Snail - Perhaps you did know him personally. I certainly did.

I said that I was reiterating, but it is the second part of my (as you call it) 'mantra' which I think is the more important :

that 'Willie' heard 'Marjorie' say that 'Bruno' had heard that 'Googeen' had been told by Joe Bloggs that Lizzie Dripping had said that Ewan McColl was arrogant, rude and unhelpful.

I have read the biography, thank you very often, and I didn't find anything I didn't like.

I also didn't find many surprises, which is not to say that I was familiar with the materials.

Tell you what - I'll give you another chance to have a pop at me for repeating myself :

it is not a case, with me of 'McColl right or wrong'.

I knew a man, not a legend.