Who is Neil Innes? Granted, the name does not ring a bell to most people. But those familiar with The Beatles and Monty Python have surely heard of him. On Saturday March 28 at the annual Fest For Beatle Fans in the NYC metropolitan area, followers and admirers of Neil Innes were treated to the East Coast premiere of The Seventh Python-a documentary that chronicles the life of one of Britain's most talented comedy singer/songwriters.
The film, directed by Burt Kearns, takes a serious yet comical look at the accidental career of Neil Innes. Innes got his start in show business in the 1960s as a member of the British cult musical group Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. In addition to appearances on British TV, The Bonzos had a top ten hit in the UK with I'm The Urban Spaceman, written by Innes. Legend has it when the public discovered the producer of the record, Apollo C. Vermouth, was actually Paul McCartney under a pseudonym, the single shot up the charts. The Bonzos would also get an appearance in the Beatles' film Magical Mystery Tour.
Neil Innes' comic timing and songwriting talent attracted the attention of several members of Monty Python's Flying Circus. The British comic troupe used Innes in stage shows and appearances in their films, including Monty Python's The Holy Grail, where he sang The Ballad of Sir Robin.
In 1978 Innes, along with former Python Eric Idle, went on to create the cult classic film The Rutles-All You Need Is Cash. It was a mockumentary film about a fictitious British band called The Rutles, whose story parallels that of The Beatles. Innes played the John Lennon-esque character Ron Nasty and wrote all the songs. The soundtrack album was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Comedy Recording. Today, Neil Innes is content with not giving into the cult of fame and performing at small venues in the States and Europe.
The film, directed by Burt Kearns, takes a serious yet comical look at the accidental career of Neil Innes. Innes got his start in show business in the 1960s as a member of the British cult musical group Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. In addition to appearances on British TV, The Bonzos had a top ten hit in the UK with I'm The Urban Spaceman, written by Innes. Legend has it when the public discovered the producer of the record, Apollo C. Vermouth, was actually Paul McCartney under a pseudonym, the single shot up the charts. The Bonzos would also get an appearance in the Beatles' film Magical Mystery Tour.
Neil Innes' comic timing and songwriting talent attracted the attention of several members of Monty Python's Flying Circus. The British comic troupe used Innes in stage shows and appearances in their films, including Monty Python's The Holy Grail, where he sang The Ballad of Sir Robin.
In 1978 Innes, along with former Python Eric Idle, went on to create the cult classic film The Rutles-All You Need Is Cash. It was a mockumentary film about a fictitious British band called The Rutles, whose story parallels that of The Beatles. Innes played the John Lennon-esque character Ron Nasty and wrote all the songs. The soundtrack album was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Comedy Recording. Today, Neil Innes is content with not giving into the cult of fame and performing at small venues in the States and Europe.
Comments
Nice intro to a talented guy I'd never heard of.
The Seventh Python sounds great. I'll have to see it!
Thanks for the background and info!
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