Working in record marketing in Ireland in the late 70's offered, amongst many dubious pleasures, the opportunity to sit in judgement on panels for talent competitions. I say dubious because although a splendid time could be had at someone else's expense (usually my employers, CBS) listening to a lot of good and a lot of bad music, it was a dangerous vocation at the best of times.

In fact, I eventually decided that I didn't have the calling for it after adjudicating a talent competition in the now defunct Talk Of The Town in Aston Quay, Dublin. After the results had been announced, the parents of a losing seven-piece accordion band, tackled fellow judge RTE DJ Larry Gogan and myself about our credentials. There is a saying, that a gentleman is someone who knows how to play an accordion, but doesn't. These were no gentlemen!

Proving that the line between cowardice and pacifism is almost invisible, Larry slipped out the back leaving me to explain matters to fourteen disgruntled parents. Eventually the police had to be called and I was escorted, B.P. Fallon style, to my car.