Editing Bill Oddie (section)

===Music===
Oddie wrote original music at [[The University of Cambridge|Cambridge University]] for the [[Footlights]] and later wrote comic songs for ''[[I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again]]''. He also wrote a number of comic songs for [[The Goodies]], most of which he also performed.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, Oddie released a number of singles and at least one album. One of the former, issued in 1970 on [[John Peel]]'s [[Dandelion Records]] label (Catalogue No: 4786), was "[[On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at]]",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=222302|title=Bill Oddie On Ilkla Moor Baht'at UK Promo 7" vinyl single (7-inch record) (222302)|website=Eil.com|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607102921/https://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=222302|archive-date=7 June 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> performed in the style of [[Joe Cocker]]'s "[[With a Little Help from My Friends]]". The B-side, "Harry Krishna", featured the [[Hare Krishna (mantra)|Hare Krishna]] chant, substituting the names of contemporary famous people called Harry, including [[Harry Secombe]], [[Harry Worth (actor, born 1917)|Harry Worth]], [[Harry Lauder]] and [[Harry Corbett]], as well as [[pun]]s such as "Harry [Hurry] along now" and "Harrystotle [Aristotle]" and ending with "Harry-ly [I really] must go now". Both tracks appear on the compilation CD ''Life Too, Has Surface Noise: The Complete Dandelion Records Singles Collection 1969–1972'' (2007). In 1966 he was credited as the vocalist with [[Spencer's Washboard Kings]] on "[[Five Feet Two]]" (Rayrick LCR1001a). The vocalist on the B-side of this 45rpm single, "[[If You Knew Susie]]", was Jean Hart, Oddie's future wife.<ref>Rayrick LCR1001a/b</ref>

He played the drums and saxophone and appeared as Cousin Kevin in a production of [[The Who]]'s rock opera ''[[Tommy (London Symphony Orchestra album)|Tommy]]'' by [[London Symphonic Orchestra]] and [[English Chamber Choir]] at the [[Rainbow Theatre]], [[Finsbury Park (district)|Finsbury Park]], London, on 13 and 14 December 1973. He has also contributed vocals to a [[Rick Wakeman]] album, ''[[Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record|Criminal Record]]''.

He recorded a single, "Superspike", with [[John Cleese]] and a group of UK athletes, billed the "Superspike Squad", to fund the latter's attendance at the [[1976 Summer Olympics]] in Montreal. He co-produced the record with Stephen Shane.<ref>Bradley's BRAD 7606, released 20 February 1976. A side: Superspike (Part 1), B side: Superspike (Part 2). {{YouTube|5z5h2mDNNwg|Superspike}}</ref>

In 1986 Oddie took part in the [[English National Opera]] production of the [[Gilbert and Sullivan]] [[comic opera]] ''[[The Mikado]]'', in which he appeared in the role of the Lord High Executioner, taking over the role from [[Eric Idle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theartsdesk.com/opera/200-miller-mikados-eno |title=200 Miller Mikados at ENO |first=David |last=Nice |date=6 December 2015 |website=theartsdesk.com |access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref> During the early 1990s Oddie was a DJ for London-based [[jazz]] radio station [[102.2 Jazz FM]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Goddard |first=Grant |title=Jazz Radio Listings |journal=News: Jazz Radio Listings: July & August 1992}}</ref>

In 2007, Oddie appeared on the BBC series ''[[Play It Again (TV series)|Play It Again]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/playitagain/programmes/series1/billoddie |title=Play It Again: Bill Oddie grapples with the electric guitar |publisher=BBC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070505175939/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/playitagain/programmes/series1/billoddie/ |archive-date=5 May 2007 |access-date=17 January 2010 }}</ref> In the episode he attempts to realise his dream of becoming a [[rock guitarist]]. Initially teacher [[Bridget Mermikides]] tries to teach him using traditional methods but he rebels: instead he turns to old friends [[Albert Lee]], [[Dave Davies]] (of [[The Kinks]]) and [[Mark Knopfler]] for advice and strikes out on his own. He succeeds in the target of playing lead guitar for his daughter Rosie's band at her 21st birthday party and even manages to impress his erstwhile teacher.

In November 2010, he agreed, along with fellow members of [[The Goodies]], to rerelease their 1970s hit "The Funky Gibbon" to raise funds for the [[International Primate Protection League]]'s Save the Gibbon appeal.