The world trade in Banjos has not improved for the seventieth year in a row.
The stringed instrument, most famous for it's turn in 'Deliverence' and the Banjolele used by George Formby has had a serious image problem for years.
'The problem for the banjo is the same as for the Accordion........ It does not have the same attractions as a Guitar or a Saxophone, or even a Piano. Nobody ever looks good playing a Banjo' said Banjo fan and player Leonard '5 Strings' Bailey, 76. Bailey owns a large collection of the simple 5 string instruments, but has been single for 30 years.
'Maybe if I had followed Jimi's advice in 1966, things would have been different' said Bailey, clutching an old guitar that was once played by a certain Mr Hendrix.
'Of course' continues Baiey wistfully 'a jam that I did with Jimi, just an electric guitar, my old Banjo, and a comb and paper became 'Crosstown Traffic. It is true, but people only say that I am a wittering old man'.
Leonard Bailey's Banjo Museum is open from 9am until 9pm every second Tuesday in the month.
