In the early 80s I was working security on a festival. There was big names on the bill (Chuck Berry/Meatloaf). I was walking across a field when an estate car slows alongside and this guy driving says to me: "Hi mate - how do I get back stage?" I tell him to follow me and ask him why he wants to get backstage? "I'm playing on stage" he replied. "What band you with?" I ask. "It's just me" he says. At this point I'm thinking: 'there's no single act playing'. "Oh really, what's your name?" I ask. "I'm Billy Bragg" I'm thinking: 'that sounds a bit suss - never heard of him and this is a big show'. We exchange small-talk for a bit and I point to the stage gate - I tell him he needs to talk to them. A few minutes later I'm walking away from the stage thinking: 'I've heard it all now' - when over the speakers came the words: "Please give a huge welcome for Billy Bragg!" I stopped, turned around and watched his performance and have been a fan ever since... True story.

@bonkeydollocks1879

3 жыл бұрын

Oh I thought it was going to be a tale about Bill Bailey,

@AR-ym5qx

2 жыл бұрын

Nice story, wrong video

@vermilliongecko

Жыл бұрын

@@AR-ym5qx Don't be nasty.

@buddhastaxi666

Жыл бұрын

I had the identical experience but with Bill Bailey, only it was in NSW Australia and he was driving a Station Wagon.

My appreciation of Bill Bailey has taken a Great Leap Forward. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

@dextercritten6167

2 жыл бұрын

I'm waiting for other musicians to do the same

@Maximillian-Tiberius-Rex

10 ай бұрын

very clever

Bill Bailey is such a talented comedian and musician, and who would have guessed he could dance. He has now officially reached national treasure status!

@GaryHills1976

3 жыл бұрын

We should start a petition for the Queen to give him a Knighthood!! Sir Bill!!

@sunnyinsanya2

3 жыл бұрын

@@GaryHills1976 I agree. He's been making us laugh for decades, but this year he's given us hope. The 50+ year olds are normally just cannon fodder on strictly, but he's leading the field, the old sod!

@rackpunch4026

3 жыл бұрын

I find him strangely attractive. He has attributes like humour and kindness which are very sexy.

@joemurray2523

3 жыл бұрын

he was a national treasure anyway!

@Rapistsweat

3 жыл бұрын

You may not be aware, but before they even anbounce the Strictly contestants and the show starts, they have had intensive, 9-4, five days a week constant dance instruction, by expert tutors for 6 wks. There are no newcomer non-dancers on the show. I know this to be fact, as I work as a dance tutor in one of the studios where this takes place.

I seen bill Bailey once at a service station on the m6. I knew it was him as soon as I saw him. I remember thinking to my self 'that's bill Bailey '

@angela6405

4 жыл бұрын

Nice one, mate 😉

@drmattcqu

4 жыл бұрын

Great story!

@macman975

4 жыл бұрын

What a great anecdote.

@lorreba3054

4 жыл бұрын

what an experience. if its true that is

@bbq4126

4 жыл бұрын

I saw him once whilst I was leaving Hammersmith job centre. Kinda surreal.

Two gentlemen. One takes the piss in a gentle way that doesn’t diminish the other. The other appreciates the joke and takes no offence.

@ReegusReever

4 жыл бұрын

Just two sounds cunts enjoying the ride

@Johnconno

4 жыл бұрын

That's very beautiful...Do they love each other?

@marnanel

4 жыл бұрын

@@Johnconno they love everyone except fascist skinheads who steal their chips obvs

@johnmartinez7440

4 жыл бұрын

@An Orange A Day Keeps The Scurvy Away I forgot working class people were the only people that could understand banter

@derektrotter4287

4 жыл бұрын

Ryan genius

That was a superb BB impression. I have always liked Bill Bailey. Very talented musician.

@whitechair3846

11 ай бұрын

BB & BB seperated at birth joined for one night only...lol

@sianwarwick633

8 ай бұрын

​@whitechair3846 you wonder how often one was mistaken for the other

Love Bill Bailey. Hope he wins Strictly Come Dancing.

@paulvaughancountry

3 жыл бұрын

He did too! How brilliant was that!?" :)

@rubytuesday7225

3 жыл бұрын

@@paulvaughancountry Just amazing. Well done Bill and Oti xx

Fantastic! Two great guys having a real blast of humour. I love it! Bill does a great Billy Bragg impression.

