The former Leonard Hirons was an ex-window cleaner and scaffolder from Bournemouth. He released eleven UK and several continental singles between 1962 and 1966, as Rey Anton, backed by the Batons, then the Peppermint Men and finally Pro Form. (The latter name is also listed by various sources as 'Proform'', 'Pro Forma' and 'Proformula'!) Rey wrote Nothing Comes Easy, which was published by the Big L-associated Pall Mall Music. A second Anton/Pall Mall collaboration Premeditation was released in November '65 by 'Rey Anton and Pro Forma'.

We asked Len if he could fill in some of the missing information about the Peppermint Men. He not only did that, (see letter, right) but kindly sent two photos of himself with the band. Len tells us that the Peppermint Men were Ted Dry (lead), Martin Dry (bass), Chubby (rhythm) and Malcolm (drums). (He could not recall Chubby and Malcolm's surnames.)

The correct title of the later Rey Anton backing group was Pro Form, and was a collective name for various musicians who were available for recording and gigs when required. It may well have been two different sets of musicians who appeared in the two films backing Rey.

In July of 66. Rey accidentally got solo listing in the Fab Forties for three weeks.

Len has worked with The Mulberries r & b band, as support for Status Quo and has also performed with them at a charity concert, with Dire Straits' keyboard player, Guy Fletcher. Len says:
"I do hope this information is helpful to you. I was amazed at the amount of information you already had on myself and the Peppermint Men. After over forty years, I am still enjoying making music."

Rey Anton on myspace: myspace.com/reyantonandthebigbandsounds