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.
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 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.
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.
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. TH-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.
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
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.
Agreed 100 percent, unlike Vivian, Neil was more subversive. He could achieve so much within the confines of mainstream music and achieve it brilliantly.
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
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........
''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 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!
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...
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.
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."
@@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.
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
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 TH-cam.
I remember watching these in the early seventies. Loved them for all my life. All my close friends felt the same. Rawlinson end always loved it. Plus all of the people I grew up with. Even today, the ones who are left.
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.
What a wonderful piece of work by the BBC, I take my hat off to them when they make programmes like this. Great contributions from Neil Innes, Stephen Fry & John Peel; three national treasures talking about another. Didn’t expect to see Jack Bruce, and was that Toyah Wilcox around 39:30?
I read your comment before I came to the incident with the policeman in the video. I thought "protection" had something to do with avoid getting pregnant. That's me !
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.
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.
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,
Well DONE to the beeb, ... this is blow-me-back-to-my-own-formative-years flying great.... my face is salty!!! the tears of mirth have done their job and soothed my weary, weary soul again ... sorry got carried away... yes my tears have been tripping me..., just wondering, will the kids of today look back and see their icons 50 years later and still want to bathe in the mirth of all those years ago?
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 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!
What is the piano music at 35:59? It sounds of Zappa ala Holiday in Berlin. They are talking of the Sir Henry at Rawlinson end saga, but I don’t recall it from the film. Lovely stuff. Perhaps it’s from the Rawlinson End LPs? Good luck finding them in the states.
Loughborough had it's folk festival, and that soon had Sally Oldfield talking to Mike Smith about her brother's work. From there, Mike's Tubular Bells was born, with Viv as Master of Ceremonies. Next up was Kraftwerk, and from there, William Onyeabor, and Fela Kuti.
Wonderful man but what a sad story. Manic depression is the worst blight on a person's life, you feel like there are two people living inside you. I share his love of old style seaside resorts, with their saucy seaside fun and their music hall variety entertainment (a lost world). obviously this had a big impact on Vivian and I loved the concept of his under the pier musical, I would so love to see that if someone could have vision to restage it.
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.
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.
Outstanding bunch of chaps. Other than Spaceman, my personal favourite has to be Death Cab for Cutie. Splendidly talented man. I have literally laughed, hysterically, through most of this. Viv; they only made the one. He made being ginger much less of a chore.
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.
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.
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.
Vivian and Neil were absolutely brillaint
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.
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. TH-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 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 🍻
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
Made the world a better place. RIP Viv.
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.
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!
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
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........
Loved Viv, and he finally escaped the beastliness of the city. Rest in happiness on Jollity Farm.
''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 TH-cam
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!
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.
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 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."
“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!
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
This is my 4th go round with this video...I never tire of it.
A brilliant documentary of a uniquely English eccentric - we will sadly not see his like again.❤❤❤
As a teen I had all their records. I love rock but I embraced the unique acts more.
After decades of listening to Sir Henry, I'm still finding new double entendres and triple entendres, it will live forever, as will the genius of Viv
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.
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
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 TH-cam.
"It's good to feel the old rod thrusting, and surging and quivering in the hands again" classic
I remember watching these in the early seventies. Loved them for all my life. All my close friends felt the same. Rawlinson end always loved it. Plus all of the people I grew up with. Even today, the ones who are left.
Flawed genius,much love and gratitude.
FASCINATING
I remember some of this
Incredible Vivian
One of a handful of times that I woke from a dream laughing, was when Vivian Stanshall appeared in it shouting, “I’m jollity farm!”
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
Very good. Most excellent. Learned a lot about one of my favourite bands of all time.
I just remembered the Bonzos from the 60s. Then recently I rewatched Do Not Adjust Your Set and found him fascinating. Wonderful man.
Vivian was one in a million and this documentary itself is a masterpiece
The Bonzos were way better than their fame indicates. So much talent and so hilarious.
@andrueeve1962.......'I'm the urban spaceman' - brilliant!
Ah ... wonderful docu! Many thanks for the upload.
spellbinding stuff chaps! Thanks for the brilliant blast from the past.
Thank you so much for getting this wonderful programme! I miss Viv!
Yes, the voice. Thank you.
