Ted Milton, the 82-year-old saxophonist and puppeteer, is still going strong with his band Blurt and releasing new music. He's had an unconventional life, from sharing taxis with William S Burroughs to being featured in Monty Python's Jabberwocky.
Born into a family that moved to west Africa when he was 11, Milton found solace in music and rebellion. He recalls having a Dansette record player and being drawn to the works of Elvis, Carl Perkins, and Little Richard. As a young man, he dabbled in art studies at Cambridge and jazz in London before becoming part of the bohemian scene.
Milton's journey into puppetry was marked by experimentation and subversion. He recalls performing with puppets during support slots for bands like Clapton and Ian Dury, often incorporating anti-authoritarian messages and Brechtian aesthetics. His work was featured on Tony Wilson's TV show So It Goes, which caught the attention of Graham Lewis and Colin Newman from Wire.
Now, at 82, Milton is facing a new challenge: exploring his family dynamics through a film by his son George, The Last Puppet Show. The movie delves into Milton's past as a father figure, which he admits was sometimes tumultuous.
Milton attributes his charisma to a form of psychosis, as Alice Miller's book The Drama of the Gifted Child suggests that children often suppress their authentic selves to support others. He notes that this intense self-consciousness has abated with age, allowing him to be more grounded and less performative.
Despite this shift, Milton still finds himself drawn to the spotlight. His performances are a testament to his boundless energy and creativity, which continue to captivate audiences across Europe with Blurt and his new duo, the Odes.
Born into a family that moved to west Africa when he was 11, Milton found solace in music and rebellion. He recalls having a Dansette record player and being drawn to the works of Elvis, Carl Perkins, and Little Richard. As a young man, he dabbled in art studies at Cambridge and jazz in London before becoming part of the bohemian scene.
Milton's journey into puppetry was marked by experimentation and subversion. He recalls performing with puppets during support slots for bands like Clapton and Ian Dury, often incorporating anti-authoritarian messages and Brechtian aesthetics. His work was featured on Tony Wilson's TV show So It Goes, which caught the attention of Graham Lewis and Colin Newman from Wire.
Now, at 82, Milton is facing a new challenge: exploring his family dynamics through a film by his son George, The Last Puppet Show. The movie delves into Milton's past as a father figure, which he admits was sometimes tumultuous.
Milton attributes his charisma to a form of psychosis, as Alice Miller's book The Drama of the Gifted Child suggests that children often suppress their authentic selves to support others. He notes that this intense self-consciousness has abated with age, allowing him to be more grounded and less performative.
Despite this shift, Milton still finds himself drawn to the spotlight. His performances are a testament to his boundless energy and creativity, which continue to captivate audiences across Europe with Blurt and his new duo, the Odes.
I'm loving the fact that Ted Milton is still going strong at 82! He's got an incredible story of rebellion and experimentation, from sharing taxis with William S Burroughs to making puppets during Clapton's gigs 
. It's crazy to think about how his life has been so intertwined with music and art - I mean, who else gets to say they've performed with puppets while supporting bands like Ian Dury? 
The fact that he's facing a new challenge exploring his family dynamics through film is really interesting... it'll be cool to see what his son George comes up with 
. And can we talk about how captivating Milton's energy and creativity still are? He's definitely proof that you're never too old to rock out 
!
. he's such an inspiration, not just for his music, but for living life on his own terms 
. I mean, who else can say they've performed with Clapton and Ian Dury while also being part of some wild puppetry scenes? the man's a legend for sure, but at 82, he's still getting his game face on and slaying the stage 
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. From taxi rides with William S Burroughs to being featured in Monty Python, it's like he's been living in a never-ending dream 
. And now, his son's making a film about him? It's like they're trying to create some sort of...I don't know, alternative reality or something 
. I mean, can you think of any other way his family dynamics would come out on screen? It just feels too convenient 
?
. And it's amazing that he's still making music at 82, his energy is infectious! 
I'm also curious about The Last Puppet Show film by his son George - how does Ted feel about exploring his family dynamics like this? Is it a bit of a wild ride looking back on his past as a dad? 
Still, he's still going strong and making music that inspires people of all ages. His journey is like a reminder that life is full of ups and downs, but with age comes wisdom and self-awareness 
It's beautiful to see how his experiences have shaped him into the person he is today 
And I love how he attributes his charisma to a form of psychosis - it just goes to show that creativity can come from unexpected places 
What I'd like to know is, has he ever thought about taking a step back and letting someone else take center stage?
. I mean, can you even imagine how cool it must've been to share a taxi with William S Burroughs? 
. But what I think is really interesting is how Ted Milton has described his charisma as a form of psychosis - it just goes to show that creativity can come from some pretty unconventional places 
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. Ted Milton might be 82, but he's still got it 
his music is pure gold and that film about his son is supposed to be deep 
! The way he's turned his unconventional life into an incredible career is truly inspiring 
. From sharing taxis with William S Burroughs to being a part of Monty Python's Jabberwocky, this guy's had some wild experiences