His Name Is Legs (Ladies And Gents)

Album: Extra Texture (1975)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "His Name Is Legs (Ladies And Gents)" is about "Legs" Larry Smith, who was the drummer in the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, who can be seen performing "Death Cab for Cutie" in the Beatles film Magical Mystery Tour. He was also good friends with Harrison and designed the cover and promotional art for his Gone Troppo album.

    According to a big interview with George Harrison in the September 6, 1975 issue of Melody Maker, this was "the first time Harrison has consciously written a song openly based on anyone."

    The closing track on Harrison's Extra Texture album, the song is nonsensical fun, much like a lot of Smith's work with Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band.
  • Smith contributed to the vocals; George himself said: "I noticed on meeting him how eccentric and yet how English and Oxford he appeared..."

    That is hardly surprising as he was born at Oxford! Smith also tap danced on the Elton John track "I Think I'm Going To Kill Myself".

    Harrison also explained the song in depth to Paul Gambacinni on a BBC radio program the same month. Coincidentally, Gambacinni is an alumnus of Oxford.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Kristian Bush of Sugarland

Kristian Bush of SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")Songwriter Interviews

Inspired by his dear friend, "Seasons in the Sun" paid for Terry's boat, which led him away from music and into a battle with Canadian paper mills.