Fundraiser launched for rock writer Mick Wall after he suffers heart attack
It's aiming to raise £10,000 for him
An online fundraiser has been launched for esteemed music writer Mick Wall after he recently suffered a second heart attack.
Widely regarded as one of the planet’s leading rock writers, Mick Wall began his career at Sounds 1976 before setting up his PR firm Heavy Publicity, where he plugged artists including Black Sabbath, Journey, and Thin Lizzy.
In the 80s and early 90s, Wall was one of the main writers at Kerrang! Magazine, and over the decades he has written acclaimed books about Guns N’ Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, AC/DC, Sabbath, Bon Jovi, Iron Maiden, Lemmy, Status Quo and Ronnie James Dio to name but a few.
Wall has also enjoyed a TV and radio presenting career, and he hosted a show on Planet Rock in the late noughties.
The 67-year-old suffered a second heart attack on Saturday 14th June, which doctors believe was stress-related.
His friend and fellow music writer Jon Hotten has now started a fundraiser on Justgiving right here, which aims to raise £10,000 to give Wall some financial stability while he recuperates for three months.
Hotten writes on JustGiving: ‘Mick and his wife Linda are being evicted from their home by their landlord. 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. 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. 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.’
Hotten adds: ‘Mick is unable to undertake any of the physical work of moving out of their current home and into any new one. They are yet to see the council house they have been offered, but have been told it is unfurnished, and should they be in a position to take it, requires deep cleaning and repainting before it is habitable.
‘We’d love to be able to help them out 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.
‘We’re hoping that Mick’s colleagues, friends, fans and readers in the rock n roll community will rally around Mick and Linda in their hour of need.’
You can donate to the Mick Wall fundraiser here.