Popular Culture
The banjolele was the instrument played by British comedian George Formby (1904–61), who developed his own style of playing in accompaniment to his comic songs. His name is associated with the instrument more than that of any other musician.
Other artists to make eminent use of the banjolele were Wendell Hall and Roy Smeck in the United States, and Billy "Uke" Scott in Great Britain.
In P.G. Wodehouse's 1934 novel Thank You, Jeeves, valet Jeeves is driven to resign over his employer Bertie Wooster's decision to take up the banjolele.
Queen member Brian May used a banjolele in the song "Bring Back That Leroy Brown", which appeared on their third album Sheer Heart Attack, and also to compose – but not record, he used a regular ukulele instead – "Good Company" on the Night at the Opera album.
George Harrison favoured the instrument in his later years, using it in several recordings. For example, he played it on his song Any Road.
Recent users have included Jeff Claus of The Horse Flies, Alan Randall, Andy Eastwood, Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer. The instrument can be heard in the theme song to the television show Arrested Development.
Read more about this topic: Banjo Uke
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—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)