Innes took part, along with the remaining Monty Python members, in the 2002 Concert for George, in memory of George Harrison. [16] Likewise his only hit with the Bonzos, 1968’s ‘I’m The Urban Spaceman’, or one of his many contributions to the Monty Python musical canon – ‘Knights Of The Round Table’, or ‘Brave Sir Robin’. Whether as avant-garde comedy provocateur, straight song-writer or prime ‘60s and ‘70s musical satirist, Innes’ skill with a timelessly catchy melody verged on the surgical. In 1998, Innes hosted a 13-episode television series for Anglia Television, called Away with Words, in which he travelled to different areas of Britain to explore the origins of well-known words and phrases. [15] The album has never been reissued on CD in its original format and sleeve – until now! Cherry Red were working with Neil on this project prior to his tragic death. Singlar – År 1995" (in Swedish). Topplistan. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016 . Retrieved 2 July 2019.

Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (30 December 2019). "Neil Innes, Rutles star and 'seventh Python', dies aged 75". The Guardian.Listinn Topp 40 (4.2 '95 – 10.2 '95)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 4 February 1995. p.20 . Retrieved 1 October 2019. Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1sted.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3. NEIL INNES’ sad and sudden death in December 2019 robbed the world of one of Britain’s most original and unique musical and comic talents. But failed attempts to break America and the pressures of self-management caused them to split in 1970, reuniting briefly in 1971 to fulfil a contractual obligation with fifth album ‘Let’s Make Up And Be Friendly’. Whatever (MC single liner notes). Oasis. UK: Creation. 1994. CRECS 195. {{ cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ( link)

It was here that his individual character as a kind of ‘70s jester minstrel shone through, enhancing and dovetailing with the songs of Idle and the other main Python players. Innes wrote songs and sketches for their final TV series and performed with the Python live show, famously introduced as Raymond Scum on the 1976 US-only live album ‘Monty Python Live At City Center’ and opening his Dylan pastiche ‘Protest Song’ with the words “ I’ve suffered for my music, now it’s your turn”. He also wrote songs for and made cameos in Monty Python And The Holy Grail and Monty Python’s Life Of Brian, becoming sufficiently engrained in the troupe to earn the title of The Seventh Python.Whatever (CD single liner notes). Oasis. France: Helter Skelter. 1995. HES 661079 1. {{ cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ( link) HOW SWEET TO BE AN IDIOT was Neil’s debut solo album, first issued on United Artists in 1973, its title and cover design reflecting Neil’s eccentric sense of humour. Whatever (CD promo liner notes). Oasis. Australia: Creation. 1994. 661079 2. {{ cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ( link) He appeared on stage with the Pythons in the UK and Canada in 1973, in London in 1974 and in New York City in 1976, performing the Bob Dylanesque "Protest Song" (complete with harmonica) on the album Monty Python Live at City Center. He was introduced as Raymond Scum. After his introduction he told the audience, "I've suffered for my music. Now it's your turn." In 1980, he travelled to the States with the Pythons again, subsequently appearing in Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl. He performed the songs " How Sweet to Be an Idiot" and " I'm the Urban Spaceman". He also appeared as one of the singing "Bruces" in the Philosopher Sketch and as a Church Policeman in the "Salvation Fuzz" sketch. As this review of the reissue of Neil Innes’s first album, How Sweet To Be An Idiot, was being written, the members of the Bonzo Dog Band were waiting for the judgement on the final stage of a series of court cases relating to the reclamation of their original name, The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band.

While a student at Goldsmiths College, London, in the mid-1960s Innes met Yvonne Catherine Hilton; they married on 3 March 1966. The couple had three sons, Miles (b. 1967), Luke (b. 1971), and Barney (b. 1978). [22] [1]

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In the mid-1970s, Innes became closely associated with the Monty Python team, having first worked with Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Eric Idle on the 1960s television show Do Not Adjust Your Set. He contributed music to the Monty Python albums Monty Python's Previous Record (1972) and The Monty Python Matching Tie and Handkerchief (1973), and played a major role in performing and writing songs and sketches for their final TV series in 1974, after John Cleese temporarily left the troupe. He wrote a squib of a song called "George III" for the episode "The Golden Age of Ballooning", which was sung by the Flirtations but billed onscreen as the Ronettes. He also wrote the song "When Does a Dream Begin?", used in "Anything Goes: The Light Entertainment War". He co-wrote the "Most Awful Family in Britain" sketch and played a humorous stilted guitar version of the theme song, " The Liberty Bell" march, during the credits of the last episode, "Party Political Broadcast". He is one of only two non-Pythons ever to be credited writers for the TV series, the other being Douglas Adams (who co-wrote the " Patient Abuse" sketch, also featured in "Party Political Broadcast"). INNES made his name in the 1960s with the BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND before diversifying in the 1970s into TV, Solo and other projects – including the famous and much-loved Beatles pastiche THE RUTLES.

Roberts, Jem (2010). The Fully Authorised History of I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue. Random House. p.340. ISBN 9781848091320 . Retrieved 4 May 2016. During the period of the legal action, the Bonzo Dog family sadly lost both Neil Innes and Martin Ash, better known as Sam Spoons. There will be a ‘Final Farewell’ show by the band at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire on the 18 th of December and the band have just announced plans for a full retrospective box-set of albums, live recordings, unseen footage and the albums issued in both stereo and mono, due for release sometime in 2021. The song opens with a lighthearted melody accompanied by playful lyrics that encourage listeners to let go of societal expectations and embrace their inner fool. It serves as a celebration of the childlike innocence and freedom that can be found in embracing our own individual quirks and eccentricities. Innes invites his audience to revel in silliness, to dance like nobody’s watching, and to find joy in the simple pleasures of life. Words of Innespiration – The Lyrics & Unplanned Career of Neil Innes". Neilinnes.org. Archived from the original on 13 November 2002 . Retrieved 23 November 2011.A new reissue of Idiot , on Grapefruit Records, may help in getting people to rediscover its charms. Innes was known for his comedic work, and while Idiot does have its share of humor — most obviously seen in the album’s title — he wanted to take a broader approach on his first solo album. “I’m really working towards a situation where I don’t have to be funny,” he’s quoted as saying in the liner notes. “I don’t think any of the songs are particularly doomy or anything; they’re more in pastel areas, than red-nosed comedy.” Innes was occasionally heard (often as the butt of jokes) standing in as the pianist for the BBC Radio 4 panel game I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. [17]