Al died fairly recently, about 18 months ago. His features are available free of charge on
http://www.blacklistedjournalist.comAl came to Liverpool with his photographer to write for the Saturday Evening Post. Virginia and I took him all around Liverpool, the Cavern, the Blue Angel etc and introduced him to the groups and various other people. Although Virginia and I weren't originally invited to the Beatles Civic Reception, Al was. Virginia's mother was furious that we weren't invited, being the only people who had championed them in Liverpool in the early days. She wrote to the town hall and they allowed me one ticket, but wouldn't give one to Virginia, so I went along with Al. When he left Liverpoool he said he had a present for us and gave us as little package. Back at home in Mount Street (we lived opposite Liverpool Institute at the time), we opened it and it was marijuana, so we threw it in the dustbin.