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.
speaking as an aethiest, god bless Neil Innes
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.
I just may have to spin some of my old Bonzo vinyl now. Fun documentary. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for uploading this great documentary. Miss you Viv,you wonderful nutter R.I.P.
Totally barking, we need people like Viv now more than ever!
I saw them live at the Mecca in Sunderland. They kicked off with Blue Suede Shoes - in the 70's that was very radical. :)
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?
Love Viv still have tadpoles LP bought it 71 so long ago sigh!
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.
What a wonderful piece of work by the BBC, I take my hat off to them when they make programmes like this. Great contributions from Neil Innes, Stephen Fry & John Peel; three national treasures talking about another. Didn’t expect to see Jack Bruce, and was that Toyah Wilcox around 39:30?
Yes, Mrs. Fripp. I believe the whole interview is on TH-cam somewhere.
Wonderful. Just amazing.
Just want to say RIP Ki Longfellow, who died a month ago of the plague.
"here i'm trying with these long and skillful casts to.. ensnare a barrel of scrumpy" haha what a magical guy
Sir Henry at Rawlinson End - one of the funniest, most surreal movies from the '60's.
1980
True, my bad.
"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.
"What do you use for protection" ? Good manners. Love it!
I read your comment before I came to the incident with the policeman in the video.
I thought "protection" had something to do with avoid getting pregnant.
That's me !
Wow! Was that really 3 years ago!😲
I now love someone I didn't know.
What a wonderful find. I adored Viv's voice and voices.
I have heard this guy for years, and never seen his face!
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.
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
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,
so sad how it ended it loved the upload
He stayed for a weekend on our houseboat in Cambridge when appearing at the Cambridge Folk Festival.
Thanks so much for posting this. Viv made a huge impression on me growing up, continuing today.
One of a kind. And what a very good kind he was. Sadly missed but oft remembered.
Well DONE to the beeb, ... this is blow-me-back-to-my-own-formative-years flying great.... my face is salty!!! the tears of mirth have done their job and soothed my weary, weary soul again ... sorry got carried away... yes my tears have been tripping me..., just wondering, will the kids of today look back and see their icons 50 years later and still want to bathe in the mirth of all those years ago?
They were the masters of their craft, and they didn't even know it!
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
Brilliant!
Insane. Genius. Not my bag. But love and respect to him for personifying That Bag.
He hsd tbe most fantastic tone to hus voice.Bonzos were brilliant!
Viv was my favourite
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.
Quite simply a genius that no one could ever understand “madness is all in the Mind “ but genius is there for all to see....
Wonderful stuff!
Wow ... he is the IMAGE of his mum!
BDB; 1 of worlds best bands all time!
This chap is just a wonderful English eccentric.
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
thank you for this
He's delicately magical with a strong left foot. And definite proclivity for wind instruments
A true English icon, beautiful man.
They all were
loved the Bonzos!
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
@@blahblahoink Hell is round the corner.
Its good to feel the rod, thrusting and surging in my hands again.
What is the piano music at 35:59? It sounds of Zappa ala Holiday in Berlin. They are talking of the Sir Henry at Rawlinson end saga, but I don’t recall it from the film. Lovely stuff. Perhaps it’s from the Rawlinson End LPs? Good luck finding them in the states.
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!
Loughborough had it's folk festival, and that soon had Sally Oldfield talking to Mike Smith about her brother's work. From there, Mike's Tubular Bells was born, with Viv as Master of Ceremonies. Next up was Kraftwerk, and from there, William Onyeabor, and Fela Kuti.
Wonderful man but what a sad story. Manic depression is the worst blight on a person's life, you feel like there are two people living inside you. I share his love of old style seaside resorts, with their saucy seaside fun and their music hall variety entertainment (a lost world). obviously this had a big impact on Vivian and I loved the concept of his under the pier musical, I would so love to see that if someone could have vision to restage it.
So appreciate the man.
How would the BBC cope with this now, they couldn't they simply couldn't!
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.
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!
Pure genius, thanks.
The sweet essence of giraffe.
Outstanding bunch of chaps. Other than Spaceman, my personal favourite has to be Death Cab for Cutie.
Splendidly talented man. I have literally laughed, hysterically, through most of this. Viv; they only made the one. He made being ginger much less of a chore.