EV 978: Record by Loda

[DocHH]

Hello Everyone,
Well Loda cerainly didn't cause any grief this week. I had absolutely no knowledge of the "record" concerned. However the performer, who I had heard of, appeared quite quickly, and certainly a long time before the grid was fully populated.
I am sure AndrewG-S and Kayakamina were well aware of the "record", and think it is a shame it can't happen more frequently!
Time for a cold beer, a Leffe Blonde on the sunny patio!

[AndrewG-S]

You are right DocHH, I got the theme ridiculously early with no need to look anything up. I don't expect this record to fall in my lifetime. Thoroughly enjoyed watching the other answers fall into place and the overall concept. Many thanks Loda - very appropriate!

[ringer]

Well it's the first time in months that I have started EV on the day it was published :-) Unfortunately brain seems to have completely seized up - I've populated the grid, identified a common theme to the across clues, found the superfluous words in the down clues - and then came to a grinding halt. I appear to have a nonsensical jumble of letters. Ah well, guess it's back to dot-to-dot puzzles and the like! Enjoy the sun, DocHH - warm but cloudy here.

[haggis58]

Have completed the grid bar 12ac. Any help out there?

[ringer]

Hi again. Haggis58, look for a two letter word replacing "as" followed by "empty luggage". The original word means to pull.
Any clues as to the performer?

[ringer]

Well that had stumped me for a while. A bell has rung and all now sorted.

[haggis58]

Thanks Ringer - never found it in Chambers until now. Glad you've sorted out now and thanks again for bailing me out!

[kayakamina]

Hi DocHH. I well remember the record and, as Andrew says, I too don't believe it will ever be broken.
I didn't immediately notice the significance of the number of across clues as I concentrated on the easier down clues.

Very enjoyable - thanks Loda.

[DocHH]

Hello everyone,
Pleased to see that Ringer and Haggis have punned their way to a result! Well, AndrewG-S and Kayakamina, I assume you are both delighted with today's result.
It's been really sunny here today again, the beach was crowded with people catching the rays!

[AndrewG-S]

Had the perfect day off, played tennis with my son and then sat under a tree in the garden listening to test match special - it does not get any better!

[ringer]

Lol I've just realised how much time I must spend on Facebook when I tried to "like" the last two comments!! Sign of the times.

[devadolly]

Now I have filled almost all the grid (apart from a couple in the SE corner which are refusing to surface), I have a certain letter showing prominence from the across clues and a series of gobble-de-*** letters from the down clues, obviously I am choosing the wrong words to destroy, but none of it makes any sense......I'm obviously turning into one of my vegetables so any sort of hint about the theme would be gratefully received.

[kayakamina]

DD you are well on the way to victory.

If you take the total number of across clues, and the single letter (or what it usually denotes) a google search should reveal the record.
The performer of the feat can be found in the completed grid.

K

[Christiana]

Hi everyone. Started late this week (guests) and quickly finished, and found the performer without difficulty. I know what the record is and have googled said performer but can't make any sense, like devadolly, to my two letter down combinations.
Basically devadolly, don't worry about the down combinations. Peer at your grid and a name should leap out at you quite prominently, even if you haven't quite finished.

[Christiana]

Hi K. You weren't there when I posted. I see what you mean and it now all makes sense - thanks.

[ringer]

DD & Christiana, I suggest you look at the 2nd and 4th letters of the down unwanteds separately.

[Christiana]

Hi Ringer - thanks but if you look at my post just before yours you will see that K's comment had already led me to that.

[devadolly]

Thank you all for the hints, I have got the 'gist' and the name at last but I am still adrift on 30a unless my 24d & 27d are incorrect, which considering all their connecting letters I don't think are.

[kayakamina]

DD

30a Remove the theme letter and enter the initial letters of the four words in the clue. The complete word is usually preceded by 'over'.

[novalis]

After a "one" day meeting which became four I managed to have a look at this earlier. Agree with the comments made and I remember the event being celebrated here. The person to be highlighted came out with a superb "Colemanball" when he said in commentary that a batsman was out halfway through a great innings.

[devadolly]

Thank you K but still not comprehending, should I have an E and an N in 30a? I just cannot come up with a word at all. It will have to go over my shoulder soon as have to go and find somewhere interesting for a party next year!