219. Neil Innes (Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, The Rutles) on Mothers of Invention 'We're Only In It For the Money' (1968)

A legend of both music and comedy, Neil Innes weaved dry wit around sweet soulful melody for decades, from the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band to the Rutles, his work with Monty Python and on television with Rutland Weekend Television and The Innes Book of Records.

Neil joins me to talk about Frank Zappa's classic commentary on the Summer of Love and response to Sgt Pepper, 'We're Only In It For the Money'. We talk about how the album balances satire and music inventiveness, how Zappa misunderstood one of Neil's songs while reviewing it, when the Bonzo's hung out with the Mothers of Invention in the US and the kinship they felt, plus how so much of the turmoil Zappa was writing about in 1968 has become eerily relevant again almost 50 years on.

My Favorite Album is a podcast on the impact great music has on our lives. Each episode features a guest on their favorite album of all time - why they love it, their history with the album and how it’s influenced them.

Jeremy Dylan is a filmmaker, journalist and photographer from Sydney, Australia who has worked in the music industry since 2007. He directed the the feature music documentary Jim Lauderdale: The King of Broken Hearts (out now!) and the feature film Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins, in addition to many commercials and music videos.

If you’ve got any feedback or suggestions, drop us a line at myfavoritealbumpodcast@gmail.com.