Friday, February 01, 2008

Dickie Goodman

Dickie Goodman

Dickie Goodman is the co-creator and producer of a once widely imitated style of novelty song called "the break-in record," wherein an announcer fields samples from pop songs as answers to his interview questions. Along with Bill Buchanan, he also released records as "Buchanan and Goodman," and if you were ever a regular listener to Dr. Demento, chances are very good you're at least somewhat familiar with his work.

The biggest hits were "The Flying Saucer" and "Mr. Jaws," which sold in the millions, when they were first released in the 50s and 70s. Goodman is recognized by both the Guinness Book of World Records and Billboard, as #1 in the Novelty/Comedy genre. Over a dozen of his nearly 40 records charted between 1956 and 1986.

Goodman is often referred to as an early proponent of sample-based music, and is probably the first sound collage artist to be sued for appropriating bits of popular music into his compositions, for "The Flying Saucer," in the 1950s. The case was settled out of court, as the Judge recognized the record as parody, and an original creation.

You can find out more about the legendary Dickie Goodman at the following websites:
http://www.myspace.com/kingofnovelty
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dickie_Goodman

Dickie Goodman passed away in 1989, so I asked his son, Jon Goodman, if he'd take a crack at this week's Q&A. Without further ado, here's the SAR Q&A with Dickie Goodman, with special thanks to Jon Goodman...


*Name: Dickie Goodman

*Are there any additional names used to describe this project: Buchanan and Goodman

*Do you use a pseudonym? Dickie Goodman had some records with other names listed but it was him... like Spencer and Spencer for example.

*Members: I think on that record it was a comedian named Mickey Shore with dad.

*Tape manipulations, digital deconstructions or turntable creations: He used professional recording studios and whatever the technology of that era was, 50s 60s 70s 80s…

*Another genre descriptor: Break-In Records... but he is in Billboard under the sub-category Novelty Records, which is in the main category of Comedy Records.

*Is there a story behind your name? Dickie is a nickname for Richard.

*Location: He was born in Brooklyn (New York).

*Original Location: He started in NYC and went to Los Angeles, then Miami, then Vegas.

*What is your creative/artistic background: I did not inherit his talent unfortunately.

*History: Part of his childhood was in Long Island, NY, and his parents took in Bobby Darin, who he had befriended as a kid. As the story goes, Darin had no place else to call home.

*Born: April 19, 1934

*Motivations: He grew up in the radio days. A good example of it is the Woody Allen film by the same name.

*Philosophy: He was a gambler (horses).

*How would you like to be remembered: SAR: It should probably go without saying that Dickie Goodman will be remembered as the King of Novelty...

*Web address: http://www.myspace.com/kingofnovelty


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