The Good Old Days: Ken Dodd - Best Performance (March 1st 1974)

Another treasure that was lost for us all on March 11th 2018.

Regarded by most as the "last great music-hall entertainer, Sir Kenneth Arthur Dodd never laid down his good humour, his chaotic approach, lengthy showcases and, most importantly of all, his ever-famous "tickling stick."

Our hearts have sung with laughter, tears and rousing cheer with his performances, and this video falls very near and dear to my heart, as it is the very first moment I ever laid eyes on this incredible and talented man.

I hope you enjoy, and please share and let others discover this lost gem, and may his name never die!

(I do not own the rights to this video, it is the sole property of BBC and its creators, and is mainly uploaded here for non-commercial purposes.)

[pixbychris]

So lucky to have seen Sir Ken live. Never to be forgotten

[timdyer]

There will never be another comedian like that. Talented at singing, gags, wit, audience mesmerized.

[nathelondon]

Unprecedented. Unique. Unequalled. RIP Doddy.

[steve]

The volume of material this man had was astounding.
Genius

[PeterWhiteness]

If you never had the privilege of seeing Ken Dodd live, then you missed one of the greatest performances you will ever witness. My wife and I were lucky enough to be part of the audience in a tiny theatre called Theatre in the Forest, in Grizedale, The English Lake District. Doddy came on at 8:00pm and finished at 12:40am, having beaten every member of the audience into total submission with his incredible one-liners, his unending energy, his love of what he did and his unfailing professionalism. We will never see the likes of him again. RIP Sir Ken.

[christopherdavies]

"She was so thin, one day she swallowed a pickle onion and four lads left the village!" Genuine lols.

[clivemason-msju]

I only saw him live once, probably around the time he did this Good Old Days performance. I was quite young, so don't remember it that well, only that we were all in fits of laughter. We will never see his like again. Today's so-called comedians could take lessons from him.

[suttonelms]

I saw him when he was well into his 80s; he did four hours, 8pm till after midnight. What an amazing talent. Tears running down our faces; fantastic evening.

[gremlinuk]

Loved watching these shows from back then when I was a kid in the 70s, born 23rd May 1968 from northern Ireland UK

[johnmanning]

As a 12 year old boy I was taken by my parents to see him at Blackpool Opera House in 1969. It was in the summer holidays and it was also the time when the Scottish pits closed for a week. Invariably the miners holidayed in Blackpool. As I sat in the theatre before the lights dimmed, I looked around at all the dour, humourless faces that surrounded me. I remember thinking that they’re not going to be easily entertained! The lights dimmed and four hours later as Ken left the stage and the lights came on, all I could see was a plethora of pitmen with tears of laughter literally still rolling down their faces. I’ll never forget that scene.

[davidhall]

One of Britain s finest, we will not see the likes of Ken Again.

[colinmuddell]

Sheer genius and not a moment's hesitation as the jokes come thick and fast.

[mathill]

Was out of the country at time this was broadcast March 1974 so really pleased to see this we were blessed with good entertainers then Ken Dodd will be remembered as one of the all time greats which can not be said of today's mediocre bunch.

[sharonjones]

as a 70s kid in Liverpool we used to go to ken's pantos every Christmas at the empire. absolute carnage 🤣🤣🤣

[paulshubsachs]

When I was a nipper, I was taken to see Doddy at The Apollo Theatre, Ardwick, Manchester. He sang a raucous song, flinging his arms extravagantly....and his "arms" extended to about 12 feet in length! Later on, I loved his radio show;...and even when I was well past my 'sell by' date, that incredible chap was still brightening my life. Jerry Lewis once commented that Stan Laurel should have been allowed to live forever. I'll happily add Ken Dodd to the list.

[dovidell]

My Mum so loved Ken Dodd, that at her funeral, we were all given Ken Dodd dusters, which we waved as homage to her, and her favourite comedian - more than a decade on, I still have mine

[Johnny_Seven]

I went to see Ken I reckon it was around 2003. I always knew he was good from seeing him on TV. But when you see him live it is something else. Everyone had tears running down their faces including me. He just kept firing joke after joke at you. So glad I went, if I remember right he started at 7:30, he did have a break at some point, but it was around twenty to one in the morning when we came out. He truly was one of the greatest. Thanks for a wonderful night Ken.

[ianmcnamara]

Doddy at the top of his game..the best and much sadly missed.
Thanks for sharing

[PK-yfhd]

Totally inimitable..the universal British comic ..what a legacy of laughter

[georgeallen]

This man was so talented and quick . A comic legend. And he had a good voice ……..