the 1968–69 period is also known for its personnel changes within the band. over a single 12-month period, the bass slot vacated by vernon dudley bowhay-nowell was filled by dave clague and then joel druckman [an american whose monotone drawl can be heard to humorous effect throughout the "doughnut" album], before the band recruited the more temperamentally-suitable and amenable dennis cowan early in 1969—just in time for the recording sessions for their next album. clague was surprised at his dismissal and to find that he was only considered a 'hired' musician whilst he was playing with them, despite appearing on every episode of the first series of do not adjust your set.