Hello,

I'm hoping that someone at the GSPS or in the world wide Goon Show fandom might be able to help me?

I am the friend and agent of Jonathan Kelly who was a popular music star at the beginning of the 1970's but who has been retired for many years now. I run Jonathan's website and I am constantly trying to track down rare recordings and performances, sadly no TV, VIDEO or FILM footage exists of his career either in the UK or abroad and the only known Radio recording is one "In Concert" show from the BBC.

However Jonathan did appear at least twice on Spike Milligan's shows one of which was the radio show "What the dickens" in 1970; on this show Jonathan performed a song entitled "Timothy Simpson", no known recording is said to exist and as I have only just discovered Jonathan's involvement with this show I wondered if you might know if this show and Jonathan's contribution to it still exists?

Jonathan also appeared on TV in one of Spike's Q shows, however the date nor series is known, but he did sing the song "We Are The People", apparently the show was repeated several weeks later with Jonathan's song omitted, it seems the BBC were worried it was too political.
 
Spike and Jonathan came to work together through Jonathan's then manager, Colin Petersen. Colin shared an office in the same building as Spike and they often went to each other rooms for a coffee. Colin spoke about Jonathan and after Spike had heard him play he said he would try to help and found Jonathan spots on his shows. He also agreed to appear on Jonathan's single "Make a Stranger Your Friend" which featured a celebrity choir.

Spike asked Colin if it would help if Peter Sellers also appeared on the record, Colin said yes but that Peter wouldn't do it because he was now a massive star in the US, Spike replied "He will for me if I ask him" and he duly flew over to be on the recording.

A photograph of the recording session can be found on the web site's archive page near the bottom of the page.
 
If you can help me locate any missing performances by Jonathan on Spike's Shows I would be most grateful.

Kindest regards


Gerald Sables
Manager & Agent to Jonathan Kelly

www.jonathankelly.co.uk