Good to hear that LD is still remembered. I first saw him live in 1957 when he played Wishee Washee in Aladdin at the Chiswick Empire. Unlike most pop stars of the day - who often made token appearances in pantomime as an excuse to run through a medley of their hits - Lonnnie took a full part in the production, revealing his natural talent as a comedian.

A friend from college days (Nigel Tulley)saw the same production on the night that part of the scenery collapsed (nearly braining some of the cast). While the stagehands worked desperately to restore the set, Lonnie stood in front of the stage curtain, playing, singing and joking to keep the audience entertained until the show could go on. What a trouper the man was!

He also made some pretty good records - incidentally inspiring both Martin Carthy and John Lennon to take up the guitar. What's not to like?

Wassail!