Hal hadn't earned the right to 'play the way he wanted.' He was the newest member, and in spite of rehearsals and guidance (strict guidance 
) by MK, he'd break out and do what Hal wanted to do during performance, thus upsetting the rest of the band. And yes, he was fired. Given a choice, but when he continued to want to be the divo, he was fired. 
I didn't know he was upsetting the rest of the band
Of course he was sometimes a little bit "OUT" the band 'style (but was'nt Jack Sonni more ?), but on the other hand I find that he evolved in the good way betweeen the MM tour and the LOG tour (maybe with Mar'ks advices ?
) :
listen to his solo on Portobello belle : awful (and somtimes completely out of tune) in 80-81, and very tastefull in 82-83 (the MFN comp version)
I also like very much his solo on TYL, far better than J. Sonni, or P. Palmer IMHO
his licks at the end of Industrial disease, and intro to Expresso love are very good IMHO
his electric licks on PI are much better than Sonni or Palmer IMHO
I prefer his tone on Romeo & Juliet than Sonni and Palmer (awful distorded tone)....but OK, I prefer Richard above all
And last but not least, he was the only DS 2nd guitarist "allowed" to play :
1) the expresso love rhyhtm riff intro (on MM and BIA tour, it was Mark)
2) some (very tastefull IMHO) licks on Sultans ! (and being the only one guy quoted on this song !)
