Sorry for the later than usual post, we have had a very busy aternoon. This is another shot from the yarnbombing display in Thirsk, and here we have a representation of comedian and singer Ken Dodd, who back in the 1960s released a song called Happiness.
Wikipedia describes him as follows: "Sir Kenneth Arthur Dodd OBE (8 November 1927 – 11 March 2018) was an English comedian, singer and occasional actor. He was described as 'the last great music hall entertainer', and was primarily known for his live stand-up performances.
A lifelong resident of Knotty Ash in Liverpool, Dodd's career as an entertainer started in the mid-1950s. His performances included rapid and incessant delivery of often surreal jokes, and would run for several hours, frequently past midnight. His verbal and physical comedy was supplemented by his red, white and blue 'tickling stick' prop, and often introduced by his characteristic upbeat greeting of 'How tickled I am!' He interspersed the comedy with songs, both serious and humorous, and with his original speciality, ventriloquism. He also had several hit singles primarily as a ballad singer in the 1960s, and occasionally appeared in dramatic roles. He performed on radio and television, and popularised the characters of the Diddy Men.
He was knighted in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to entertainment and charity. His stage career lasted for over 60 years, and he continued to perform until the end of 2017, when his health permitted; he died on 11 March 2018, aged 90."
The reason for our busy afternoon was a visit from our daughter Louise, her husband and two children. It was lovely to see them for the first time since September 2020, due to Covid-19 restrictions. We had a lovely walk on Clifton Ings, and far too quickly the afternoon was over, but it made us all very happy!
Lovely reminder of him, we are so pleased we got to see him just a few years ago. We knew he had a reputation for long shows, he never came up for breath he was around 80 and he n ever missed a beat. We left at half time as we knew we wouldn’t get home in time for hubbie to get sleep before his 6-2 shift that he used to go in for 5 am. The couple across the isle asked if we had brought sandwiches and a drink as we wouldn’t get out before 1am, they weren’t kidding either!!
Thank you all for your lovely comment and fav, they are very much appreciated.
Ken Dodd was a very mixed character, being well known for his very long theatre performances, which would go on for hours, sometimes into the early hours of the morning, and certainly gave value for money. Yet he was also quite miserly, which led him to a tax evasion trial (he was not convicted).
I agree with some of you that he does look rather fearsome in this shot.
Ian
April 25th, 2021
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David's Dad knew Ken Dodd when he lived in Liverpool during the 1950s and said he was the meanest person in Liverpool.
Thank you all for your lovely comment and fav, they are very much appreciated.
Ken Dodd was a very mixed character, being well known for his very long theatre performances, which would go on for hours, sometimes into the early hours of the morning, and certainly gave value for money. Yet he was also quite miserly, which led him to a tax evasion trial (he was not convicted).
I agree with some of you that he does look rather fearsome in this shot.
Ian