The first time I speak to Ralph Steadman, he interrupts me at hello. “You’re Gary Evans, right?” he says. “Evans, Evans, Evans and Evans: they’re a company of some sort. I call them up.” He broadens his slight Welsh accent: “‘Could I speak to Mr Evans?’ ‘He’s in a meeting.’ ‘Perhaps I could speak to Mr Evans?’ ‘I’m afraid he’s on holiday.’ ‘Oh. Maybe I could speak to Mr Evans?’ ‘Unfortunately, he’s not been too well.’ ‘I see. Can I speak to Mr Evans then? ‘Speak-ing!’” He laughs, thoroughly, and I never regain control of the conversation.
Ralph’s stories meander through topics including, but not limited to, aircraft engineering, a pig farm, the Kentucky Derby, yacht racing, boxing matches, and marathon running, Scientology, extinct and endangered animals, Leonardo da Vinci,…
