There’s an outdated adage that when it rains, it pours — and rattling it if that doesn’t precisely describe the mountain of shit that famed metallic journalist, creator, and radio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 would depart him and not using a house.
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 finest promoting books on bands like Metallica and Black Sabbath. Today, 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 critical 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 possible introduced on by excessive stress ranges, in keeping with his docs.identify, Wall and his spouse are going through eviction.
Reasonably than paraphrase the whole lot 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 informed him, it was introduced on by stress. Fortuitously, having been despatched house as soon as from A&E, Mick had returned that morning with chest pains and was admitted instantly. He underwent surgical procedure just a few days later, and now has a brand-new stent to go along with his outdated one.
“He’s again at house and has been informed to relaxation utterly for 3 months to allow his coronary heart to restore itself.
“However the true drawback is just not his coronary heart however the stress, which is ongoing.
“Mick and his spouse Linda are being evicted from their house by their landlord. They have to vacate the premises by 1 August, 2025. After being on the council checklist for six years, they’ve simply yesterday been supplied the possibility 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 earnings. As I write this, he has £70 in his checking account. He was already going through critical 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 Advanced Medication 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 dad and mom, who require every day visits. And she or he now takes care of Mick as he recovers.
“After Mick’s first coronary heart assault, Linda turned in poor health 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 had been declared bankrupt. They’ve labored exceedingly exhausting to discharge these bankruptcies and get again on their ft.
“In consequence, they can’t get hold of credit score and may’t lease privately with out an unrealistic sum of cash to pay their first six months’ lease prematurely, plus a deposit. The council require a month’s lease, plus a deposit. The ultimate lease fee on their present house is due they usually don’t have the cash to pay it. They’re depending on a landlord reference to be thought-about for any council lodging.
“Mick is unable to undertake any of the bodily work of transferring out of their present house and into any new one. They’re but to see the council home they’ve been supplied, however have been informed it’s unfurnished, and will 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 likewise with the prices of transferring home, settling their excellent payments and if potential, getting a little bit monetary buffer in place whereas Mick recovers over the following three to 6 months. Regardless of his marketing consultant advising him to retire, he’s decided to return to the work he loves.
“We’re hoping that Mick’s colleagues, pals, followers and readers within the rock n roll neighborhood will rally round Mick and Linda of their hour of want.
“So in the event you’ve ever loved one in all Mick’s traditional books on Led Zeppelin, Metallica and extra, in the event you personal a replica 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 reside exhibits, please unfold the phrase on social media, and chip in in the event you can.
“It could be massively appreciated. Thanks!”