Ted Milton is an enigmatic figure, a man who has lived a life of unbridled creativity and experimentation, leaving behind a trail of eccentric characters and avant-garde works that continue to fascinate audiences today. The 82-year-old saxophonist, poet, and puppeteer has been on the road with his band Blurt for years, still bringing his unique energy to every performance. Despite facing health issues in recent years, Milton remains as irreverent and inspiring as ever, defying age and convention with a passion that is hard to match.
Milton's life has been marked by moments of both brilliance and turmoil, from his early days as an art student at Cambridge to his involvement in the London bohemian scene, where he befriended artists like Pete Brown and William S. Burroughs. He recalls one particular encounter with the Beat godfather, sharing a taxi ride that would change the course of their lives forever.
The big bloke in the khaki suit, as he is affectionately known, has always been a natural performer, drawing crowds to his puppet shows and avant-garde performances with an unbridled enthusiasm that has captivated fans for decades. His band Blurt, which features Milton on saxophone and vocals, has built a reputation for its raucous, jazzy blowouts, earning the respect of fans like Graham Lewis of Wire.
Despite his wild past, Milton's personal life has been marked by both creativity and turmoil. He was married three times and had five children, including a recent addition when he was nearly 70. His son George is now involved in creating a new film about Milton's work, "The Last Puppet Show," which promises to explore the complex relationships between father and son.
Milton's own definition of success has always been one of independence and self-reliance, refusing to be bound by conventions or expectations. He recalls being described as a "visionary" by Eric Clapton in his early days, but admits that he has often put himself ahead of others, sometimes with consequences.
When asked about the secret behind his enduring charisma, Milton offers a fascinating insight: "Charisma is a form of psychosis," he says, citing Alice Miller's book The Drama of the Gifted Child. According to Miller, children are often forced to suppress their authentic selves in order to survive, and this intense self-consciousness can have lasting effects on an individual's psyche.
Milton reflects that while his early years were marked by a sense of being "on stilts," constantly performing for others, he has since found a more balanced approach. While he still enjoys the spotlight, he is no longer defined by it, and this newfound perspective has allowed him to connect with audiences on a deeper level.
Despite his advanced age, Milton remains as irreverent and inspiring as ever, defying convention and pushing boundaries in everything he does. As he takes the stage with Blurt, ready to bring his unique energy to another packed performance, it's clear that this big bloke in the khaki suit is far from done yet – and we can't wait to see what's next for this true original.
Milton's life has been marked by moments of both brilliance and turmoil, from his early days as an art student at Cambridge to his involvement in the London bohemian scene, where he befriended artists like Pete Brown and William S. Burroughs. He recalls one particular encounter with the Beat godfather, sharing a taxi ride that would change the course of their lives forever.
The big bloke in the khaki suit, as he is affectionately known, has always been a natural performer, drawing crowds to his puppet shows and avant-garde performances with an unbridled enthusiasm that has captivated fans for decades. His band Blurt, which features Milton on saxophone and vocals, has built a reputation for its raucous, jazzy blowouts, earning the respect of fans like Graham Lewis of Wire.
Despite his wild past, Milton's personal life has been marked by both creativity and turmoil. He was married three times and had five children, including a recent addition when he was nearly 70. His son George is now involved in creating a new film about Milton's work, "The Last Puppet Show," which promises to explore the complex relationships between father and son.
Milton's own definition of success has always been one of independence and self-reliance, refusing to be bound by conventions or expectations. He recalls being described as a "visionary" by Eric Clapton in his early days, but admits that he has often put himself ahead of others, sometimes with consequences.
When asked about the secret behind his enduring charisma, Milton offers a fascinating insight: "Charisma is a form of psychosis," he says, citing Alice Miller's book The Drama of the Gifted Child. According to Miller, children are often forced to suppress their authentic selves in order to survive, and this intense self-consciousness can have lasting effects on an individual's psyche.
Milton reflects that while his early years were marked by a sense of being "on stilts," constantly performing for others, he has since found a more balanced approach. While he still enjoys the spotlight, he is no longer defined by it, and this newfound perspective has allowed him to connect with audiences on a deeper level.
Despite his advanced age, Milton remains as irreverent and inspiring as ever, defying convention and pushing boundaries in everything he does. As he takes the stage with Blurt, ready to bring his unique energy to another packed performance, it's clear that this big bloke in the khaki suit is far from done yet – and we can't wait to see what's next for this true original.