Vivian Stanshall
Neil Innes champions his comic friend and fellow 1960s 'Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band' member. With Matthew Parris. From 2009.
Musician and performer Neil Innes chooses the life of his Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band colleague, and friend, Vivian Stanshall.
Neil tells Matthew Parris about the moment he met Vivian in London: he was wearing Billy Bunter trousers, a Victorian frock coat and horrible purple pince-nez glasses and carrying a euphonium.
So began a friendship and a musical partnership that exploded into life with The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, culminating in tours and TV series.
Vivian's second wife, Ki Longfellow, joins the discussion to help explore the man behind the colourful public persona.
Producer: Toby Field
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2009.
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Tue 22 Dec 2009 16:30BBC Radio 4- Christmas Day 2009 23:00BBC Radio 4
- Fri 8 Mar 2013 23:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Thu 14 Sep 2017 18:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 15 Sep 2017 00:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Thu 11 May 2023 21:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
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Great Lives
Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
