by december 1967, bassist vernon dudley bohay-nowell and drummer sam spoons had been summarily fired from the band. vernon had spent much of the year ill and had missed numerous recording sessions as a result, while sam spoons' musical ability in the studio had now been judged unsatisfactory according to stanshall's increasingly perfectionist criteria. for all that, however, it was "legs" larry smith who now moved to occupy the drum stool, despite his limited playing experience. meanwhile, session player dave clague, who had deputised for vernon on various "gorilla" recording sessions, was hired as replacement bassist.