"Sinatra, Presley, Jagger, Popeye and now...... Duffo!”

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

During a meeting with Stiff Records, Jeff Duff suddenly leapt on the table and placed his arms between his legs. He stared at the ceiling; his knees were together and bent, his feet were apart - toes facing inwards, like a woman with her skirt gathered up, trying to avoid contact with the toilet seat, peeing hastily between appointments. The executives in the room, and the artist’s own manager, were too surprised to say anything. After a few moments, Duffo stood up slowly, his knees clicking, and he began to sing. He strutted back and forth, sticking out his meagre chest, like a flickering Harold Lloyd on a diving board in one of his private home movies; and all the while singing: ‘Warhol claims that the strongest man on British and American soil is Duffo, ‘the disappearing boy’ – hand over Olive Oil!’ Duffo suffered from anorexia, and his manager later excused his outburst, saying ‘ Jeff felt he was about to faint, so he got on the table and turned it into a Mickey Rooney thing to save face.’ When I met Duffo a few years ago at Doncaster Racecourse he confirmed this story, saying: 'I was hungry. When I heard my knees clicking, I knew I was about to audition'.

Why do you think Andy Warhol said what he said, and were Stiff right to throw the usually shy and self-effacing Jeff Duff out of their office before hearing the demos?

― Limiter Garner, Monday, 25 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I admit this story would be more interesting if I knew who Jeff Duff was.

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 25 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I want you to remember saying you don't know who Jeff Duff was. Actually he 'is' and you will surely take him to your bosom.

http://www.cafeiguana.net/duffo/read_on.htm

― Limiter Garner, Monday, 25 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Sounds like a character, I'll grant him that.

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 25 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

He is, except - he fidgets too much for just one character. He's about 25 different characters.

― Limiter Garner, Monday, 25 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

two years pass...

"If ever there was a performer in this crazy industry who was innocence and knowing all in one, a perpetual outsider and a Peter Pan, it's Jeff Duff... and that's why the angel wings that have adorned a lot of his publicity photos and CD artwork make a lot of sense too. A fallen angel perhaps and perhaps not. Maybe he's a creation of Wim Wenders circa Wings of Desire and he doesn't know it".

I don't think it's overstating the case to say that, had Jeff Duff hailed from a country in the top half of the world, he could now be as acknowledged and acclaimed as David Bowie, or Lou Reed or Iggy Pop. But egalitarian Australia has never been terribly fond, nor forgiving of its gifted eccentrics, most of whom (Barry Humphries jumping swiftest to mind) have been forced away from its shores by disdain or, worse, indifference.

― Johngeorgesmith, Thursday, 22 April 2004 11:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Beggars Banquet signed him in the end and released at least one album IIRC. I've got a single of his at home "Give Me Back Me Brain", which I presume they must have sent me as a promo. Amusing enough novelty I guess but absolutely nothing to get excited about....

"I don't think it's overstating the case to say that, had Jeff Duff hailed from a country in the top half of the world, he could now be as acknowledged and acclaimed as David Bowie, or Lou Reed or Iggy Pop."

You are either: (a) joking; (b) Duffo; (c) Duffo's mum; (d) Duffo's manager, or: (e) absolutely bloody barking mad.

There were certainly David Bowie influences.... David Bowie crossed with DEVO and Kermit The Frog maybe?

Does he still appear on stage wrapped in cellophane?

― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 22 April 2004 11:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Now, who can tell me what happened to Shrink?

He had half a head of pink hair and used to cover his entire face with gold paint before going on stage; released a couple of singles (including the phenomenal "Valid Or Void") and a 10" 6-track thing or A&M / Oval around '80 / '81 and had a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in the film Broken Glass?

― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 22 April 2004 11:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Next week: Gabbo!

http://www.snipp.org/aggeggioso/cards/cards/gabbo.gif

"You're going to like me...."

― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 22 April 2004 12:06 (twenty-two years ago)

I remember Duffo on "Old Grey Whistle Test". He was a bit like iggy, but scrawny.

If he'd been any good, he'd have been big, probably. I don't know he was not good, but then...

― mark grout (mark grout), Thursday, 22 April 2004 12:44 (twenty-two years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.