I don't mean anything by it, ER. All I was doing was leading up to Dean Martin's rather humorous letter.

Liverpool is a bit removed from London, sure, but please remember the war in England was quite a bit harsher than here in the US, which doubtless effected the parents, and through them all children from that era. ...And that list of parents included a merchant seaman, already out on the waves, dodging German U-boats.

As for classical training, I took piano lessons as a child, which taught me and my parents that I have no visible talent in that area at all. I can, however, read music, and there was an inclusion of classical comprehension and composition -- and, I suppose, appreciation.

Yes. I, too, am classically trained in music.

ER, I put to you that "unable to read" and being "illiterate" are two very different things. I am unable to read -- my mind wanders so -- but am quite literate. I can jot music, but don't expect a symphony.

The lads had it, whether they knew it or not.