Modern Vespa

So, I was planning on a trip to the UK last month, and didn't get to go. I was going to see three of the five Mott The Hoople Shows, (Birmingham, Manchester, and London). I was on my way to the bank, fell over on my scooter, and shattered the distal end of my left radius... I was on the way to the bank to deposit a check that was going partly to fund my trip. It required surgery and I didn't get to go. I was knocked out getting a plate put in my arm when MTH played their last show at the O2 It was an ordeal. I waited three weeks for the surgery, and it was just very sad for me. I'm very lucky and had sweet friends who got me to the hospital, picked me up, and had me stay with them, along with my two dogs, while I recovered for a week. I'm still not allowed to drive for another two weeks. Anyway, I got home on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and that Monday, I received a package from The Royal Mail. Always nice to get a surprise package, and even better from The ROYAL Mail. Putting the word ROYAL in front of anything makes it better. Really. Would you like ordinary chocolate, or ROYAL chocolate. Well, ROYAL,nor course.

So I received this soft package and assumed some dear friend that went to the show got me a Concert T-Shirt. I looked at the return address to see who sent it, and whom I needed to thank, and it was from Phil John... One of the original MTH roadies, and he also roadied for Queen. Very nice chap. Met him when I was there in 2009, and he was very sweet. He wrote a book about his years of roadying, called "You Rocked, We Rolled" , and he and Ritchie Anderson, who was also a MTH roadie, did a nice little show with slides and antidotes at some really nice little theaters before the shows, and invited the fans. I really wanted to go, but alas, I was stuck here. Anyway, in the package was a You Rocked, We Rolled, T-shirt...... Signed by everyone in Mott the Hoople... Ian Hunter, Mick Ralphs, Verden Allen, Overenx Watts, and Martin Chambers, (of The Pretenders, because Dale "Buffin" Griffin, the original MTH drummer is sadly suffering from Alzheimer's disease and can no longer play), as well as a copy of his book, also signed by everyone, and a very sweet note.

Wow. I could not believe it. Never in a million years expected anything like that, but it sure made my day. Made my month actually. Just when you think that things can't get any suckier, something really nice like that comes from out of the blue, and you realize that people are very dear, and the world isn't such a bad place.

Nothing to do with scooters, or Vespas, other than a fall from a scooter that set the stage, so to speak.

Happy Hollidays

Liz Krinsky

Liz Krinsky

Double picture post. Oops.

Sometimes you can't judge good or not good until a little (or a lot) of time has gone by.

REALLY, REALLY glad for you!!



While I was posting this, you were posting PICTURES!

Hubba, hubba!

Wow, that's incredible. Knowing how much of a fan you are, you must have a permanent smile.

Pretty much.

Awesome. Just awesome.

Sorry things didn't work out, but I'm sure this made your day....no, month.

Liz Krinsky

Great story, and well deserved surprise.

"Life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating."
O'Henry

True... I sniffled a lot. I just could not believe it. I hit my tickets for the show in April, my airline ticket in May, sent my passport in and wow... It took FOREVER... the government shutdown and it still wasn't back... Got it in time by the skin of my teeth, and then wham. And it was such a ridiculous accident. Received a check from some artwork I sold, was going to deposit it to pay my rent, some bills, and money for the trip. Couldn't get my car out of the garage... The reason right next to me had parked in a hinky manner, plus I was almost out of gas, so I thought, it's just a short trip, I'll take the scooter. It had rained, but wasn't raining at the moment. A couple blocks short of the bank, I came to a stop, put my foot down in a slightly awkward position, shifted a bit and stepped into something slick on the pavement, and down I went. First thing that went through my head was the part of the Talking Heads sing ""Once in A Lifetime".... "... And you may ask yourself, Well, HOW DID I GET HERE???" and the leather jacket I was wearing was signed on the shoulder by Ian Hunter... Not a scratch on it. My helmet was wrecked. My scooter got a broken mirror. Just... Wow.

Wow. What a awesome fantastic gift!

Wow!

What a great gift and a great story to share.

Awee I am glad you have friends and caring community. 8) R

Their are really cool people out there. Sometimes ya gotta go thru what you think is the bad to see the good. Congrats. 8)

That's a great story! Really sweet and cool of the band to take care of you with a little memento to take your mind off the bad stuff.

Hope the elbow heals up soon!

thats cool. get well soon..

Awesome story! Sorry you had to miss the shows, but this was a really nice ending.

^^^Love the pants.

Great story!

Happy Healing!

Dear Mutt the Hoople,

Nice place ya got there Liz!

I'm glad that you're on the mend and I hope your holidays bring you happiness.

Mr. F

Nice story. It's pretty cool when artists and their friends recognize the importance of their fans. I have met a lot of celebrities over the years and it's always extra special when they take the time to show appreciation.

It really is sweet. The MTH/IH crowd is filled with a lot of very nice people. Both the band and the fans. Not a lot if us, comparatively speaking, but we're a loyal lot lol.

Earlier in October I saw Ian Hunter and The Rant Band in Chicago. I was in the green room after the last show taking a photo of Ian and his wife Trudi. Trudi said she was always taking photos of someone with Ian, and she didn't have any of HERSELF with him, so she asked if I'd take a couple. When I lifted my camera, he saw the road rash from my first scooter accident and asked what it was. A person who knew me blurted Road Rash... Scooter Accident, and he shot me a real look and told me to be "careful on that thing" how he doesn't like them, (His oldest son rides a Harley... Ian won't go near that sort of thing), and that he worries about me. Got a vibe that my dad was channeling him. I promised to me more careful.

Then, I broke my arm. If you look at the signed T-Shirt... Ian only initialed it! He wasn't happy with me for having another accident. All was forgiven when he signed the book. Don't know if I'll tell him that I was wearing the jacket he signed when I broke my arm.

BTW, Ian is pretty dear to a lot of his fans... And vice versa. One of them even gives him his own specialized weather report, (he's a former meteorologist with the Navy). Eclectic group of people, one might even say eccentric, but for a lot of us, it the nicest family we ever had. Sort of like Modern Vespa.

Great story, nice to see those guys appreciate a fan with a meaningful gift. I bet it really did cheer you up!