My best memory of Viv Stanshall, I was walking by the Wimpey in Oxford St London in the late 60s or early 70s, it was after 11pm, I had just left the Marquee club when I saw Viv sitting on the counter singing and conducting the customers, they all seem to be enjoying themselves.
Your grandpa was a true radical individualist and a talent who existed on a level few will reach. I am forever grateful he existed and left some wonderful gifts for us.
I was stunned by "Do not adjust your set" which on children's TV featured the Bonzos, Python, and many other comedy greats before they were famous. No wonder I turned out the way I did :-/
I was in the audience for a "Do Not Adjust Your set". Bonzo Dog were waiting to come on to do their bit, and Viv and I were the only two red heads in the studio. He shouted at me " Alright, Ginge?". I was so embarrassed I nearly died. Great memories of his talent and smooth, reassuring voice.
I think Stephen Fry is correct...Viv was always interesting and odd and himself. And the fact he "didn't fulfil his potential" or whatever people like to say...that just makes him even more interesting, frustrating and peculiar. Long may he remain an unfathomable mystery,
As a 12-year-old American kid, the Bonzo Dog Band offered playmates for my eccentricities. Even if I didn’t understand some of their references, Stanshall and Innes, etc. made me (and still make me) laugh, dance and survive my inner-angst.
@Illumi Notme I love your question. Rarely do I meet anyone remotely aware of The Bonzo Dog Band. I was introduced to them by my much older brother. Where he learned of them, I have no idea. I've always been a bit of an Anglophile. While my friends listened and played The Monkees, I was into the Bonzo Dog...Band. While they tuned into The Mod Squad, I watched The Galloping Gourmet. I listened to the Goon Show, and on Sunday mornings my siblings and I giggled at the Carry On movies. Terry Thomas and pre-Star Wars Alec Guinness held a special place in our hearts. I regret that in all my years, I have never made it to England. But then, when asked if she ever regretted never having played opposite Sir Lawrence Olivier, Katherine Hepburn retorted, "I'm not dead, yet!" Now, my kids love Neil Innes' videos and his collaborations with Eric Idol. I could go on and on. How did you become acquainted with The Bonzo Dog Band?
@@ddburrows988 I know you didn;t ask me, but I must confess -- my intro was because of 'Magical Mystery Tour' when I saw it on Betamax(!) in 1982. I later grew a long term friendship with an indie record shop owner. Used & knew -- any 'formats'. He always played what the other places didn;t -- ha ha. In 1999 he was playing a Bonzo CD collection and I knew who they were without being told! He let me borrow the CDs & then I got really hooked. At that time the internet was not what it is today -- ha ha -- and I was looking high & low for ANY TV, appearance videos & promos -- but there was next to nothing. UA-cam is great!
@@kiethblack3870 I was so alone, in America, not able to share my love for the Bonzo Dog Band that I never tire of hearing of others' devotion - let alone - having ever heard of them. But, then, I just visited Mt. Rushmore and no one there, under the age of 50, that I had spoken to, had ever heard of the movie North by Northwest, let alone Alfred Hitchcock. Absolutely, not okay!
@@ddburrows988 I'm from Texas, love the Bonzos, and don't think I've ever given a thought to Mt. Rushmore except as a gigantic prop in North by Northwest. Waste of a perfectly good mountain, IMO.
@@thomasbell7033 Agreed. Was disappointed at how disappointed I was there. Kind of in the same vein - I grew up watching the New Year's Day Rose Parade on television. I was invited to see it in person, the grandeur of the floats were too far away to impress, compared to the camera close-ups as seen on TV. The weather was cold, then hot, and the sun was in my eyes. Much prefer it on the telly. Although, now I prefer a bagel brunch after sleeping the morning away.
''A pale sun poked impudent marmelade fingers through the grizzled lattice glass and sent the shadows scurrying like convent girls menaced by a tramp...'. If Sir Henry at Rawlinson End was on John Peel it was like having your birthday and Christmas on the same day. For a few short minutes it was a trip to a hilariously different universe. Viv was a wordsmith to equal Shakespeare at times. Yes, a national treasure, no doubt about it.
