The first time I heard 'him', it was actually just his material. Us cadets were on a rifle range and we must have run out of ammo or something, 'cause the flight sergeant did the crucifixion sketch from beginning to end and it was brilliant. It was like a stage too, as his audience was seated on an array of steps like in some ancient theatre.
A school pal had one of the first albums, which was what I heard next. Quite shocking in its day, and we lapped it up of course.