Blastermind [CD]

Blaster Bates, demolition expert, stunt man and raconteur was born in 1923 in Cheshire. A strapping lad of 6 foot 4, he bore a striking resemblance to John Wayne, with a Cheshire accent. He flew Halifax bombers in the Second World War, taking an opportunity with the RAF to specialise in bomb disposal after the war. This stimulated an interest in explosives that led to a 40 year career demolishing much of the outdated industrial sites in the North East of England and earned him the nickname "Blaster". He was personally responsible for changing the local landscape by demolishing over 500 tall chimney-stacks, 53 in St. Helens alone. As befits such a character, his hobbies were shooting, fishing and motorcycle stunt riding including stints on the "wall of death".