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Take
a look at the Retrosellers
Directory - an A-Z of retro and nostalgia-friendly businesses
and websites all in one place
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Take
a look at our Special
Features - we
talk to and highlight a number of the best websites &
businesses. These cover a wide and fascinating range of
areas of Retro, Vintage and Nostalgia
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and Click on star name or photo for their
interview.
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Rod Argent
Rod Argent is one of our leading keyboard players, songwriters and
musicians. It was with The Zombies that Rod had two huge successes
with She's Not There and Time Of The Season. The Zombies went on to
record their classic album Odessey and Oracle, which musicians such
as Paul Weller and David Grohl regard as an inspirational album for
them. ' Argent' had huge success in the seventies
internationally with songs like Hold Your Head Up and God Gave Rock
And Roll To You. The
surviving four members of The Zombies performed in London recently and similarly
'Argent'
also recently reformed for a London concert. Both are likely to
perform again in the future. For now, Rod is focusing on writing and
touring with 'the touring Zombies' and here talks to Digger about
his career.
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Coming soon - interviews
with cartoonist Bill Tidy, musician Ginger Baker and
Antiques Roadshow Vintage/20th Century Expert Katherine Higgins
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Elliott Randall
'Session guitarist' Elliott Randall is
renowned for his work with Steely Dan and on the Blues Brothers and Fame
soundtracks.
Much respected by his peers as an inspirational and innovative
musician and technician, Elliott has been involved in the creative
process behind a large number of bands and ventures covering all
genres of music. He has worked with many of the greats - Joan Baez, Gary Barlow, Chuck Berry,
Kate Bush, Judy Collins, The Doobie
Brothers, Roberta Flack, Peter Frampton, Art Garfunkel,
Howard Jones, Gladys Knight, Al Kooper, John Lennon, Kirsty MacColl,
Don McClean, Liza Minelli, Laura Nyro, Yoko Ono, Sha Na
Na, Carly Simon, Rod Stewart, Jimmy Webb and Carl Wilson.
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P.P. Arnold
P.P. Arnold, or Patricia Cole as she was at the time, was one of the
backing singers for Ike and Tina Turner, known as The Ikettes. A UK
tour ended in Pat meeting Stones' manager Andrew Oldham and Mick
Jagger. Thus her UK solo career was launched. Hits such as The First
Cut Is The Deepest and Angel Of The Morning established the now
renamed P.P. Arnold as one of the best soul singers on the UK scene. These
days, P.P. is touring in the U.K. with a soul and jazz production
featuring Digby Fairweather's band. This great band used to support
George Melly. She is also working on the finishing touches to her
first autobiography.
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Bettany Hughes
Digger talked to historian and broadcaster
Bettany Hughes about Ancient civilisations, human nature, language
and her new series Atlantis The Evidence being shown on BBC2 in
early June 2010.
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Helen Shapiro
Digger talks to Helen Shapiro who was a
prominent child star in the sixties, with her career evolving into
musicals and theatre in the seventies. Helen discovered Jesus in the
80s which prompted several gospel albums as well as the performance
of gospel 'outreaches' which she continues to this day.
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Sandie Shaw
Sandie Shaw does a Q/A with Digger. Sixties singer and Smith's
soulmate Sandie is involved in two projects at the moment (2010) - a
Vintage weekend at Goodwood in August and a new film called Made In
Dagenham in October.
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Dame Vera Lynn DBE
Digger chatted with Dame Vera Lynn, British national treasure, who
recently topped the charts again at 92.
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Beth Hirsch
Beth Hirsch is probably best known to many as the female vocalist on
Air's classic 1998 album Moon Safari. Beth has gained a faithful and
strong international following and produced two acclaimed albums,
Wholehearted and Titles and Idols. A new album and European tour is
in the offing. If the sample track Something To Tell is anything to
go by, this next one is another winner. Beth spoke to Digger about
her life and music.
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Ian Anderson MBE
Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson talks to Digger about his musical influences and the future of mankind.
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Billie Davis
Sixties singer Billie Davis answered a few of Digger's questions.
Billie is on tour in 2010 performing her hits such as Tell Him and I
Want You To Be My Baby.
