Ginger Geezer: The Life of Vivian Stanshall

by Chris Welch (Author), Lucian Randall (Author), Chris Welch (Author), Lucian Randall (Author)

• New

  Paperback
  2010

  $15.65

  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.

• Used

  Hardcover
  2001

  $11.86

  Vivian Stanshall started the Bonzo Dog Do-Dah Band in the early 1960s while at art school in London. Rehearsals were in the canteen and gigs held in pubs. The anarchic shows, with comedy, singing and 1920s dress took off, and after leaving college albums were made I'm the Urban Spaceman reached number 5 in 1968, and one track appeared in the Beatles' film Magical Mystery Tour. The group - major players were Neil Innes, Vivian, Rodney Slater and Roger Ruskin-Speare - appeared often on TV's Do Not Adjust Your Set , toured the US, and appeared at the Isle of Wight concert in 1969. But the following year the band broke up. What followed for Stanshall was not the successful solo career (that Neil Innes managed) but binges with Keith Moon and drinking and drug problems. Vivian continued to work: in film and radio, in adverts and albums; but two marriages failed, a houseboat sank, and Vivian died in a house fire in 1995. I'm whatever you like, just don't expect me to join in , Vivian Stanshall. This is his biography.