One of the greatest camp cult icons of the Swinging Sixties, the ultimate louche "cool dude" (and a direct inspiration on the character Austin Powers), Peter Wyngarde aka Jason King is dead. Many facets of the man's life were shrouded in mystery - not least the date and circumstances of his birth; even his true birth name. Despite becoming wildly popular as the archetypal "ladies' man" on screen, it was a well-known fact in theatrical circles that he was Alan Bates' lover for a decade.
Facts:
- Before his international screen stardom, Mr Wyngarde was a renowned Shakespearean actor; appearing on stage in The Merchant of Venice, Othello, Hamlet, Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew.
- He and the writer J.G. Ballard were prisoners of the Japanese together during World War II.
- In 1975, he was arrested and convicted for an act of "gross indecency" in the toilets of Gloucester Bus Station; the story made the tabloid headlines and more or less ended his career.
- He released an album titled When Sex Leers Its Inquisitive Head, a copy of which we (inevitably) have in our collection. It is - ahem - unusual, to say the least.
- He once beat Cliff Richard and George Best to be crowned Britain’s best-dressed man.
- Even on his death bed, he told his manager off for buttoning the upper button on his shirt.
RIP Peter Paul Wyngarde (possibly born Cyril Goldbert, c. 1927 – 15th January 2018)
VERY 70s; I am not familiar with this gentleman. but I can see the "austin powers" nod. the porn 'stache, the chest fur, the gold chains, the open shirts, THE PACKAGE!
ReplyDeleteHe certainly was very cock-sure! Jx
DeleteSeparated at birth from Johnny Hallyday?
ReplyDeleteNever saw them both on a stage at the same time... Jx
DeleteFor a second there, I thought you had posted a pic of John Holmes. Then again, all those 1970s afro and stach sporting fellas wearing tight, stylish suits start to look alike in black and white. Which Bee Gees brother is standing next to him in that last foto? Leisure suits are best photographed in living color to capture their scintillating allure...
ReplyDeleteRIP to a great entertainer who managed to keep people guessing, bringing some joy and a bit of mystery that makes the world a magical place.
There could quite possibly be one or two - ahem - similarities between Mr Wyngarde and Mr Holmes, judging by the last photo! The gentleman with him is the "last BeeGee", Barry - a man not unaccustomed to tight-trouserdom himself, as certain publicity photos reveal... Jx
DeleteYASSS!
Delete"Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk,
DeleteI'm a woman's man: no time to talk."
Apparently.
Jx
Now I know the secret to how the Bee Gees were able to hit those high notes: It's the jewels smothering tight pants!
Delete"Meaningless songs in very high voices
DeleteWith a thousand violins
Meaningless songs in very high voices
In a pair of tight gold jeans
Meaningless songs in very high voices
And Ah!... whatever that means"
...according to The Hee Bee Gee Bees.
Jx
Loads there I never knew.
ReplyDeleteHe certainly was a 'one off'.
A 60s icon. Jx
DeleteOh..... I have always wanted a pair of velvet pants like he has on in the fifth picture. I hadn't heard the news yet.
ReplyDeleteI can picture you in the entire outfit, including glass of booze... Jx
DeleteRe the photo of Peter receiving the trophy, his companion on the balcony on Carnaby Street is Barry Gibb who is presenting him with the trophy for 1970s Best Dressed Male Personality. Gibb was the 1969 winner.
ReplyDeleteAh, how "Best Dressed" awards have changed over the decades... Jx
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