I found the original cover for Th' Lone Groover's Little Read Book along with a first idea that was obviously improved on. The inside of the cover is also included, demonstrating Benyon's paranoia. My memory is that Eel Pie Books, the publishers, was owned by Pete Townsend who was into heavy drugs at the time and kept falling over in the John Snow, the adjacent and excellent pub.

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A drawing of the Damned with Captain Sensible on the right, next to Rat Scabies, the Vampire dude and the other dude all portrayed as finger puppets. Why? Who knows!

I'm going to scan some other drawings today as the daily strip thing is getting a bit too much like a routine. It makes me feel as though I'm knocking out a daily paper. I shall also try and write some more because going through the drawings has made me remember some odd stuff such as the Greg Lake experience which didn't turn out as it should have done. One of the problems is that every time a name comes to mind the dude in question has died and the  mind tends to dwell on mortality and the like.



It was a time when western musicians were being accused of ripping off the rest of the world including Paul Simon and his South African 'influences'. An old argument arises about ethnic music being introduced to the west, which of course Peter Gabriel did with genuine intent, by a variety of bands and musicians. But as long as there are dudes vulnerable to beig ripped off, there will always be dudes who will rip them off.

It's interesting dating these gags by news events. Obviously in this case it is the Falklands War alongside Joe Strummer making a statement about Britain having no future. Oddly enough the Falklands are back in the news alongside Britain having no future. Alas Joe is dead and his advise isn't so good today. I mean, where can you go to, unless you have a suitcase full of gold bars?

I came across the original drawings for Th' Lone Groovers Little read book yesterday which helped  me get over my hangover. This is supposed to be a self portrait by Benyon talking to a figment of his imagination. The portrait is almost accurate apart from the length of his arms which in real life were much shorter. 

A seasonal 'Bah Humbug' part of an old strip published by Punch a few years after El Maestro had finished at the NME.

Obviously a strip from the start of1981 making a point about the pseudo punk Toya Wilcox who was one of the most ludicrous acts ever. I read an interview with her in which she said that she would be happy to see cars burning in Chelsea along the Kings Road. Man, she'd have run a mile at the sound of the first match being struck and now has found her true level appearing on reality shows and cookery programmes. She was  a phony punk and I was amazed anyone took  her seriously. Her husband, however is an excellent guitarist and credible musician.