There’s an previous adage that when it rains, it pours — and rattling it if that doesn’t precisely describe the mountain of shit that famed metallic journalist, creator, and radio and TV presenter Mick Wall’s been coping with as of late. Earlier this month, he suffered a second coronary heart assault, successfully placing him out of fee and leaving him with crushing medical prices that might go away him and not using a dwelling.
With bylines in Sounds and Kerrang!, in addition to a stint because the Traditional Rock editor-in-chief from 1999 to 2004, Wall has made a reputation for himself as a distinguished voice in metallic journalism. Through the years, he’s additionally penned greatest promoting books on bands like Metallica and Black Sabbath. Lately, he works as a freelancer, successfully residing on a month by month foundation.
It’s that actual fact that’s led to his present predicament, as he’d been going through severe well being points concerning what’s being described as a “disastrous bowel operation” again in December. Since then, it’s come out that the guts assault he skilled earlier this month was probably introduced on by excessive stress ranges, in response to his medical doctors.identify, Wall and his spouse are going through eviction.
Quite than paraphrase every part that’s occurred to them, I’ve posted the couple’s full assertion under. When you can examine their scenario and really feel so compelled to assist, you are able to do so by donating to their fundraiser to get again on their ft. Each little bit helps.
“On 14 June 2025, Mick suffered a coronary heart assault. It was his second, and because the physician who supervised his surgical procedure instructed him, it was introduced on by stress. Luckily, having been despatched dwelling as soon as from A&E, Mick had returned that morning with chest pains and was admitted instantly. He underwent surgical procedure a number of days later, and now has a brand-new stent to go along with his previous one.
“He’s again at dwelling and has been instructed to relaxation utterly for 3 months to allow his coronary heart to restore itself.
“However the actual drawback shouldn’t be his coronary heart however the stress, which is ongoing.
“Mick and his spouse Linda are being evicted from their dwelling by their landlord. They need to vacate the premises by 1 August, 2025. After being on the council listing for six years, they’ve simply yesterday been supplied the prospect of a property, for which they’re extremely grateful.
“Like many writers, Mick is a freelancer, residing month to month. He has no job safety, no financial savings, no pension, and when he can’t work, no revenue. As I write this, he has £70 in his checking account. He was already going through severe well being issues after a disastrous bowel operation in December.
“Linda is a Senior Nursing Assistant on the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. She works on the Complicated Drugs ward with sufferers receiving finish of life care, enterprise 4 12-hour shifts per week. Her wage after tax doesn’t cowl their lease. Linda can also be the registered carer for her aged mother and father, who require every day visits. And he or she now takes care of Mick as he recovers.
“After Mick’s first coronary heart assault, Linda grew to become sick and was unable to work for 9 months. They needed to borrow to outlive and after their money owed started to compound, each Mick and Linda have been declared bankrupt. They’ve labored exceedingly arduous to discharge these bankruptcies and get again on their ft.
“In consequence, they can’t receive credit score and may’t lease privately with out an unrealistic sum of cash to pay their first six months’ lease upfront, plus a deposit. The council require a month’s lease, plus a deposit. The ultimate lease fee on their present house is due and so they don’t have the cash to pay it. They’re depending on a landlord reference to be thought of for any council lodging.
“Mick is unable to undertake any of the bodily work of transferring out of their present dwelling and into any new one. They’re but to see the council home they’ve been supplied, however have been instructed it’s unfurnished, and may they be ready to take it, requires deep cleansing and repainting earlier than it’s liveable.
“We’d love to have the ability to assist them out with the lease, and in addition with the prices of transferring home, settling their excellent payments and if potential, getting just a little monetary buffer in place whereas Mick recovers over the following three to 6 months. Regardless of his advisor advising him to retire, he’s decided to return to the work he loves.
“We’re hoping that Mick’s colleagues, associates, followers and readers within the rock n roll group will rally round Mick and Linda of their hour of want.
“So in the event you’ve ever loved one in all Mick’s basic books on Led Zeppelin, Metallica and extra, in the event you personal a duplicate of his legendary memoir Paranoid, or have learn him since his days as a younger punk from Ealing on Sounds, via his dispatches throughout Kerrang!’s glory years, or latterly on Traditional Rock and Mojo, or in the event you pay attention (thanks!) to our podcast and are available to the stay exhibits, please unfold the phrase on social media, and chip in in the event you can.
“It will be massively appreciated. Thanks!”