I bet Sandy knows the answer to this one, if no one else does, but I was sitting in the car today with my tape of the New Golden Ring playing, listening to "Poor Howard". And there's this verse:
Who's been here since I've been gone? (3X) J. Arthur Rank with a great big gong.

So, who is this dude? Is this some early radio show?
Something that people knew about at the time of the song? Or is it just some inspired nonsense?

Blessings,
Barbara