Max Geldray, 88, dies

fable · Post by **fable** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 7:48 am

Hardly a major footnote to anybody, but still...if you were (or are) a fan of the bizarre 1950s radio comedy series The Goon Show--which subsequently spawned Monty Python--you may remember the Dutch harmonica player who always offered jazzy pop arrangements during one of the two interludes. That was Geldray. Spike Milligan, who wrote most of the shows, also pulled in Geldray for occasional comments, largely because of Geldray's high voice and utter inability to act.

Geldray's was a life of overcoming emotional obstacles; among other things, he returned to the Netherlands after WWII to find that his parents and younger sister had been deported to Germany as slave labor, and were never seen again.

So even if you've never heard of Geldray, harmonica player, doff a hat a few seconds to Geldray, the guy who put up with all life could throw at him--and still loved it all.

Osiris · Post by **Osiris** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 8:53 am

Thanks for bringing that to our attention Fable. I've been a fan of the Goons and Python since my early years. Max must have been about the last surviving performer from that show, though I believe Eric Sykes who co-wrote many of the scripts is still going.

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 8:56 am

Sykes, and Wally Stott, the band leader--who became a woman, Angela Morley, in the 1970s.

It would send Milligan into howls of laughter if the last surviving member of the old Goon Show was a transsexual.

Robnark · Post by **Robnark** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 1:15 pm

that's a shame. his music was never really my thing, but he was a bloody good harmonica player.

Tower_Master · Post by **Tower_Master** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 9:23 pm

Although I was not alive in the heyday of Geldray's career, he was an incredible person, and a PHENOMENAL harmonica player. It's sad to know there are so few left of The Goon Show.

The Great Hairy · Post by **The Great Hairy** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 11:21 pm

Ah, that is sad. I'll have to play some of my old Goon Show records tonight. <sigh> I have many fond memories of listening to the Goons. And they are still on the radio here in Oz - Radio National every Saturday midday.

I raise my glass to you, Max. And offer a batter pudding!

TGHO

fable · Post by **fable** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:16 am

BBC 7 offers 'em over the Web--you and ye' hairies can find the listings here.

Moonbiter · Post by **Moonbiter** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 12:00 pm

There is a fantastic movie about the life and times of Peter Sellers out now. i would recommend it.