Neil Innes
ACTOR | MUSICIAN | ARTIST | WRITER
From Bonzo Dog Band, Rutland Weekend Television, Monty Python, Innes Book Of Records and The Rutles, Neil Innes was an unequalled creative force of comedic songwriting.
Bigography
Neil worked with an extraordinary number of performers from the Bonzos to The Monty Pythons to Grimms and was co-creator of The Rutles
He worked with the poets Roger McGough and Brian Patten, with the American Indie band Yo La Tengo and with comedians Emo Philips, Ade Edmondson and Phil Jupitus. You really couldn’t pidgeonhole Neil or his work. He did several television series of which Innes Book of Records is probably the most well known. He worked in children’s television where many of his grown-up fans first got to know him. During the last few years of his life he travelled solo or with a small backing band -drummer JJ Jones and Tom Fry on double bass, gigging round the Uk and then from coast to coast the long way round in America, working in small and large venues who were all delighted to see him. He would play with equal joy to ten people as he would to five hundred. One of the last tours of his life was with the Bootleg Beatles backed by a full orchestra – at last fulfilling his bucket list
Photo Credit: @Barrie Wentzell
Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
The Bonzo Dog Band, a remarkable ensemble that emerged from the British art school scene in the 1960s, left an indelible mark on the music world with their unique blend of musical styles and surreal humor.
At the heart of this extraordinary group was Neil Innes, a pivotal figure whose contributions helped shape the band’s distinctive sound and creative direction.
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Ladies and gentleman, I've suffered for my music, now it's your turn.”
Neil Innes
The Rutles
Just hometown boys from Liverpool, Barry, Dirk, Stig and Ron Nasty (Neil Innes) were The Rutles. Originally appearing as a sketch on a mid-70s BBC comedy show, The Rutles successes seemed to mirror (remarkably) another similar band from Liverpool.
From their mop-top haircuts to their song titles that mirrored the Fab Four’s (“Ouch!” instead of “Help!”).
Monty Python
Neil’s association with Monty Python began when he was still with the Bonzos during their appearances with the 1960s show “Do Not Adjust Your Set,” where he collaborated with Michael Palin, Terry Jones, and Eric Idle.
This laid the groundwork for what would come when Monty Python formed. And he didn’t just write for them, he was often part of the act! He became an honorary Python, or as Terry Gilliam called him, “The Seventh Python.”
Grimms
As Britain’s alternative comedy scene exploded in the early 1970s, the remains of several beloved groups would merge to create one of the era’s most peculiar musical experiments – an ambitious supergroup that blurred the lines between comedy, poetry, and rock ‘n’ roll.
Children's TV
In an era when children’s television rarely tackled social issues head-on, one animated series dared to celebrate imperfection and champion the underdog through a cast of lovably flawed toy factory rejects.
The Innes Book of Records
The Innes Book of Records was a surreal 1979-1981 TV series featuring Neil Innes performing six songs per episode in various costumes and settings. Produced by Ian Keil, it featured guest stars and creative scenarios mixing music and comedy.