A Semi-Biographical Song
I had the pleasure of seeing ‘Bugsy Malone’ in a movie theater when it first came out! At the time, I felt an immediate connection with Fat Sam’s gang, Knuckles, Ritzy, Angelo, & Snake Eyes! I always felt quite simpatico with the movie’s showstopper, ‘Bad Guys.’
As I matured, I came to consider the song semi-biographical!
Many pretenders have followed, but there is only one Batman!
I was checking out some stuff on YouTube this weekend and came across a great tune from 1989, by renowned raconteur, Wally Wingert.
I recall how the anticipation for the upcoming Batman film was tempered by concern by fans of the 1966 tv series (like me). In the end, the Batman film was a huge hit that spawned several sequels, but it just didn’t capture the escapist fun of the original tv series.
To me, there will always be just one Batman, and that is of course the legendary Adam West. And the sentiment is shared by Wally Wingert in his classic song. ‘Adam West.’ I enjoyed the video immensely and decided to share both versions of the tune!
Adam West by Wally Wingert
He Did The Mash
Just got the sad news that the creator of the famous ‘Monster Mash’ song passed away earlier today.
Born Robert George Pickett in 1938, he would find fame about two decades later as a one-hit-wonder musician under the name Bobby “Boris” Pickett.
It was in 1962 that he co-wrote and performed the classic novelty song, “Monster Mash,” performing the song using an impersonation of veteran horror film stars Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi (the latter only in the one line “Whatever happened to my Transylvania Twist?”).
The song, credited to “Bobby “Boris” Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers,” would go on to become a million seller, as well as reaching the coveted number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song re-entered the U.S. charts twice, in 1970, and again in 1973 when it again reached the number one spot.
Thanks for the memories, Boris! ‘The Monster Mash’ will live forever!
BONUS
I found this great live performance of Bobby doing his ‘Monster Mash’ in 2005! Enjoy!
Thanks for all the music and the memories! The music shall live forever!
I have always been a big fan of Don Ho. As much as I enjoyed his signature song, Tiny Bubbles, I admit i always preferred Pearly Shells. I understand that Pearly Shells is an authentic Hawaiian Island melody, but the lyrics don’t have much to do with the original island song!
Don Ho was born 1930 in the little Honolulu neighborhood of Kakaako and is of Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, & German parentage. Don’s early days in entertainment began in a cocktail lounge called Honey’s, named after his mother. After a stint in the US Air Force, he returned to life back on the islands and assembled a band to draw in customers, and the rest is history!
Don Ho will live forever with his music! Thanks again for everything, Mr. Ho!
“When things get nut & crazy!”
Tan Nguyen, the GOP candidate for California’s 47th District, had an awesome political rally in his neighborhood, featuring “Stand By Our Tan,” by a rising Vietnamese singing sensation!
I say inspirational because it has inspired me to either move to the 47th district and vote for Tan (‘because after all, he’s a good man’), or to alternately become Vietnamese myself!
I wrote to his campaign and suggested some new lyrics, “Stand by your tan, but don’t stay in the sun for too long….” What do you think?
It’s going to be a long, long time…
Rocket Man was a hit song for pop star Elton John, written by John and his top songwriter, Bernie Taupin. It is based on Ray Bradbury’s short story, Rocket Man, featured in one his wonderful short story collections, The Illustrated Man.
In 1978, at the (first and last) Science Fiction Film Awards, broadcast on independent stations across the USA, Bernie Taupin personally introduced William Shatner’s “interpretation” of Rocket Man. Shatner’s rendition really has to be seen to be believed, and nothing I can say would possibly do it justice. Lets just say fasten your seatbelts, especially for the last 1/4 of the song!
I spent quite a few years looking for this on video, and a few years ago my old pal Andy gave it to me as a Christmas present. It has since become one of the jewels of my collection! Thanks, pal! In the time since then I have screened it (and dubbed it) for many friends and acquaintances, and none have been the same since.
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