Well, that's a wrap on this blog. I'm done.
I'd like to thank anyone who visited me, and I hope you found it entertaining, fun and worth your while.
I'd especially like to thank those who took the time to help me by providing content: Mike (RTM) for the Monmouth setlist, Toni (Platform Boots) and Mal for the details on the Monday and Tuesday shows, Madeline for providing links and event information, Steve for the Monmouth pictures, Keith and Morgan for sitting for the videos.
The trip was all I could ask for, with the visit to Ireland and the three MTH shows being experiences of a lifetime. I saw old friends and made new ones. Thanks to Keith for being my running mate in London, to Spike Lavender for the Fruit Fusion, and to Toni for graciously allowing me to keep a Martin Chambers drumstick that by the laws of fair play should have been his. It will have a good home and a prominent display.
I learned so many things about blogging. I could easily rattle off 20 things I'd do differently, and better, if the opportunity arises again. But I think this MTH experience -- from the day in January the shows were announced until today -- was the perfect topic for blogging, for me anyway.
The shows were a solid A. As I've said, I wish they'd mixed the setlist at least a bit from night to night, and I wish they'd given some light to Bender and Fisher. But overall it was fantastic. My lasting memory will be of pounding the stage from seat A7 and screaming along to The Moon Upstairs. I was out of my mind.
Finally, Mott the Hoople played again and after 35 years of waiting, I was in the front row. There is no better.
Thanks for your time.
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Thanks for such a great Blog. I’ve enjoyed reading it immensely and your ‘Fans eye view’ heart on sleeve posts captured the excitement and anticipation perfectly. As I was unable to attend any of the gigs myself it’s been good to sit at home and read your experiences. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteYeah, thanks, John for such a great blog - so well written and totally added to the fun, excitement and anticipation, right through to the actual concerts and aftermath, making it feel even more of an event and acting as a conduit for like-mided souls to connect. I stumbled across your words by accident whilst searching for any details on the shows and am really pleased I did. This wasn't just a reunion for the band - it was very much for the fans. You caught that perfectly in your blogs - especially the months of build up to the shows. MTH were always 'the peoples' band, ever since my wife used to hang out with them back in 69/70 as they 'searched for fame and the Midas Touch' and played obscure US import records of Neil Young's Crazy Horse - not long before I as a 15 year old freaked out to the Rock N Roll Circus when it came to Liverpool. Mick and Pete got in touch with her yesterday and they're still coming down from the whole thing, like it was a dream. Thanks again - and I'm sure we'll stay in touch.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your effort, it added to the whole reunion excitement, it was well informed and packed full of heart and emotion,just like the subject matter!... . lets hope there will be a next time.... I am sure i speak for other UK based fans when i say you will always be welcome for warm beer and Mott conversation if you ever choose to return....let me know when you are ready for my Mott tales, i live near Hereford so these are both funny and told to me as a result of talking to a direct connection to the band...Thanks again....Steve (MONMOUTH PHOTOS!)
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff and comments from all you people!
ReplyDeleteI uploaded the setlist from the first gig at Hammersmith, the only I attended myself.
http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/mott-the-hoople/2009/hammersmith-apollo-london-england-4bd7ff46.html
Would be great if the rest of you could create the setlists for the rest of the gigs.
Cheers!
/Hunterfan
Thanks all.
ReplyDeleteSteve -- I'd love to hear the stories. You can always email me at john.orourke@sbcglobal.net. I'll take you up on the offer if I come over for the rumored Hunter shows in April.
Mal -- You helped a lot. If I can be forgiven a vain question, is the band aware of the blog?
I'm in serious withdrawal right now. My whole year was centered on these shows, and now that they're over I don't quite know what to do. I've assembled all my MTH memorabilia from the event, including the tickets, signed program and poster and Martin's drumstick, to be framed. When the piece is completed I'll post a picture of it on the blog.
John You Did a GREAT Job to each of us - fans from the early hour - and to newcomers. This Blog will testify an event which stay with us for a very long time.
ReplyDeleteYou solified the idea of being more than simple fans but people who still share a vision through music, all kept together by an honest band of truly rockers who still never say never and had the balls to comeback with humility and competence.
Grazie from Florence, Italy for your hard work.
My full report will appear on the italian monthly music magazine JAM with interviews to Morgan Fisher ( i wrote liner notes to the Esoteric reissue of 1972 's Morgan - Nova Solis originally out only in Italy), and Luther Grosvener, the missing ones, plus my personal recollection of a full month with Mick Ronson in the Town of Michelangelo, in 1986. www.jamonline.it
After the Jam magazine publication i will publish the full story on the web mag i run http://www.ilpopolodelblues.com
Keep Rockin' and Keep Knockin'
Ernesto de Pascale
Grazie, Ernesto. I will look forward to your report.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! And I can't believe how many oif your experiences mirrored mine. If only I had taken the time to say hi! I even went to Ireland first upon arrival from Australia. Mission? To pay homage to the statue of Phil Lynott! I also went to Blarney Castle and lingered in the grounds... And the Mott shows - just like you only got to three, but what shows they were. You've captured the expectation, the joy and the sustained emotional high so well. Yes, Morgan was a gentleman, and so was Blue Weaver, Mick Bolton, John Fiddler, Mick Ralphs, Leee Black Childers, Rick Richards. Suzy Ronson, Lisa Ronson, Tracie Hunter were all gracious too. I did get Ian Hunter's autograph via his bodyguard at Dingwalls, but he would not turn and speak with me despite sitting six inches away from me for nearly two hours! I could understand it I gues. How was he to know that I had waited 40 years, travelled 12,000 miles, taken leave without pay from work, left my kids home alone (OK they're not quite kids anymore...),forked out 3 months salary just to see him for the FIRST TIME EVER? And it was worth every minute and every cent!
ReplyDeleteMr. Burndown: Wow, looks like we had pretty much the same itinerary. I visited Phil Lynott at 8 a.m. on a Sunday -- just me and him on a deserted street. I'd have gone to Dingwalls also, but it was among the events scheduled after I'd booked my trip and couldn't change it. That's an impressive distance to come. I do wish the band had shown more of an awareness of how far people were coming and how much people were sacrificing to see these shows and done a meet-and-greet or something. The reunion was very much a global event. Thanks for commenting. John
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