It's one of those things. The jokes were weak and silly - Agreed! But his demeanour and childish act made them very funny. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I adored him as a kid, and I still do. No filth. No putting anyone down, except himself. Great to see your own laughs and smiles. Heartwarming.
I was 15 way back in 1972. My first ever visit to London. A school trip to go see Tutankhamun's Treasure on loan at the British museum. We had free time afterwards to go explore then meet up at Tower Hill we thought to get on the bus home. But school had a surprise for us. The bus took us all to the London Palladium. Tickets for the Comedians. All the old names there Bernard Manning. Charlie Williams George Roper and of course Ken Goodwin. I cried with laughter. My cheeks ached by the time we got out the theatre and set of back home to the North East of England that night. A real blast from the past for me this one, Thank You Squirrel.
From that interweb for info... Ken Goodwin was born in north Manchester on 7th April, 1933. He came from a poor, working-class background. His mum left when Ken was still a small child, and the children were often dressed with second-hand clothes from the local church. His dad died when Ken was only 15. Ken later said his childhood experiences probably caused some of his insecurity in later life. Ken was a big fan of George Formby and taught himself how to play the ukulele. But he was shy and initially very reluctant to get up and perform. When he did so, some audiences were at first sceptical when they saw him hesitantly walk on stage with a little ukulele. But once he got going, Ken soon won them over. He tried his hand at various jobs - coalman, travelling sales rep, mill worker and market gardener - and began working the clubs in the evenings. Whilst working for the parks department he crushed his hand putting up some goal posts and so he decided to concentrate on his club act full-time. Ken knew people wouldn’t pay just to watch a ukulele player, so he added daft jokes to his act. When up on stage, he was genuinely very nervous. But instead of trying to hide it, he let it show and used it to his advantage as part of the act. He got the audience on his side and Ken was one of those rare comics who could make you laugh before he'd even said a word. He was famous for his giggle and catchphrases, "Settle down now," and "I'm too good for this place." Ken performed at the Royal Variety Show in 1971, before he was actually known on TV. He got his TV break on Opportunity Knocks and he was the first to have a regular slot on The Comedians. But just as he was becoming a national favourite, his wife became seriously ill. So Ken gave up his career and stardom in order to stay home and look after her. In the mid-1970s, he made only brief TV appearances. Sadly, his wife died in 1977. Whilst other members of The Comedians, like Mike Reid, Jim Bowen and Frank Carson, went on to build long and successful TV careers, Ken found it hard to make a come-back. He had been off the TV for too long. So he went back to working the clubs and theatres. His humour was never blue, but always gentle and for all the family. He was a much sought-after act, especially in Blackpool. He eventually re-married and lived happily in Alicante and later North Wales. In later life, Ken suffered from Alzheimer’s. He died in a nursing home, aged 78, in 2012. Ken Goodwin was born in north Manchester on 7th April, 1933. He came from a poor, working-class background. His mum left when Ken was still a small child, and the children were often dressed with second-hand clothes from the local church. His dad died when Ken was only 15. Ken later said his childhood experiences probably caused some of his insecurity in later life. Ken was a big fan of George Formby and taught himself how to play the ukulele. But he was shy and initially very reluctant to get up and perform. When he did so, some audiences were at first sceptical when they saw him hesitantly walk on stage with a little ukulele. But once he got going, Ken soon won them over. He tried his hand at various jobs - coalman, travelling sales rep, mill worker and market gardener - and began working the clubs in the evenings. Whilst working for the parks department he crushed his hand putting up some goal posts and so he decided to concentrate on his club act full-time. Ken knew people wouldn’t pay just to watch a ukulele player, so he added daft jokes to his act. When up on stage, he was genuinely very nervous. But instead of trying to hide it, he let it show and used it to his advantage as part of the act. He got the audience on his side and Ken was one of those rare comics who could make you laugh before he'd even said a word. He was famous for his giggle and catchphrases, "Settle down now," and "I'm too good for this place." Ken performed at the Royal Variety Show in 1971, before he was actually known on TV. He got his TV break on Opportunity Knocks and he was the first to have a regular slot on The Comedians. But just as he was becoming a national favourite, his wife became seriously ill. So Ken gave up his career and stardom in order to stay home and look after her. In the mid-1970s, he made only brief TV appearances. Sadly, his wife died in 1977. Whilst other members of The Comedians, like Mike Reid, Jim Bowen and Frank Carson, went on to build long and successful TV careers, Ken found it hard to make a come-back. He had been off the TV for too long. So he went back to working the clubs and theatres. His humour was never blue, but always gentle and for all the family. He was a much sought-after act, especially in Blackpool. He eventually re-married and lived happily in Alicante and later North Wales. In later life, Ken suffered from Alzheimer’s. He died in a nursing home, aged 78, in 2012.
