Question: "Big hello to Refrigerator Jim, on the half-eaten tuba."

CommonSense — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:20:54 -0800

Can someone identify a British (I assume) musical comedy bit from the 1960s or 1970s that's nothing more than a several minutes-long introduction of the members of the most bizarre band in the world?

Back in the 1980s, I used to listen to a syndicated radio show called "The Comedy Hour," and one bit they played a couple of times over the years was a favorite of mine. I have no clue who did it, or what it's called, and because of its nature, it's pretty much impossible to Google.

Basically, for the entire length of the bit (some 5-8 minutes, I guess), a British-accented announcer -- presumably a bandleader -- introduces the members of this band, one by one. The bit starts with extremely minimal instrumentation -- maybe just a bassline or something, but as the bandleader introduces each person, they join in with their instrument.

As the bit goes on, the instruments get progressively more unconventional and bizarre, and (I think) the names of the people being introduced do, too. It's pretty soon clear that you have something like 40-50 people playing a variety of bizarre instruments, and yet it sounds pretty good. (As you can imagine, as the bit goes on, the instrumental wall of sound gets thicker and thicker.)

Anybody have any clue what this thing is called? I'd love to find me a copy on The Tubes for further iPod enjoyment.

By: Johnny Assay

Johnny Assay — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:43:20 -0800

Sounds like the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band.

By: CommonSense

CommonSense — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:44:32 -0800

BAM! That's it. Many thanks!

By: Johnny Assay

Johnny Assay — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:48:46 -0800

And here's the full clip.

By: YoungAmerican

YoungAmerican — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:36:45 -0800

Bonus: Hard & Phirm have a great track with a similar theme -- though it's more in the vein of "Tighten Up" or "Memphis Soul Stew". It's called "Funkauser."

By: Johnny Assay

Johnny Assay — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:17:05 -0800

Glad to be of help. The only reason I knew this, BTW, was because it was mentioned in Marc Steyn's obituary of Romano Mussolini.

Comments on: "Big hello to Refrigerator Jim, on the half-eaten tuba."

Question: "Big hello to Refrigerator Jim, on the half-eaten tuba."

By: Johnny Assay

By: CommonSense

By: Johnny Assay

By: YoungAmerican

By: Johnny Assay