I think this next song would make just about any all time top 10 list of Dr. Here’s the original Pico and Sepulveda from 1947 (it’s two and a half minutes in length). Demento used an instrumental version of Pico and Sepulveda by Freddy Martin & his Orchestra as his opening theme music. Let’s see…what next? How about Spike Jones? This is one of his earliest hits, Der Fuehrer’s Face from 1942 (2:42).ĭr. Addotta, I thought I’d post a few of my favorite novelty songs, starting with Wet Dream (it’s about 5 minutes long). Demento and first heard Wet Dream and many other demented tunes. This eventually lead to a nationally syndicated radio show which aired on Sunday nights for several decades and which is where I discovered Dr. In the 1970’s he got on the radio in Los Angeles as disc jockey focusing on novelty songs. Demento, whose real name is Barry Hansen, is a life-long music fan with an advanced degree in folklore and ethnomusicology from UCLA and a taste for the absurd and the different. The thing is it’s likely I’d never have heard the tune if not for Dr. Addotta performed one of the all time great novelty songs – Wet Dream in 1984. He helped bring “Weird Al” Yankovic to national attention.I just found out that comedian Kip Addotta passed away several days ago on Augat the age of 75. He is credited with introducing new generations of listeners to artists of the early and middle 20th century whom they might not have otherwise discovered, such as Harry McClintock, Spike Jones, Benny Bell, Yogi Yorgesson, Stan Freberg, and Tom Lehrer. Dimento (Barry Hansen) has a degree in ethnomusicology and has written magazine articles and liner notes on recording artists outside of the novelty genre. I can’t think of anyone who could’ve done as great a job! Uhh… well… maybe one band! Heh… YEAH!!”Īccording to Wikipedia, Dr. A modern-day homage to radio icon is a 64-track collection that features newly recorded ‘punk’ makeovers of the bizarre novelty songs famously heard on the airwaves of the Doctor’s infamous radio show, as well as some ‘demented’ renderings of punk-rock classics.Īrt Barnes (aka Bill Mumy of the TV sci-fi classic “Lost in Space”) had this to say of the demented-punk rendition: “Osaka Popstar’s new animated video and rockin’ version of ‘Fish Heads’ is Bitchin’, Boss, Bodacious and Bold! I dig it Bigly. The album features an eclectic roster of classic and contemporary punk/indie/alt-rock artists, plus special guest stars from film, TV and more. Demento, Barnes and Barnes, and an homage to actor Bill Paxton (“Aliens,” “Weird Science”) who starred in, and directed, the original “Fish Heads” live-action music video which debuted in 1980. The video also includes appearances from Dr. The new animated video is ripe with pop culture references and influences ranging from sugar-coated breakfast cereals, the Twilight Zone, Queen, and Captain Beefheart’s “Trout Mask Replica” to name a few. The cover is featured on the #1 Billboard charting punk-rock/comedy hybrid Dr. The most requested song on Demento’s show, “Fish Heads” was originally written by Barnes and Barnes and celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Demento Show is the star of the music video for “Fish Heads,” as reimagined by punk-pop Osaka Popstar. Demento, the world-renowned radio DJ who has championed novelty songs through his Dr. Wind up your radio dementites and dementoids.
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