Not only is Ernest Pike - otherwise known as Herbert Payne - one of my favourite singers, he also appears to be one of the top Google searches people use to get here.

And how did I get started as a Pike afficionado?  Probably when I was about nine, when I was collecting 78 records.  I discovered his version (recorded as Herbert Payne) of “Who’s Sorry Now”, which I still regard as my favourite.

So for anyone who’s interested in this esoteric artist - who started on Edison-Bell wax cylinders, and recorded for Regal Zonophone, Ariel Grand and other labels - here’s a few bits and pieces I’ve managed to find out from various sources…