Vivian Stanshall
Neil Innes champions his comic friend and fellow 1960s 'Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band' member. With Matthew Parris. From 2009.
Musician and performer Neil Innes chooses the life of his Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band colleague, and friend, Vivian Stanshall.
Neil tells Matthew Parris about the moment he met Vivian in London: he was wearing Billy Bunter trousers, a Victorian frock coat and horrible purple pince-nez glasses and carrying a euphonium.
So began a friendship and a musical partnership that exploded into life with The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, culminating in tours and TV series.
Vivian's second wife, Ki Longfellow, joins the discussion to help explore the man behind the colourful public persona.
Producer: Toby Field
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2009.
Last on
Broadcasts
- Tue 22 Dec 200916:30BBC Radio 4
- Christmas Day 200923:00BBC Radio 4
- Fri 8 Mar 201323:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Thu 14 Sep 201718:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 15 Sep 201700:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Thu 11 May 202321:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
Podcast
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Great Lives
Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.



