You are right. I'm sure he knew he was way ahead of the others at the keyboard but he would never ever say so.

I had the great pleasure of meeting him when I was eighteen. That meeting left a lasting impression on me. He was one of the nicest people I've ever met.

Yes indeed!

it was done in 1984

I can imagine playing with the energy and enthusiasm that he did for 70 years of his life, I don't think he'd be too bothered. It must have been very taxing keeping focused all those hours of the day, and night. I've never understood those who criticise him, what he done for the theatre organ can only be commended. He was a grafter!

@@OrganMusicYT Very true, from what we read. He made an outstanding success in his own field at a time when life was harder than today, and the weakest went to the wall. I wonder if 'squadron leader' was an honorary title, in recognition of his work in entertaining the servicemen, or did he actually fly missions? The Wikipedia entry does not make this clear.

​@@Offshoreorganbuilder A concert pianist was always his goal, but the recession forced him to give up studying and begin working life as a musician. It was also a time when cinema organists were plentiful and work was becoming scarce with the advent of talkies. When you consider all the competition, it's a wonder he succeeded. Whether or not he flew I don't know. However, he did some serious work during his time in the RAF, and he didn't enlist to entertain. From what I understand, he played a part in D-Day but he always said he wasn't allowed to speak of exactly what it was according to his biography.