You lucky son of a gun that must have been pretty cool. Im too young and I'm A Yank so the best I can do is look it up! Peel and stanshall what a pair... that was truly left of the dial radio
I'm just getting into the 2023 release. All these stunning turns of phrase zipping by. Bears multiple listenings and stuff will still get by you. And his voice. How is he not classically trained?
The timbre and rhythm of his voice simply takes you somewhere else, noisepuppet! Just a perfect way to while away a couple of hours with a strong red wine. Glorious. @@noisepuppet
Stanshall is/was also the emcee who announced each instrument on Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells. Great voice. Neil Innes was an absolute genius. Great artists, they are missed in this age of mediocrity.
True, I had no idea as a kid when My dad used to play TB all the time. I love that album. The sort of voice that, as a kid, I used to hope I'd have when I grew up lol.
yes...'tis sad isn't it... nobody coming up on, nor for that off, the rails to enlighten the bleakness of the universe ...sad but life lingers not for hangers on...
Dave Sanderson “C” “H “E” “E” “S” “E” “A” “N” “D” “O” “N” “I” “O” “N” Cher’s and Onion, metal machine, keep yourself clean. Also Innes was the minstrel in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. R.I.P.
This is not a mockumentary ala Spinal Tap?! This was a real band?!! Good grief, I sat thru 30 mins of this thinking they were taking the piss (as you Brits say)
Agreed 100 percent, unlike Vivian, Neil was more subversive. He could achieve so much within the confines of mainstream music and achieve it brilliantly.
Saw Viv at Edinburgh Festival early-1970s. He extemporised for an hour or so. Still fresh in the memory after 50 years. He was a genius. Hilarious and extremely clever
I saw Viv at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in the early '80s giving a live performance of Rawlinson End. The orchestra were laughed at. Viv turned to the microphone and announced "Stop laughing, you buggers. This is art. spelt ART. with a capital F."
I shared a late breakfast with this legend many years ago in Kentish Town. I can tell you he was very fond of a bacon roll and was good enough to share with me his trainspotting archive. What a lovely man.
Oh how glad am I to find this, btought a Bonzo lp to Canada with me and one of my step sons loved it and took to performing with his mates at school concerts, my youth filled with all those varied musical influences that are nowhere to be seen today, dreadful. Thank Viv and the Bonzos for all the crazyness.
And wasn't Victor the name of the one Billy hired to keep the Viv character alive? Victor was the one who died after Billy tried to get him to retire out of the Viv character because Billy needed to focus more on Linda with her cancer. Victor refused then died.
Never saw anything in the MSM that Neil had passed. and here he is introducing an obituary for Viv. Sadly missed. Right up there with Python and the goons.
I’ve got every Bonzo album , Vivian was a genius , I watched Bonzo in Bournemouth pav , Vivian was aswinging a plastic pipe around his head with a trumpet thing on the end
I met Viv, very briefly, just before he passed. It was the only time I felt I’d encountered a genius. There was something about the man that was too brilliant to describe.
He was a clever funny guy and as a kid growing up in the 1960's in New Zealand I thought he was weird & funny & different, that's why he was fantastic.
One of the fondest memories of my entire, long, life is seeing the Bonzos at 11.00am (approx) at Reading Jazz and Blues Festival (equally approx) in 1968 ( ! ) There wasn't much of a crowd (obv) but I laughed so much I really thought I was going to die. Never before or since........
I used to perform Canyons as part of set I did with a band from Omagh, Northern Ireland in 1969 Derick and the Sounds. Crazy days, I was a big fan of the Bonzos!
