Apr 26, 2001 - Issue #14

'ello you lot.

Better do this before I wander off on this promo tour. I'm going to New York, Chicago, Cleveland, Philly, Detroit, Indianapolis and Albany. I was supposed to go to the West Coast, but that's been put back until after I return from England. I don't know exactly what I'm doing, but I prefer not to know. I just go where I'm told - it's more interesting that way. Anyway, it starts tomorrow so I'm doing this a bit early.

Let's see what we've got here:

Robbie Ashcroft - No, I don't know about some blokes in the U.S. with videos. Don't concern myself with such stuff. Could be genuine, could be a con. Who knows. Liverpool getting better!

Tom Greco says "Rant" is sensational. Thank you for that.

Emily Speer asks what is a "hoople". It's a tramp my love,

Brian Cottrill and Phil sent me the "Rant" review from "All Music Guide" Great , thanks.

Eli wants pics, but we haven't got any at the moment. Try the record companies!

David Swanson says "Rant" is wonderful. Thank you.

Richard McDermott says WXRT's playing "Rant" in Chicago. I do know they like this record a lot. Be there next week.

John Rathwell is going to Hereford and wants to know where Pete's shop is. I can't tell you because I'm sworn to secrecy and if you do find it he'll probably run a mile! Hint, try the town centre. Good luck. P.S. He's hardly ever there.

Eric wants to know how tall I am! I dunno. Medium height, 5-10 to 5-11ish.

Nick Allsopp says the cover of "Rant" looks great. Paul Cox is a great photographer. Came straight from a Van Morrison session.

Stan Kent - I don't remember all this, but then again I don't remember a lot of stuff. Sounds like we had a good time and it's nice that Brain Capers look down from your ceiling (I don't remember that either!) The Wolverhampton gig is being rescheduled as I write. British elections are suddenly being held that day and they're kicking us out of the building. Most annoying. It's not as if there's an election going on. No opposition. Waste of time and (my) money.

Pete Jorden asks how are relations between me and David Bowie after Mick's Memorial gig. Non existent.

Denis De Vos - I'll be in Philly next week, but only for a few hours. Thanks for hangin' in.

Andrew Field definitely does have "points of views". But he always asks good questions. What happened with the Virgin fiasco in London promoting the Mott box set. Well Pete wasn't doing it from the off. Buff was doing it - he sent me a fax a few days before, but obviously then had something more important to do at the last minute. Ralpher went to the wrong Virgin store and then had to walk because he couldn't get a cab. Phally and I were there and Blue Weaver turned up just to say hello, so we dragged him in. All in all a typical MTH event! Sorry folks. It wasn't my fault. How they ever thought we were going to play was beyond me. How could we? I'm still not clear on that part. I remember standing with Joe Elliott in the dressing room at 7:00 PM (just before Ralpher turned up). Joe always knows what to do so I asked him, "Joe, - what am I going to do?" Joe said, "I don't know mat." Then I knew we were in deep trouble. Still, lots of people and Ralpher(who eventually found us), Phally, Blue plus me. "Wish I was Your Mother" was written about Trudi. Her mother heard it and said, "leave him". How do I cope with fans. Well, most of them know I'm OK to talk to, but I'm not any good at taking things further. Just don't have the time. You remember sweating for me on the Freddy Mercury tribute. For some strange reason a lot of people were nervous that day, but I just thought it was great. What a send off!

Stu in Australia - the deal with Papillon is they have six months to get a distribution/label deal from the release of the record in England. If they get a deal it will be out there. If they don't the record reverts to me and I will try and get a deal there myself. It's a good record. I don't foresee a problem, but in today's climate - you never know.

Big Licks - No I can't hit high C at the end of "Ships" (we're a semi-down live). My Revolution (can't remember that one) and i didn't even know I'd let "Venus in the Bathub" out! Best of luck with the band. The manager at the Hamilton gigs having you on. I never went to school in Hamilton. I lived there from when I was one until I was four and a half. My first school was Wellington in Shropshire. From then on, however, I was up in Hamilton once a year with my Dad's sister, Nettie, on holiday. The big treat was ice cream at Peter Equees. Still go there!

