I’ve received more than a few encouraging emails asking me to keep up the diaries. When I say that I’ve been crazy busy I kid you not. But it’s been a good busy. I try not to write about things that haven’t come to fruition but of course, there is always the temptation.

What am I up to lately? Well, am waiting on confirmation on several gigs for May for Johnny, Daddyo, Chapple, and myself. We have a final and official name for the group but I would like to wait until the shows are confirmed before saying. Am also ‘looking into’ a couple of Bay Area gigs for the group in June.

Also, with the help of a British writer, I have been working on a complete book of my stage adventures/ tours with Arthur and the guys. It’s not “the Diaries” verbatim either. It’s hopefully going to maintain the humor but also give a glimpse into a world so special and unique I feel blessed beyond words to have had a part in it. The working title…

My Diary: Life as LOVE’s Lead Guitarist in King Arthur’s Court

Or something like that.

I’ve also been doing some music projects (I am currently finishing up a solo track for the Sky Saxon tribute album). I ran into my old pal, Ben Vaugn, Thursday. Ben was really close to Alex Chilton (besides many years of friendship, they worked on That 70’s Show theme project together). He was as surprised as anyone when he found out about Alex’s passing. My heart goes out to his family, his wife, and the awesome guys in the band.

I was lucky enough to catch Big Star @ the House Of Blues here in LA around 2001 and they were fantastic. Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer with Alex and Jody Stephens…that was tops. I know it would be hard for them to continue but I would hope that, after some time, they would consider how much people love that music and how well they do it.

Well, Hannah gave me a nice framed Motown Print of a young Stevie Wonder, which I hung in my studio. Julian is nearly 11 and flies out in a couple of days. It has been a strange trip indeed.

All the best,

Mike Randle