamped set list?' I get asked about set lists a lot and as I've said before - whatever rears its head at the time generally goes in. Too early to say at this time.

Martin Bennett: 'Thanks so much for coming to Atlanta. Huge fan since 14 and am appreciative seeing you again at 51!' I'll take it!

Ed Martinez: 'Saw you in Boca. Great show. Thanks - come back.'

Rik Rolski: Happy Birthday, Sir. One Gemini to another - you got me playing years ago and I'm still going at 53!' Baby.

Louis McCullagh: 'Is your book being reprinted anytime soon?? It's in its 15th edition in the UK and I believe it has just been translated into French!

Grant: Poetic nonsense.

Scott: Time restrictions.

Kellianne Flynn: Oh dear. Hang in; it does get easier. God Bless.

Kevin Amberson: Ian through the ages!

Mark F: They were just so deliciously daft a la Python. I met Viv - lovely chap. He seemed genuinely amazed when I told him his band was fantastic. And it was!

Al Johnson: You've got me there, Al.

Clare: 'Is 'Rain' about a real person and or place in time?' Real people - real time - real place.

Michael asks if Trudi and I see eye to eye on music?' She thinks she knows a good song when she hears it; sometimes I agree - sometimes I disagree - but you can't change her mind.

John Broderick: It's weird isn't it. And being 'in it' - I can't see it from the outside.

Lyndsay: 'Clearing the attic - found the book and re-read it. Loved it then and now. Ever tried to write a sequel (once or twice). Re-reading prompted the purchase of the CD 'The Best of MTH'. Now driving the family mad with 'Honnaloochie Boogie' .' I know how they feel.

Mike Costanzo: It's easy. Stay home - don't go. It's the corporate way. The only way these people learn are if the seats are empty.

Jack Pells: 'Looking for 'Short Back + Sides'. Found it on Amazon, but it was over 100 GBP. Don't suppose you know where I can get it cheaper?' Anyone?

Nick B: I sat in a dormitory once - somewhere in Europe with Roy Harper. Somebody had sold him boot polish instead of hash and he was determined to smoke it anyway. I don't think Roy likes backing down too much.

Philip Monaghan: Nice one, Phil.

Clare: NOT somewhere in London.

Davey Jones: November.

Graham Pemble: Train service in England has always been a trifle 'local'.

John Hermanson: Thanks, John, but we're overloaded as it is.

Mark Wilson: Appreciated.

Heather enjoyed Boca.

John White: Well, Meatloaf got Ellen off to a great start. Then Mick and I produced her solo album which sold tons. After that, Mick Jones, did an album with her. She got married and had kids - effectively leaving the business to be a wife and Mum. Saw her a couple of months ago. Still looks lovely and occasionally gigs when it suits her.

Tom Crolly: Sorry for your sad loss, Tom and condolences to his family.

Wyn and Van Emmerik are starting a page to induct Mott the Hoople into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 'Ian - I'm sorry, but social media has some power, MTH belong in the hall of Fame. Screw all those bean counters who base it on business - that's not Rock 'n' Roll - Music is!' wve359@msn.com

Tom: 'Saw a video of you doing 'Somewhere' at the City Winery - incredible! Any chance you you'll release a version?' It's funny you should say this. Some of my 'heavier' followers hate my version of this song. It was the same with 'Berkley Square' How about 'Moon River' next!

Seth Purvin: 'Ian - is America letting you down?' Not the ones I know.

Seth Purvin: 'How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?' Old.

Seth Purvin: 'Ban the vavusala or not?' Well - they don't ban right wing radio and they don't ban radio stations in general, - so why ban vavusalas? It's all the same to me. Annoying!

Holly: Turf's up.

Manuel Prats: 'Absolute highlights in Florida - 'Sweet Jane' and you ought to record 'Somewhere'.' Maybe we will one of these years.

Lee Ann: 'I thought I read MTH were on 'Top Gear'? We didn't even get out of first. I don't know about the tests you posted, but they sound like fun.

And that's it boys and girls.

IH
The Horse's Mouth