Bill Smith - You're close! I just knew the Rhinestones in Woodstock. Great bass player. We actually rehearsed "All American Alien Boy" for a few weeks together but I got cold feet. I don't think I could have cut it live at the time. Now's different.

Brian - I didn't know David R. was on the tele! Accies" do look good. Better than a couple of weeks ago when the others had games in hand on them.

Ira talks about "Irene Wilde". I think it's something we all go through at some point. Wasn't going to put that on the album because I thought the melody was too A on a G string. My manager t that time, Fred Heller, said I was out of my mind and made me put it on. He was right (for once!).

Bill Hammond - Glad the kids did a great job with "Cleveland Rocks".

Tim Gallagher - I remember Bolan coming in like king rocker when Mick and I were in the studio doing "Once Bitten". He said gravely "I must admit Ian - I've underestimated you." Better late than never Marc. Better late than never?

Julie - Look for Kris Gray on the day. He's easy to spot; he always wear bright red boots. If you can't find Kris talk to Andy (the sound guy) and we'll sort it out for you no problem.

George Saadi: Noted and thanks! Mike P. asks what "Pearl and Roy" is about. Ted heath and Harold Wilson.

Mike Bunyard - I vaguely remember something. A tiny bell!

Hans Lindberg: I don't know when I'll be in Sweden. Hopefully some time soon. The birthday is the 3rd of June - squiggle, squiggle, squiggle.

Barry was at the Roxy the week we did "Welcome to the Club" I will be doing my own tour of the U.S. At the moment it looks like October.

Robert says there are not only a Mott and a Hoople in North Dakota, but there is also a Hunter. What's it like there? The squeaky pedal was on the whole of that album.

Brian Baur approaches the ticklish subject of my age. Am I, 45 - 50 - or even 60 years old. I am whatever you want to think I am Brian (where's me bus pass).

Tony Prender asks if I regretted Mick Ralphs leaving "Mott the Hoople". I think when Mick left it was the beginning of the end, and he knows I didn't want him to go. As I wrote more and more he backed off and we didn't have time to discuss it. It was all go. Looking back, it was inevitable. Paul was so much better at singing Mick's songs than I was.

Martin Smith. You have the correct names, but I really can't help. We did the album - got on great - kept in touch for a while, but that was it. Sorry.

Pete Madsen - I would think they were from "My Father's Place". I can't remember recording live anywhere else on the Island. Ronson was the best. It's a shame his quality was missed by a lot of people. But then again, a lot of people like guitarists going up and down the fret board at 100 miles an hour. It's not until they get older that different guitarists come into play. There's no secret. You play to the song (and not to show off).

Dave Tyndall - wants tickets to Manchester. How does he get them? I think the telephone numbers of the venues are on this site somewhere. (Yes, front page, TP)

David Moore - Talkin' about Macy Gray. Not from me mate. It's a great song. Stands up on its own. Great album.

Ivy - We're doin' fine. Everythings skooting along nicely. Jesse's fine, but Sol (AD's guitarist) bust his hand up so they're on hold at the moment. Got your number.

Mick Mitchell wants "Roll Away the Stone" back in the set. I'll see what we can do.

John Brown - Don't know if "All of the Good Ones" is coming out. I know three of them are being rereleased in June. Maybe it will be one of them.

John G comments on the fact that "Rant" U.K. has a different running order to "Rant" U.S. and the covers are different too. It's just that English tastes and American tastes are different. America still likes more familiar whereas England looks for something new all the time. Plus the political element doesn't really apply in the States. The covers are different because the English cover was black and white and Len Fico wanted a colour shot for the U.S. version. They had just done a survey over here which concluded that color CD's sell 20% more than black and whites. Hard to believe, innit? For the record, we (Andy York, Ritchie Pagano and I) made the record in the English running order. I chose the English cover. Fuel wanted the American running order and after trying it we all like it and agreed to it. Nobody dictated to anybody. If I had minded the American running order I would not have allowed them to do it. Hope this clears that one up.

