Spike Milligan

Spike Milligan, KBE (April 16, 1918 – February 27, 2002) was a comedian, novelist, playwright, poet, jazz musician (trumpet and guitar - also played the piano - and was a dab hand at raspberry blowing) and is best remembered as the creator, principal writer and performing member of The Goon Show.

Quotations

• "When I look back, the fondest memory I have is not really of the Goons. It is of a girl called Julia with enormous breasts."
• "I can't see the sense in it really. It makes me a Commander of the British Empire. They might as well make me a Commander of Milton Keynes – at least that exists."
• "I told you I was ill" – his epitaph. Spike's grave remained unmarked for two years, as the church authorities would not let the family put Spike's chosen epitaph on his grave, claiming that it might offend some people. Eventually, it was decided that it should be written in Irish, to prevent any offence to the English-speaking locals.
• On his bouts of depression – "It's the nature of who you are. You will see sunsets in a special way, you will see life in a special way. The Milligans are like Arab racehorses. We'll kick the stable to pieces, but we'll always win the race."