"Bert Weedon was a chap I became more aware of when I started work in a record shop. There were these rather frightening photographs, I thought, of a chap with a strange hair-do and an odd moustache. We sold music books as well, especially Learn to Play Guitar with Bert Weedon. I never learned to play the guitar, I twanged a lot. I was limited musically, I think. But my brother Nick, made it his career.

Well, brother Nick went away to London at an early age and formed a band which became The Jags, and was very successful almost immediately. Nick and I used to sit in front of Top of the Pops, and say 'One day...' And then he was! It was nice to have a chap in the family who'd done well.

Then Bert Weedon had a new album out, and he offered to come into the shop to sign a few for us. Nick was excited - it was a bit of a novelty, and a bit of a laugh as well. But it was a chance to meet a great chap, who is, after all, is legend. I thought I'd pair Nick and Bert up and say, 'Look, here's a chap who's learned at your feet - albeit at a distance through the pages of your book." I thought Bert might say, 'Play us a tune or two.' Or, 'Here you are lad, here's my guitar!'

When I found a juncture when Bert wasn't so busy signing records as he might hope to be I said, 'Bert, this is my brother who's rapidly rising up the charts with his wonderful single, Back of my Hand. He owes you a debt, having learnt from your book.'
Bert said to Nick, 'You come from Scarborough do you?' You know the area?'
My brother said, 'Yes, I do.'
Bert said, 'Is there a post office nearby?'
'My brother said, 'Yes - just round the corner.'
Bert reached into his pocket, pulled his wallet, took out a fiver, and said, 'Would you go and buy me a sheet of first-class stamps?'
At that moment there was an unearthly silence in the room while everybody tried to take stock of the situation.
My brother took it in very good part and said,'Fine', still reeling from the shock of meeting the maestro. He scooted off, and he came back thinking, I suppose, that Bert would grant him an audience when he returned. It was not to be. He handed over the stamps to Bert who said, 'Thank you very much' and then just cleared off.

And that was it. No great meeting of the minds. No 'Thanks very much for giving me my chance to achieve my own pop music stardom.'

It was a salutary lesson. I wouldn't do the same. I'd find it rather unkind. I did once sign an autograph for someone because I'd walked on the same stage as Leo Sayer. I felt very humbled by their request. Nick, however, has recovered from his disappointment - the years have passed - and I think he's far happier now being a gardener, sometimes to the rich and famous!"