@nprentice3720

4 жыл бұрын

Guys? And there is the irrelevance factor.

The guy behind Bill in the red t-shirt and black jacket - glasses, grey hair - I'm pretty sure I've jammed with him at a blues night before in London. Amazing singer. THIS HAS BEEN TRIVIA

I remember Billy when he worked in a record shop one in Eastham when i was a student, nice chap had many a chat about music.

@JaneDoe-ci3gj

3 жыл бұрын

Cool😎👍

@swanningabout

3 жыл бұрын

Congratulations

@pup1008

5 ай бұрын

I was very good mates with his brother *Dave* who suffered horrific head injuries in a car accident. One of the nicest, funniest kids I knew.

Bill Bailey, one of the best, great performance sir, and well done to Mr Bragg for being a good sport.

@blackbob3358

4 жыл бұрын

steady on,mush.

@johnknow4097

4 жыл бұрын

Well he ain't much good at anything else.

@fredh1720

2 жыл бұрын

@@johnknow4097 he's a fantastic lyricist

@rohayek8492

2 жыл бұрын

@@fredh1720 and a lovely bloke, i had the pleasure to work with him last week

Every town and city needs a Bill Bailey....

what a good impression and Billy is pissing himself laughing behind him!

I love how this is Billy Bragg's son favourite "BillyBragg" song.

@g4joe

3 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/kYd218dqdNipqcY.html Duelling sitars Bill Bailey

I've got a fever and the only prescrtiption is more foreground laughter!

This is insanely funny. What a moment in history. Made my day

@sianwarwick633

8 ай бұрын

Great thing. This was when there was loads of impromptu singing gigs on street corners. Something to do with too much screen time

Spot on with the voice, close your eyes and it's Billy!!!!!

Bill Bailey does a spot on impression right there, brilliant

Brilliant musician. Brilliant comedian. Very funny every time!

Tears rolling down my face at "California Dreaming" when he went slow lol

@brianjones5828

6 жыл бұрын

get a fuckin life FFS

@nigeljames6017

4 жыл бұрын

Brian Jones Why ? Do you envy him ?

@talgar84

3 жыл бұрын

Music has that power if you have emotional attachment to it ❤

It is Mark Thomas. He was kind enough to support the protest as part of his "100 Acts Of Minor Dissent". It was he who invited Billy Bragg and Bill Bailey along and, in doing so, raised the profile of the protest considerably. If anyone reading this is supportive of? our campaign and would like to sign our petition, please do so here: change.org/petitions/camden-bo­rough-council-don-t-banish-the­-buskers-keep-streets-live-in-­camden Thanks very much and thanks for posting!

@TheVioletRaindrops

4 жыл бұрын

@Sagaris Starlight How does busking fit into the communist agenda. Please enlighten us all with your wisdom.

Great singing mate. Great to hear people enjoying themselves.

And he's won Strictly......best news from 2020.

@g4joe

3 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/kYd218dqdNipqcY.html Duelling sitars Bill Bailey On a Coral Electric Sitar. And he can Dance.

Nice to see 'Harold' from Neighbours in the red t-shirt

@Kwales66

5 жыл бұрын

LOL!!!

@Judewilkinsonjfk

5 жыл бұрын

He's so irritating.

@sexobscura

4 жыл бұрын

escaping from Madge

@malbig2344

4 жыл бұрын

Hilarious.... you really are.

@michaelsnow7252

4 жыл бұрын

hahahahaha just noticed

Gotta love both of those Bills

@makeitsonumberone1358

5 жыл бұрын

No just the one playing, the others a champagne socialist.

@nigeljames6017

4 жыл бұрын

make it so, number one Billy Bragg has made it on the music scene (somewhere in the region of $5 million right now), but he’s been playing since the early 1980’s and was touring hand to mouth back then.

"He's standing behind me, isn't he?"

2 of my heroes right there, Billy Bragg and Mark Thomas

@folkiebassplayer7366

3 жыл бұрын

I thought I was the only one who recognised Mark Thomas!

