Spike Milligan

Having read most of his war memoirs. Which are a must. Hilariously Funny and moving..I've just finished the biography by his PA. Come manager come confidante. A true genius and mad as a box of frogs with his humour . His fight with depression. Locking himself away for weeks. His multiple affairs. Falling outs with mates are all in there. As I say. A must for a Milligan fan.
Edit Norma Farnes. SPIKE an intimate memoir.

 

His war memoirs are absolute gold - I read them as a kid and have revisited them many times.
Not usually a fan of biographies or autobiographies but I will give this a try.

 

Read his war memoirs years ago had me crying with laughter, mum thought I was going mad , some great sketches on YouTube too. The man was a genius.

 

Was an absolute disgrace he couldn't get British Citizenship.
Did he ever receive it eventually.
Having fought for this country ,I was always disappointed for the bloke.
I'm definitely putting this on my book list,thanks for sharing Paul.

 

Funny that a Spike Milligan thread has been posted. Was just reading some of his quotes last night.
'We haven't got a plan. Nothing can go wrong' and 'Chopsticks are one of the reasons the Chinese never invented custard ' are a couple of my favourites.

 

Read em at work at a quiet moment or two . .
One or 2 others trying to grab a nap. As you say crying with laughter so much, with my imagination of his words on an incident. ( having to put the book down to compose myself lol) The others giving me 'what for' for keeping em awake.

 

He was given a Honorary Knighthood as he was of Irish citizenship.
He wouldnt swear allegiance to the queen. Disgusted at the fact he fought for Britain during the war. So was refused after applying. His meetings with royalty were hilarious. Charles was a big fan even though he told him why he was refused.
His Gravestone said it all. 'I told them I was ill.'
Funny even in death.

 

In the ning nang nong where the cows go bong..........can't remember rest but used to recite this to the kids..

 

If you pass/pop int mount Baz on way to a game. Giz a shout beforehand I'll bring it.
It was Norma who persuaded him to title his First memoir. After months of persuasion. ( Cant think what he wanted to call it,).
Adolf Hitler my part in his downfall. For folk out there that may think of reading his memoirs. Start with that. I promise you will be hooked. Unless you've had your chuckle muscles removed.

 

Oh thanks mate I will hold you to that.

I have one to lend you too.
Be good love Brian.

About the young Sunderland Billy Casper type of lad ,be friended by Cloughie .
Absolutely brilliant, read it in 2 days.

 

Lots of biographies Baz.
Billy Connelly is a must. Abused as a child.
Dickie Birds is a great read. Believe it or not.

Ricky Tomlinsons probably my favourite biography.
My favourite quote of his..when he was a union rep.
'People mistake passion for aggression' Wrongly imprisoned for his union activities. One of the Shrewsbury 24. Spent quite a while in prison.
Edit. Sentenced to 2 yrs. Served 16 months.

Yet there are tory reps out there. Wtf.

Investigation piece.
Previously unseen documents that implicate former prime minister Edward Heath in a concerted attempt to influence the jury in one of the most controversial prosecutions of trade unionists in British history will be revealed to parliament this week.

Thanks for the offer btw.

 

I've never read his poetry books. but there are a few in the biography. So funny or tragic only a genius could have wrote em.

 

One of his poems. Based on his 2nd wife I assume.
Patricia. It was a marriage made in hell but he still loved her.

There must be a wound!
No one can be this hurt
and not bleed.

How could she injure me so?
No marks
No bruise

Worse!
People say 'My, you're looking well'
.
God help me!
She's mummified me -
ALIVE!

 

Read all those three, Ricky refused to plead guilty ,he wouldn't have gone to prison if he did.
That's a proper man of principles,he was fighting for workers rights on the building sites.
What a top guy ,really enjoyed the trip in the motorhome, when he went to Worsboro Bridge to listen to the brass band he cried like a baby.
Absolute legend.

 

Like you I read this and others when I was in my teens. Proper laugh out loud writing. The man was a comedy genius

 

I think there were 4 perhaps 5 books of his time in the war .

 

Saw him live In Newcastle about 1974/5. His stories about the army and entertainment business were hilarious and he played beautifully on the cornet. Great man, complex and difficult at times. I’ll never forget his comments about our king….

 

More than that mate. Around 10.memoirs Tbh I thought same as you till I read the bio. 7 are called his classics.

.

 

If you can get a copy of Puckoon about a sleepy Irish Community thats hilarious too.