'Englishmen don't commit suicide, they move to the USA' - From 'American Spy' by Ian Hunter.
There was always an inkling that British rocker Ian Hunter had a jones for America. Here's the guy who wrote 'All the Way From Memphis' and 'Cleveland Rocks.' But now that Hunter has lived in the United States for more than 20 years, he has turned his perpetually shaded eye to his homeland an ocean away.
'I don't wanna be no traitor to the cause but England is a luxury not many can afford. I know, I know, I know, I'm I an alien, but what am I gonna do I'd love to live in England but it gets to you, ' Hunter writes in the song 'Ripoff ' from his new, aptly titled album 'Rant' (Fuel 2000)
Says the musician: 'Rant' deals with my feelings about England over the last quarter of a century, right from when I left until now You know, when you're brought in England, you think it's the best place in the world. I suppose that happens in every country But certain things didn't add up.
'Over the years, I started to form this philosophy about my home country. And for many years, I didn't talk about it, because I didn't think I was educated enough or up on it enough. But as my views became kind of steadier, I started checkin' 'em out on people when I would go I there, and most people agreed with me.
'And as I got older, I got a bit wiser, too. I figured you know, that now is the time to just say what has been on my mind about England for a considerable time.'
Such as?
'England's not like America,' Hunter, 55, says. 'England is based on a different set of values. I felt that England - even though it claimed that it was still based on those same values - I felt that it wasn't. Whether recent events will change it, I don't know, but there is a definite shallowness, politically - a definite attitude of not caring. Infrastructure was weak, morale-wise.
'Basically, that is what's behind 'Rant' - the disenchantment with the way that British politicians have been running that country over the last 40, 50 years.
'There's a lot of stupid people in England now, like in a lot of countries, where they don't take care of education. And there's a lot of scared people in that country, like in a lot of countries, where they don't take care of health. This being the corporate way, you know. It's like: If you don't make a profit, underfund it.'
Besides the new album, Hunter was part of last summer's Ringo Starr tour. Hunter's current U.S. tour is his first since 1989. But there was no master plan behind his comeback.
'It just seems to have happened this way,' says the onetime leader of Mott the Hoople. I had the album out, and then ('Rant' producer) Andy (York) and I took the band to England, and then the Ringo thing came up. Also, I'm doing album in Oslo in January Things just keep comin, up.
'Maybe it's because people are thinkin' I'm gonna die soon,' Hunter adds with a laugh, 'so they might as well parade me about a bit before I nip off the mortal coil.
One of Hunter's onstage traditions is to interrupt his song 'Cleveland Rocks' and, as the audience claps in time, call out a list of things that don't 'rock.' (For example, during the gasoline shortage of the '70s, Hunter would yell, 'Gasoline sucks!')
Hunter is asked if he will refer to Osama Bin Laden or the Taliban during the time-honored bit.
'Actually,' Hunter says, people really don't want me to talk about that. I think it's all been spoken about. It's done. We can't undo it. I doubt very much if I'll refer to it.
'I think at this stage of the game, people want to go out and have a good time, you know?'
Ian Hunter and special guest John Eddie are scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Oct 26 at the Tradewinds Night Club, 1331 Ocean Blvd., Sea Bright.