Kray twins: Encyclopedia II - Kray twins - Inspiration

Kray twins - Inspiration

They were the subject of a feature film, The Krays (1990), in which they were played by Gary and Martin Kemp of the band Spandau Ballet. There are many books about their reign of terror, amongst the most critically acclaimed is The Profession of Violence by John Pearson. They were also the inspiration behind the Monty Python "Piranha Brothers" sketch. This sketch contained frighteningly little exaggeration; even the tale of nailing someone to the floor has its roots in the murder of Jack "the Hat" McVitie, who was impaled onto the floor with a long knife.

Singer Morrissey mentions the Kray twins in his song "Last of the International Playboys", and Blur mentions Ronald Kray in their song "Charmless Man". The first single by electronic band Renegade Soundwave was a song about them, "Kray twins", with the Twins featured on the cover artwork. (on the Mute label / 1987)

Association with (or former association with) the Krays is also seen as a sign of prestige in many differing social circles, or an indication of cockney authenticity. This attitude was spoofed in the UK Television Series The Young Ones with Robbie Coltrane as a bouncer claiming "...and I was at Violet's funeral.", indicating that the speaker attended the funeral of the Krays' mother.

The TV series EastEnders has featured a gangland organisation called The Firm.

In an interview with The Leaky Cauldron, J.K. Rowling mentioned a similarity between the use of "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" as a replacement for Voldemort in the Harry Potter series and the Kray twins, because Londoners would not speak the name "Kray."

Krays TV interview (1965) [1]

See also BBC website for Richard Whitmore's report on the Kray trial [2]

Punk Rock band named "The Krays"

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Inspiration", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki