Role

:

Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

April 16, 1918 in Ahmednagar, Bombay Presidency, British India

Death

:

February 27, 2002 in Sussex, England

 

Spike Milligan was a British-Irish comedian, writer, actor, and musician who was born on April 16, 1918, in Ahmednagar, India. He was the son of an Irish father and an English mother, and his family moved to England when he was just a year old. Milligan grew up in various parts of England, including Rangoon, Burma, and eventually settled in South London. Milligan's interest in music began at a young age, and he started playing the trumpet when he was just 12 years old. He was a self-taught musician and learned to play by listening to jazz records. Milligan's love for music continued to grow, and he eventually became a skilled jazz musician. In the 1940s, Milligan joined the British Army and served in World War II. During his time in the army, he continued to play music and even formed a jazz band with his fellow soldiers. After the war, Milligan returned to England and began pursuing a career in comedy and writing. Milligan's career as a musician took off in the 1950s when he joined the Goon Show, a popular radio comedy series. The show featured Milligan and his fellow comedians Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe, and it quickly became a hit with audiences. Milligan's musical talents were often showcased on the show, and he would often play the trumpet or sing during sketches. In addition to his work on the Goon Show, Milligan also released several albums of his own music. His first album, "Spike Milligan Spoken Word and Jazz," was released in 1959 and featured Milligan reciting his own poetry over jazz music. He went on to release several more albums, including "Milligan Preserved," "A Book of Milliganimals," and "Small Dreams of a Scorpion." Milligan's musical talents were not limited to jazz. He was also a skilled guitarist and wrote several songs throughout his career. One of his most famous songs, "Ning Nang Nong," was a children's song that he wrote in the 1950s. The song became a hit with children and is still popular today. Throughout his career, Milligan received numerous awards and accolades for his work in comedy, writing, and music. In 1992, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Comedy Awards, and in 1994, he was awarded an honorary knighthood for his contributions to comedy and entertainment. Milligan continued to perform and write until his death in 2002 at the age of 83. He left behind a legacy as one of the most influential comedians and musicians of his time. His unique blend of humor and music inspired countless artists and continues to entertain audiences today.

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