the silvester band always had a distinctive sound, achieved by an unusual line-up including, as well as the usual rhythm section, alto saxophone (initially charlie spinelli and later, for 26 years, edward owen "poggy" pogson, who had previously played in jack payne's and jack hylton's bands), a lead solo violin (for many years usually oscar grasso), and not one but two pianos, one taking turn in solos and the other maintaining an improvised tinkling continuo in the background throughout every piece, which silvester called his "lemonade". this piano sound is said to have been created for him by the pianist/ later bandleader and bbc radio star felix king.