Book description
The extraordinary story of Vivian Stanshall, lead singer of the Bonzo
Dog Doo-Dah Band, true British eccentric.
Charismatic and flamboyant, Vivian Stanshall was a natural frontman for
The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. The eccentric group who satirised trad jazz,
pop and rock, reached Number five with 'I'm The Urban Spaceman' in 1968.
A punishing schedule of tours and television followed, including work
with the future Monty Python team. The following year, broke and burned
out, the Bonzos split up, leaving behind a loyal cult following.
Vivian launched into myriad solo projects in music, film and theatre,
giving himself several nervous breakdowns in the process. His comic
masterpiece, 'Sir Henry at Rawlinson End', was heard in radio, on an
album, and then hit the big screen. Vivian wrote the musical
'Stinkfoot', was narrator on 'Tubular Bells' and provided lyrics for
Steve Winwood. In person, he was just as multi-faceted, by turns the
erudite artist and the truculent Teddy Boy, breathtakingly rude. A
powerful figure, tall, red-haired and never less than extravagant in his
fashion, Vivian Stanshall was a hell-raiser of legendary reputation -
ably assisted through much of the 1970s by Who drummer Keith Moon.
Vivian drove the many who loved him to the limit, struggling with
terrible tranquilliser and alcohol dependency. He died at home in a
house fire in 1995. The story of his turbulent life is utterly
compelling. On Vivian Stanshall:
'A unique and inspired comic genius.' Stephen Fry
'The one great comic talent British pop music has produced.' Observer
'I'm whatever you like, just don't expect me to join in.' Vivian
Stanshall Chris Welch, former Melody Maker critic and ex-editor of
Metal Hammer and Rock World, has written books on Jimi Hendrix, Tina
Turner, Led Zeppelin, Yes, Peter Gabriel and David Bowie. He contributes
to Mojo, Record Collector,Rhythm and the Independent and plays drums in
his spare time. Lucian Randall is a music writer and researcher who
lives in London.
