
Ginger Geezer
The Life of Vivian Stanshall
Fourth Estate Ltd (Publisher)
Published on 7. October 2002
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-1-84115-679-8 (ISBN)
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
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
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
(2 x 8pp b/w plate sections), Index
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
461 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84115-679-8 (9781841156798)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
06/2010
Fourth Estate Ltd
€8.49
Available for download
Persons
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.