Gosh.. Seems even just criticising aspects of a complicated person gets you the same treatment as having a pop at absurdity "below the line." "Guest" has my sympathies. I'd sign in but opposing bigotry means I don't have a log in any more.

Anyway, back to him singing "Tie me kangaroo down sport." Far funnier than trying to have a rational conversation about someone who, in my experience in the early '80s, didn't come over as always all that rational. A bard, a genius, a principled Mancunian... but a bit of an old sod who took delight in putting down young people trying to enjoy the evolution of folk.

I like the bit about his lack of empathy. His work certainly oozed empathy, which made his lack of personal social skills all the more intriguing. Mind you, he did work hard at developing a persona. Made his insisting that everybody apart from him only sing songs that were "indiginous" to their community look rather ridiculous.

Tales of haggis hunting around Salford docks.....