I knew Alex back in the early 70s before I emigrated, and booked him a couple of times, too. He was usually well lubricated by the end of the night, but the quality of his performance seemed (to me) to be more influenced by the pleasure and engagement of the audience than the quantity of spirits he had consumed. If the crowd was with him, he performed well, if they weren't, he drank more and the gig disintegrated.

I stand to be corrected on this. It is based on observation over perhaps 20 gigs.

He was a nice guy, though.