Remember this when I was a teenager. Good clean fun. I love the delivery and we haven’t finished laughing at one joke before he hits us with the next one . 👏🏻👏🏻🐿️🏴
He was a lovely warm performer. He had his moment in the seventies with the TV exposure he got from the talent show Opportunity Knocks and The Comedians from 1971. He was the first Commedians star to get his own show, he really was on his way to success. He was what he appeared a working class lad from Manchester, with a pretty difficult early life. Tib Street really is a street which leads off from Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester. In 1973 his wife fell ill and he stopped performing to care for her until her in 1977. After that he went back to performing in small venues, but never restarted his TV career. Its not really clear why, perhaps he just didn't want it anymore. He died in 2012 aged 79.
When it comes to the Banjo-lele, there's nobody better than the late great George Formby! He's the guy Ken was imitating on this video, and that song was one of George's big hits way back in the 1930's. Most of George's songs had a comical element, whether that was just a funny situation, or even a 'double-entendre'! (quite shocking for those times!) I'm pretty sure you can find most of George's work on YT, including the wartime movies he made, to keep the spirits up, of the great British public, who were having a pretty rotten time of it back then. I'm certain you'll be surprised by George's mastery of the Banjo-lele, he was widely reputed to be one of the best players ever, & there's STILL many many players around in George Formby Clubs all over the place, keeping his memory alive!
Indeed, the BEEB banned some of his songs - or so I heard. My little stick of Blackpool Rock for instance. Brilliant little songs with a cheeky message.
I used to work in musical instrument retail and had ordered a couple of ukuleles of a brand I hadn't tried before. I was unpacking them when a guitar teacher friend of mine came into the shop. He witnessed me trying one out and said what do you think? Rubbish was my reply. His response was = "I'm leaning on the lampost on the corner of our street in case a decent ukulele comes by"!
Ken was brilliant - daft as a brush, but a very funny guy. That nostalgic feeling when I watch comedians like Ken Goodwin centres around sitting watching this with Mum and Dad…Mum making endless cups of tea and bringing out a tin of chocolate biscuits. Clean humour that we enjoyed with our parents…I was a young man at this time, but I loved this good, clean family humour…I enjoy the comedians today too…but I couldn’t watch them sat with Mum and Dad.
In the UK the formal way of saying someone has been sent to jail is that they are detained 'at his majesty's pleasure' and that was what Ken was referring to in his joke although her majesty's pleasure then of course.
Sometimes it's not the jokes but the way it makes you feel and there's nothing wrong with exercising those 'chuckle muscles' and feeling good after it.
Very touched by your story reflecting on the passing of your friends, so very sorry to hear of your loss and I'm sure many people miss them too. Loved seeing Ken again and hs childish sense of humour. I can understand you not agreeing but for me, no-one plays a uke like George Formby from the 30's and 40's I guess - a bit before my time really, but Frank Skinner did a great TV programme where he learned to play a uke well enough to play alongside about 50 members of some society or other dedicated to playing George Formby songs, and it was very satisfying to see so many people playing in unison. I've never been a fan of ukes played more like a guitar on TV ad's especially - for me it only really sounds like a uke if they can get that complex rhythm going well enough to make a rhythmic solo, George Formby style. I wish I could do it but after inheriting a ukelele banjo if that's the correct term, I ended up selling it after only being able to play one of my own comical songs about giving up smoking (say's he with a fag in his hand as he types - a cigarette) and when I delivered it to the buyer, it turned out to be a husband and wife who were both police officers still in uniform and I was paranoid they would notice my tax disc was out of date on my car so I tried to distract them a bit by playing the only song I knew, putting on my best George Formby voice and I got away with it as I hurried away while they were still smiling. Quite a surreal moment though. After seeing Ken and hearing your touching story I'm temped to buy another.
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The banjo was in the style of George Formby. Who was a hugely popular comedy film actor and song writer in the 30s and 40s.
It's one of those things. The jokes were weak and silly - Agreed! But his demeanour and childish act made them very funny. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I adored him as a kid, and I still do. No filth. No putting anyone down, except himself. Great to see your own laughs and smiles. Heartwarming.
I was 15 way back in 1972. My first ever visit to London. A school trip to go see Tutankhamun's Treasure on loan at the British museum. We had free time afterwards to go explore then meet up at Tower Hill we thought to get on the bus home. But school had a surprise for us. The bus took us all to the London Palladium. Tickets for the Comedians. All the old names there Bernard Manning. Charlie Williams George Roper and of course Ken Goodwin. I cried with laughter. My cheeks ached by the time we got out the theatre and set of back home to the North East of England that night. A real blast from the past for me this one, Thank You Squirrel.