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Ollie Spencer
Ollie Spencer of cult sixties band The Idle Race talks to Digger about his musical
and comedy careers. Ollie worked with Jeff Lynne, later on Tiswas
and The Comedians. These days you can see him doing a tribute to Roy
Chubby Brown.
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Paul Jones
Digger spoke to Singer/actor/DJ Paul Jones whose career has included
Manfred Mann (Doo Wah Diddy Diddy, Pretty Flamingo), The Blues Band, TV, film and theatre and BBC Radio2.
His new album, Starting All Over Again, is selling well and Paul is
touring with The Manfreds and The Blues Band.
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Judy Collins
Digger spoke to Singer/Songwriter Judy who is well-known for such
hits as Chelsea Morning, Amazing Grace, Send In The Clowns and Both
Sides Now. Judy just completed a tour of the UK in January/February 2010.
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Michelle Phillips
Digger chatted with Michelle Phillips of the iconic sixties band The
Mamas and The Papas about her singing and acting careers and about
her contemporaries, her life and times.
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Bill Wyman
Digger talked to Bill Wyman of The Rhythm Kings and formerly of The Rolling Stones about his career, his passion for blues and for
archaeology.
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Carol Smillie
Digger chatted with Carol about her TV, promotional and modelling
career and about balancing a busy schedule while raising a family.
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John Hegley
Digger asked poet and performer John Hegley some questions.
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Bob Harris
Digger asked writer and broadcaster 'whispering' Bob Harris
some questions.
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Toyah Willcox
Toyah rose to fame as a punk in the 70's and is perhaps best-known
to younger viewers from 'I'm A Celebrity...' She is currently
pursuing
her continually hectic and diverse schedule as an actress and
musician. Digger asked Toyah some questions.
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Sylvia Anderson
Digger spoke with Sylvia about her work in creating several classic
TV series in the 60s and 70s, including Thunderbirds, Joe 90,
Stingray, Fireball XL5, UFO and Captain Scarlet.
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Victor Spinetti
Digger talks to actor Victor about his life and career and his close
friendship
with The Beatles. Victor appeared in three of their movies.
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Mary Wilson
Digger spoke with Mary
Wilson of The Supremes about her times at Tamla Motown, her solo
career, her other interests and the recent 2009 Motown Legends tour.
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Mike Dixon
Digger spoke to
Musical Arranger, Director, Composer and
Conductor Mike Dixon. He has performed with Dame Shirley Bassey at
Glastonbury and elsewhere, the Queen's
Jubilee concert, the Diana concert and worked on numerous TV and
radio and West End shows such as We Will Rock You and the recent
Elbow at Abbey Road concert/recording.
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Middle Of The Road
Middle Of The Road are a Scottish band who became
hugely successful in their native UK in the early seventies, having
already established themselves in Europe. Infectious
sing-along hits such as Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep, Soley Soley and
Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum sold in many millions and the band were hot
property. Sally Carr and Ken Andrew kindly shared their thoughts on
their careers and brought us up-to-date.
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Ruth Badger
Digger spoke to businesswoman and consultant Ruth
Badger who came to fame as a contestant on The Apprentice.
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Margaret Nolan
Maggie appeared in two of the biggest British films of the sixties -
A Hard Day's Night (the casino scene with Wilfrid Brambell) and Goldfinger
(that's Maggie in the opening
titles of Goldfinger as well as playing the character 'Dink'.) She
was a regular in just about every cult TV and comedy series there
was in the sixties and early seventies and appeared in six Carry On
films. These days she is an artist as well as making tentative steps
back into acting after a very long break. Here Maggie discusses her
life, career and projects.
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Peter Egan
Peter Egan is one of Britain's busiest and most popular character
actors. As Paul Ryman in Ever Decreasing Circles he established
himself as a comedy actor. Fifteen years before he startled the
nation with his realistic portrayal of gang violence in the controversial
Big Breadwinner Hog. Here, Peter discusses his career.
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Liza Goddard
Actress Liza Goddard has been on British screens (and stages) for
nearly 40 years, starting with Skippy and followed by Take Three
Girls, The Brothers, Dr Who, Yes Honestly, Bergerac, The Upchat
Line, Woof and many more. Digger caught up with Liza as she stars in
two Alan Ayckbourn plays in his home turf of Scarborough. |
Victoria Coren
Victoria Coren is a writer, broadcaster
and hugely successful professional poker player. Columnist for The
Observer and The Guardian, presenter of Balderdash and Piffle and
Only Connect on TV and radio shows like Heresy. Here 'Vicky' answers a
few questions for Digger.
