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Dickie Goodman

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Richard Dorian "Dickie" Goodman (April 19 1934 – November 6 1989)[1] is considered one of the earliest proponents of sampling in music. He used a series of "break-in" records he created from 1956 to 1986.

In June 1956, Dickie thought, “What if a seemingly normal record was interrupted by a report of flying saucers landing?” His first record, "The Flying Saucer," was co-written with partner Bill Buchanan, featured a four-minute rewriting of Orson Welles’ famous “War of the Worlds" radio show.[2] While Goodman asked questions of pedestrians, scientists, and even the Martian himself, their responses were "snipped" from lyrics of popular songs of the day, such as:

Although "The Flying Saucer" became a major hit, it also landed Goodman in court for copyright infringement - e.g. the songs he used to create his "break-in" records. The lawsuits were later settled out of court when the judge ruled that Goodman's records were burlesques and parodies, and were original creations in and of themselves.

Goodman later recorded other break-in records, usually based around a political theme, or having his reporter (often as "John Cameron Cameron", a reference to newscaster John Cameron Swayze) alter-ego interviewing Batman or Neil Armstrong. In 1975, Goodman returned to the pop charts with "Mr. Jaws," a break-in record in which he interviews several characters from the motion picture Jaws. Peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, "Mr. Jaws" became Goodman's biggest-selling hit record.

Goodman's singles often had instrumental numbers (in which his actual role is uncertain) as B-sides. These are not found on either his original LPs or his CD compilations.

Goodman died in North Carolina in 1989 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. [4] Goodman is survived by his sons Jed and Jon and daughter Janie.

His son, Jon Goodman, supervised the issue of Greatest Fables, the first authorised CD collection of Dickie Goodman's recordings in 1998. The album included Jon's tribute, "Return Of The Flying Saucer". Jon also authored a biography of sorts about his dad, entitled "The King of Novelty" in 2000 published by Xlibris Corporation. In 2008, Jon Goodman updated his father's "Energy Crisis '74" which he posted in the Dickie Goodman MySpace page.

In 2006, his estate produced and authorized two albums: All Time Novelty Hits and Dickie Goodman's Greatest Hits.

Singles discography (incomplete) w/Billboard chart peak positions

Buchanan & Goodman

  • Back To Earth Part 1 / Back To Earth Part 2 -- Luniverse 101X -- 1956
Original title of "The Flying Saucer"
  • The Flying Saucer Parts 1 & 2 -- Radioactive 101 -- 1956
The same recording as the one on Luniverse, but ever-so-slightly shorter on each side. One or two "jokes" were cut from each side. Some pressings use a dark red or maroon label, but there were also dark blue labels found recently on this record. It's touted as being a bootleg and has bad sound as well.
  • Please Won't You Call Me / Why Should We Break Up -- Herald 477 -- 1956
This record was by The Sonnets and was produced by Dickie Goodman with possible musical involvement as well.
  • Forever Young / Come On Baby -- Eldorado 504 -- 1956
Jo-Ann Campbell sang these songs with the A-side being written by Dickie and both sides being produced by him and his partner, Bill Buchanan. It was even released on their other label. She had a few other singles on the label also written and produced by Dickie and/or Bill. Non-break-in records were also released on Luniverse by the Pittsburgh group The Del-Vikings.
The B-side is a crime-drama show-based track with little dialogue, later released under other titles (see below).
  • Invisible Thing / Some Other Fellow -- Luniverse 109 -- 1958
This is by a group called, The Casual Three. The songs are written and produced by Dickie Goodman and he provides the voice of warning and the speeded up laughter. He was probably also involved musically.
  • Class Room / Fake Out -- ABC-Paramount 45-9963 -- 11/02/58
This record was by Frankie Sardo. The A-side of this record was written and produced by Dickie Goodman. Sardo is best remembered for appearing on the ill-fated "Winter Dance Party Tour" in 1959 with Buddy Holly

All of the Buchanan & Goodman records on Luniverse (with the possible exception of "Flying Saucer Goes West") and Radioactive were also released on 78rpm vinyl discs (shellac for the Radioactive release) in very limited pressings. After 1957, the singles were pressed only on 45rpm discs.