@@615al4 no mate, you need to shut the fuck up. Ive done the research. I got 40 years proving Paul being the same person. You believe in bullshit mythology and urban legends. Get a life
The Jacobite Prince7777 100% wrong. When the truly brainwashed are challenged to wake up they All become very combative and rude just as you , common low life
For some reason they let me into art academy at 17. There I discovered Bonzo Dog Band, became a Nazi nurse backup singer for the Maffers in Walls, MS at George Harrison’s Bait Shop, Pool Room and Furniture Store. Thank you Neil and Viv.
Rawlinson End is the most amazing story I’ve ever heard. Bought it soon after it came out and listen to it more regularly than any other album I own. A superb entertainer
There were a number of episodes of Sir Henry that I remember being broadcast on John Peel's show. Just as good as the album, not officially released but they're out there on UA-cam.
Top man and a legend to boot! (I wonder what he'd make of such a declaration...... Probably write a great little song out of it.) Loved bonzos, Viv especially. They made a bright decade a little more believable somehow.
I remember being shocked as a boy when I found out The Beatles were in "show business." I thought they just all lived together and made stuff up and laughed all day.
I remember that northern club tour. Saw them at the Towers in Warrington and got a lift to Leigh Casino where they were also playing. I cant remember how I got home that night.
The Sound of Music still makes me laugh! I would use it as a joke amongst all foreign interns in work; it would start with me just saying life wait for response and the then Life's like that etc etc and then sing Sound of Music! Just doing my bit to make Europeans think we are still nuts xD From Wikipedia "One of his strangest films, and one he took great delight in, was Vivian Stanshall's Sir Henry at Rawlinson End (1980), in which he played the title role." Speaking of great actor Trevor Howard of Brief Encounter fame.
I was at Goldsmiths College in the late 60s, just up the road from the Irish pub Neil talks about. Amazing memories of Viv and the Bonzos absolutely smashing it. Viv Stanshall was a one-off musical comedic genius. All hail the Ginger Geezer!
people, not afraid to be totally outrageously different. but it wouldn't have worked, without the genuine, musical talents of the group, the temperance seven are tame compared to these guys
Per this vid,, Vivian hung out with John Lennon & Paul McCartney and at. 20:00, Paul produced a song for Viv & Bonzo Band. Viv sang & performed in Magical Mystery Tour movie. I've seen photos comparing physical features betwn Paul and Vivian to show they may be the same person, and photos of Paul's son, James, looking like Vivian. Also, Mike Williams of Sage of Quay Radio, said "Memoir of Billy Shears" references that Vivian was one of few roles Billy portrayed, in addition to his biggest role as Paul McCartney. In viewing this video, I cannot fathom how Bill Shepherd/Billy Shears portrayed both Vivian and Paul during those years. It's already crazy to believe Billy is Paul/Faul, let alone Vivian Stanshall! I hope we learn the entire truth sometime in the future.
Mad, isn't it? I can vaguely understand idiots going off on one about big bad conspiracy theories, but how far down the rabbit hole of rubbish does one have to get before one starts to believe things like this?
My best memory of Viv Stanshall, I was walking by the Wimpey in Oxford St London in the late 60s or early 70s, it was after 11pm, I had just left the Marquee club when I saw Viv sitting on the counter singing and conducting the customers, they all seem to be enjoying themselves.
amazing to see a documentary about granddad
Dang your grandfather is a legend
Something to be really proud of Harry :)
I used to see him wandering about Muswell Hill Broadway in his dressing gown.
You’re so lucky to have Vivian stanshall as your granddad
Your grandpa was a true radical individualist and a talent who existed on a level few will reach. I am forever grateful he existed and left some wonderful gifts for us.
Ah ... wonderful docu! Many thanks for the upload.
He stayed for a weekend on our houseboat in Cambridge when appearing at the Cambridge Folk Festival.
I was stunned by "Do not adjust your set" which on children's TV featured the Bonzos, Python, and many other comedy greats before they were famous. No wonder I turned out the way I did :-/
Also co-wrote lyrics on Steve Winwood’s “Back in the High Life” album
Chris Goward also “Tubular Bells”.