I met Ken Goodwin twice and he was such a lovely, lovely man both times.
From that interweb for info...
Ken Goodwin was born in north Manchester on 7th April, 1933.
He came from a poor, working-class background. His mum left when Ken was still a small child, and the children were often dressed with second-hand clothes from the local church. His dad died when Ken was only 15. Ken later said his childhood experiences probably caused some of his insecurity in later life.
Ken was a big fan of George Formby and taught himself how to play the ukulele. But he was shy and initially very reluctant to get up and perform. When he did so, some audiences were at first sceptical when they saw him hesitantly walk on stage with a little ukulele. But once he got going, Ken soon won them over.
He tried his hand at various jobs - coalman, travelling sales rep, mill worker and market gardener - and began working the clubs in the evenings. Whilst working for the parks department he crushed his hand putting up some goal posts and so he decided to concentrate on his club act full-time.
Ken knew people wouldn’t pay just to watch a ukulele player, so he added daft jokes to his act. When up on stage, he was genuinely very nervous. But instead of trying to hide it, he let it show and used it to his advantage as part of the act. He got the audience on his side and Ken was one of those rare comics who could make you laugh before he'd even said a word. He was famous for his giggle and catchphrases, "Settle down now," and "I'm too good for this place."
Ken performed at the Royal Variety Show in 1971, before he was actually known on TV. He got his TV break on Opportunity Knocks and he was the first to have a regular slot on The Comedians. But just as he was becoming a national favourite, his wife became seriously ill. So Ken gave up his career and stardom in order to stay home and look after her. In the mid-1970s, he made only brief TV appearances. Sadly, his wife died in 1977.
Whilst other members of The Comedians, like Mike Reid, Jim Bowen and Frank Carson, went on to build long and successful TV careers, Ken found it hard to make a come-back. He had been off the TV for too long. So he went back to working the clubs and theatres.
His humour was never blue, but always gentle and for all the family. He was a much sought-after act, especially in Blackpool. He eventually re-married and lived happily in Alicante and later North Wales.
In later life, Ken suffered from Alzheimer’s. He died in a nursing home, aged 78, in 2012.
Ken Goodwin was born in north Manchester on 7th April, 1933.
He came from a poor, working-class background. His mum left when Ken was still a small child, and the children were often dressed with second-hand clothes from the local church. His dad died when Ken was only 15. Ken later said his childhood experiences probably caused some of his insecurity in later life.
Ken was a big fan of George Formby and taught himself how to play the ukulele. But he was shy and initially very reluctant to get up and perform. When he did so, some audiences were at first sceptical when they saw him hesitantly walk on stage with a little ukulele. But once he got going, Ken soon won them over.
He tried his hand at various jobs - coalman, travelling sales rep, mill worker and market gardener - and began working the clubs in the evenings. Whilst working for the parks department he crushed his hand putting up some goal posts and so he decided to concentrate on his club act full-time.
Ken knew people wouldn’t pay just to watch a ukulele player, so he added daft jokes to his act. When up on stage, he was genuinely very nervous. But instead of trying to hide it, he let it show and used it to his advantage as part of the act. He got the audience on his side and Ken was one of those rare comics who could make you laugh before he'd even said a word. He was famous for his giggle and catchphrases, "Settle down now," and "I'm too good for this place."
Ken performed at the Royal Variety Show in 1971, before he was actually known on TV. He got his TV break on Opportunity Knocks and he was the first to have a regular slot on The Comedians. But just as he was becoming a national favourite, his wife became seriously ill. So Ken gave up his career and stardom in order to stay home and look after her. In the mid-1970s, he made only brief TV appearances. Sadly, his wife died in 1977.
Whilst other members of The Comedians, like Mike Reid, Jim Bowen and Frank Carson, went on to build long and successful TV careers, Ken found it hard to make a come-back. He had been off the TV for too long. So he went back to working the clubs and theatres.
His humour was never blue, but always gentle and for all the family. He was a much sought-after act, especially in Blackpool. He eventually re-married and lived happily in Alicante and later North Wales.
In later life, Ken suffered from Alzheimer’s. He died in a nursing home, aged 78, in 2012.
My Aunty worked in "clubs" in the 50's & 60's and often worked with Ken ... She said he really was a nice "lovely" man
Remember this when I was a teenager. Good clean fun. I love the delivery and we haven’t finished laughing at one joke before he hits us with the next one . 👏🏻👏🏻🐿️🏴
The phrase "detained at her/his majesty's pleasure" meant being jailed for an indefinite period.
Gaol is English, Jail is American English, just saying 😊.