Spencer & Spencer (Dickie Goodman & Mickey Shorr)

Dickie Goodman

This is sort of a take of on "Please, Mr. Custer", by Larry Verne. I have no other info on this recording other than it's different from the other two versions Dickie released in the following years.
This was Dickie recording under the name Val E. Forge. This is a different version of the above recording.
  • Space Ship / We Belong Together -- Novel N-200 -- 1960
This is a group called, The Missles, that Dickie sang with for this record. The A-side IS a break-in.
B-side is the same as "Mystery (In Slow Motion)"
  • Horror Movies / Whoa Mule -- Rori 601 -- 1961
This is Dickie's take off on the hit "Western Movies". He would revisit this same recording a few years later in his career. (See below)
This is basically the same as "Santa & The Satellite" with a different story line.
  • John Fitzgerald Kennedy: The Presidential Years, 1960 - 1963 -- 20th Century TFM 3127 -- 12/61 - 01/64
JFK Tribute Album / Non-comedy collection of U.S. President John F. Kennedy's more famous speeches, narrated by David Teig, including a reading by David of the speech JFK was scheduled to deliver to the Dallas Trade Mart on November 22, 1963. Dickie was president at 20th Century Records at the time and quickly put this album together as soon as he got word that JFK was murdered.
Very possibly the same recording that was listed above, but unconfirmed at this writing.
  • I Really Wanted To Be A "Singar" / Young And Foolish -- Rori 714 -- 1964?
This Joel Langran record was written and produced by Buchanan & Goodman and is a parody of Pres. Kennedy, which is why there's a question mark after the release date. More than likely it came out just before JFK was murdered, but, according to Neal Umphred's book "Goldmine's Rock 'n Roll 45RPM Record Price Guide (3rd edition)", it was released in 1964.
  • My Son The Joke (Risque-Theque) -- Comic CLP-69 -- 1964
Dickie decided to parody Allan Sherman's parody style in an "off-color" way. The album was reportedly a HUGE flop and Dickie vowed NEVER to copy someone else's style again. The titles (followed by the songs they parodied) are as follows:
Harry's Jock Strap (Frere Jacques),
Sweet Pure Daughter (Cool Water),
Dis An' Dat (Allan Sherman's "Schticks Of One"),
Army, Navy, Marines (The theme songs of each branch of the service sung with risque lyrics),
See Ya Later, Linda (Cielito Lindo),
Red River Sally (Red River Valley),
If Ida An' Anna (If I Had a Hammer Trini Lopez version),
Balling My Zelda (Waltzing Mathilda),
Tarvern In The Town (Tavern In The Town),
16 Bums (16 tons)
  • My Baby Loves Monster Movies / Theme From A Whodunit -- DCP International 1111 -- 10/03/64
This is a really cool ska (blue beat) version of the song "Horror Movies" (see above) sung by Jekyll & Hyde, otherwise known as [Dickie Goodman] & his new longtime partner, Bill Ramal. They only recorded one more single under this name (see below). This one is worth a lot of money to surf collectors these days because the flip side is a great surf instrumental.
Dickie & Bill Ramal at it again with their Jekyll & Hyde personae. Neither of these is a break-in, but the B-side is a half decent Jan & Dean style drag strip song if you disregard the lyrics.
  • Schmonanza / Backwards Theme -- M.D. 101 -- 3/01/65
Not to be confused with a track of the same name that appeared on his risque recording of stand-up comedy making fun of popular t.v. shows done years later on his album, "Screwy T.V.". (see below)
  • Never Play Poker At A Place Called Doc's Or Eat At A Place Called Mom's -- 1966
Susan Smith sang this record produced by Dickie and/or Bill Buchanan around the same time that she married Dickie. Various spellings of her first name appear on her records. A recording of this song can be found on Jon Goodman's CD's.
