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 lsquo;Irsquo;m The Urban Spacemanrsquo; 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; lsquo;Sir Henry at Rawlinson Endrsquo;; was heard in radio; on an album; and then hit the big screen. Vivian wrote the musical lsquo;Stinkfootrsquo;; was narrator on lsquo;Tubular Bellsrsquo; 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 ndash; 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.
#1934802 in eBooks 2008-05-01 2008-05-01File Name: B003MPABOU
Review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Unreadable. absolute waste of time and money.By DQI read almost any ballroom dance book that I can find. I am a serious competitive pro/am dancer. This "book" comprises sentence after run-on sentence. words with no real meaning. Cannot imagine an editor was involved with this publication. Save your money.1 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Barely readableBy uquiltwomanFor a paperback book that costs $40. it is not user friendly. The author needs a ghost writer to make his tone and wording a little more conversational.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Comprehensive.well written.enjoyable great photos by author!By dance.dance.danceComprehensive.well written.enjoyable great photos by author!This is a well researched book which is delightful in its coverage of so many aspects of the current Ballroom Dance World.It is especially well written. some incredible photographs are shared. taken by the Author himself.It would seem to me that this topic has extended applications for gerontology. immunology. and fibromyalgia. not to mention the wonderful workout and joie de vivre one enjoys . even vicariously. reading this excellent book.Thanks to the Author!
