Spike Milligan

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Spike Milligan

by Angus McBean
chromogenic print, 1961
12 5/8 in. x 9 7/8 in. (320 mm x 252 mm) image size
Given by EMI, 2007
Photographs Collection
NPG x131153

On display in Room 28 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Angus McBean (1904-1990), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 283 portraits, Sitter in 79 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Pepper, Terence, Angus McBean Portraits, 2006 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 July to 22 October 2006), p. 98 Read entry

    The comedian and author Spike Milligan spent his early life in India. He made his radio debut in 1949 on Opportunity Knocks before coming to prominence with The Goon Show (1951-60), which he appeared in and co-wrote with fellow Goons Michael Bentine, Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers. Subsequently he had a number of television series, such as Q, and wrote many humorous publications including verse and children’s stories. His surreal humour found its perfect manifestation in McBean's cover shot for his first album Milligan Preserved (1961). Cecil Beaton had first pioneered the glass-dome portrait in the 1920s, and McBean first used a dome for a surreal image of Beatrice Lillie in 1940.

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1961back to top

Current affairs

Peter Benenson's article The Forgotten Prisoners is published internationally, inspiring the founding of the human rights organisation, Amnesty International.
The philosopher and peace activist Bertrand Russell is imprisoned for inciting civil disobedience during a sit down demonstration at the Ministry of Defence and Hyde Park.
The farthing coin - used in Britain for the last 7 centuries - ceases to be legal tender.

Art and science

Rudolf Nureyev defects from the USSR fearing that the KGB would arrest him for being gay and for fraternising with foreigners. After seeking asylum in Paris he set up home in London at the Royal Ballet and began his famous partnership with Margot Fonteyn.
The satirical magazine, Private Eye is first published.

International

The East German government erects the Berlin Wall, ceasing free movement between East and West Berlin. The barrier prevented citizens of Soviet controlled East Germany from crossing the border into West Germany to work, or to defect.
Yuri Gagarin, the soviet cosmonaut, becomes the first man in space orbiting the earth on the 12th April.

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