Paul Limbrick - Probably proves good stuff can get through. This is really good news actually. Good old BBC 2 I believe?

Mark: This is to wish John and Tina a great future together. Have a great day (and I'll talk to Joe!) Ian Hunter

Jens Pete: Hopefully I'll do Denmark (properly!) within the next 18 months. The guitarist you saw with me was Darrell Bath.

Keith Nickless - See Keith, it's not up to me. It's all arranged for me and I just go and do it. It's always changing and always last minute.

Rich Manson - The change from "Worm's Eye View" to "Rant" came naturally when I was putting down the vocals. We went off WEV early on. It was gonna be called "Knees of My Heart" for a while, but as the record took shape, "Rant" came into my mind again and again. I mentioned it to Andy York and Andy came back the following day and said, "That's it - that's the title." So I guess this record named itself.

Lauren Beck - you can sign on to our mailing list on the front page of our web site I believe.

Dominic di Blasio - "Rant" is out now in the U.S. on the Fuel 2000 label.

Scott Homewood - Noted

Chris - Like I said, I would be in South Wales if a South Wales promoter had asked Emma Banks at Helter Skelter for a gig. It obviously didn't happen. Sorry, mate.

Phil asks if any members of the original "Mott the Hoople" will ever play together again. Mick Ralphs mentioned he'd like to do something at some point, but - you know - it's all kinda vague and a lot of water's gone under the bridge. We're all older and different now. Can't see it to be truthful, although it would be fun for me and Ralpher. Overend is indeed the quintessential rock Ôn' roll star. Changed his image a bit, but still looks fab. (the last part of this answer is for Chris - one up!)

Jenx - There is indeed only one Miller Anderson. He does play from time to time with Spencer Davis, and he does play blinding guitar and has a great voice as you say. Miller's vastly underrated. Pass it on. Pass it on.

John Roulat - See you around!

Tom Ross - Next week (the Hall of Fame). First week in May. Don't know yet as the tour is later on - probably in October.

Hugh Gallagher - Torrington - been there. Looks OK

Ron Taylor - BECAUSE I WANT TO.

Tricia Devine - Thanks for the thing.

Steve Smith wants to know if I'll do autographs at the Hall of Fame. not a problem Just don't be trading in them. I hate that.

Klaus says why isn't it possible to get an answer about Beat Club times? Mmmmm. I'm not sure what it is you're asking me Klaus. Maybe I've forgotten or omitted something. If you're asking me do I remember Beatclub - I do, but only a little. I think Gary Glitter (who's name was Paul Gadd then) used to warm the audience up. It was well done and pretty hip for it's time. It was the first TV show Mott ever did. OK?

Denise Smallwood - This isn't for you, it's for your brother. Hi Keith - How's it going? Glad you're feeling better. How's the eldest? He's probably what caused it!! Ian.

Cutter - I was just talking to somebody in Austin yesterday at a radio station. Says he loves "Rant" and so you may hear it soon. Been a while! Say hello to Donnie. Got your number. You Texans have different word for everything!

John Slaven - I have no access to Mick's lyrics so your guess is as good as mine would be. Mick has still got lots of fiercely loyal fans. I'm sure as your web site grows somebody will let you know. Try Sven's site.

Pete Ziering wants to know where i view my place in rock'n'roll history. That's easy. I don't. That' magazine stuff and they never get it right anyway. Seriously, I'm not bothered about stuff like this. Whatever it is -is - then it isn't. It's just what I do for a living - that' s all.

Midland Mackem - Is this correct James. Are you - in fact - a tosser? And why should I need to know this? Fun this.

Dave Clark - Proper tour in the late fall. Thanx.

Bob Gordon - It's an XRT day in Chicago! Doing this and that. Somebody said I'll be doing something small acoustically somewhere with my friend James Mastro. Keep listening.

Sam Richards - "Having me on" means kidding me.

Ian - bootlegging. It's simple. If two people are swapping tapes because they're into the music and those two people buy all the new things that come out anyway - it's OK. If a guy is sitting there making copy after copy and selling them on the internet or elsewhere it pisses me off. How would you like to work all wee and then the boss gives you a pay packet with nothing in it.

