I love comedy. Ever since I was small I have enjoyed watching comedy and the skill of the comedian. I love comedians from many eras, from Tommy Cooper and Eric Morecambe, to Peter Kaye and Ricky Jervais. I still laugh out loud when I watch episodes of the Morecambe and Wise Christmas show from the early 70s, and when I watch “Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads” with Rodney Bewes and James Bolam. I used to fall about laughing at Dave Allen, Billy Connelly and Jasper Carrott. I once saw Cannon and Ball live in Coventry in the early 80s and almost had to be carried out of the auditorium because I was laughing so much. Tears ran down my cheeks when I saw Victoria Wood perform (on piano) “Lets Do It”, the ballad of Barry & Frieda. Has there ever been a better line than “Be mighty, be flighty, Come and melt the buttons on me flameproof nightie!” Julie Walters caused me apoplexy when I saw her “Ready to order, Sir?” sketch on the Wood and Walters show. Eddie Izzard’s stand-up routines still cause me to laugh uncontrollably, especially when he performs the “drilling cats” sketch. Oh, yes – I love comedy – from Ronnie Barker to Russell Brand, they all make me laugh and make me want more.
However – there is one comedian that, for me, stands head and shoulders above all of these. Recently on a train journey to Leeds I listened to his “Derek & Clive” album on my mp3 player, and, despite having heard it 100 times before, was still spluttering with laughter, even before we had left New Street station, much to the amusement of other passengers.
This particular comedian was born 74 years ago this very month, and died young (as do many comedians) at the tender age of 57 in 1995. For anyone interested to know more, click on the link below...