@craig7248

3 жыл бұрын

@@folkiebassplayer7366 Been a huge fan, for many years. Tragic that he's no longer on tv

Bill used to have a line in this song about the skinhead which went 'And with two forks and a savalloy he fashioned a dog-shaped sausage toy' . Either he's cut it or forgotten it. Shame as it was my favourite line.

Bill bailey is just awesome.

LOVE BOTH BILLS

Bill is an absolute legend and a very talented man 👌🏻

Bill Bailey is super talented

The world need more good brothers like Bill.

It's always an event when Bill Bailey steps out. You gape in wonder at his ability to spontaneously generate humour about all and anything. The opening "I'm Bill Bailey, thanks for asking: 1984 Stars in Their Eyes, Michael Bolton Regional Finalist" has at least five comedic elements, and he hasn't warmed up! Pure genius.

Really nice when Billy Bragg come up behind him...

@AndyRoo312

3 жыл бұрын

@@steveharris75 really? You'd have thought he'd mention that whilst introducing the song 🤦🏻‍♂️

@AndyRoo312

3 жыл бұрын

@@steveharris75 is it? What's that then?

@iwancymrobulgarin

3 жыл бұрын

@@steveharris75 you replied to a 7year old comment

Brilliant. Love the fact that you are singing along !!

“1984 -Stars In Their Eyes, Michael Bolton Regional Finalist”. Bill is a comic genius.

@tireachan6178

3 жыл бұрын

I like how complex he makes his jokes, a very witty character

Mr Bragg is unusual positive person. Met him late 80´s in Estonia, hope still have my stage stupid soviet hat.

I would have laughed that loud too. And I wouldn't have given a toss! A great tribute

@EricPhilippiofficial

Жыл бұрын

thank you for the awesome words, love & recognition, I am captivated🙂. Where are you watching from?❤

Look at all these wonderful blokes on the Dole! hheeheheheh - Bill and Billy, what a great Pair! - Ken in Hawaii

@nigeljames6017

4 жыл бұрын

Hmmm. Billy Bragg has a net worth of $5 million. Bill Bailey $7 million. Now, I can’t answer for the crowd listening to the music, but the artists probably put you to shame.

Billy Bragg clearly a man with great sense of humour. You know, Weird Al Yankovic always asks for permission before parodying songs, even though you DON'T technically need permission. His requests are rarely refused, and in fact most artists take it as a tremendous compliment, believing that "you haven't made it big until you've been parodied by Weird Al". I think the same apples to Billy Bragg and unisex chip shop. He may consider it a great honour to be parodied by a legend like Bill Bailey!

I've just come back from seeing Mr Bailey live in Truro, Cornwall - such a naturally hilarious character, and so engaging and approachable. I used to live near Camden, wish I could have been at this spot!

@brianjones5828

6 жыл бұрын

Truro wow the fuckin big time, plus noone gives a fuck where you used to live

@nigeljames6017

4 жыл бұрын

Brian Jones Do you know what, I’m getting fucking tired of your inane off topic comments.

Cool, first time I’ve seen the Braggster smile.

What a beautiful person's generosity can do so much for many. Thankyou for sharing.

Reminds me of the scene from the Dylan movie "Don't look back" where Donovan performs a typically Dylanesque song in front of Bob, like Shakin' Stevens performing a song in front of Elvis!!!!

Will be at his show tomorrow evening here in Oslo. Will be fun to see B.B live at last.

Oh very nice, Camden and everything. Miss ya London.

love it , well done to all buskers ,,,keep up the tradition

Billy Bragg, Bill Bailey and Mark Thomas...the holy trinity😊😊😊😊

I love the double-decker buses passing in the background.

Fantastic just seen him in Swansea grand. Great,

🎶I want to protect her, from the sexual fascism that was lurking, round the gherkins🎶

Met him one night years ago aftera show, he was lovely🙏🏽💚

The cameraman was having a great time

Bill Bailey, talented, innovative, clever, funny and entertaining. Billy Bragg . . . .

Well Billy Bragg wrote poetic songs with meaning. He gave life meaning and the perspective.

@seandoherty1239

3 жыл бұрын

Their wank. Hes a friggin liar and nose fuck all what hes talking about.