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Madeline Bell
Madeline Bell recorded backing vocals
with many of the greats, such as Dusty Springfield, Joe Cocker, Elton John,
Cliff Richard and Tom Jones. She was also partnered with successful songwriter
Roger Cook in the duo Blue Mink; they had several worldwide hits in the
seventies, notably Melting Pot, Banner Man and Good Morning Freedom. |
Desmond Morris
Desmond Morris, zoologist author of The Naked Ape, Manwatching, The Naked Woman and his new book, The Naked Man, kindly answered a few
questions for us. |
Jeremy Lloyd
Digger talked to Jeremy Lloyd. Jeremy co-wrote the internationally
successful comedies Are You Being Served? and 'Allo 'Allo! and also
created Captain Beaky. When not writing he appeared in dozens of
movies and TV shows, including Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In and two
Beatles movies. |
David Nobbs
Digger talked to David Nobbs, creator of Reginald Perrin and A Bit Of A Do
as well as the author of a string of successful novels. David was
also a leading writer for That Was The Week That Was and many
British comedy greats, including The Two Ronnies, Frankie Howerd and
Les Dawson. |
Josie D'Arby
Digger talked to popular TV presenter and actress Josie D'Arby about
her career and interests. |
Tony Visconti
Digger talked to producer Tony Visconti who produced Glam Rockers
such as Bowie and Bolan and some say was the creator of that genre.
Tony also talks about some of his other work and brings us
up-to-date. |
Arthur Smith
Digger talked to comedian and writer Arthur Smith about comedy,
writing and... Val Doonican. |
Sue Cook
Digger talked to Sue Cook about her extensive broadcasting and
writing career. Sue was a presenter on Nationwide, on Crimewatch and
Children In Need as well as fronting many other TV and radio shows.
She has also had a successful novel, another has just been completed
and her schedule is busier than ever.
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Tony Hatch
Digger talked to songwriter, arranger and producer Tony Hatch,
composer of the Neighbours, Emmerdale, Sportsnight and Crossroads TV themes,
the original 'Tell it as it is' panellist on New Faces as well as
the writer and producer of a string of hits for Petula Clark
(Downtown, Don't Sleep In The Subway) and The Searchers. |
Tony Hawks
Digger talked to comedian, author and comedy writer and performer
Tony Hawks about his work, and with barely a skateboard in sight. |
Pattie Boyd
Digger talked to ex-model Pattie Boyd, the former Mrs George Harrison
and Mrs Eric Clapton, about her life, career and interests and about
her current photographic career.
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Eve Graham
Digger talked to New Seekers star Eve Graham about her life and
career and her current projects. |
Lucy Porter
Digger talked to comedy writer and stand-up comedian, Lucy Porter
about her comedy career and her love of retro music and film.
