Neil Innes on stage in Ipswich
Neil Innes, Urban Spaceman, seventh Python, friend of the Fabs and the nicest man in showbiz, walked towards me having just concluded a hugely entertaining performance with The Rutles in front of an intimate gathering of 75 or so Ipswich punters. 'Ah, there you are' he said, shaking my hand vigorously as if greeting a long lost friend. 'I could see you in the audience from here upwards...', holding a flattened palm across the bridge of his nose to illustrate, '....and I thought, bloody hell, it's John Cleese!' Now I've been mistaken for a couple of famous people in my time (one of which I wrote about here), but never a septuagenarian comedy legend. 'Of course,' Innes continued, by way of apologetic explanation, 'I wasn't wearing my glasses at the time!' He smiled broadly as he signed my original 1978 Rutles LP, chatted a little more, thanked me for coming and firmly shook my hand once again. The show was by way of a full dress rehearsal for the month long 'Major Happy Tour', which commemorates the 40th anniversary of the film, 'The Rutles: All You Need is Cash'.
'Of course, for the purposes of the movie,' said Innes from the stage earlier in the evening, 'we pretended that The Beatles had never existed'. Short pause. 'But now, 40 years on, I suppose I can admit that there are certain similarities between their work and ours.' Cue a warm wave of laughter from the audience.
If the tour is due to pass through your town, I'd thoroughly recommend bagging yerself a ticket. You'll find yourself involuntarily grinning from ear to ear at the brilliantly interwoven Fabs references that litter Neil's terrific original songs from the 1978 LP, 1996's 'Archaeology' and recent release, 'The Wheat Album'. You'll very possibly also have to sniff back a tear or two if Innes & Co decide to keep their covers of 'All Things Must Pass' and 'The End' in the set.
A splendid time is guaranteed for all.
The Rutles - Shangri-La
.jpg)
7 comments:
Lovely story.
Fab, Swede, fab. Happy Neil is still kicking about. Any other Rutles with him? Ricky Fataar? The Rutles doc never fails to make me laugh, and the album is a big favorite of my kids too... especially Ouch! I never heard Shangi-La before and was shocked when I looked it up and saw when it was released. I guess I needed to follow the Pre-Fab Four a little more closely. Shoot me down in flames if I should tell a lie... Cross my heart I promise that it's true...
What a great story. Reminded me that I had a great night back in 1979/80 when the Rutles came to our students union. Nearly 40 years ago yet I remember it vividly - Scary.
I saw Neil Innes at York Fibbers, back when we were living up there. He played a fabulous set, as you can imagine. The highlight for me was when he trawled the Rutles back catalogue.
Keep calm and Barry Wom.
Just brilliant!
Thanks all. 'Twas a truly memorable evening.
Just Neil and John Halsey (aka Barry Wom) from the original line-up Brian. Glad to hear that you're introducing the next generation to the joys of The Rutles. 'Ouch' was one of the highlights of the set.
Very cool anecdote!
Post a Comment