He was a lovely warm performer. He had his moment in the seventies with the TV exposure he got from the talent show Opportunity Knocks and The Comedians from 1971. He was the first Commedians star to get his own show, he really was on his way to success. He was what he appeared a working class lad from Manchester, with a pretty difficult early life. Tib Street really is a street which leads off from Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester. In 1973 his wife fell ill and he stopped performing to care for her until her in 1977. After that he went back to performing in small venues, but never restarted his TV career. Its not really clear why, perhaps he just didn't want it anymore. He died in 2012 aged 79.
When it comes to the Banjo-lele, there's nobody better than the late great George Formby!
He's the guy Ken was imitating on this video, and that song was one of George's big hits way back in the 1930's.
Most of George's songs had a comical element, whether that was just a funny situation, or even a 'double-entendre'! (quite shocking for those times!)
I'm pretty sure you can find most of George's work on YT, including the wartime movies he made, to keep the spirits up, of the great British public, who were having a pretty rotten time of it back then.
I'm certain you'll be surprised by George's mastery of the Banjo-lele, he was widely reputed to be one of the best players ever, & there's STILL many many players around in George Formby Clubs all over the place, keeping his memory alive!
Indeed, the BEEB banned some of his songs - or so I heard. My little stick of Blackpool Rock for instance. Brilliant little songs with a cheeky message.
I used to work in musical instrument retail and had ordered a couple of ukuleles of a brand I hadn't tried before. I was unpacking them when a guitar teacher friend of mine came into the shop. He witnessed me trying one out and said what do you think? Rubbish was my reply. His response was = "I'm leaning on the lampost on the corner of our street in case a decent ukulele comes by"!
@@johnlocke6506
🤣
Ken was brilliant - daft as a brush, but a very funny guy. That nostalgic feeling when I watch comedians like Ken Goodwin centres around sitting watching this with Mum and Dad…Mum making endless cups of tea and bringing out a tin of chocolate biscuits. Clean humour that we enjoyed with our parents…I was a young man at this time, but I loved this good, clean family humour…I enjoy the comedians today too…but I couldn’t watch them sat with Mum and Dad.
In the UK the formal way of saying someone has been sent to jail is that they are detained 'at his majesty's pleasure' and that was what Ken was referring to in his joke although her majesty's pleasure then of course.
Sometimes it's not the jokes but the way it makes you feel and there's nothing wrong with exercising those 'chuckle muscles' and feeling good after it.
That’s a good way of looking at it Susan 😂❤
Very touched by your story reflecting on the passing of your friends, so very sorry to hear of your loss and I'm sure many people miss them too. Loved seeing Ken again and hs childish sense of humour. I can understand you not agreeing but for me, no-one plays a uke like George Formby from the 30's and 40's I guess - a bit before my time really, but Frank Skinner did a great TV programme where he learned to play a uke well enough to play alongside about 50 members of some society or other dedicated to playing George Formby songs, and it was very satisfying to see so many people playing in unison. I've never been a fan of ukes played more like a guitar on TV ad's especially - for me it only really sounds like a uke if they can get that complex rhythm going well enough to make a rhythmic solo, George Formby style. I wish I could do it but after inheriting a ukelele banjo if that's the correct term, I ended up selling it after only being able to play one of my own comical songs about giving up smoking (say's he with a fag in his hand as he types - a cigarette) and when I delivered it to the buyer, it turned out to be a husband and wife who were both police officers still in uniform and I was paranoid they would notice my tax disc was out of date on my car so I tried to distract them a bit by playing the only song I knew, putting on my best George Formby voice and I got away with it as I hurried away while they were still smiling. Quite a surreal moment though. After seeing Ken and hearing your touching story I'm temped to buy another.
'Settle down, now', was his catchphrase.
I remember another catch phrase of his was 'I'm too good for this place!' I use it every time I get an answer right on 'University Challenge'.
Remember Ken Goodwin on The Comedians. His laughter was very contagious. Great stuff!
Thank you for such wonderful memories of my childhood .... Bless You and Ken
The Banjo playing was a tribute to George Formby who was a Singer/ Comedian in films in the 30’s/40’s in England.
Old fashioned comedy is the best ❤🐿️ squirrel storytime is the best ✌🏼
Before I watch I know I'll laugh. 😂😂😂.
Old fashioned English comedy.... Love it.
He was the best!
George Formby songs with innuendo
I wish I were back in the good old days, it was better comedy than now
Hey Squirrel…..evening, check out George Formby, riding at the TT races….then you’ll get it 👍👌🇮🇲🇮🇲🇮🇲
George Formby is brilliant 😂, very funny and completely not PC , love him to bits, for a laugh that is 😂.
Hey Squirrel….check out the Ukulele Orchestra-of Great Britain…..The good the bad and the ugly…..superb…👍🇮🇲💖👌
😂😂 gave ya a like 👍🏻.
I call my mate Ken because he pisses himself at his own gags..
Check out George formby