Friday, September 16, 2005

Stanley Unwin


"Born in Pretoria, South Africa, it was his mother who unwittingly provided him with the inspiration for his language.

When she tripped up one day, she told her son that she had "falloloped over and grazed her knee clapper".

Unwin developed his unique language by reading fairytales to his children.

He began his career as a BBC engineer in 1940, and was soon persuaded to perform his party piece in front of a microphone.

His fame grew after he began doing spots on variety show broadcasts.

One of his biggest fans was the late Tommy Cooper who once described him as "bleeding barmy".

Unwin was also said to have influenced comedians such as Spike Milligan, Peter Cook, Freddie Starr and the Monty Python crew.

He also starred in a number of films, with roles including the Chancellor in hit children's film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the landlord in Carry On Regardless.


He developed his own unique language
In 1968 Unwin reached a whole new audience when he appeared on The Small Faces' 1968 album Ogdens Nut Gone Flake."

Stanley Unwin - Goldiloppers and the Three Bearloders

This Rapid share file is accessible by scrolling down the page and clicking onthe FREE button. wait at the bottom of the page fro your file to appear ( about 20 seconds).

6 comments:

  1. in 1974, Roy Wood's Wizzard issued 'Dream of Unwin' as a B-side to their single 'Rock'n'Roll Winter (Loony's Tune).' All these years I've wondered who 'Unwin' was, not having grown up in the UK. It all makes sense now. Thanks for the illuminating post, and for your otherinformative entries. A terrific blog, this.

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  2. Thanks count reeshard- much appreciated. You have a pretty fine blog too. I love african, zouk, soucous, reggae and all kinds of world musics so some of your finds really hit the spot! I will put a link in my link section. cheers!

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  3. A marvellous character who I've always thought was British. I imagine that he must have been an influence on John Lennon?

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  4. I wouldnt be surprised CJ . Lennon was certainly influenced by nonsense poetry of Edward Lear and Charles Dodgson etc. I imagine ( sorry no pun intended!) he felt a great affinity to Unwinese.

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  5. I've just re-newed this file after a request from someone. So it should be working fine now.

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  6. Hey!

    Could You Please Repost The Holy Modal Rounders - Indian War Hoop?

    I know its in an old post but your my last hope of getting it!

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete