Kevin Hayes

Then Raymond put his hand on my shoulder and said: “You know what that was like? It was like being served an exquisite meal.” That one stuck with me. Partly because it’s a beautiful compliment. And partly because I think he was absolutely right.

When last we left our heroes, they had just begun their UK tour after a strange late-night sighting of a magical airborne tour bus, pulled by reindeer, with a redheaded, flowing-bearded Ginger Joe shouting out the names of the towns we were about to visit. And me? I had visions of writing to you from the road. Yeah, about that...

’Twas the night before touring, and all through the bus, Not a singer or bandmate was making a fuss. They all were exhausted from weeks of rehearsing, While the crew muttered softly, occasionally cursing.