I heard the Jerry Lee Lewis flaming piano story in a different version. The last man on argument was between Jerry and Chuck Berry. The promoter decided that as Chuck was higher in the chart that week, Chuck was to top the bill, prompting Jerry to torch the piano.

Yes, that's the version I heard.

...for the Charles White 'Life And Times Of Little Richard, The Quasar of Rock And Roll' for verification, but I can't find it. Maybe one of the Word readership can dig it out?

However, the web throws up both the Jerry Lee/Chuck Berry story as detailed above, and another version of the Jerry Lee/Little Richard incident, where Lewis, angry that Richard was on the bill above him, torched the piano so Richard couldn't follow him.

And, thinking of Little Richard, I seem to remember that the Charles White book describes how Richard, ahem, 'did a Budgie' as a child, then wrapped it up and gave it to an old lady as a birthday present. As with most things in rock, Richard did it first, and with more style and panache...

I don't remember the story from the Charles White book. My source is Myra Lewis' book that the Great Balls Of Fire biopic is based on. Personally, I'd like to believe both versions are true.

But for me, the highlight was brer Hepworth completely losing it inna Test Match Special stylee. I was expecting him to whimper "Oh do stop it Aggers."

There's Nothing funnier than people laughing.

I was a bit disappointed that you let a discussion on Dion pass without mentioning his post-Belmonts career. Sure, we all know Runaround Sue, Drip Drop, Ruby Baby and The Wanderer: and with good reason. But he reinvented himself - and not as cynically as you guys suggest - in the late sixties/early seventies, and since then has produced some not half bad covers of the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits. His 1975 album with Phil Spector, Born To Be With You, is essential; and if you have a bit more cash then this is well worth it:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/King-New-York-Streets-Us/dp/B00005228H/ref=pd_bb...

Levy actually got hold of some rough mixes of Lennons initial recordings and released them via a TV promoted LP called "Roots" (along with a garish yellow cover)
To the best of my my recollection, this lasted about 5 minutes before EMI/Capitol stepped in and forced Levy to pull the album.
Copies of it still appear on Ebay now and then.

Ver lads mentioned Keith Emerson's knife trick (which was of course perpetuated on a hapless Hammond C3.)
For Emerson's ultimate piano stunt...cop this.

The talk on the podcast of Dion's lack of hair and his patronage by Bruce Springsteen reminded me of my reaction when I saw the sleeve of Springsteen's new album and indeed the picture on the cover of the latest Rolling Stone - where did Bruce acquire all that hair? He was receding as far back as the late 80s and here he is suddenly with a hairline a 20 year old would be happy with!!

I wouldn't say George Clinton's 'Hey Man, Smell My Finger' exactly draws you in.

Got to agree, I frowned in a 'get on with it' way, but then that decent into mirth had me chuckling along too. Laughter is indeed infectious. I was thinking of that good old Family Favourite 'The Lauging Policeman' but no, you are right '... stop it Aggers' would have had me off the road into the ditch!

Mind you, I believe it was Mr Ellen who was struggling to keep the shoulders under control for quite a few seconds when they were, so subtly, dropping Stones titles into their conversation.

Found the Little Richard book. Couldn't find any details on burning pianos, but can confirm Matt's story that, as a boy, Richard indeed gave local old lady 'Miz Ola' a gift-wrapped turd as a birthday present and waited outside to hear her screams when she opened it in front of her friends..
It didn't stop there, though. He tells us that he also did his 'no manners' in a jelly jar, sealed the top and put it in the fridge. His Mum was used to it.
Sorry to be the stool pigeon with these distasteful tales.