Bonzo Dog Band - Radio, TV, Films, etc.
Mmmm, that's NICE, Max!
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- Pathe Pictorial no. 673a - short colour cinema newsreel film made in 1967,
with the Bonzos performing Music from the Head Ballet and Jollity Farm.
- Show Time, produced by ATV, transmitted during 1967, featuring the Bonzos.
- 1967-1969 ITV: Do Not Adjust Your Set.
- '67-69 BBC Radio 1 sessions,
mostly for John Peel's Top Gear show.
- 1967 Magical Mystery Tour
featured the Bonzos performing Death Cab for Cutie
from Gorilla.
- 21 December 1968 BBC2 TV Colour Me Pop
40-minute Bonzos set - part of a series celebrating the
arrival of colour to British TV.
The series gave rise to The Old Grey Whistle Test
(this set was repeated on OGWT on 24 April 1974).
- 1968 TV (colour): Bonzos perform I'm The Urban Spaceman
Clip shown in BBC's The Rock'n'Roll Years: 1968
- 1968(?) German TV: Bonzos appear on Beat Club, performing
Spaceman and
Canyons of Your Mind - clips
shown on VH-1 (UK) in 1996/7.
- ?early 1970 BBC2: Frost On Sunday - late-night appearance by the Bonzos.
- Adventures of the Son of Exploding Sausage, produced by Nigel Lees,
written, edited and directed by David Korr, 1969.
Andrew F Wilson comments:
We see the Bonzos set up their equipment in a farm yard and then perform a rather heavy instrumental set.
Despite the rather limited production values the film is quite fascinating with a touch of light humour.
Well received by the audience both times I have seen it.
- Marty Amok, BBC TV, transmitted 30 March 1970.
Vivian Stanshall's biG Grunt performed one song.
- One Man's Week, BBC TV, transmitted 9 April 1975.
Andrew F Wilson comments:
A half-hour documentary about a week in Vivian Stanshall's life. We see him cycling around London, appearing
on the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme and shopping for 78s in a record shop. A delight.
- 1974 Final season of Monty Python
Contributed by Annie Sattler:
Neil wrote and performed the song When Does A Dream Begin?
to Gilliam's soon-to-be wife, Maggie Weston.
- 1974 Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Neil played Sir Robin's minstrel
- 1975 BBC2 Rutland Weekend Television
by Neil & Eric Idle (and featuring George Harrison), which lead on to
The Rutles
spoof of the Beatles, consisting of
The Rutles album and the film The Rutles,
a spoof of A Hard Day's Night.
RWT ran for two series and a Christmas special.
- Mid-70s BBC Radio 1
John Peel Show:
Radio Flashes.
Vivian performed Rawlinson End items,
which lead to the Sir Henry at Rawlinson End album.
- Old Grey Whistle Test, BBC2, 31 May 1977.
Neil Innes performed I Want A Catchphrase and Randy Raquel.
- 1977 Terry Gilliam's film Jabberwocky
Contributed by Annie Sattler:
Neil had a very small part as the court musician:
King Otto smashes a drum over his head - hard to forget!
Noticed by Bert van der Leije:
John Gorman appears as a guard.
- Late-70s BBC2 Innes Book of Records
Eighteen 30-minute shows of songs and comedy sketches by Neil,
with a follow-up album.
- 1980 Book Sir Henry at Rawlinson End
And Other Spots by Vivian Stanshall.
- 1980 Film Sir Henry At Rawlinson End
starring Trevor Howard as Sir Henry, Vivian as Hubert,
Denise Coffey as Mrs. E. and
Vernon Dudley Bohay-Nowell had a cameo role as Nigel Nice.
On video as Tartan Video TVT 034S (UK, 1993),
Island IVA 017 (earlier UK).
(Credits)
Availability: UK
- 1982 Opening night of Channel 4
Contributed by Dan Green:
On the very first day of Channel 4 back in October 1982,
there was a very hastily-prepared-looking show in the evening, and on stage was
Roger Ruskin-Spear with sax, during the finale. I can't think why. I doubt there
is any way in which this could be verified, but I'm sure I remember thinking
'cor blimey' etc at the time.
- 1987 Vivian's TV ad for Cadbury's Creme Eggs
(apparently Mr. Cadbury's Parrot, a variation on
Mr. Slater's Parrot)
and the comic opera Stinkfoot.
- 1989 Neil provided the music for the film Eric The Viking.
- 1991 Barbican Theatre
A group which included Vivian, Rodney and the poet Pete Brown.
Contributed by Giles Booth - extracts from a Rutles chat session on
Firefly:
The RUTLES: Some of us got together with Viv in 91, including Barry
Wom...Roger Spear, Rodney Slater, Ollie Halsall. It was for a live show.
- 1991 BBC2 Late Show autobiographical playlet
Crank by Vivian.
- Early 1990s: Neil's TV ads for Quality Street
Contributed by <Afroray@aol.com>:
"Magic Moments, when two hearts are share-hare-hare-ing!"
- 1992-93 (?) Neil's TV ads for Greene King IPA
- 1993 BBC2 Late Show special
The Early Years
by Vivian, talking about his childhood and
featuring Vivian, Rodney and others performing largely autobiographical items.
- 1993/4 Vivian's surreal TV ads for Ruddles Bitter
based on Rawlinson End
and featuring Mel Smith and Dawn French as Sir Henry
- 1994 Neil's TV ads for
Legal and General Assurance
- Late 1994: Vivian's BBC Radio 4 show Essex Teenager To Renaissance Man.
Contributed by Stuart Martin:
The story of Vivian's early years, featuring
appearances by mum, friends and a tour round his native
Southend. Quite a melancholic piece, and also practically his
own orbituary, given the fire in March. Features songs, whether
specially recorded I don't know.
- 1995 BBC2 Late Show obituary special
Diamond Geezer
John Peel reminisced about Vivian and introduced a repeat of
The Early Years.
- 1997 BBC Radio 2 Return To Jollity Farm documentary
Featured members of the Bonzos reminiscing.
Miscellaneous
- Record Collector, issue 100: Bonzos feature and discography
- Bonzo Dog Doo/Dah Band, by Alfred Hebing
- See also Credits
Footnotes
Contents |
History |
Tracks |
Discography |
Gallery |
Radio/TV/Films |
Links