A SORTABIOGRAPHY BY GEORGE HARRISON’S GOOD FRIEND ERIC IDLE
THEY SAY “AN IDLE BRAIN IS THE DEVIL’S WORKSHOP” PART OF THE FULL MONTY (PYTHON) – ERIC IDLE’S GENESIS BOOK
As most of the members of this blog are aware, I not only collect Beatles books but I also collect titles that have a connection or an association to the band. In this case, Eric Idle, a former member of the Monty Python comedy troupe was a good friend of ex-Beatle George Harrison and he also was one of the primary creative minds that put together the Beatles spoof known as the Rutles, which spawned two excellent album releases of Rutles Beatles-satirizing music written by former Bonzo Dog member, the late Neil Innes!
The musical releases were a result of Eric Idle’s wonderful video script he wrote, created and directed the Rutles film known as All You Need is Cash.
Here is the slipcase of the Genesis title the “sort of biography” of comedian Eric Idle. The man who can break you up without a word. His facial expressions alone can leave you in need a surgeon to deal with the stitches…
Here is the special 500 copy signed edition offered by Genesis Publication Ltd., the same company that published the limited edition of I Me Mine by George Harrison. Within this book you will see what a close friendship that Eric Idle had with former Beatle, George Harrison. You will notice that most great comedians are also very sensitive people harboring a lot of sadness within their psyche which they express through their comedy. Eric Idle has always given me that impression and it is only pure conjecture on my part. The photos you see on this post are from my copy of the book:
The Slipcase that holds the book:
The cover of the book:
Copyright info:
My copy is #499 of 500 signed by Mr. Idle:
Notification of some of the contents within this special book:
My copy of The Order of the Rutland Goat Certificate:
Signed lyrics to Eric Idle’s The Meaning of Life:
Part of the Galaxy Song by Eric Idle-this page of the lyrics is signed by Eric Idle:
Part of Eric’s sterling resume in the Genesis version of his biography:
The Mass Market Edition:
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life: A Sortabiography Hardcover – 2 Oct. 2018
by Eric Idle (Author) Crown Archetype
Publication date-Oct.2, 2018
AMAZON US
Amazon’s Description of the book:
From the ingenious comic performer, founding member of Monty Python, and creator of Spamalot, comes an absurdly funny memoir of unparalleled wit and heartfelt candor.
We know him best for his unforgettable roles on Monty Python & from the Flying Circus to The Meaning of Life. Now, Eric Idle reflects on the meaning of his own life in this entertaining memoir that takes us on a remarkable journey from his childhood in an austere boarding school through his successful career in comedy, television, theater, and film. Coming of age as a writer and comedian during the Sixties and Seventies, Eric stumbled into the crossroads of the cultural revolution and found himself rubbing shoulders with the likes of George Harrison, David Bowie, and Robin Williams, all of whom became dear lifelong friends.
With anecdotes sprinkled throughout involving other close friends and luminaries such as Mike Nichols, Mick Jagger, Steve Martin, Paul Simon, Lorne Michaels, and many more, as well as John Cleese and the Pythons themselves, Eric captures a time of tremendous creative output with equal parts hilarity and heart. In Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, named for the song he wrote for Life of Brian and which has since become the number one song played at funerals in the UK, he shares the highlights of his life and career with the kind of offbeat humor that has delighted audiences for five decades. The year 2019 marks the fiftieth anniversary of The Pythons, and Eric is marking the occasion with this hilarious memoir chock full of behind-the-scenes stories from a high-flying life featuring everyone from Princess Leia to Queen Elizabeth.
AMAZON UK EDITION OF THE MASS MARKET EDITION OF THE BOOK:
Publisher W&N Publication date May 2, 2019
The first Rutles cd:
AMAZON US:
The Rutles – The Rutles – Amazon.com Music
AMAZON UK:
The Rutles (Us Import): Amazon.co.uk: CDs & Vinyl
THE FIRST CD
Back Cover of the CD:
THE FOLLOW-UP CD ARCHAEOLOGY
AMAZON UK:
Archaeology: Amazon.co.uk: CDs & Vinyl
Track Listings
| 1 | Major Happy’s Up And Coming Once Upon A Good Time Band |
| 2 | Rendezvous |
| 3 | Questionnaire |
| 4 | We’ve Arrived! (And To Prove It We’re Here) |
| 5 | Lonely – Phobia |
| 6 | Unfinished Words |
| 7 | Hey Mister! |
| 8 | Easy Listening |
| 9 | Now She’s Left You |
| 10 | The Knicker Elastic King |
| 11 | I Love You |
| 12 | Eine Kleine Middle Klasse Musik |
| 13 | Joe Public |
| 14 | Shangri – La |
| 15 | Don’t Know Why |
| 16 | Back In ’64 |
HANDMADE FILMS BOOKS
An amazing book about George Harrison’s Handmade Films and how he helped to finance Monty Python’s Life of Brian. Also learn how Handmade Films mismanagement by one of their executives helped to make the Beatles Anthology a possibility!
