Ding-a-linging

"The legendary rock and roller Chuck Berry had never managed a number one hit on either side of the Atlantic.

"My claim to fame? I helped him reach that coveted top spot.

"It was early 1972, I was just about to enter my 20s and had travelled to the West Midlands to see one of the century's giants of popular culture at the Lanchester Arts Festival.

"Despite banging out classics like 'Johnny B Goode' and 'No Particular Place To Go' it soon became obvious that this particular giant was a fallen one.

"The real clincher was when he swung from rock and roll to ribald postcard and invited the audience to join with him in singing an appalling ditty called 'My Ding-A-Ling' .

"Bored stiff, fuelled by drink and anxious for the show to end as soon as possible I joined in along with several hundred others. And then promptly forgot all about it.

"Six months later 'My Ding-A-Ling' was released as a single. It went to number one both here and in America.

"While many would have been proud to feature on a hit record I was mortified that it was this particular one.

"During the weeks the record was slipping down the charts - having failed by two days to become that year's Christmas number one - I was told to get lost by Paul McCartney, was given the flu by Bryan Ferry and treated to the legendary rudeness of Roy Harper.

"I took the various hints. This would-be music journalist decided to settle for just plain journalist . . ."