Horrible day - might as well do the Horse's Mouth!!

Julie Densley and Ashley Chambers tells us that Paddy Davies, a huge Ian Hunter and Mott the Hoople fan from Hereford, passed at age 53 after a long battle with cancer. We send our condolences to his wife, Michelle, and their two boys, Jack and Tom. The funeral takes place on the 8th of April at Holy Trinity Church in Hereford. At 10:45 am.

Camden Barbour loved S.F. 'My wife and I felt like teenagers at the foot of the stage, transfixed on you and the band.' Just how it should be.

David: 'Any update on Union Chapel?' Not heard anything lately - it's with the lawyers.

Rodney Hamilton would like to see us out with Cheap Trick. Lovely chaps.

David S.: ' 'Dudes' 'n' 'Memphis' introduced me to your music - 'Rest in Pace' and 'Rose' reeled me in.'

Steve K: 'Went to the Severn Theatre in Shrewsbury to see Ben E. King. Had a meal in the Loch Fyne Fish restaurant - which happens to be on the corner of Swan Hill - had to have a look after the gig, but couldn't find 21A (that's because it was 23A). My mate's son's band has just been signed to Island Records. They're called 'Tribes' and NME likened the singer's voice to yours.' Good luck to them.

Peter Jordan: Less of the pizza.

Rick: 'Did you ever spend time in jail, and did it influence your writing?' Just overnight. 'Just Another Night' was about the Indianapolis City Jail.

Jeffrey: Flood free - 1000 feet up.

Dan Hartman: 'How do you remember piano parts from the older songs?' I don't. I have to go back and start over. Actually, it's easier now as my piano playing has improved over the years.

Bev Harnett: 'Do you intend touring the UK in 2011?' I thought we'd sit the UK out this year.

Mark Lazare: 'What's the chords to 'Soul of America'?' Well, I detune a semi-tone and the song is then played in the key of G (although it's actually F sharp).

It's easy enough, but the chords move quickly. G, D, C, G etc.

Jim Tuyls: This was a re-release that came a long time after the original. Gene Kelly wouldn't allow 'Singing in the Rain' to be on AAAB because the song we wanted to use it with was called 'Rape'. Gene Kelly understood the sentiment behind 'Rape' but still didn't want 'Singing in the Rain' associated with it. After Gene passed away, the album was re-released and 'Singing in the Rain' was on it as originally intended. That's all I know.

Matt: 'Please, please play a smaller venue in New York City - or better yet - on Long Island. 'Through the Looking Glass' is genius - just sayin!' We've got stuff coming up in September in New York City. Watch this space. 'Looking Glass' comes up a lot lately; I'll have to have a look at it.

Laurent: Tell her it is really me - but then she'll say - how do you know it's really him? We know - that's what's important!

Paul Dakin: 'Ever consider playing one entire album live?' Not really. 'Living in the south we don't get much opportunity to hear you?' Why do you think that is?

Christian: There's a slight possibility of Sweden in October, but it has to coincide with other countries around it financially. It's expensive out there!

Gerry Fae Glesga: When I moved to London in 1968 I would go to auditions. I met Miller Anderson at one of those auditions. We never actually wanted to join any bands we auditioned for - we were just looking for like minded musicians. Miller has a great voice and plays guitar great, so I played bass and we gigged. He eventually wound up with Keef Hartley and I with MTH. By the way, we both had day jobs in a factory. I never use to get any scrap back, but he got tons of it. Who drove the luminous Yellow toy up and down the M1? Must have been Miller and Me. No Scotland this year.

Colin Powell: 'Rant Band gigs in Spain in the autumn?' Like I said re: Sweden. Mick Brown has to get it all together so that it makes financial sense. I'm a fiscally responsible person!! (Well, I'm not, but Trudi is.)

Michael Wolf: 'How does Trudi rule the roost?' I don't know how she does it - she just does.

Kellianne Flynn: I just talked to Mastro (the Mayor of Hoboken) and he says we're doing one hour and fifteen minutes starting around 4 PM in the afternoon.

Seth Purvin: 'What do you think of Elton and Leon touring together?' I don't - but if I did - it's fantastic. I just hope Leon is fit enough.

Wade Sapp: 'Record your poem to Guy Stevens and slip in a Dylan cover on your next CD.' Is Bob down to one note, or is it just me?

Seth Purvin: 'What brand cologne?' Never use it. The world could do without a lot of things - cologne is one of them.

Pete Jordan: 'Revisiting 'Strings Attached'. Two things strike me - 1) Torsten Flakne on 'Waterlow' (who arranged his solo) and what did Ralpher make of the Strings intro to 'Dudes'?' 1) Torsten Flakne may not be a recognizable name to people in the U.S. or the U.K., but he's an icon in Norway. One of the most tasteful players I've ever had the privilege of working with. On the first rehearsal for the Oslo shows we were running through 'Waterlow' and the solo (which had never been there before) happened quite by chance. The first time he did it I was over the moon. I don't know if he meant to do it or it just happened, but I got the chills. Like all great players, Torsten's a thinker. 2) I don't know what Mick thought of the intro or if he's even heard it.

By the way, Mick, Happy Birthday - hah, hah, hah - mustn't grumble!!

Oooooer Willie - How the hell can you retire at 51?? Willie says he's now free for Kazoo duties.

Julie: I like artsy venues. Sometimes do acoustic and it works really well. Frank Riley is my agent at High Road Touring - tell her to get in touch with him.

Patrik Hanson: 'Make a record!' I'm working on it. Don't hold your breath!

Seth Purvin: I think Leon Russell has done amazing stuff and is fully deserving of the Hall of Fame - and whatever honors he's bestowed. I'm a Leon fan.

Jeffrey: True! I think it was in Washington.

Liz: It's hard to compare the political present with the political past because mores change and as you age you get more savvy. Also, so many different international crises happen as well as natural disasters. I will say this, Obama is the best president I've seen yet in the U.S. People have an overly simplistic view of the world and America's place in it. Neither you nor I (or Fox or CNN for that matter) are in full possession of 'the facts'! We should all shut up and let him get on with it. I do think America, on the whole, would like a mouthier more posturing president, but to me that's America's problem - not Obama's. This guy is well decent. You're lucky to have him (look at the U.K.). If you want to hang out with all those second hand car dealers on the radio and TV - go ahead - it's entertainment. Just don't take them seriously - especially if you're skint (Sorry, went off the point a bit, Liz.)

Marc Davis: Floods are always going to roll.

Carolyn Harkonnen: 'Belated thanks for three great California shows. You are a great catalyst for holiday planning. Hope to see you again and again.' Thanks you, Carolyn!

Alastair: 'Rip Off' is in open G, a semi tone down.

Annette Geremi: I think I did answer you before - it's tricky the way the H.M. works. We're very stage coachy! Messages slow on delivery - answers even slower - and they're no way round it! No, I've never had a newspaper floor, but I know someone that did. Yes - I thought 'Bluebirds' was good too, but there you go.

Dane Spirio: No problem.

Dan Hartmann: 'Paul Page is entertaining to watch with his little walks and head movements. Since you're out front, have you ever had a chance to see what's going on behind you?' I know Paul likes to be part of it. He's a consummate team player and Steve's (and my) favourite bass player. He locks with Steve like nobody else and I've played with some great ones. Graham Maby and Steve recommended him and the gig is his for as long as he wants it as far as I'm concerned.

Antanas from Lithuania: As much as I appreciate your interest, I'm sorry, but we don't do pictures or autographs on this site.

Stay tuned for Part 2.