Yesterday when I answered Ed to thank him for sending me that message and allowing me to post it here, I slipped some other comments and questions, which I know I shouldn't but as Ed was so kind it felt natural for me, maybe I was pusihing my luck too far but in the contrary, Ed was again very very kind and answered me as kind and funny than in the previous mails and allowed me to post his comments.
I know they would read weird out of context but this is what he told me, I hope you find it interesting. I thanked him for provinding as with accurate information as we always had to rely on articles on magazines, and things in this or that web site, and he answered me the following:
I understand your difficulty with source material and yes, much of what is written in the web is rubbish, complete nonsense.
For instance there was never ANY discussion about a second Hillbillies record.
Not once and the tours we did after the first long one , plus the Ronnie Scott's residencies were just for fun really, nothing more ie we weren’t “promoting” anything and hardly made any money on any NHB live performances so that wasn’t a motivation.
The album sold way more than any of us expected..I think about 2.5m Worldwide ( back then) and the proceeds of that were divided 4 ways ( MK, SP, BC, GF ).
And there is nothing to “read into that” ie no subplots, no arguments ( AT ALL ) , it was never intended to be more than a “one off”.
As you have realised a good part of what I’ve sent you is an attempt to correct the “facts” BUT occasionally I can’t remember eg the Neil Jason stuff..his interview baffled me and he had no reason to make that up but what came out on BIA is as I have indicated.
You are welcome to post this comment if you want.
I also made him a little comment about John's book being too polite and sometimes not going as deep as we would had liked specially with some ex members departures, and Ed answered me this:
I was very disappointed by John’s book ( which was ghostwritten by the way ) and the numerous mistakes eg the Portland Oregon when it was Portland, Maine example I’ve quoted previously. There are many more.
But really, who cares? ( I know you lot do!)
He could easily have fact checked with me or Terry Kilburn but didn't.
Why I don't know, we are pretty friendly.
His opinions are different than facts so on that front, good for him for expressing.
“Polite”…I can only guess that he didn't want to “offend” Mark but I don't really know.
The “departures”.
This needs a much longer response than I can do here.
Pick I’ve explained and he’s more than hinted in several You Tube interviews he’s done ,the ‘' why. “
"Personality issues" is the main one .
Hal…John’s book gives his version which is correct but there is quite a bit more which he didn't describe and I’m not going to here..I’ll save that for now.
"Personality issues " you might call it.
The Terry stuff is NOT correct.
This one is complicated because neither Terry nor I understand what happened or why he was “let go” and I’ve been trying for several months now to find out EXACTLY what went on. Chuck’s comment is mystifying.
Terry told me he did NOT play on any OES songs at all.
Jack. That is a sad tale, especially given he’s passed.
His podcast is pretty accurate I think but I wasn’t there.
He was pretty bitter about the way his friendship with Mark just disappeared and again, other than asking MK I don't know and I’m not going to do that.
It could have been handled alot better.
I will say that excluding Pick , ALL those players were “ hired sidemen” ( ditto Guy, Alan, Chris W ) and as such it was TOUR BY TOUR. It was NOT a permanent position ( Guy's did become that).
Thanks Ed by your generosity.
