X-Nico

6 unusual facts about Vivian Stanshall


Dan Melchior

His music has evolved significantly, to become a distant entity from some of his earlier blues-based work, showing a definite influence of more experimental bands such as The Homosexuals and The Fall, and some absurdist elements which have led to comparisons to compatriot exponents of that genre, Vivian Stanshall and Syd Barrett.

J. G. Devlin

His was Vivian Stanshall's personal choice for the role of Old Scrotum, the Wrinkled Retainer in the Charisma Films version of Sir Henry at Rawlinson End (film), released in 1980.

Ric Grech

Grech remained active in session work, playing with Rod Stewart, Ronnie Lane, Vivian Stanshall and Muddy Waters.

Roger Ruskin Spear

In 1991, Spear played saxophone in Vivian Stanshall's show 'Rawlinson Dog Ends' at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London.

After the Bonzos parted company Spear was part of the short-lived band biGGrunt, with Vivian Stanshall.

Sheila Reid

In 1980, she played the long-suffering wife of Trevor Howard in Vivian Stanshall's Sir Henry at Rawlinson End.


Derek Taylor

Taylor served as Director of Special Projects, working with artists such as The Rolling Stones, Yes, America, Neil Young, Vivian Stanshall, Carly Simon and Alice Cooper.

Let's Make Up and Be Friendly

"Rawlinson End", the longest track on any Bonzos album, features the first appearance of Vivian Stanshall's character Sir Henry Rawlinson, whose exploits would later be documented as a series of BBC Radio 1 sessions for the John Peel show; a 1978 LP and 1984 semi-sequel; a 1980 film and book; and who would make a final cameo appearance in a 1994 commercial for Ruddles Real Ale.

Ruddles Brewery

A television commercial for Ruddles in 1993 featured the last appearance of Vivian Stanshall narrating as Hubert, brother of Sir Henry Rawlinson of Rawlinson End played by Mel Smith and a cross-dressing Dawn French.


see also