A fundraising campaign has been launched to support renowned rock music journalist Mick Wall, who is currently facing serious health challenges and is unable to continue working.
Mick Wall is widely regarded as one of the U.K.’s most prominent rock journalists, authors, and creators of music-related TV and radio programs. Over the years, he has contributed to numerous influential music publications, including Sounds and Kerrang!, and served as editor-in-chief of Classic Rock magazine from 1999 to 2004. Wall is also the acclaimed author of several best-selling and authoritative biographies, having written definitive works on legendary artists such as Led Zeppelin (When Giants Walked the Earth), Metallica (Enter Night), AC/DC (Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be), Black Sabbath (Symptom of the Universe), The Doors (Love Becomes a Funeral Pyre), and Lou Reed (The Life).
The JustGiving campaign was started by fellow Classic Rock writer Jon Hotten, who says that Wall suffered a second heart attack on June 14, 2025, brought on by stress.
“Mick and his wife Linda are being evicted from their home by their landlord,” Hotten writes on the JustGiving page. “They must vacate the premises by 1 August, 2025. After being on the council list for six years, they have just yesterday been offered the chance of a property, for which they are incredibly grateful.
“Like many writers, Mick is a freelancer, living month to month,” Hotten explains. “He has no job security, no savings, no pension, and when he can’t work, no income. As I write this, he has £70 in his bank account. He was already facing serious health problems after a disastrous bowel operation in December.
“Linda is a Senior Nursing Assistant at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. She works on the Complex Medicine ward with patients receiving end-of-life care, undertaking four 12-hour shifts per week. Her salary after tax does not cover their rent. Linda is also the registered carer for her elderly parents, who require daily visits. And she now looks after Mick as he recovers.
“After Mick’s first heart attack, Linda became ill and was unable to work for nine months,” Hotten adds. “They had to borrow to survive and after their debts began to compound, both Mick and Linda were declared bankrupt. They have worked exceedingly hard to discharge those bankruptcies and get back on their feet. As a result, they cannot obtain credit and can’t rent privately without an unrealistic sum of money to pay their first six months’ rent in advance, plus a deposit. The council require a month’s rent, plus a deposit. The final rent payment on their current home is due and they don’t have the money to pay it. They’re dependent on a landlord reference to be considered for any council accommodation.”
According to Hotten, any funds raised through the campaign will be used to help Mick and Linda “with the rent, and also with the costs of moving house, settling their outstanding bills and if possible, getting a little financial buffer in place while Mick recovers over the next three to six months. Despite his consultant advising him to retire, he is determined to return to the work he loves.”
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jon-hotten-2
