Penny rimbaud biography

Penny Rimbaud

English musician, writer and poet.
Date of Birth: 08.06.1943
Country: Great Britain

Content:
  1. Biography of Penny Rimbaud
  2. Creative Career
  3. 'Le Twiddle' Dance and Controversy
  4. Anarchist and Pacifist Endeavors
  5. Continued Artistic Pursuits
  6. Later Work and Contributions

Biography of Penny Rimbaud

Early Life and Education

Jeremy John Ratter, known by his stage name Penny Rimbaud, was born on June 8, 1943, in Northwood, London. He was expelled from both Brentwood School and Lindisfarne College before briefly studying philosophy at Magdalen College, Oxford. However, Rimbaud quickly realized that "Oxford was not an educational tool but a particularly unpleasant form of class ideological processing."

Creative Career

After working briefly in a clothing production and sales company, Rimbaud found his passion for the arts and enrolled in Dagenham School of Art in the early 1960s. It was there that he met his long-term creative partner, artist Gee Vaucher. Rimbaud quickly became a prominent figure in the emerging pop art movement, showcasing his tailoring skills and innovative approach.

'Le Twiddle' Dance and Controversy

During a trip to Costa Brava, Spain, in 1962, Rimbaud and his friend Mick Smee created the dance called 'Le Twiddle' as a response to the popular twist and Madison dances of the time. The dance gained popularity among Spanish youth but attracted negative attention from the press. Even the fascist dictator Franco took notice and conducted a series of arrests to demonstrate the dance's perceived unacceptability in Spain. Rimbaud and Smee managed to escape unscathed.

Anarchist and Pacifist Endeavors

Inspired by the film 'Inn of the Sixth Happiness,' Rimbaud founded the anarchist and pacifist community 'Dial House' in 1967 with Gee Vaucher. With the help of his friend Phil Russell, Rimbaud organized the free festival movement in Windsor and later at Stonehenge in the 1970s. The unanswered questions surrounding Russell's death fueled Rimbaud's anger and became a significant motive for the formation of the anarcho-punk group 'Crass' in 1984.

Continued Artistic Pursuits

Despite the formation of 'Crass,' Rimbaud continued to write, perform solo, and collaborate with other artists and musicians. His initially self-funded single 'Reality Asylum,' which harshly criticized Christianity, caused controversy and was perceived as blasphemy by some. The track took two minutes on 'Crass's debut album 'The Feeding of the 5000' in 1978, but as a single, it stretched to a full 45 minutes. Rimbaud's poem 'Rocky Eye' became a scathing attack on Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her government after the Falklands War of 1982.

Later Work and Contributions

From 2003 onwards, Rimbaud worked on the musical series 'Crass Agenda' (later 'Last Amendment') with former 'Crass' members and other musicians. In 2005, he completed his philosophical work 'This Crippled Flesh' and appeared in Dominic Thackray's 9-minute short film 'Girlfriend in a Kimono.' Rimbaud also served as a regular contributor to the magazine 'N16.'