B-side is the same track as "Mystery" and "Lock Up"
Another Susan Smith record that can be found on Jon Goodman's CD's. It starts with Dickie impersonating Pres. Johnson awarding someone the medal.
  • The Space Girl / Very Interesting -- Roulette R-7020 -- 9/68
Comedian Jackie Kannon trying his hand at singing a few of Dickie's songs. Dickie also produced these and sang the part of the space girl with speeded up vocals. The B-side is a take-off of the "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" bit created by Arte Johnson, the German guy that says, "Very Interesting!".
  • The Modify / Live A Little -- Capitol 2407 -- 4/17/69
Dickie writing, producing and singing with this group, The Hi-Lads Featuring Ralph Michaels.
  • On Campus (#45) / Mombo Suzie -- Cotique 158 -- 6/28/69
B-side by Johnny Colon.
  • Sarah Jane / St. Marks & Third -- Bang 569 -- 7/07/69
Suzanna Smith this time out, sings another single written and possibly produced by Dickie, her husband by this time.
  • Luna Trip (#95) / My Victrola -- Cotique 173 -- 9/06/69
B-side by Joey Pastrana
Dickie produced this album and possibly performed on it, along with Bill Ramal, who conducted the orchestra. The songs all seem to be based on various theme songs. They are as follows:
Isadora's Theme;
The Windmills Of Your Mind;
Medley: Traces / Theme From A Summer Place;
The Name Of The Game - Theme;
Good Morning Starshine;
Hey Jude / Born Free;
Love Theme From Romeo & Juliet;
Memories Of Heidelberg;
Theme From Stiletto;
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
  • Coffee, Tea or Cuba / Ode To A Hijacker -- Slew 451 -- 1971
A comedy record by Joey de la Vega that was produced and written by Dickie.
This group was produced by Bill Ramal & Dickie and had a pretty big hit with a song called, "I Ain't Got Time Anymore" (see below), although it never made it onto the album. At the time that this came out, there was a big push for people to buy glass, so they named the band The Glass Bottle to help the cause. The songs on the album are as follows:
Sorry Suzanne;
Pretty Thing;
Honey Do;
Red River Sal (No relation at all to the song Dickie did on his Allan Sherman style album, or the song it parodied, "Red River Valley".);
Velvet;
Love For Living;
Wonderwheel;
The First Time;
Make Me A Woman;
Boys In The Band
The flip side is not on the album (see above). It is a cover of the Bobby Darin song, erroneously credited on the Jon Goodman CD to Darin as the artist.
  • Things -- 1971
I was told years ago by Jon Goodman that this was Bobby Darin and that Dickie produced it, possibly I misunderstood what he was saying, because I just found out that this was recorded by The Glass Bottle, on Avco. I can't add more info until I get my copy in the mail. I have a recording from Jon's second CD.
  • Because She's Mine Again / The Girl Who Loved Me When -- Avco AV-4584 -- 1971
The Glass Bottle Featuring Gary Criss. This was produced by Dickie.
Recorded by John & Ernest, written & produced by [Dickie Goodman]. B-side is a cut-and-splice of the line "Superfly" repeated continuously. Later copies were replaced with the instrumental, "Problems", which also appeared on one of Dickie's records as "Ruthie's Theme". Dickie got the name for the label by looking out the window, seeing it was raining and noticing that it was a Wednesday.
"Friends" also appeared as "Crossover" on the second & final John & Ernest record. (see below)
  • Soul President Number One / Crossover -- Rainy Wednesday 203 -- 2/73
Also recorded by John & Ernest, written & produced by [Dickie Goodman]. B-side same as "Friends". (see above)
An update of Sheb Wooley's classic hit of the same name. (Sheb also recorded as Ben Colder.) B-side is the same as "Problems". (see above)
These are Dickie's verbal impersonations of various popular t.v. shows in front of a live audience. No hold's barred, here! Lots of crass language and sexual themes. The track listing is as follows:
