More of a rant really ...

[andy-hughes]

As a lot of you know, I am a music journalist in my 'spare' time - and as a result i contact record company Press officers daily.

They are busy people, fair enough, so 99% of calls go through to voice-mail, which is pointless for me - as a freelance I never get phoned back.

By that's not my rant - it's because they often leave a mobile number as an alternatiive contact, and they say it so quickly that no-one can write it down, and they NEVER REPEAT IT!

I always leave my number ennunciated slowly, and repeated slowly - why can't they????

[Gromit]

Frank Sidebottom used to sing on his answerphone his number to the tune of Pennylvania 65000.

Timperley 165 1909

[rojash]

It works the other way too... I'm always getting messages left on my voice mail, where having taken 5 minutes to explain how urgent it is that I call them, they then finish with "Call me back on blibblurblurflubflub".

[R1Geezer]

come on Andy, you're no dummy, you know already.They don't want you to call them, they want to be able to say "why didn't you call my mobile", when challenged on the occasions you may actually meet.

[Loosehead]

Andy, you must have loads of anecdotes but care to share with us:
- Have you been surprised how nice a rock/pop star has been when you expected them to be complete asses?
- The opposite really, who comes across on telly as a really nice person and in fact privately is a right plonker?
- who have you met that you wich you hadn't?

[andy-hughes]

Hi Loosehead -

I was worried about meeting Ritchie Blackmore, which I did for a major feature for 'Melody Maker' back in the 80's. I got taken to Edinburgh for two days, and i was warned how 'difficult' he can be! He was charming, we got on famously, he's not difficult at all, he just doesn't suffer fools gladly, including musicians who don;t want to play his way, as he reminded me, "It's called Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow,which is a bit of a giveaway ..."

I have met very few famous people who are really plonkers, but then, our situation is professional, and they usually manage to be civil in an interview situation, what ever they may be like in other circumstances.

I wish I hadn't met Paul Weller, because 'Going Underground' is one of my favourite records, and I am a big admirer of his work. He was rude, and after two questions of a 'quick chat' he walked out on me! I know he is famous for being a curmodgeon, and my experience backs up his reputation. I was just disappointed, I would have liked to tell him how much I admire him as a musician and writer, but he didn't give me the chance.

[Loosehead]

thanks for that Andy

[ELVIS68]

Andy, have you ever interviewed anyone from Pink Floyd?

[andy-hughes]

You are most welcome Loosehead.

Sadly not Elvis 68, as I am a massive fan. Seen them half a dozen times - first in '&4 on the DSOTM Tour, and last at Earls Court.

Nearest I have come is Guy Pratt, who plays bass on their live shows. Lovely man, great musician and, trivia fans, he is the son of Mike Pratt, who played Jeff Randall in 'Randall And Hopkirk Deceeased'.