MtheGM

It could be early 1959 when Ralph Rinzler first arrived in London. He was at the Ballads and Blues during the summer/autumn. I was attending Peggy's guitar classes during June (still in fact have three roneo copies of the songs she was teaching) very soon after that she had to leave the UK for a spell and Ralph took over her lessons. I later in the year received a letter from Peggy saying that she would shortly be back and continuing lessons. I had to reply saying I wouldn't be able to take up her offer as national service had grabbed me in the last few months of it's existence.
Although you mention that Ralph was staying in an expensive hotel I suspect that it wouldn't have been too long before someone offerd him a bed somewhere less expensive.
He was indeed one of the most pleasant guys on the scene at the time and went on to make a huge contribution intoducing us to the music of Doc Watsson,Clint Howard and Fred Price for starters, re-introducing Clarence Ashley back to the world and helping Bill Monroe at a time when he was strugglng. In addition he did some field recording among the Cajuns and went on at the Smithsonian to produce annual festivals in Washington DC.
Sadly he left us too early.

Hoot.