@@Jay89169 The lyrics on Tubualr Bells. Strangely true. The narration too.
that's worth knowing..thank you
Gee the photo of his dad is a classic ,he looks like he stepped out of a wartime movie, the expression is just spiffing
I was in the audience for a "Do Not Adjust Your set". Bonzo Dog were waiting to come on to do their bit, and Viv and I were the only two red heads in the studio. He shouted at me " Alright, Ginge?". I was so embarrassed I nearly died. Great memories of his talent and smooth, reassuring voice.
I think Stephen Fry is correct...Viv was always interesting and odd and himself. And the fact he "didn't fulfil his potential" or whatever people like to say...that just makes him even more interesting, frustrating and peculiar. Long may he remain an unfathomable mystery,
As a 12-year-old American kid, the Bonzo Dog Band offered playmates for my eccentricities. Even if I didn’t understand some of their references, Stanshall and Innes, etc. made me (and still make me) laugh, dance and survive my inner-angst.
@Illumi Notme I love your question. Rarely do I meet anyone remotely aware of The Bonzo Dog Band. I was introduced to them by my much older brother. Where he learned of them, I have no idea. I've always been a bit of an Anglophile. While my friends listened and played The Monkees, I was into the Bonzo Dog...Band. While they tuned into The Mod Squad, I watched The Galloping Gourmet. I listened to the Goon Show, and on Sunday mornings my siblings and I giggled at the Carry On movies. Terry Thomas and pre-Star Wars Alec Guinness held a special place in our hearts. I regret that in all my years, I have never made it to England. But then, when asked if she ever regretted never having played opposite Sir Lawrence Olivier, Katherine Hepburn retorted, "I'm not dead, yet!" Now, my kids love Neil Innes' videos and his collaborations with Eric Idol. I could go on and on. How did you become acquainted with The Bonzo Dog Band?
@@ddburrows988 I know you didn;t ask me, but I must confess -- my intro was because of 'Magical Mystery Tour' when I saw it on Betamax(!) in 1982. I later grew a long term friendship with an indie record shop owner. Used & knew -- any 'formats'. He always played what the other places didn;t -- ha ha. In 1999 he was playing a Bonzo CD collection and I knew who they were without being told! He let me borrow the CDs & then I got really hooked. At that time the internet was not what it is today -- ha ha -- and I was looking high & low for ANY TV, appearance videos & promos -- but there was next to nothing. UA-cam is great!
@@kiethblack3870 I was so alone, in America, not able to share my love for the Bonzo Dog Band that I never tire of hearing of others' devotion - let alone - having ever heard of them.
But, then, I just visited Mt. Rushmore and no one there, under the age of 50, that I had spoken to, had ever heard of the movie North by Northwest, let alone Alfred Hitchcock. Absolutely, not okay!
@@ddburrows988 I'm from Texas, love the Bonzos, and don't think I've ever given a thought to Mt. Rushmore except as a gigantic prop in North by Northwest. Waste of a perfectly good mountain, IMO.
@@thomasbell7033 Agreed. Was disappointed at how disappointed I was there. Kind of in the same vein - I grew up watching the New Year's Day Rose Parade on television. I was invited to see it in person, the grandeur of the floats were too far away to impress, compared to the camera close-ups as seen on TV. The weather was cold, then hot, and the sun was in my eyes. Much prefer it on the telly. Although, now I prefer a bagel brunch after sleeping the morning away.
''A pale sun poked impudent marmelade fingers through the grizzled lattice glass and sent the shadows scurrying like convent girls menaced by a tramp...'. If Sir Henry at Rawlinson End was on John Peel it was like having your birthday and Christmas on the same day. For a few short minutes it was a trip to a hilariously different universe. Viv was a wordsmith to equal Shakespeare at times. Yes, a national treasure, no doubt about it.
eekamoose I remember that Vividly. Great stuff.