The book details many of the films produced by George’s film company. The story of George’s willingness to put up the money to film The Life of Brian which turned out to be a great success despite/because of the surrounding religious controversy! George’s willingness to help the Pythons finance the film by putting up his palatial home Friar Park as collateral, surely permanently endeared GH as a friend of Eric Idle for life!
AMAZON US:
Very Naughty Boys: The Amazing True Story of HandMade Films: Sellers, Robert: 9781781167083: Amazon.com: Books
AMAZON UK:
HARDCOVER LIMITED EDITION BOOK–HANDMADE FILMS-BEHIND THE FILM MAKING
A special limited edition hardcover book about Handmade‘s collection of films. One thousand copies were issued of this limited-edition book: I have been told that the publication is still being offered at the following website:
https://www.handmadefilms.com/product/handmade-films-behind-the-film-making-limited-edition-book
Special thanks to Seamus Hayes in the UK for obtaining a copy for me!!!
The introduction to the hardcover book:
THE ALL YOU NEED IS CASH RUTLES DVD
The dvd of the Rutles movie
The back cover of the Rutles dvd All You Need is Cash:
A BOOK WRITTEN BY THE WIFE OF RON NASTY
A Neil Innes biography written by his wife, Yvonne:
AMAZON US:
Dip My Brain in Joy: A Life with Neil Innes: The Official Biography: Innes, Yvonne: 9781785121692: Amazon.com: Books
AMAZON UK:
The back cover of the book:
Neil Innes’s wife Yvonne signed this copy of the biography she wrote about her husband:
A SPECIAL RUTLES PUBLICATION
They also issued a special Rutles book which I have lurking somewhere in the archives:
The More Than Compleat Rutles Forever Paperback – 30 Jun. 2019
by David Louis Rosenbaum (Author), Eric Idle (Author), Neil Innes (Author)
Available on AMAZON UK:
AMAZON DESCRIPTION:
Rutles Forever, The Official Rutles Fanzine featured exclusive interviews with Eric Idle, musician and songwriter Neil Innes, and of course Neil’s close friend Ron Nasty. Reprinted here, for the first time ever in a glorious facsimile edition. Extremely rare, with an original run of one hundred copies each. Presented as originally seen, four issues, 1978 to 1980. Making this collection more than complete is Archeology, selections from what would have been Rutles Forever Issue 5 and choice tidbits from the official RutleManiacs International fan archive. Digitally remastered for your enjoyment.
Back Cover:
Found some assorted videos on YouTube that give some proper context to this post: Thank you for all of the smiles over the years, Eric Idle . You, and your great circle of friends!!!
Eric Idle performs ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’ – The Graham Norton Show – BBC
George Harrison – “The Pirate Song” on Rutland Weekend Television
The Beatles talk about the Rutles
Rutles All You Need is Cash Q&A Eric Idle 2001 Neil Innes Gary Weis Rikki Fataar
Neil Innes Talks About Eric Idle Singing The Rutles
Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam on George Harrison and Life Of Brian
THE RUTLES – Cheese And Onions (1969)
An excellent couple of interviews on YouTube from a great podcast series entitled Without The Beatles
What did Michael Palin think of The Beatles?
Monty Python without The Beatles!
The Beatles Are My Therapy
And a special treat from that wonderful YouTube site – an interview with our wonderful blog administrator, David Bedford: God Bless You, David! You are the best!!!
The Beatles are my therapy (w Dave Bedford)
Be Healthy and Be Happy!
Buzz
GET DAVID’S LATEST BOOK – THE BEATLES: WHAT IF?
The Beatles What If? Limited Edition Hardback (US & CANADA)
How different would the world have been without The Beatles? What If history was different?
This book explores the many times The Beatles story could have turned out so differently. What if it didn’t happen the way it did?
Order here for the US and CANADA only
I have several of Genesis Publications Limited Editions of Beatles books but sadly, these beautiful books are no longer affordable. Perhaps if I were to it the lottery big….