“We have lost a beautiful, kind, gentle soul whose music and songs touched the heart of everyone and whose intellect and search for truth inspired us all,” Innes’ family said in a statement.
Innes' agent told the BBC the composer's death was unexpected and that he had not been ill.
Deeply saddened by the death of Neil Innes. I fell for Neil’s humour and humanity with the Rutland Weekend Television album in 1976. Big fan ever since and saw/met him many but not enough times. Loved his brilliant witty music, loved him. Mankind will miss his wry sagely wisdom.
— Mark Lewisohn (@marklewisohn) December 30, 2019
Innes also appeared in Python cartoonist Terry Gilliam's "Jabberwocky" before joining Python member Eric Idle on "Rutland Weekend Television," according to New Musical Express. That show morphed into the spoof movie of The Beatles, "The Rutles," where Innes played Ron Nasty, based on Beatles singer John Lennon.
The Bonzos were reunited one last time only a few weeks ago for a victory dinner. Our thoughts and prayers are with Yvonne and the family at this sad time. RIP to the Urban Spaceman himself, the great Neil Innes xxxx pic.twitter.com/zWKmCh4qSW
— The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band (@BonzoDogBanned) December 30, 2019
Innes wrote the song, "Death Cab For Cutie," which was used in The Beatles' 1967 film "Magical Mystery Tour," the BBC reported.
Innes wrote and performed in sketches on Monty Python's television series in 1974 when John Cleese temporarily left the group, the BBC reported. Along with Douglas Adams, he was one of two non-Python members to be credited as a writer in the series.
Oh man, Neil Innes has passed away. What a guy. Architect of some of my favourite comedy moments. Writer of some the best Beatle songs 😉https://t.co/5yjnp2qysn
— 𝙹𝚘𝚗 𝙳𝚒𝚐𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚕 (@Jon_Digital) December 30, 2019
A film about Innes, called “The Seventh Python,” was made in 2008.
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