Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story - Page 4 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Steve_P · 8th Sep 2007, 2:01 pm

Same with my two articles! But Television was a commercial publication, whereas 405 Alive was voluntary. You didn't get paid on 405 Alive, but on Television Magazine you did.

Anyway, I'll check on it.

Cheers,

Steve P

Paul Stenning · 8th Sep 2007, 2:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Stenning

When writing for a magazine the author normally retains copyright in the article and grants the magazine the rights to publish it in that issue.

I wrote a number of articles for Everyday Electronics, ETI, Maplin Magazine and Electronics in Action several years ago and this was the arrangement then. I think it was called "First British Serial Rights". Normally the agreement also prohibited me from publishing or submitting the article elsewhere for a period of time (six months I think), so as not to affect the potential sales of the magazine.

Mike Phelan · 8th Sep 2007, 4:43 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Stenning

When writing for a magazine the author normally retains copyright in the article and grants the magazine the rights to publish it in that issue.

That was the case when I wrote for Television and other things.

Steve_P · 8th Sep 2007, 5:29 pm

If that's the case, we may have a problem. My mobile phone does not contact the Afterlife!! What would then happen copyright wise?

Cheers,

Steve P

P.S. Should these copyright discussions go into a separate thread?

Station X · 8th Sep 2007, 5:48 pm

I've started a new thread concerning copyright here:-

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=20477

Vectamart · 8th Sep 2007, 6:12 pm

One of my favourites was Mr. Farqueue (December 1978).....
Incame this fellow, well turned out and apparently friendly.
"Fark you" he said, and held out his hand.
Not wishing to return such offensiveness, I took his hand and merely said, "Good morning".

Of course, what made Les's articles so entertaining was the endless 'names' he used to refer to his various customers. Some of my favourites were Mr. Doubleday, Laura Lovitt, Miss I. Glass, Mr. Bakewell (with his Pye TV), Mr. Shuttlecock, Mr. Piddlewell, Mr. Middlestump (initials LBW), and many others.

Vectamart · 8th Sep 2007, 6:23 pm

Incidentally, for what it's worth, I have copies of the vast majority of Les's articles from 1954 to the early 1990s.

Sideband · 8th Sep 2007, 9:25 pm

The last story I can find in TV mag is April 1991. There is a definate change in his mood and style with the later offerings and they lack the sparkle of his heyday.

Rich.

Nickthedentist · 9th Sep 2007, 1:12 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard_Newman

There is a definate change in his mood and style with the later offerings and they lack the sparkle of his heyday.

Yes, it's very sad reading those. They ceased to be witty, and became rather mundane and a bit depressing. I hope life outside the trade remained happier for him.

Nickthedentist · 9th Sep 2007, 1:13 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vectamart

One of my favourites was Mr. Farqueue (December 1978).....

See post #24

Steve_P · 9th Sep 2007, 11:56 am

I think things changed when he changed from 'Owning the shop' to 'Helping out at the shop'. He didn't really look at videos, for example. Suddenly it was a hobby in a vastly changing world where cheap imports were starting to appear and people less good natured. Also, Political Correctness was coming in so he had to suppress his humour.

He died in the 90s, and the magazine had an obituary to him. He had one heart attack in the late 80s as well, so he probably wasn't all that well. HB had sold his estate car but he still carried on! I do too, despite my stroke, so I can fully understand this.

I wonder what he'd have thought of this forum?

Cheers,

Steve P

Mike Phelan · 9th Sep 2007, 5:13 pm

Were he still alive, he would have been an asset to the forum!

Welsh Anorak · 9th Sep 2007, 8:52 pm

...and, even though he is no longer with us, he can still be an asset!!

Heatercathodeshort · 11th Sep 2007, 8:24 am

It was his articles written in Practical Television magazine that got me hooked on television servicing. I bought for 3d a pile of P.T.'s at the local church jumble sale in 1959. They included his very first article, servicing the HMV 1807.....This was followed by the Pye B18T. He was a real serviceman and when he was very ill I wrote to him thanking him for his fantastic articles. He acknowledged my letter in the magazine.
I think all us service guys had similar incidents to Les and that is what made his articles so interesting and amusing. Regards John.

Brian R Pateman · 12th Sep 2007, 12:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist

Yes, it's very sad reading those. They ceased to be witty, and became rather mundane and a bit depressing. I hope life outside the trade remained happier for him.

I knew Les from the 1980s and his health was not good. Certainly in later years the strain was beginning to tell and he was feeling the strain rather so this is the reason for the lack of sparkle in his later pieces. He is greatly missed and would have loved it here had he mde it into the itnernet age.

Regards,

Dr-Watts · 13th Sep 2007, 7:54 am

I think LLJ's tales were 'the only reason I bought Television mag' towards the bitter end.
I got fed up with buying a monthly mag that seemed to be absolutley full af adverts.
As previously mentioned, I could see a lot of his story in my shop and indeed my customers... Like Mr. Wendy, but thats another story

I'd certainly buy the book if it was ever released

Dr. Dave.

Hybrid tellies · 13th Sep 2007, 9:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist

Yes, it's very sad reading those. They ceased to be witty, and became rather mundane and a bit depressing. I hope life outside the trade remained happier for him.