Brilliant quote
You lucky son of a gun that must have been pretty cool. Im too young and I'm A Yank so the best I can do is look it up! Peel and stanshall what a pair... that was truly left of the dial radio
I laughed until I cried when I first heard Rawlinson End. Even now, the thought of it brings a smile to my face.
@@andrewpeacock4695 The film is on UA-cam
Sir Henry At Rawlinson End is still the funniest record I've ever heard. A true English eccentric and genius.
How about the movie?
The face-jumping competition! "He's got no chance, silly bugger's wearing spiked running shoes" 🙂
I'm just getting into the 2023 release. All these stunning turns of phrase zipping by. Bears multiple listenings and stuff will still get by you. And his voice. How is he not classically trained?
The timbre and rhythm of his voice simply takes you somewhere else, noisepuppet! Just a perfect way to while away a couple of hours with a strong red wine. Glorious. @@noisepuppet
Stanshall is/was also the emcee who announced each instrument on Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells. Great voice. Neil Innes was an absolute genius. Great artists, they are missed in this age of mediocrity.
True, I had no idea as a kid when My dad used to play TB all the time. I love that album. The sort of voice that, as a kid, I used to hope I'd have when I grew up lol.
Practicing for "The Intro & the Outro"
yes...'tis sad isn't it... nobody coming up on, nor for that off, the rails to enlighten the bleakness of the universe ...sad but life lingers not for hangers on...
the late great Alan Rickman did this same job on TB2.
He didn't get paid to do it! No one had any idea how huge it would be - he just did it as a favour.
A great British eccentric. We have lots of them. Neil Innes too, lovely man. Sad loss.
Terry jones
Had them. No outlet now in this PC virtue signalling dictated world
He should have been Prime Minister 🍻
Gosh. Only watched this yesterday & now heard that Neil Innes died on that day - 29.12.2019. RIP to a musical talent. Remember the Rutles.
Wow, sorry to hear that. A great musical artist. RIP.
Two remarkable talents. Let them not be forgotten.
Terry jones just gone...
The Rutles? Who could forget the lovely 'With A Girl Like You', 'Hold My Hand' and so many others that changed music forever.
Dave Sanderson
“C” “H “E” “E” “S” “E” “A” “N” “D” “O” “N” “I” “O” “N” Cher’s and Onion, metal machine, keep yourself clean.
Also Innes was the minstrel in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. R.I.P.
Steven fry 's opinions are really worthless and quite unimportant.
This is not a mockumentary ala Spinal Tap?! This was a real band?!!
Good grief, I sat thru 30 mins of this thinking they were taking the piss (as you Brits say)
Nope, the real deal. And sadly missed.
Yes, very real and very British !
That made me laugh, yes, I get that. But they were a sort of musical monty python band, I had all the albums
😂
Vivian and Neil were absolutely brillaint
There needs to be a Celebration of Neil Innes! I adore him!
Highly under-rated! Just look at his massive contribution to the Rutles send-up : All You Need is Cash.
Neil will always be Nasty to be .
Agreed 100 percent, unlike Vivian, Neil was more subversive. He could achieve so much within the confines of mainstream music and achieve it brilliantly.
He was the driving force of the music. Clever man. Still enjoy his rebel song.
Sadly under rated was Neil. Very sadly missed. Saw him a few times at The Brook, Southampton. A genius!
Saw Viv at Edinburgh Festival early-1970s. He extemporised for an hour or so. Still fresh in the memory after 50 years. He was a genius. Hilarious and extremely clever
As a teen I had all their records. I love rock but I embraced the unique acts more.
I saw Viv at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in the early '80s giving a live performance of Rawlinson End. The orchestra were laughed at. Viv turned to the microphone and announced "Stop laughing, you buggers. This is art. spelt ART. with a capital F."
I shared a late breakfast with this legend many years ago in Kentish Town. I can tell you he was very fond of a bacon roll and was good enough to share with me his trainspotting archive. What a lovely man.
Loved Viv, and he finally escaped the beastliness of the city. Rest in happiness on Jollity Farm.
