"These groups, in fact all the groups in Liverpool, should try to think of something of their own. Maybe then they'd hit on something. 95% of our stuff we arrange ourselves. Most of Griff's solos are ad-libbed, you know. We believe in originality. Maybe at times I'm lazy in my playing but I get a real kick out of a solid performance. I suppose I'm really playing for myself and each member of our group is doing the same. But, man, these other groups who carry 'passengers' because they are glamour boys! They only pad out the stage and help to make a bigger noise. In my opinion they should be dropped and then perhaps they'd learn to play real music."

"Howie," I said, "suppose we name some names and you kind of sound off about them and I'll quote you verbatim."

He paused awhile, and then apparently came to the conclusion that discretion isn't always the better part of valour.

"He said, 'The Beatles have definitely got it. They play powerhouse style. The Hurricanes do the same. Yes, they've got the sound, too. It seems to me they play as a band, a unit of sound. You know, chunks of chords going out. We know that Storm never changes his programme from one year to another, but who cares so long as these chunks of chords are still going out. Next time you see Johnny Guitar you tell him from me not to change his Antoria. There's something about that guitar - and of course the way he plays it! But, man, this new complication stuff that Gerry's got! You know what it sounds like to me? As though it's all coming out of a Crawford's biscuit tin!'

If you think this is strong talk, believe me it's nothing compared to what Howard Casey thinks about promoters. He has a sort of idee fixe about them. Nothing is more calculated to raise his blood pressure to a volcanic level. His views on promoters, in general, are so unremitting that they are virtually unreportable - that is so long as the laws of libel and censorship apply. Here, however, are some random quotes that are just about quotable: "This promoter said we were the group he had up his sleeve - result: one further booking! You know what I think? I think he must have pretty short sleeves or an ill-fitting suit or something or other. That's what I think. There is one steady promoter though who if you play ball with him he'll play ball with you. He has confidence in the group and he books us regularly.

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