Hiya Pete....

Remember all those years ago when Alwyne, Dai and yourself came down and head-hunted me at The Dolphin Hotel? I was gigging at a wedding reception with The Jaguars. I didn't realise just how flattering it was until I heard you launch into "Hey Baby" by Bruce Chanel... complete with 7th chords!! Wow, I was blown away, and on top of all this you were into Blues, R & B, and Jazz, a man after my own heart. Life was never going to be the same for the following seven years, here I was an instant fan, and in the same band. We lost a friend and a voice when Terry Gleeson's work shifts got in the way and a drummer too! Good thing my father knew George Gibbins...Hello Mike!!

When you think about it Mush, we were doing quite well on the local circuit... but - I'm sure you'll agree usually second fiddle to The Eyes of Blue. You were an aspiring song-smith .... what about that makeshift studio at Les Saville's parents garage and our first recording session, "You Know" was the title... far enough back, and yet still fresh in the memory. Then the big chance to turn 'pro, courtesy of Bill Collins' involvement and a certain David Garrick - poseur extraordinaire, mind you he didn't stand a chance next to our Dai Jenkins! Wasn't it a wrench to leave Swansea though, the fellowship and love of our families, our Mam's home cooking!! But between us, you, Dai, Mike and me there was a bond which saw us overcome home-sickness... Anyway, London was a happening place and how we adapted to it.

We worked hard all over the UK. Especially when Garrick's popularity waned, we stood on our own two feet. Then there was the sadness at Dai's departure, the end of an era in the band. Before we knew it Tommy was on board. Musically, we were reaching higher standards, helped by long gigs in Germany and Italy. And relentlessly, the spark of your creativity is being nurtured along with the rest of us in that sweat-box studio at Park Avenue.

You must remember that residency at the Marquee Club in Wardour Street, quite a family atmosphere we created, almost like a gig at home in Swansea, so much so in fact, we had Mal Evans digging us. And then the unbelievable happens, he loves our own songs so much - suddenly we are recording artists, not just any record label though - only Apple for God's sake. Chuffed we were, Mush. An absolute gas!!

The hard work had only just begun, Pete. Remember the mainly negative reaction to some of our prized demo's from the Apple hierarchy? Michael and me were none too happy with you and Tom (and Bill) turning down a Pete Townshend song as a first single, "Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand", but eventually our first single is pressed and it's our own material. "Maybe Tomorrow" was an apt title, wasn't it, as it didn't fulfill its rave reviews. Mind you, it appeared in the US Cashbox Chart and did well on the continent.

Were you in the house when "Disc and Music Echo" came round and interviewed me? And I had a moan at The Beatles' lack of interest in their fellow stable mates. The next thing we are like cats on hot bricks waiting the arrival of Paul McCartney, who having read the article, saw it as a chance to offload a project too many (as he was busy with other work). "You can 'ave "Come and Get It" if you do two other songs for the "Magic Christian" film lads"... Well - suppose so, we thought sarcastically.

Then followed our first visit to Abbey Road. Remember he auditioned each of us for the lead vocal? You didn't have enough attack, I was too much like Reg Presley, Tom - we later pulled his leg, was from Liverpool!! We had to make do with back-up vocals and our respective instruments... Mind you, I did impress him with the un-planned bass run at the end of the song. "Very good, our Ron, we'll keep that." You missed a treat one night at a mixing session at Trident Studios in St. Anne's Court. Mike and yours truly were sitting on the studio floor having a cup of coffee and a cigarette when Paul came down and joined us and gave the two of us a world exclusive. He sat down at the studio Steinway and played us "Hey Jude" ("our next single, lads"). That's something that Mike and myself will forever treasure. Shame there was no-one with a camera.

Well Pete, the hit followed... (plus a couple of others!), and my departure, looking back, a move too soon, I suppose. One thing is for sure... I wish you were still around to be able to jam with, record with, socialise with... and I am certainly not the only one who feels the void by your absence ... Oh! By the way they're putting on a celebration of your life, at Swansea Central Library on the 12 June, I just know you'll be there in spirit.

Always your friend,
Ron.