First met after Zal Band gig at Harrow University when he burst into the dressing room and dragged Billy out yelling "Ye were average, but ahm huvin' this yin fur ma band!" "Whit's yer phobia, son?" he asked. "I don't think I've got one", replied Billy. "THAT'S yer phobia!" he surmised. They were pals thereafter. Billy took his first CBS solo single round to his house to play it to him. He smashed it "Shite!"

DAN McCAFFERTY

Got his nickname 'Dan the Man' (as in Jack the Lad) during apprenticeship at Rosyth dockyard. At home, he answers to his real name, Bill. Twice had plots to steal him from Naz. Once by Ritchie Blackmore (before Coverdale/Hughes) for Purple and later by AC/DC after Bon's untimely death. Both attempts were thwarted by violent threats by Pete and Darrell towards the plotters.

HAIR OF THE DOG

Originally titled "Son Of A Bitch" but deemed tasteless by their record company. Thus "Heir of a Dog" which is literally "Son of a Bitch"

BILLY SQUIER

The two Billy's shared a bottle in Billy R's room at the Ponchatrain Hotel in Detroit where Billy tried to tactfully suggest that Billy S was a tad over-confident, nay precious. "Yer hied's too big!" Just then "Everybody Wants You", his hit, came on the radio and he ran over to turn it up. Influenced "Better Than You" on Crankin' for which Billy now apologizes.

WOODY WOODMANSEY

Mick "Woody, only me mum calls me Mick" Woodmansey's favourite joke inspired Goodbye Miracles. It involves a poor unfortunate farmer whose crop fails, his wife splits and he catches some incurable disease etc. Falling to his knees, he screams, "Why Lord, why me?" God replies, "Cos yer a cunt." Nuff said.

EDDIE TOBIN - MENTOR (OR JUST MAD-MENTAL)

Glasgow-based agent who managed pre-Alex SAHB (then called Tear Gas) put them together with Alex, suggested career change to folk singer, Billy Connolly, "Yer singin' just isn't funny Billy, it's murder!" The first agent to book Glasgow gigs (against his bosses wishes) for Fife band, Nazareth. "Don't be scared boys, that's called a bus!" Helped form Mountain Management with Bill Fehilly who once drove 6 hours from Aberdeen to his Bingo Hall in Glasgow, broke the manager's nose and said, "Don't ever hang up on me again." Was tour manager for Nazareth, SAHB, Average White Band, Billy Connolly, Frankie Miller etc. whilst also retaining his job with MAC (Music & Cabaret) and Unicorn Leisure.

BILLY RANKIN CONNECTIONS

• 1st agent to book Phase regularly and help mould their act into something professional (1975).
• Got Billy into the Zal band in 1978 and kept him on a retainer after the split.
• Instigated Billy's CBS/Delta Records deal in '79.
• Got Billy into Nazareth (1980-84).
• Had Billy doing solo gigs in clubs and pubs etc. during the "wilderness years" which kept him going financially and mentally (1986-90).
• Continues to support, advise and believe…..always will.

EDDIE TOBIN - A LAST TANGLE IN PARIS (AS TOLD BY BILLY RANKIN)

"Somethin's wrong here," he thought, and there was. Could it be the exclusive Parisian nightclub? Na! There's loads of them in Glasgow with similarly drunken patrons speaking a foreign dialect. What about his humiliating eviction from this place currently reaching its' conclusion near the top of the stairs? Again, no. Being 'levitated' upwards by a goon on each elbow wasn't so bad, even the cold steel of the .38's behind each ear didn't faze him. If his upbringing had taught him nothing more, it was the surety of "Acceptance." If you're in a corner and can't find no way out and if the other guy has a baseball bat and you don't, nothing's gained by causing a fuss or pleading for mercy, "Acceptance" is the rule. If consciousness is regained, you check out of the Infirmary, have a ramp installed at the house, arm the wheelchair and… Anyway, the 6ft black removal men were only doing their job, following the boss's orders. Ah, the boss! The wrinkled redneck, has-been excuse for a pensioner who'd lowered his thumb in his face a moment ago? They worked for him? He pitied them, though not as much as they pitied him, after all, he was about to be adding some Rouge to the Moulin outside. A last request was granted at the balcony, they tightened their grip and he turned on his Receiver below. "Ah know you!" he hissed. "Ahl remember you!" The silence was deafening, then broken by "Of course you'll remember him, Eddie, he's Jerry Lee Lewis!"

YOU AIN'T SEEN ME, RIGHT (AS TOLD BY BILLY RANKIN)

I once saw a Mini GT in a London car dealership. Its' number plate was TOB1N. £475 or nearest offer. Called him in Glasgow with my kindly intention of buying the car and giving him the plate. I detected polite refusal from the reply, "Does it come with a big target sticker for ma windscreen?"

FRANKIE GOES TOO FAST (AS TOLD BY BILLY RANKIN)