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Petula Clark CBE
Digger chatted with Petula Clark, Britain's most successful female
vocalist of all time about her life as a child star, sixties icon,
star of stage and screen and international singing legend. We find
out about two of her newest albums, Duets and Solitude and Sunshine
(the songs of Rod McKuen.) |
Anneke Wills
Digger chatted with Anneke Wills, Dr. Who's first glamorous assistant who has now retired to the country after an exciting and packed life. Her biography Self Portrait is now available. |
Peter Purves
Digger chats with Peter Purves, whose busy and illustrious career
includes Dr. Who's companion, presenting Blue Peter and 30 years of
fronting the TV coverage of Crufts. |
Matt Monro by Michele Monro
The late, great Matt Monro is Britain's best and most successful
balladeer and vocalist of all time, and Britain's most
internationally-popular male singer, having sold over 100 million
records worldwide. Matt's daughter, Michele, tells us about her
dad's career and legacy and about her work in keeping his music up
where it belongs, via the Matt Monro website and the latest CD and
DVD releases. |
Sir George Martin CBE - Beyond The Beatles
Sir George Martin is the world's
most respected and influential record producer; a household name
known primarily for his amazing contributions to the vast and
ground-breaking catalogue of Beatles recordings. Indeed, he is often
called the Fifth Beatle. Yet Sir George would still be a phenomenon
had he not been involved in one single Beatles track. He has
recorded countless top acts in a number of genres and styles. Digger
has been asking Sir George about this other work. We examine Sir
George's wider career in an in-depth article with revelations and
recollections from the great man himself. |
Roger Powell
The Action were signed to George Martin's Parlophone label at the
same time that The Beatles were being produced by him. They produced
some magnificent soul and Tamla-inspired recordings and yet sadly
only achieved cult status. Digger interviewed their drummer Roger
Powell. |
Eddie Phillips
Digger interviewed Eddie Phillips, guitarist of sixties band The
Creation. The band have achieved cult status with serious music
collectors of the period. Eddie's bowing technique being adopted by
Jimmy Page and Eddie being offered a job in The Who added to his
credibility. Tracks like Painter Man, Biff Bang Pow, Making Time and
How Does It Feel To Feel are powerful reminders of a band that should have seen a higher
profile. |
The Bootleg Beatles
Digger talked to Neil Harrison who plays John Lennon in the world's
first, greatest and most successful Beatles Tribute band, The
Bootleg Beatles.
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The Counterfeit
Stones
Digger talked to the leader of The Counterfeit Stones, bad boy of rock and
roll Nick Dagger, aka Steve Elson, and found out what Mick Jagger
thinks of their tribute to The Rolling Stones.
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Janet Leigh
Our exclusive interview with legendary actress, the late Janet
Leigh, Oscar-nominated star of Psycho, The Manchurian Candidate, The
Vikings, Touch Of Evil and The Naked Spur. The only actress to
appear in three of the Top 100 movies of all time. This feature also
includes information about and images from all of her movies.
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Colin Blunstone
We talked to Zombies vocalist Colin
Blunstone in an exclusive interview. Colin is now touring again with
old pal Rod Argent and they have never been busier. |
Kenneth Cope
Digger talked to actor and writer Kenneth Cope, star of sixties
classics Randall and Hopkirk and That Was The Week That Was and
numerous other shows including Brookside and The Bill.
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Don Black OBE
Digger talked to lyricist Don Black, who wrote the lyrics to such
classics as Born Free and To Sir With Love.
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Valerie Leon
Digger talked to Valerie Leon, star of Bond, Carry On Movies, Hammer Horror and
the hugely popular 70's Hai Karate aftershave ads!!!!
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Carol Hawkins
Digger talked to Carol Hawkins, star of Please Sir! The Fenn Street Gang and Carry On Movies.
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Hilton Valentine
Digger spoke to Hilton Valentine, guitarist with sixties chart toppers The Animals. |
Shel Talmy
Digger talked to renowned record producer Shel Talmy, who produced The Who, The Small Faces,
The Fortunes, The Kinks, Pentangle, Manfred Mann and The Easybeats amongst many others.
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Helen Fraser
Digger spoke to Bad Girls' actress Helen Fraser, who plays Sylvia
'Bodybag' Hollamby in the series. Helen appeared in several classic
sixties films such as Billy Liar, Repulsion and A Kind Of Loving as
well as numerous TV and stage appearances. As well as discussing
these, she tells us about the similarities between her and Sylvia
and also about her future productions. |
Nick Beggs
Digger asked Nick Beggs, bass player with recently-reformed eighties
band Kajagoogoo, a few questions.
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Jonathan Lynn
Digger talked to the creator of the classic British comedy Yes
Minister - actor, writer, director and producer Jonathan Lynn.
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Johnnie Walker
Digger talked to BBC Radio 2 DJ Johnnie Walker about his life and
career and reminisces about his pirate days on Radio Caroline.
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Alan Simpson OBE
Digger talked to Alan Simpson of Galton and Simpson, the comedy-writing duo who were responsible for classics such as Steptoe
and Son and Hancock's Half Hour. |
Klaus Voormann
Digger interviewed artist and musician Klaus Voormann, the man
behind the album covers for The Beatles' Revolver and Anthology
albums, bass player and musician with Manfred Mann and numerous
other recordings and one of the Beatles close 'inner circle' of
friends. |
Peter Noone
Digger talked to Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits, as big a heart-throb in his day as Brad Pitt is now. |
Mick Avory
Digger chatted with drummer Mick Avory of The Kinks, the dandy naughty boys of sixties pop. |
Gordon Waller
Digger asked Gordon Waller of Peter and Gordon some questions.