Ed - Don't know if Sonny Bono ever heard our version of "Laugh at Me" I know Cher did.

Allan Moore - You never know, you just never know.

D.B. Who owns the rights to the name Mott the Hoople. Thanks to Peter Purnell - Mott the Hoople. Mr. Cropes - Do I have live tapes of "Overnight Angels"? I honestly don't know, and it would take time I honestly don't have at the moment.

Marc - how has the States affected me. Well, it's easier here. There's more room to move. I don't think it's affected me much at all. I don't have an accent. I watch BBC World and Fox World Sports. Lionel Bienvenue who hosts the English premier League show is BRILLIANT. I get English papers daily. Probably live more like an Englishman than most English. I do, after all, live in NEW England. I was angrier when I lived in England. That seems to have subsided. But that could be age as well!

Andrew Field - that man again!!! I remember doing a song called "Professional Lover" with Arthur that never came out. Don't remember "Shot ll Around the World" I liked "Professional Lover". Don't know about the Cale tapes. Ask John. I think he paid the studio time. Don't think I did "Don't let go" I remember going to one of the Morrissey/Ronson sessions and I said to Morrissey, "What's it like working with Mick? Morrissey said one word. "Perfect."

Rick Gray - Noted

Andy Sibson -Thanks, but it's just not me.

Jim Stotts - The slow and fast CD's on "Once Bitten" were my idea. One mood or the other; whichever one you're in.

Rolly - Marsha Vlasic is my agent

George - I bumped into Joe Bouchard in my local paper shop and he asked me to go down and sit in with him Dennis and Neal (the original Alice Cooper rhythm section). We're all local. I didn't actually play with them, but me and Rick Tedesco hung out and I found myself helping with the songs and having a few beers. Joe's really a good guitar player. Simple. Love Dennis and Neal. The humour is great. Usually get together on Mondays. Just like lads again. Last I heard, Joe was knee deep in Pro Tools trying to finish it off. I'm not really on the record. I just helped out a bit.

Didi - Germany - Tommy (Maddog) Morrongiello, Tommy (Moondog) Mandel, Mick Ronson, Martin Briley, Eric Parker and George (sorry I've forgotten his surname).

Rick V. - I must have heard the Monkees "Every Step of the Way" but I've forgotten it. Marc Clarke was my bass player and later their bass player so I guess that's how it must have come about.

Tommy Green - No, I never lived there, but I was going with somebody from there once.

Arild Hammer - Hopefully Doug - I think I'm going to Indianapolis next week - May 7th to be exact and will be doing the Bob and Tom Syndicated Radio Show.

Ellen - Noted!

Rich Webster - Once a song has been released it can be covered by anybody, at any time. You get the full royalty rate as the writer unless other wise agreed.

Steve Parsons - Hang on the pens running out of ink! Three hours I've been doing this now. I just got up - my legs are killing me. Steve! It's TRUE!! Anderson is the bossy one, but he always says its me - so I always believed him. Cuddles is happening!

DMJ - haven't seen Eric in ages. Lovely chap, but he lives a good way away from me. Nothing on "Memphis" in Scorsese's "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" They just did it.

Steve B'Ham - Mick Jones (Clash) made me do it. (It's his jacket s well). I liked it. Nobody knew who I was that night.

LAST ONE!!!
from New Zealand - I can only find half of this and I don't know your name but you talk about co-writing. Would I write with other people. I'd write with any of them right now as my hand is numb!!! No, not really. It's fun now and again, but I don't like prefabrication. I like it to mean something to me. Therefore it has to come form me. I'm not saying I wouldn't do it. I can be a blast - but not on my records.

I think that's it!! Once again - thanks for all the email thanking me. There's a lot about Ringo's tour, but I still haven't signed yet, so I still feel a bit funny talking about it. We'll get into that when it's a done deal. If I missed anybody out I'm sorry, but there's a pile of paper here and I'm going a bit cross eyed.

Take it easy

The 'orses mouff