I think he was under quite a bit of pressure towards the end, I seem to remember him talking about a bridging loan as he tried to sell his business and buy a house. This may well explain his lack of sparkle towards the end

.
I think I first came across his humour back in the mid 1970's when I first started buying the television mag, and was a fan ever since.
I think between us, with our collection of television mags from 1954 through to the end in the 1980's, we should be able to put a good collection of his material together either on this site or possibly even perhaps putting a book together. It would be a very interesting and rewarding project for someone, with lots of help and assistance to hand. Of course we would have to check the copyright issues (if any) first.

Steve_P · 13th Sep 2007, 9:25 pm

I'm already on it!!

Cheers,

Steve P

KeithsTV · 13th Sep 2007, 11:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hybrid tellies

I think between us, with our collection of television mags from 1954 through to the end in the 1980's, we should be able to put a good collection of his material together either on this site or possibly even perhaps putting a book together. It would be a very interesting and rewarding project for someone, with lots of help and assistance to hand. Of course we would have to check the copyright issues (if any) first.

A fitting tribute to LLJ. I'm willing to help out with this project.

Keith

Gordonjcp · 27th Sep 2007, 12:40 pm

I haven't seen the Red Baron mentioned yet.

8th Sep 2007, 2:01 pm	#61
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story Same with my two articles! But Television was a commercial publication, whereas 405 Alive was voluntary. You didn't get paid on 405 Alive, but on Television Magazine you did. Anyway, I'll check on it. Cheers, Steve P __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

8th Sep 2007, 5:29 pm	#64
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story If that's the case, we may have a problem. My mobile phone does not contact the Afterlife!! What would then happen copyright wise? Cheers, Steve P P.S. Should these copyright discussions go into a separate thread? __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

8th Sep 2007, 5:48 pm	#65
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story I've started a new thread concerning copyright here:- https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=20477 __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

8th Sep 2007, 6:12 pm	#66
Vectamart Pentode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ventnor, Isle of Wight, UK. Posts: 141	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story One of my favourites was Mr. Farqueue (December 1978)..... Incame this fellow, well turned out and apparently friendly. "Fark you" he said, and held out his hand. Not wishing to return such offensiveness, I took his hand and merely said, "Good morning". Of course, what made Les's articles so entertaining was the endless 'names' he used to refer to his various customers. Some of my favourites were Mr. Doubleday, Laura Lovitt, Miss I. Glass, Mr. Bakewell (with his Pye TV), Mr. Shuttlecock, Mr. Piddlewell, Mr. Middlestump (initials LBW), and many others.

8th Sep 2007, 6:23 pm	#67
Vectamart Pentode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ventnor, Isle of Wight, UK. Posts: 141	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story Incidentally, for what it's worth, I have copies of the vast majority of Les's articles from 1954 to the early 1990s.

8th Sep 2007, 9:25 pm	#68
Sideband Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Croydon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 7,571	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story The last story I can find in TV mag is April 1991. There is a definate change in his mood and style with the later offerings and they lack the sparkle of his heyday. Rich. __________________ There are lots of brilliant keyboard players and then there is Rick Wakeman.....

9th Sep 2007, 11:56 am	#71
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story I think things changed when he changed from 'Owning the shop' to 'Helping out at the shop'. He didn't really look at videos, for example. Suddenly it was a hobby in a vastly changing world where cheap imports were starting to appear and people less good natured. Also, Political Correctness was coming in so he had to suppress his humour. He died in the 90s, and the magazine had an obituary to him. He had one heart attack in the late 80s as well, so he probably wasn't all that well. HB had sold his estate car but he still carried on! I do too, despite my stroke, so I can fully understand this. I wonder what he'd have thought of this forum? Cheers, Steve P __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

9th Sep 2007, 5:13 pm	#72
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story Were he still alive, he would have been an asset to the forum! __________________ Mike.

9th Sep 2007, 8:52 pm	#73
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,921	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story ...and, even though he is no longer with us, he can still be an asset!!

11th Sep 2007, 8:24 am	#74
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story It was his articles written in Practical Television magazine that got me hooked on television servicing. I bought for 3d a pile of P.T.'s at the local church jumble sale in 1959. They included his very first article, servicing the HMV 1807.....This was followed by the Pye B18T. He was a real serviceman and when he was very ill I wrote to him thanking him for his fantastic articles. He acknowledged my letter in the magazine. I think all us service guys had similar incidents to Les and that is what made his articles so interesting and amusing. Regards John.

13th Sep 2007, 7:54 am	#76
Dr-Watts Heptode Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 696	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story I think LLJ's tales were 'the only reason I bought Television mag' towards the bitter end. I got fed up with buying a monthly mag that seemed to be absolutley full af adverts. As previously mentioned, I could see a lot of his story in my shop and indeed my customers... Like Mr. Wendy, but thats another story I'd certainly buy the book if it was ever released Dr. Dave. __________________ Do you have the scope to be a TV repair man

13th Sep 2007, 9:25 pm	#78
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story I'm already on it!! Cheers, Steve P __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

27th Sep 2007, 12:40 pm	#80
Gordonjcp Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Glasgow Posts: 2	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story I haven't seen the Red Baron mentioned yet.