I got to know Diz quite well back in my Troubadour era in the 60s and early 70s of the last century.

Happy memories abound, but a couple stand out...

There he was at the Cambridge Folk Festival car park in his enormous flesh-coloured Cadillac convertible. "I say, dear boy, could you just see me out, some of these buggers have parked a bit close!"

There was that early morning session at the Fiesta in Fulham Road with Diz, Stephane Grappelli and sundry others. I have been known to claim that I "sat in" with them at Diz's invitation - I did, but in truth I managed to play about one chord in four. It was magic, all the same.

He was a talented artist in more ways than one, a fun companion and a great entertainer. We will not see his like again!

If he really did die destitute as mentioned above those of us who knew him really should contribute to his funeral/wake or whatever.

Happy landings, Diz, "Pip, pip"

Alan