Along with a handful of other bands, they spearheaded the musical British invasion of America in the 60s. |
Sid Bernstein
Digger talked to the man who brought The Beatles to America's Shea
stadium, and befriended manager Brian Epstein, promoter and
gentleman Sid Bernstein. |
Peter Wyngarde
Digger talked to Peter Wyngarde, star of seventies cult TV shows Jason King and Department S. |
Geoffrey Bayldon
Digger interviewed Catweazle himself - Geoffrey Bayldon. |
Eric Stewart
Digger interviewed Eric Stewart of 10cc and The Mindbenders,
guitarist and writer of such classics as I'm Not In Love. |
Andrew Loog Oldham
Digger interviewed the man who discovered and managed The Rolling
Stones to fame, Andrew Loog Oldham, now living in south America. |
Jim McCarty
Digger interviewed Yardbirds drummer and songwriter Jim McCarty. The
Yardbirds brought R&B to the charts and featured such guitar
greats as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. |
Shirley Eaton
Digger interviewed Goldfinger's Golden Girl Shirley Eaton and finds
out there's more to her than a tin of gold paint. |
Annette André
Digger interviewed actress Annette André, star of sixties and seventies cult TV series such as Randall and Hopkirk, The Saint,
and The Prisoner. |
Jane Merrow
Digger interviewed actress Jane Merrow, star of sixties and seventies cult TV series such as The Saint, UFO, Randall and Hopkirk, The Prisoner and The Avengers. |
Harriet Walter
Digger caught up with Royal Shakespeare Company actress Harriet Walter, CBE,
star of Sense and Sensibility, The Governess, The Men's Room and
numerous stage appearances. |
Ray Dorset
Digger talked to Ray Dorset, also known as Mungo Jerry! |
Bill Harry
Bill Harry, the originator of Mersey Beat, tells us how his association with The Beatles came about and what he has been
up to since, including an on-line version of the 'magazine'. |
Hunter Davies
Digger talked to Beatles official biographer and
friend Hunter Davies, whose biography is now seen as the definitive
work on the life and times of The Beatles. |
 Ellie Greenwich
Dave Lincoln Brooks our 'American Correspondent' provided an exclusive interview with
the late American songwriter Ellie Greenwich (And Then He Kissed Me,
Baby I Love You, Be My Baby, Chapel Of Love, Da Doo Ron Ron, Do
Wah Diddy Diddy, I Can Hear Music, Leader Of The Pack and River
Deep Mountain High.) |
Ray Laidlaw
Digger talked to Ray Laidlaw, drummer of the highly-successful band
from the north-east, Lindisfarne, about his days with the group and
his recent projects. |
Julie Felix
We talked to folk Queen Julie Felix. |
 Peggy
March
Our southern U.S. correspondent David Lincoln Brooks caught up
with 'Little' Peggy March, whose 'I Will Follow Him' sold over a
million copies and who to this day is a huge star in Germany and
Japan.
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Noel Redding
Our exclusive interview with the late Noel Redding, former bass player with
the Jimi Hendrix Experience. |
Mike Hugg
Exclusive interview with Manfred Mann's Mike Hugg, now touring with The Manfreds. |
Moody Blues' Clint Warwick
We talked to the ex-Moody Blues bass guitarist, the late Clint Warwick about the sixties
and beyond in an exclusive interview. |
Tom Murray - Beatles photographer
An exclusive interview with Beatles photographer Tom Murray, who was
also photographer to numerous stars and the Royal Family. |
Janice Nicholls
An interview with the Thank Your Lucky Stars girl Janice Nicholls,
famous for her "Oi'll give it foive" catchphrase. |
Astrid Kirchherr
An exclusive interview with Astrid Kirchherr, Beatles friend and photographer
from their Hamburg days. |
Graeme Garden
Digger asked Graeme Garden of The Goodies and I'm Sorry I Haven't A
Clue a few questions.
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Pete Best
Digger's interview with original Beatles drummer Pete Best. |