Ball In The Family (All In The Family);
Coward Hosell (Howard Cosell);
Mission: Improbable (Mission: Impossible);
The Goodnight Show (The Tonight Show);
Walter Funkite (Walter Cronkite);
The Mating Game (The Dating Game);
Let's Make A Feel (Let's Make A Deal);
Funsmoke (Gunsmoke);
The Screwlywed Game (The Newlywed Game);
Shmonanza (Bonanza) (No relation at all to the break-in of the same name that he did in 1965.);
Marcus Smelby, M. D. (Marcus Welby, M. D.)
  • Mr. Jaws (#4) / Irv's Theme -- Cash 451 -- 9/06/75
  • Kong (#48) / Ed's Tune -- Shock 6 -- 2/05/77
  • Just Released -- Tsuaris -- 1977
This album of Dickie's has break-ins using the formula of hiring a band to "cover" the original songs. Sadly, the sound on those covers was really bad. The tracks are as follows:
Mudamad Ali;
Charlie's Devil's;
Deep Roots;
Rocky;
Laverne, The Fonz & Shirley;
Star Warz;
Dallas
  • Star Warts / The Boys' Tune -- Janus 271 -- Summer 1977
  • Mrs. Jaws / Chomp Chomp -- Shark 1001 -- Summer 1978
  • Mr. President / Dancin' U.S.A. -- Wacko 1001 -- spring 1981
NOT the same recording as the "Mr. President" on Rainy Wednesday (see above)
  • Super-Duper Man / Robert's Tune -- Wacko 1002 -- summer 1981
Not the same recording as "Super, Superman" (see above)
  • America `81 (Short Version) / (Long Version) -- Wacko 1381 -- 1981
There were differences between the long and short versions, not just that one had more jokes, some jokes were changed.
  • Hey, E.T. / Get A Job -- Extran 601 -- fall 1982
The flip was Dickie's version of the classic oldies hit "Get A Job".
The possibility exists that this flip side may be the same as the one of the same title (see above) released in the early `60's. Many one-sided promo copies exist.
  • Hey Dickie! -- no label -- 1982
This is the first break-in that I know of by Whimsical Will of Dr. Demento fame. It's a tribute to Dickie (as pretty much EVERY break-in record surely must be, in some way) and Will interviews Dickie about his break-in records and uses bits of Dickie's own voice taken from a few of Dickie's own break-ins, "Hey, E.T." and "Mr. Jaws", for example. As Dickie is all over this recording, I thought it should be included here.
  • Attack Of The Z-Monster / Mystery -- Z-100 -- summer 1983
This was a break-in especially recorded by Dickie for the Z-100 Zoo In The Morning radio show, which I think is based in New York. The flip side is, once again, yet another appearance of the track on the flip of "Mystery" from 1957 (see above) and 4 other records under different titles.
Both of these appeared on a single (Rhino RNOR 019) and on a [Dickie Goodman] album that Rhino released along with the track "The Return Of The Jedi Returns (Star Wars IV)" (see below) which ONLY appeared on this album (Rhino RNLP 118).
This can ONLY be found on the above album.
  • Election '84 / Herb's Theme -- Shell 711 -- 1984
The flip side is the same as "Irv's Theme". (see above)
  • Safe Sex Report / Safety First -- Goodname 100 -- late 1987 / early 1988
Dickie Goodman's final record

References

  1. ^ "LOCAL, AREA DEATHS". Fayetteville Observer, The (NC). November 8, 1989. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  2. ^ Jim, Willard (April 25, 2007). "Zany recording artists took humor to the skies". Daily Reporter-Herald, The (Loveland, CO). p. B2. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  3. ^ Jerry, Osborne (May 12, 1995). "The Flying Saucer' was first novelty break-in hit". St. Petersburg Times. p. 13. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  4. ^ "Inside New York". Melville, NY: Newsday. Tuesday, December 5, 1989. p. 11. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

External links

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