rogcal
An example of 2+2 = 5.
Two unrelated observations gave you a false impression.
Gary often accompanied the 'Harvard Formation Team' in the 1980s but didn't fly the full display because he didn't have enough formation experience. (I can't now remember if that changed later.) My impression was that the relationship was mutually advantageous: He gained experience by being with other Harvard owner/pilots and the team got more publicity (and possibly more airshow bookings?) because of his name and his 'Zero' Harvard.
Those of us involved in the display world at that time were sceptical about Gary when he first arrived (pop star who'd bought a warbird etc) but he was never shunned, very quickly proved himself to be a dedicated enthusiast who took his flying seriously and was fully accepted as 'one of us.'
He was taught to fly a Harvard by the hugely respected and popular former Test Pilot and display pilot Dizzy Addicot (
http://www.pprune.org/aviation-histo...icott-rip.html ) and they became good friends.
Despite his fame in the pop music world at that time, Gary was very unassuming in the air display world - a thoroughly nice guy and enjoyable company.
I even bought one of his CDs just to find out what he did - I didn't play it much because (as he correctly predicted) it wasn't my kind of music.
Tudor