I suppose Kit was the main guy in the management and he certainly came up with most of the ideas - some of them were pretty crazy too! He was always losing things like his wallet or chequebook. I once saw him pay for a meal in a Soho restaurant by writing on a table napkin. He told the waiter it was legal and his bank would honour it - and they did!

The Merseys split in 1969. Nothing was happening and I didn't want us to go into Cabaret. I thought we were young enough to do something new, but Tony saw the chicken and basket looming. I got asked to play bass with Jackie Lomax, who was signed to Apple Records, so I jumped at the chance. I knew more people there than I knew in Liverpool and really enjoyed getting into the music again. I witnessed the breaking up of the Beatles more or less first hand - that wasn't a very nice experience. Having said that, I loved working alongside my heroes.

Tony went into Cabaret.

Editor's Notes: Chris Stamp was the brother of actor Terence Stamp and Kit Lambert was the son of composer Christopher Lambert. Kit was to become a drug addict and alcoholic and fell down the stairs of his mother's flat in Fulham on April 7 1981. He died the next day in hospital. He was only 47 years old.

The original line-up of the Fruit Eating bears was Joey Molland, guitar; Chris Findley, keyboards; George Cassidy, bass and Kenny Goodlass and Kenny Mundye on drums.

The Cabaret circuit was often referred to as 'chicken in the basket' because that was the type of food service in such venues. Artists from the 1960s, once their recording career faded, were attracted to the Cabaret circuit like pachyderms to an elephant's graveyard. Some of them are still there.

Billy Kinsley was born on May 28 1946, Tony Crane on April 17 1945, John Banks on September 23 1943 and Aaron Williams on June 23 1942. All four were born in Liverpool.

The MI and the M6 is the motorway link between Liverpool and London. Prior to the link-up, travelling to London could take eight hours by car.

David Bowie liked the Merseys version of 'Sorrow' so much that he recorded it himself for his 'Pinups' album.

Mandy Rice Davies was a friend of Christine Keeler and part of the 'Profumo scandal' of the early 1960s. Joey Molland joined Badfinger and is still performing. 'Penny In My Pocket' was a track penned by Jimmy Campbell, Liverpool's under-rated singer/songwriter.

Thanks to Geoff Geffers for enhancing the photo of the Merseys

The Merseys singles were: 'Sorrow'/'Some Other Day', released on Fontana TF 694 in 1966. It reached No. 4 in the charts, but was their only hit.

'So Sad About Us'/'Love Will Continue' was released on Fontana TF 732 in 1966.

'Rhythm Of Love'/'Is It Love' was released on Fontana TF 776 in 1966.

'The Cat'/'Change Of Heart' was released on Fontana TF 845 in 1967.

'Penny In My Pocket'/'I Hope You're Happy' was released on Fontana TF 916 in 1968.

'Lovely'/'Loretta Dreaming' was released on Fontana TF 955 in 1968.

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