Spike Milligan

Terence Alan Milligan, KBE (16 April 1918 – 27 February 2002), known as Spike Milligan, was a British-Irish writer, artist, musician, humanitarian, comedian and poet. He played the piano, trumpet, saxophone, and guitar. An author of many books, he is best remembered as the creator, principal writer and performing member of The Goon Show.

Quotes

 * For ten years Caesar ruled with an iron hand. Then with a wooden foot, and finally with a piece of string.
 * The Goon Show, Season 7, Episode 25: "The Histories of Pliny the Elder" (28 March 1957)


 * Are you going to come along quietly, or am I going to have to use ear plugs?
 * The Goon Show, Season 9, Episode 12: "The Call of the West" (January 20, 1959)
 * Alternative: "Are you going to come along quietly, or do you want musical accompaniment?"


 * Contraceptives should be used on every conceivable occasion.
 * The Last Goon Show of All (5 October 1972)


 * Policemen are numbered in case they get lost.
 * The Last Goon Show of All (5 October 1972)


 * A lot of learning can be a little thing.
 * England Home and Beauty for Sale, Small Dreams of a Scorpion: Poems (1972)


 * I thought I'd begin by reading a poem by Shakespeare, but then I thought, why should I? He never reads any of mine.
 * Spike Milligan with Jeremy Taylor Live at Cambridge University. Recorded at Cambridge University on December 2, 1973, this was previously released as a double LP, and later re-issued as a 2 CD set. Milligan used variations on the Shakespear line throughout his later life.


 * If a man dies when you hang him, keep hanging him until he gets used to it.


 * On the Ning Nang Nong When the cows go bong!
 * Poem On the Ning Nang Nong.


 * God made night But Man made darkness.
 * Poem God Made Night, Small Dreams of a Scorpion: Poems (1972)


 * Dúirt mé leat go raibh mé breoite.
 * I told you I was ill.
 * His epitaph