Basil was one of the great characters of the showband era - love him or hate him, he was entertaining (even when away from his beloved steel guitar!).  
One story he often told when rambling on about his various  experiences, was that he created the whiplash on the "Legend Of Xanadu" hit single for Dave Dee, Dozy, etc... in 1967.  Strangely, he does not mention it in his (long) discography on his website...he must have forgotten that he was involved in a Number 1 UK hit single!
He also set up the first ever Irish cassette manufacturing plant in Kells, subsequently bought over by Robert mcGrattan and Carlton Productions who manufactured many a vinyl disc for the showbands. (Carlton was subsequently taken over by Trend Studios after Trend ceased recording bands in 1979.)
He's now back in the UK playing with a steel band, apparently.
He has his own site (with very dodgy links - you need to edit them in the address bar) -
http://www.waikiki-islanders.com/html/basil_bio.htm