Happy memories of a night at Ronnies, when he was backing Stephane with Ike Isaacs. After the Japanese tourists and everyone else had left, we had what amounted to a command performance as they played all our requests far into the night. Needless to say we felt very privileged.

Thirty-something years later, I saw him at the Yoxford 'Griffin', and was able to apologise for that late night. I said how wonderful it must have been, backing such a jazz legend - he thought for a moment, and just said 'Grapelli? Dirty old sod!'

The Yoxford evening ended with a skiffle marathon in the company of John Pilgrim, from the 'Vipers'. Happy days.