From strange people and radio fantasists. I have met some for sure. There was one who offered me satellite air time over a Christmas period which would have been a godsend at the time when we had no on air presence. As the delays mounted he prevaricated, blaming British Telecom for delays. It eventually transpired that he had no satellite channel at all. I guess he meant no harm but hoping to impress became trapped by bullshit.
I have been thinking more about the Radio Caroline 40th reunion at the Red Lion in Soho, now sadly closed down. It was adjacent to Chesterfield Gardens, the Caroline HQ at one time.
Ronan was on the cusp of being his outgoing self always ready with a perfect sound bite to being a recluse. He insisted I stayed close by as a barrier to fans approaching him. He took against one Chris Richardson who was taking pictures on a digital camera, quite a new device then and threatened to leave if he did not cease, but then apologised when he was told that Chris was taking pictures for me.
Johnnie Walker was there looking well after recovering from cancer and being feted by well wishers.
I sat in a corner with a gaunt and frail Tony Allan who was having his own cancer struggle. The comparison between Johnnie and Tony was stark especially when I heard him say to Bob Lawrence ' Busby, I don't want to have to live like this any more '. I became very distressed and Tony ended up comforting me.
In case my memory was playing tricks, I checked a few things and see that an attendee was one Paul Alexander,indeed he is in one of the group shots. So my memory did not desert me and I can say with some confidence that it was he who approached Ronan singing the praises of Music Mann 279 and getting the Ronan put down.
I'm surprised he has no recall as he later posted that he had Ronan's blessing. When I said that this was not so he said that it was surely a misunderstanding.
I remember Ronan's acid wit at the funeral of Chris Cary. While Tony Prince was giving an interminable eulogy I whispered to Ronan that as he had no time at all for Chris I was surprised that he had travelled to pay his respects.
He replied ' No, I have just come to see that the f----r is really dead so that he can't rip anyone else off.
As stated, all very long ago now.
PM.
