Great post Alan.
I think on balance from what I knew about the man and the points raised in this thread. Makes me wonder that this whole Levine persona is just that. His persona, a determination to get to America early doors and sniff out fantastic new discoveries. The same personality that wanted the Mecca to be number one etc. Nothing in his attitude changed for his comeback and who would think that it would?
In short, perhaps it's fair to say that he wouldn't have been capable of doing what he did and contributing what he did to the scene had he not had this 'driven' personality.
As you so rightly say Alan, the scene through retro specs would not be nearly as rosey, had it not been for Ian Levine.