“Crunch, pleasure and surprise...”
This is my introduction to VS.
Captain Beefheart meets Monty Python.
The brilliance is hard to miss.
RIP Viv.
I agree totally! So brilliant! Love the Bonzo's songs! Just so unique!
Before Punk , before Andy Kaufman . Pioneers .
Yet today s the first time I have given him a chance and i love the guy, he's exactly what i thought he wasn't turns out he was a true rebel
Yes..
After the Goons and Spike’s Q series.
Oh how glad am I to find this, btought a Bonzo lp to Canada with me and one of my step sons loved it and took to performing with his mates at school concerts, my youth filled with all those varied musical influences that are nowhere to be seen today, dreadful. Thank Viv and the Bonzos for all the crazyness.
The Bonzos were way better than their fame indicates. So much talent and so hilarious.
@andrueeve1962.......'I'm the urban spaceman' - brilliant!
Only just discovered his was the spoken voice on The Damned's "Lovely Money". Sorry for my ignorance as BDDDB were before my time but what a voice.
Made the world a better place. RIP Viv.
Billy was the original viv before he replaced Paul McCartney. The other Vivian died 1995
And wasn't Victor the name of the one Billy hired to keep the Viv character alive? Victor was the one who died after Billy tried to get him to retire out of the Viv character because Billy needed to focus more on Linda with her cancer. Victor refused then died.
Never saw anything in the MSM that Neil had passed. and here he is introducing an obituary for Viv. Sadly missed. Right up there with Python and the goons.
At one time Neil was spoken of as the 6th Python!
Just want to say RIP Ki Longfellow, who died a month ago of the plague.
I’ve got every Bonzo album , Vivian was a genius , I watched Bonzo in Bournemouth pav , Vivian was aswinging a plastic pipe around his head with a trumpet thing on the end
Most people I know in the states just didn't get it ...SAD. I FORCED THOSE BASTARDS TO LISTEN !
Its just so enjoyable ...compared to what people do now-a-days
What? No mention of his iconic vocal introduction of all the instruments in Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells'??? Shame.
A brilliant documentary of a uniquely English eccentric - we will sadly not see his like again.❤❤❤
speaking as an aethiest, god bless Neil Innes
I met Viv, very briefly, just before he passed. It was the only time I felt I’d encountered a genius. There was something about the man that was too brilliant to describe.
One day you will learn you met Paul McCartney aka Billy Shears aka William Shepherd aka Billy Pepper
Do try.
You also met the fake Paul McCartney too.
@@maratonlegendelenemirei3352 apparently faul was one of the Vivian's there were two, but I'm not sure who was the real Vivian of the two!
how did you know , it was vivian ?
I saw him in Nottingham as support for Procol Harum in I think 1976, he recited jokes in latin. Wonderful talent.
Wow great double bill there
The sweet essence of giraffe.
"It's good to feel the old rod thrusting, and surging and quivering in the hands again" classic
He was a clever funny guy and as a kid growing up in the 1960's in New Zealand I thought he was weird & funny & different, that's why he was fantastic.
Absolutely wonderful, am working at Worcester Shrub Hill Station, I miss him (and the rest of the bonzos) as well. Rutles for ever. West brom Pete
Living in britain he was a bit strange
@@davehoward22 Eccentric, actually.
@@someguy2135certainly was
One of the fondest memories of my entire, long, life is seeing the Bonzos at 11.00am (approx) at Reading Jazz and Blues Festival (equally approx) in 1968 ( ! )
There wasn't much of a crowd (obv) but I laughed so much I really thought I was going to die.
Never before or since........
Saw them at a college gig in Coventry (I guess about 50 years ago). Just about laughed my c**k off. They were funny, brilliant, surreal.
@TheFnorg Different days. Different times. Where's all the talent gone?
How the hell did he become Paul Mcartney ? What’s frightening is how good these lot are at lying !
Viv was 6' 2". Paul certainly is naught.
