The Kipper Family
Encyclopedia
The Kipper Family was a two-man parody folk group played by Chris Sugden (as Sid Kipper) and Dick Nudds (as his father Henry).
, they performed their variations of traditional folk songs, with lyrics twisted to take in themes including cross-dressing, under-age sex, homosexuality at sea and the dissection of human cadavers. Although frequently macabre in theme, the Kipper Family were widely respected as accomplished folk artists and are remembered fondly. The fictional village of St. Just-near-Trunch
is known as the home of the Kipper Family.
In the early days the Kipper Family would perform to crowds expecting an ordinary folk act, firmly staying in character during the whole period in the public eye, and it would be several songs into the set before the penny dropped. Later classics include "We're Norfolk and Good", "Arrest These Merry Gentlemen" and "Bored of the Dance" and also a folk opera The Crab Wars. In addition to the released LPs there is also in existence a recording of Christmas with the Kippers, a Christmas special the Kippers recorded for BBC Radio Two.
The duo split at the end of 1991; Henry Kipper was pronounced dead, and Sid went solo. Sugden had to kill off the character as people kept asking when Henry would return.
In 2006, Sugden presented a series of podcasts for Channel 4 radio called "The Kipper Country Code", as Sid Kipper.
The Kipper Family
History
The group performed as the Kipper Family throughout the 1980s and released several cult albums. Partly parodying the Copper FamilyCopper Family
The Copper Family are a family of singers of traditional, unaccompanied English folk song. Originally from Rottingdean, near Brighton, Sussex, England, the nucleus of the family now live in the neighbouring village of Peacehaven.-History:...
, they performed their variations of traditional folk songs, with lyrics twisted to take in themes including cross-dressing, under-age sex, homosexuality at sea and the dissection of human cadavers. Although frequently macabre in theme, the Kipper Family were widely respected as accomplished folk artists and are remembered fondly. The fictional village of St. Just-near-Trunch
Trunch
Trunch is a village and parish in Norfolk, England, situated three miles north of North Walsham and two miles from the coast at Mundesley. At the Census 2001 the village had a population of 805, and 388 households. The parish covers an area of ....
is known as the home of the Kipper Family.
In the early days the Kipper Family would perform to crowds expecting an ordinary folk act, firmly staying in character during the whole period in the public eye, and it would be several songs into the set before the penny dropped. Later classics include "We're Norfolk and Good", "Arrest These Merry Gentlemen" and "Bored of the Dance" and also a folk opera The Crab Wars. In addition to the released LPs there is also in existence a recording of Christmas with the Kippers, a Christmas special the Kippers recorded for BBC Radio Two.
The duo split at the end of 1991; Henry Kipper was pronounced dead, and Sid went solo. Sugden had to kill off the character as people kept asking when Henry would return.
In 2006, Sugden presented a series of podcasts for Channel 4 radio called "The Kipper Country Code", as Sid Kipper.
Albums
Sid Kipper- Like A Rhinestone Ploughboy (1994)
- Spineless (1997)
- Boiled in the Bag (1997)
- East Side Story (2000)
- Cod Pieces (2002)
- Chained Melody (2003)
- In Season (2007)
The Kipper Family
- Since Time Immoral (1984)
- The Ever Decreasing Circle (1985)
- The Crab Wars (1986)
- Fresh Yesterday (1988)
- Arrest These Merry Gentlemen (1989)
- In the Family Way (1991)