Bonzo Dog Band :: History, Information and Back Catalog. The Bonzos, Bonzo Dog Dada BandBonzo Dog DooDah BandOff The Radar Music History

Band Details:

Main Name

Bonzo Dog Band

Previous Name

Bonzo Dog DooDah Band

Other Names

The Bonzos, Bonzo Dog Dada Band

Formed

1965

Still Performing

Yes

Brief Description

Originally traditional jazz but best known for pop and rock with strong elements of absurdist and satirical humour.

Long Description

It is difficult to describe the Bonzos in a few words.  We have classified most of their output as 'Comedy' but they are more just a comedy act with elements of satire, parody and and absurdism.  They sent up individual songs but also wrote parodies of musical styles, such as that of Elvis in 'Death Cab For Cutie'.

Their main productive years were from about 1967 to 1970 when they disbanded, although to meet contractual obligations they produced an album, Let's Make Up And Be Friendly, in 1972. Some of the tracks were by individual members rather than the band as a whole.

The surviving members of the core of the band reformed in 2006.  Viv Stanshall had died in 1995.

In spite of a strong following, they never had financial success during their original formation.  Two albums, Gorilla and Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse, had moderate chart success and they had one hit single, I'm The Urban Single. The double album, The History of the Bonzos, which came out in 1974, also did well.

The main songwriters were Viv Stanshall and Neil Innes.  In addition to Viv and Neil, the core members of the band were Rodney Slater, Roger Ruskin Spear and 'Legs' Larry Smith, but many other people appeared with the band from time to time.  These included Eric Idle, Eric Clapton, Elton John and Paul McCartney.  The latter is reputed to have co-produced I'm The Urban Spaceman with Gus Dudgeon under the pseudonym Apollo C. Vermouth.

Best Known Songs
I'm the Urban Spaceman
The Intro And The Outro
Death Cab For Cutie
Cool Britannia

Best Known Records	Year
The Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse	1968
I'm the Urban Spaceman	1968
Gorilla	1967

Some fan and other information websites:

Bonzos on Wikipedia

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