Rob : "And I said, 'I love this Viv Stanshall; I don't like the other one,' and he said 'Neither do I, Rob.' " :-(
If I could own just one piece of rock memorabilia it would that papier-mache mask Viv wears in Canyons: "oh, oh, oh, ha, how, how it hurts!".
I used to perform Canyons as part of set I did with a band from Omagh, Northern Ireland in 1969 Derick and the Sounds. Crazy days, I was a big fan of the Bonzos!
Looks spookily like Tricky
"here i'm trying with these long and skillful casts to.. ensnare a barrel of scrumpy" haha what a magical guy
Absolute legend. They don't make them like Viv anymore.
They never did - he was a custom order, a one off.
He's still alive and well
I hadn't heard of this man until 2018 but I now love him and respect him as a British icon
The Jacobite Prince7777 , do the research mate, seriously, one of the William Campbell a.k a. Current Paul McCartney.
Characters
@@615al4 no mate, you need to shut the fuck up. Ive done the research. I got 40 years proving Paul being the same person. You believe in bullshit mythology and urban legends. Get a life
Yeah because it's Paul, not fucking Faul
The Jacobite Prince7777 100% wrong. When the truly brainwashed are challenged to wake up they All become very combative and rude just as you , common low life
My friend had a bird that would bang around its cage when we played "Mr Slater's Parrot".
HELLLLLLLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
plus tubular bells
I saw them live at the Mecca in Sunderland. They kicked off with Blue Suede Shoes - in the 70's that was very radical. :)
Why does this need Stephen fucking Fry?
I needed this, and am grateful for the upload!
can't stand Stephen Fry
For some reason they let me into art academy at 17. There I discovered Bonzo Dog Band, became a Nazi nurse backup singer for the Maffers in Walls, MS at George Harrison’s Bait Shop, Pool Room and Furniture Store. Thank you Neil and Viv.
Funny how both Neil Innes and Rodney slater in the first five mins both change past tense to present, “ He was...IS...” when talking about Viv
Yes. Very telling.
Only a few will understand that the original character IS a musical and performance genius.
@@theonlycindarelly absolutely!
Future potential ? Wasted life ? Nonsense. People always want more. The man was a genius and that's quite enough.
Sir Henry at Rawlinson End - one of the funniest, most surreal movies from the '60's.
1980
True, my bad.
Rawlinson End is the most amazing story I’ve ever heard. Bought it soon after it came out and listen to it more regularly than any other album I own. A superb entertainer
Fascinating Doc, I enjoyed a the band The Alberto’s in the U.K.
There were a number of episodes of Sir Henry that I remember being broadcast on John Peel's show. Just as good as the album, not officially released but they're out there on UA-cam.
I now love someone I didn't know.
Perversely Odd, and yet somehow, a perfect fit in this World of Strangely Perverse Oddities.. No explanation required.. Lary
Please Check your Sanity at the Door... Lary
Very good. Most excellent. Learned a lot about one of my favourite bands of all time.
Flawed genius,much love and gratitude.
This chap is just a wonderful English eccentric.
How would the BBC cope with this now, they couldn't they simply couldn't!
Top man and a legend to boot! (I wonder what he'd make of such a declaration...... Probably write a great little song out of it.) Loved bonzos, Viv especially. They made a bright decade a little more believable somehow.
Okla-heimi
...at the Synago-go
Shalom x
Stanshall & Innes were the real thing, Lennon/McCartney the tribute act.
I remember being shocked as a boy when I found out The Beatles were in "show business." I thought they just all lived together and made stuff up and laughed all day.
I remember that northern club tour. Saw them at the Towers in Warrington and got a lift to Leigh Casino where they were also playing. I cant remember how I got home that night.
I don’t think I can look at any woman now without thinking “What would the mountains on her chest look like in a string vest!”
As long as they don't smell ike giraffe !!!
Wow ... he is the IMAGE of his mum!
I just remembered the Bonzos from the 60s. Then recently I rewatched Do Not Adjust Your Set and found him fascinating. Wonderful man.
