Dickie Goodman

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Dickie Goodman (April 19, 1934 - November 6, 1989) is considered one of the earliest proponents of sampling in music, through a series of "break-in" records he created from 1956 to 1986. His first song, "The Flying Saucer," was co-written with partner Bill Buchanan, and featured a description of a news-covered invasion of earth from a Martian space ship. While Goodman asked questions of pedestrians, scientists, and even the Martian himself, their responses were "snipped" from lyrics of popular songs of the day, including tracks from Fats Domino, Elvis Presley and Little Richard.

Although "The Flying Saucer" became a major hit, it also landed Goodman in court for infringement of copyright - 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 1989 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His son, Jon Goodman, continues to promote and administer his father's works. In 1998, Jon supervised the issue of Greatest Fables, the first authorised CD collection of Dickie Goodman's recordings, which included Jon's own tribute, "Return Of The Flying Saucer". (This included sound bites from The X-Files and Hanson, among others.) Jon authored a biography of sorts about his dad, entitled "The King of Novelty" in 2000. Xlibris Corporation published the book. In 2006, his estate produced and authorized two albums: All Time Novelty Hits and Dickie Goodman's Greatest Hits.

Goodman is survived by his son Jed and daughter Janie.

Contents

[edit] External links

[edit] Singles discography (incomplete) w/Billboard chart peak positions

[edit] 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 (#3) -- Luniverse 101 -- 7/25/56
Original copies have a handwritten "L" at the beginning of the original label name "Universe" as the result of a Universe label already in existence at the time. Later copies show the entire word "Luniverse" typeset. The entire record was immediately covered by Sid Noel and his Outer Spacemen (Aladdin 3331 -- 7/56) and again in a shorter form, by Alan Freed, Al "Jazzbo" Collins and Steve Allen ("The Space Man" -- Coral 9-61693 -- 1956), and again in 1960 by Geddins & