Bill Bailey does a perfect impression of Billy Bragg as Billy Bragg looks on

Thursday October 24th: ably supported by the Citizen's Kazoo Orchestra, Bill Bailey does his finest impression of Billy Bragg in support of Keep Streets Live in Camden!

[@Iazzaboyce]

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]

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

[@AR-ym5qx]

Nice story, wrong video

[@vermilliongecko]

@@AR-ym5qx Don't be nasty.

[@buddhastaxi666]

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

[@sunnyinsanya2]

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]

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

[@sunnyinsanya2]

@@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]

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

[@joemurray2523]

he was a national treasure anyway!

[@Rapistsweat]

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.

[@bruceevans3476]

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

[@dextercritten6167]

I'm waiting for other musicians to do the same

[@Maximillian-Tiberius-Rex]

very clever

[@markriley5863]

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

[@whitechair3846]

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

[@sianwarwick633]

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

[@callum1651]

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]

Nice one, mate 😉

[@drmattcqu]

Great story!

[@macman975]

What a great anecdote.

[@lorreba3054]

what an experience. if its true that is

[@bbq4126]

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

[@rubytuesday7225]

Love Bill Bailey. Hope he wins Strictly Come Dancing.

[@paulvaughancountry]

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

[@rubytuesday7225]

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

[@richardgoffin-lecar5001]

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

[@nprentice3720]

Guys? And there is the irrelevance factor.

[@DjNikGnashers]

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

[@blackbob3358]

steady on,mush.

[@johnknow4097]

Well he ain't much good at anything else.

[@fredh1720]

@@johnknow4097 he's a fantastic lyricist

[@rohayek8492]

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

[@lennoxbraithwaite2546]

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]

Cool😎👍

[@swanningabout]

Congratulations

[@pup1008]

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.

[@kwoylee5617]

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

[@g4joe]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYSlpphnedp2r8U Duelling sitars Bill Bailey

[@davedextermusic7129]

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

[@tysapienx8091]

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

[@andydoe9889]

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

[@sianwarwick633]

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

[@johnbarry1965]

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

[@danielmontaigne1219]

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]

Just two sounds cunts enjoying the ride

[@Johnconno]

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

[@marnanel]

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

[@johnmartinez7440]

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

[@derektrotter4287]

Ryan genius

[@LFC-Star]

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

[@brianjones5828]

get a fuckin life FFS

[@nigeljames6017]

Brian Jones Why ? Do you envy him ?

[@talgar84]

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

[@brianelliott1743]

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

[@pshyc001]

Bill Bailey does a spot on impression right there, brilliant

[@scopex2749]

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

[@chroniclesofbap6170]

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

[@kimsherlock8969]

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

[@neilsailing]

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

[@g4joe]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYSlpphnedp2r8U Duelling sitars Bill Bailey On a Coral Electric Sitar. And he can Dance.

[@johnnyblack8497]

Gotta love both of those Bills

[@makeitsonumberone1358]

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

[@nigeljames6017]

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.

[@capturedlondon]

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

[@Kwales66]

LOL!!!

[@Judewilkinsonjfk]

He's so irritating.

[@sexobscura]

escaping from Madge

[@malbig2344]

Hilarious.... you really are.

[@michaelsnow7252]

hahahahaha just noticed

[@nickshields874]

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]

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

[@briane5706]

Brilliant musician. Brilliant comedian. Very funny every time!

[@craig7248]

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

[@folkiebassplayer7366]

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

[@craig7248]

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

[@robertsmith7120]

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

[@mikeknoth]

LOVE BOTH BILLS

[@EportChris]

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

[@DrewKane]

The world need more good brothers like Bill.

[@liamcraven4936]

Great singing mate. Great to hear people enjoying themselves.

[@Lovegun666six]

Bill bailey is just awesome.

