#Vernon Dudley Bohay Nowell

[nedison]

I'm not drooling, you're drooling.

[mitjalovse]

We seem to forget that the 60's were a lot less monolithic than their consequent narrative, but this is what happens after the fact, i.e. some things get cherry picked for an easier understanding. I mean, the period was also known for a revolution in humour with Monty Python being one of those at the forefront of this movement. Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band could be seen as their musical equivalents, they even have some mutual connections with The Pythons, because the group did feel like a distorted mirror to the 60's. You could recognize their elements, but they put them into a completely different perspective. Check the tune on the link that sounds so over the top in the emulation of the typical rock chestnuts of the time to hear what I am trying to say.

[ch-dld-bft-brit-omm]

The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band Equestrian Statue (1967)

In this musical item, The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band play their song 'Equestrian Statue' from their first LP 'Gorilla'.  Shots of them playing in what looks like London's Speakeasy Club are intercut with footage of an equestrian statue and the band running over a grassy hill (could be Hampstead Heath) in strange costumes.  Neil Innes is seen dressed in a kind of concrete military hat and jacket with a fabric 'horse' beneath him, while Legs Larry Smith in a sailor suit 'whitewashes' him.  C/U of Sam Spoons wearing a strange, wired head-contraption. 

 Someone in a monkey suit plays the organ (I'm not sure who this is - does anyone out there know?).  Accompanying this harpischord-style instrumental break are several shots of the band in 18th century / Georgian costumes enjoying a banquet - stuffing their faces and belching. 

 More shots of the band walking over the grass, some playing their instruments.  Vivian Stanshall dances around with a large female dummy / doll.  Towards the end of the number we see several very brief shots from previous Colour Pics; mostly of men on horseback, also from other stories in this CP issue, including the Bonzos' previous appearance with 'Music for Head Ballet'. 

 The line-up of the band here is Vernon Dudley Bohay-Nowell, Legs Larry Smith, Roger Ruskin Spear, Sam Spoons, Rodney Slater, Vivian Stanshall, Neil Innes and unidentified person in monkey costume.

RIP Neil Innes

[nedison]

The Monster Mash [Live On The BBC] - The Bonzo Dog Band (1969)

Roger Ruskin Spear's falsetto warbling of 'TEENAGE LOOOOOVE' at the end of this rendition has ruined all other Monster Mashes for me.

[ch-dld-bft-brit-omm]

The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band Equestrian Statue (1967)

In this musical item, The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band play their song 'Equestrian Statue' from their first LP 'Gorilla'.  Shots of them playing in what looks like London's Speakeasy Club are intercut with footage of an equestrian statue and the band running over a grassy hill (could be Hampstead Heath) in strange costumes.  Neil Innes is seen dressed in a kind of concrete military hat and jacket with a fabric 'horse' beneath him, while Legs Larry Smith in a sailor suit 'whitewashes' him.  C/U of Sam Spoons wearing a strange, wired head-contraption.

Someone in a monkey suit plays the organ (I'm not sure who this is - does anyone out there know?).  Accompanying this harpischord-style instrumental break are several shots of the band in 18th century / Georgian costumes enjoying a banquet - stuffing their faces and belching.

More shots of the band walking over the grass, some playing their instruments.  Vivian Stanshall dances around with a large female dummy / doll.  Towards the end of the number we see several very brief shots from previous Colour Pics; mostly of men on horseback, also from other stories in this CP issue, including the Bonzos' previous appearance with 'Music for Head Ballet'.

The line-up of the band here is Vernon Dudley Bohay-Nowell, Legs Larry Smith, Roger Ruskin Spear, Sam Spoons, Rodney Slater, Vivian Stanshall, Neil Innes and unidentified person in monkey costume.

A VIDEO FROM BRITISH PATHÉ.