Cool story!
I wasn't so lucky with my Ricky. The previous owner, (professional in the 80s) had used the bass on TV, singles, and even a Peel session. With the bass being a commission sale, I asked the vendor to contact said bassist to get more of his own personal history with the instrument - maybe even it's life before him. I also wanted to show him the restoration if he was interested.
Answer came back, a big fat no. He said he was married and had a career, and that he wanted nothing to do with the bass ever again. Very sad.
In fact, the vendor did tell me that the guy didn't want to part with it, and that he felt that he in denial. Once it's gone and all that. I did try!