[@kierans1159]

Bill Bailey is super talented

[@hadar1g]

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

[@AndyRoo312]

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

[@AndyRoo312]

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

[@iwancymrobulgarin]

@@steveharris75 you replied to a 7year old comment

[@henleysanta9549]

Brilliant impression!

[@letsflyaway1]

Fantastic just seen him in Swansea grand. Great,

[@kathryndick4936]

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

[@EricPhilippiofficial]

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

[@senanshortt5521]

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

[@rushy79]

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

[@tomd3098]

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]

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

[@nigeljames6017]

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

[@michaelbell5984]

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.

[@tryan8660]

I loved that!!

[@carduchi5881]

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

[@itchyego]

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

[@nigeljames6017]

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.

[@michaelmuldowney8]

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

[@tireachan6178]

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

[@alphalunamare]

love it!

[@MrMachiavellianism]

majestic, Lads great energy xxx

[@salfordjc]

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

[@paulthompson8996]

Fantastic!

[@MrLovethelife]

2 legends!

[@johnnunn8688]

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

[@miaschu8175]

Bloody brilliant!

[@chrisbarlow2131]

Brilliant. Class act.

[@wadefite]

This guy is totally brilliant!

[@ricky0244]

Love Bill Bailey ❤️

[@sianwarwick633]

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

[@paulgillbanks2111]

Just Brilliant

[@ephemera...]

Love it.

[@drtrumm]

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

[@galahtownsville6444]

Brilliant!

[@SAM-zt2uy]

BB & BB busking :)

[@susannewitt6112]

Bill and Billy are phantastic.

[@BeasleyStreet]

Exceedingly talented man...

[@lajm1000]

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

[@Bondoz007]

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

[@yashas9974]

The background laughter is contagious.

[@jamesfletcher5906]

The cameraman was having a great time

[@tamarayoung9861]

Ahhh awesome

[@sophiebailey4891]

"Do you want salt and vinegaaaah?" hahaha

[@davidgraham952]

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

[@seandoherty1239]

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

[@josephsuchomel9174]

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

[@seandoherty1239]

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

[@josephsuchomel9174]

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

[@seandoherty1239]

@@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.

[@PlasticGirl65]

Brilliant, love Bill Baily.

[@EricPhilippiofficial]

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

[@DG-mv6zw]

The ultimate compliment really.

[@clockwork9827]

Great post. Keep up the busking . miss old Camden

[@nprentice3720]

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

[@nigeljames6017]

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

[@JK-zx3go]

Love it

[@lizzieatherfold2293]

Just brilliant

[@johnbarry1965]

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!!!!

[@davidravenscroft1641]

Bill bailey...legend!!!

[@DJSvenNo1]

Bill Bailey #awesome!

[@samuelholmes3696]

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!

[@lovepuddingmybeagle]

Could you love these men more :)

[@davidpate3859]

Too funny for words!

[@jules.8443]

All the best to Jon & Raphael, from England.

[@MOOSEDOWNUNDER]

Pure sodding class lad. lol. Good stuff.

[@punkisinthedetails1470]

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

[@johnmunro4952]

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

[@davesheldon2874]

Bill Bailey - genius!

[@johnknow4097]

Billy Bragg shit.

[@alisonmac6]

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

[@fecklessmovies]

MrRichiehamburg LOL

[@svendbosanvovski4241]

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.

[@stewartread849]

Brilliant 🤣 👏 🤣

[@thomasskjold]

This is VERY funny !

[@HM-yv9xk]

this is part of our cultural fabric.

[@brianjones5828]

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

[@riceuteneuer2678]

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

[@NickShields1]

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

[@NickShields1]

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

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

Was

[@IELTS-Experts]

Love this, and I've just seen Mark Thomas with Billy Bragg.

[@BjørjaBear]

Top Man!

[@alitlweird]

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

[@redstep-child3096]

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

[@MrBazzabee]

Brilliant.......

[@andysmith8890]

Excellent

[@tuckedup]

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

[@lorreba3054]

quite unbelieveabill actually

[@scottanderson8167]

When did we all get so old