Neil Innes
Neil Innes
Full Name and Common Aliases
Neil Innes CBE was a British singer-songwriter, musician, actor, and comedian, best known for his work as a member of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and as a writer and composer for Monty Python's Flying Circus.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on December 9, 1944, in Liverpool, England. Neil Innes passed away on September 29, 2018, at the age of 75.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Innes was British by nationality, with a career spanning multiple professions: singer-songwriter, musician, actor, comedian, writer, and composer.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Liverpool, Innes developed an early interest in music, influenced by his father's love for jazz and classical music. He began playing the piano at age 7 and attended the Liverpool Institute High School for Boys. After completing his education, Innes joined a local folk band before forming the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band with fellow musicians.
Major Accomplishments
As a member of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Innes achieved significant success in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He also gained recognition for his work as a writer and composer for Monty Python's Flying Circus, contributing to several iconic episodes.
Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works by Neil Innes include:
As a member of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band: releasing albums such as "The Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse" (1969) and "Tadpole" (1970)
Writing and composing music for Monty Python's Flying Circus, including songs like "Sit on My Face" and "Every Sperm is Sacred"
* Collaborating with John Cleese on the song "You're All Individuals" from the album "Monty Python's Music Collection" (1982)
Impact and Legacy
Neil Innes' work has had a lasting impact on British comedy and music. His unique blend of wit, satire, and absurdity continues to inspire new generations of comedians and musicians.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Innes is widely quoted and remembered for his contributions to Monty Python's Flying Circus and the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. His songs and sketches remain iconic examples of British comedy, influencing many artists who followed in his footsteps.
Quotes by Neil Innes
As I said, when we needed to move over to rock’n’roll, Sam and Vernon couldn’t quite make the shift. So that’s when Larry took over on drums, and we needed a bass player.
I suppose we all loved those kind of sci-fi movies where terrible things came out of swamps and came to Mars. And there’s usually some poor girl. All the guys are trying to desperately handle levers and saying, go to something or other.
So we used to look for funny songs, and learn them and play them. And we used to play them in pubs.
We then took a shortened version of what we'd been doing in the pubs, with the best gags and things like that, out to cabaret clubs and things in the north of England for six weeks. And we became a big success.