I just may have to spin some of my old Bonzo vinyl now. Fun documentary. Thanks for sharing it.
BDB; 1 of worlds best bands all time!
So surreal .very English
Almost insanity
What do you mean? English? Almost?
In many cases it seems brilliance and uniqueness comes with a heavy mental burden.
the holy trinity of breaking new ground = brilliance/uniqueness/insanity (or vice versa)
@MichaelKingsfordGray ........lay off the drugs lad and eventually you'll find you're not as superior to others as you think you are.
@@rael1999 When I first read it, I thought your name was a take off from The Lamb album
@@rael1999 easy to say
spellbinding stuff chaps! Thanks for the brilliant blast from the past.
Love Viv still have tadpoles LP bought it 71 so long ago sigh!
Viv (Ginger Geezer) Standstill - we love you - purely platonic, of course.
Wow, a documentary on 'im! UA-cam is great. I stopped my Cable TV looooong ago. UA-cam is waaay better.
"If had all the money I've spent on drink ... I'd spend it on drink!"
Its good to feel the rod, thrusting and surging in my hands again.
The Sound of Music still makes me laugh! I would use it as a joke amongst all foreign interns in work; it would start with me just saying life wait for response and the then Life's like that etc etc and then sing Sound of Music! Just doing my bit to make Europeans think we are still nuts xD
From Wikipedia "One of his strangest films, and one he took great delight in, was Vivian Stanshall's Sir Henry at Rawlinson End (1980), in which he played the title role." Speaking of great actor Trevor Howard of Brief Encounter fame.
Art colleges then produced so much musical talent. Sadly no more.
I was at Goldsmiths College in the late 60s, just up the road from the Irish pub Neil talks about. Amazing memories of Viv and the Bonzos absolutely smashing it. Viv Stanshall was a one-off musical comedic genius. All hail the Ginger Geezer!
Insane. Genius. Not my bag. But love and respect to him for personifying That Bag.
loved the Bonzos!
A true English icon, beautiful man.
They all were
"It's good to feel the old rod thrusting and surging and quivering between the hands again." tears interrupted by tears interrupted by tears again.
Those Stinkfoot performers are pretty good despite the bizarro musical they're in
Bromodrosis?
"The wonderful Jewish musical Oklaheimey"
@@olddoggeleventy2718 *The settling of the West Bank by Jewish cowboys. Now that I would like to see!
RIP:Olde Ginger Geezer Stanshall!
people, not afraid to be totally outrageously different. but it wouldn't have worked, without the genuine, musical talents of the group, the temperance seven are tame compared to these guys
Terry keeps his clips on........as we all should 😉
Per this vid,, Vivian hung out with John Lennon & Paul McCartney and at. 20:00, Paul produced a song for Viv & Bonzo Band. Viv sang & performed in Magical Mystery Tour movie. I've seen photos comparing physical features betwn Paul and Vivian to show they may be the same person, and photos of Paul's son, James, looking like Vivian. Also, Mike Williams of Sage of Quay Radio, said "Memoir of Billy Shears" references that Vivian was one of few roles Billy portrayed, in addition to his biggest role as Paul McCartney. In viewing this video, I cannot fathom how Bill Shepherd/Billy Shears portrayed both Vivian and Paul during those years. It's already crazy to believe Billy is Paul/Faul, let alone Vivian Stanshall! I hope we learn the entire truth sometime in the future.
Stanshall's beard replaced Mike Love's beard in 1972. Nobody talks bout that.
@@ronshuman7656 you know something? Please share?
Mad, isn't it? I can vaguely understand idiots going off on one about big bad conspiracy theories, but how far down the rabbit hole of rubbish does one have to get before one starts to believe things like this?
James looks the spit of "Vivian".)
@@chriscameron9321 Vivian didn't remotely look like a sausage faced loser.
Thanks for uploading this great documentary. Miss you Viv,you wonderful nutter R.I.P.