@josephsuchomel9174

3 жыл бұрын

@@seandoherty1239 and thank you so much, Sean, for that erudite comment.

@seandoherty1239

3 жыл бұрын

@@josephsuchomel9174 well Billy All Bragg can not turn a conversation to something educational. It's just drivel.

@josephsuchomel9174

3 жыл бұрын

@@seandoherty1239 Is it the message you disagree with? Were you a Thatcherite? Is that it?

@seandoherty1239

3 жыл бұрын

@@josephsuchomel9174 no not a Conservative. Billy Brags songs are poor irelivent and he twists history to his own gains. He had a opertunatie to turn his life around by serving his country and he threw that away. He can not sing he sounds like he is drunk, and his one hit New England he did not sing and his version has a Masoganist feal to it.

Would've loved to have been there! Just superb.

majestic, Lads great energy xxx

I played that record at the wrong speed and had a similar experience. With love.

Just jumped on to say, big fan of both Billy's. But must go, coz' my "Little Black Cloud in a Dress" is. waiting for me to take her shopping 😀

Brilliant impression!

Brilliant. Class act.

The ultimate compliment really.

BB & BB busking :)

Just Brilliant

Fantastic!

Not too bad! What a treat this would have been!

this is part of our cultural fabric.

@brianjones5828

8 жыл бұрын

yes unfortunatley , along with lots of lazy remain voting fat luvvie slobs happy to sell us out

@riceuteneuer2678

7 жыл бұрын

Crowbarring Brexit into something completely unrelated - sad, sad, sad

@NickShields1

5 жыл бұрын

he's a quitling idiot, don't worry.

@NickShields1

5 жыл бұрын

@@brianjones5828 Obviously happy to sell people like you out.

@bonkeydollocks1879

5 жыл бұрын

Was

Exceedingly talented man...

All the best to Jon & Raphael, from England.

I wish he'd come home.

Bill bailey...legend!!!

Now 2020 winner strictly come dancing winner

Bill and Billy are phantastic.

Beautiful Brogue: Bill Bailey Belts Billy Bragg Brilliantly!

Brilliant Bill, hope to be able to see you live some day. God you sound more like Billy Bragg than Billy Bragg

@fecklessmovies

7 жыл бұрын

MrRichiehamburg LOL

Great post. Keep up the busking . miss old Camden

@nprentice3720

4 жыл бұрын

If I ever see Billy bragg busking we'll have an issue to settle. And hes a skinny chinless coward.

@nigeljames6017

4 жыл бұрын

N Prentice How the hell do you know he’s a coward ?

interesting to see two bills buskin' on the same bill, look out lads 'ere comes the ol' bill

@lorreba3054

4 жыл бұрын

quite unbelieveabill actually

Bill Bailey - genius!

@johnknow4097

4 жыл бұрын

Billy Bragg shit.

Just brilliant

Brill for both the Bills

@EricPhilippiofficial

Жыл бұрын

thank you for the awesome words, love & recognition, I am captivated🙂. Where are you watching from?❤

@skyekerrigan4928

Жыл бұрын

@@EricPhilippiofficial If you mean me Grays in Essex very Dull but thank you for taking the time to reply. No that far away from Mr Bragg actually.

Could you love these men more :)

This guy is totally brilliant!

When did we all get so old

To the woman saying "First, I need to put it on silent" you are the true MVP !

Wonderful. BB is the man. (BB is the man too.)

The background laughter is contagious.

Brilliant, love Bill Baily.

@EricPhilippiofficial

Жыл бұрын

thank you Jackie for the awesome words, love & recognition, I am captivated🙂. Where are you watching from?🙂👋

There's a guy down the chip shop swears he's not racist

Brilliant!

Salt n revolution with that love

Too funny for words!

Bill Bailey #awesome!

Bloody brilliant!

"Do you want salt and vinegaaaah?" hahaha

Ahhh awesome

Love Bill Bailey ❤️

A world we will NEVER see again.

@patrickelliott-brennan8960

3 жыл бұрын

Why? Has it ended? Are there no more guitars?

Mark Thomas pissing himself in background 😂 👏🏼👏🏼 unisex chipshop 😂👍🏼

he's been flogging that stars in your eyes joke for at least three decades now