Leapy Lee - chart topping singer of the 1960s and 70s

Every week I write and article for the Euro Weekly News, an English-speaking newspaper covering all the major resorts of Spain and the Balearics. You can pick up a copy on a Thursday ... or read it here every week.

Thursday 10 May 2007

JUST for once, last week, I actually found myself in agreement with Tony Blair. The UK's soon-to-be-defunct prime minister had stated that he was unhappy with the decision not to deport two Libyans suspected of having links to al Qaeda who, The Home Office had argued, were a serious threat to national security.

Unbelievably, this couple of toerags had appealed the decision to deport them back from whence they came, on the grounds that because of their religious and political beliefs, they could be 'mistreated' by the Libyan authorities. Well, apparently, there now exists a body in the UK known as the `Special Immigration Appeals Commission' (you can imagine the types sitting on that!). On hearing the appeal, these idiots decided that to deport the two men back to Libya could result in a real risk of their 'human rights' being breached!

Oh, well, that's a different matter all together, ennit? Let 'em stay. Give 'em the chance to blow a few innocent Brits to smithereens. Heaven forbid we should allow the poor diddums to run the risk of having their human rights breached. No, no, let 'em go free to roam the streets and plan a few new annihilations - that would be far more 'correct'.

I mean, you simply couldn't make it up could you?

This ridiculous court should be dissolved forthwith and its members made to help clear up the carnage of the next atrocity, which is a stone bonk certainty after a few mind-numbing decisions of this nature. The two Libyans should then be thrown out at the earliest possible opportunity. So what if they're tortured or executed by their own people? Who cares if they rot in a Libyan nick for the rest of their miserable existence?

Those who choose to live by the sword should be prepared to die by it. In any case, I thought they all went to paradise? So, basically, by their own twisted logic, we'd be doing them a favour. I dunno, I really do despair of it all. Ah, well, must press on.

This coming Sunday the Calvia area of Mallorca celebrates Europe Day. Once again I am involved with the council in helping to produce and compere the live show section of the event. This year, I thought it would be a nice idea to erect a large screen at the back of the stage. While the acts were preparing for their spots, we could then show actual footage of original groups performing their hits of yesteryear.

With this in mind, I bought legitimate DVDs on the internet and dutifully selected the programme. Wrong! At one of our last meetings, I was informed by a local council member that the Spanish equivalent of the Performing Rights Society had got wind of the plan. Were it to go ahead, they were insisting royalties would have to be paid for all groups featured. When the member had protested (after all the DVDs were legitimately obtained), they went even further. If we decided to ignore their ruling they would watch the whole show and subsequently charge for every live song performed by the artists as well. The far-reaching implcations of this particular exercise are pretty mind-boggling. By rights, royalty payments should be made for all songs performed in public. Were this rule to be enforced, when you consider the amount of singers performing throughout Spain, the amounts of money involved would be absolutely staggering and probably put a host of bars out of business altogether.

My loyalties were a bit torn as I am actually a firm believer in the payment of royalties. (Probably because I'm still owed some 250,000 pounds sterling in royalites!). Anyway, we decided not to even attempt to open that particular can of worms and dropped the whole idea.

I dunno, never ends, does it?

Till the demise of the next 'seven', keep them corners tilted; keep a spring in yer step and, whatever you do, always keep the faith.

Love Leapy

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