This little Viv Stanshall documentary is a must see for any Bonzo’s fans out there. The documentary discusses his life and work in his musical career, most famously known for his lead role in The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah band. It interviews some of the people who knew him best and worked closely with the entertainer.
Viv Stanshall – Canyons of his Mind
Who is Viv Stanshall?
Born Victor Anthony Stanshall on 21st of March, 1943, Viv Stanshall became a legendary singer, Song writer, Musician, Poet, Clown and general entertainer. He was most famously known for his leading role in The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and for and for acting as Master of Ceremonies on the Tubular Bells album by Mike Oldfield.
Viv was born in Shillingford, Oxfordshire and spent his early years mainly with his mother as his father was in the RAF and away to the war. This may perhaps contribute to why he could never seem to relate to his father who had that stern, Military demeanour and expectation. His father hated the fact that he wanted to be a Musical artist or poet. He wanted him to follow a more traditionally masculine path.
Musical career
However, despite his fathers ambitions for him, Viv went on to Study at Walthamstow College of Art. It was here that he became friends with Ian Dury and Peter Greenaway. It was around this time when he started working with Rodney Slater, Roger Ruskin Spear and later Neil Innes. This collaboration would go on to become The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band.
The Bonzo’s were a class act of Music, Poetry and Hilarity and Viv always loved to Dress colourful. The bands whole stage show consisted of a plethora of weird and wonderful outfits, even more colourful poetry and sounds. They played a load of TV appearances , as well as their regular circuit of working men’s clubs.
The Bonzo’s had a UK Top Ten hit with The Urban Spaceman in 1968. The single was produced by Paul McCartney from The Beatles, a band Viv was friendly with. He was especially friendly with John Lennon and the Bonzo’s featured in The Beatles film The Magical Mystery Tour.
What do you reckon?
Did you enjoy watching that little documentary? Why not tell us what you thought in the comments section below. We’d all love to hear what you think. As music lovers, we just love a bit of discussion when it comes to the music we love.
Better still, why not join our community. Here at The Collective Jukebox, we are an Online Community of Music Lovers who absolutely love to Share our musical discoveries and explore new material.
Simply click the link below to Join us. It’s completely FREE and always will be. We are firm believers that music should be Free, Ready and available for everyone to be able to listen to. So hit that button below Today and let’s hear some of your own Favourite tunes. See you inside!