Vivian Stanshall was the strikingly eccentric ringleader of the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, often described as the UK’s version of the Mothers of Invention. Affecting the manner of an aristocrat, Viv actually hailed from London’s East End, and his kindred spirits were Keith Moon and Paul McCartney, who produced the closest thing the Bonzos had to a hit single. Gary Lucas, former manager of Captain Beefheart and member of his Magic Band, had some memorable encounters with Vivian Stanshall, whom he compares favorably with Don Van Vliet. He tells the tale for PKM.
Mary, Queen of Scots: champion paper folder. “Coffee spill art.” Redesigning the binder clip. The smartest toaster was invented in 1949. An Internet-enabled cutting system for printers. A monocle/eyewear system for display graphics. Is it really better to invest in Lego’s than gold? The future of the swag bag? Birds aren’t real! Taping Canada’s strategic maple syrup reserves. The future of work from home? Miller High Life’s gingerbread dive bar. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.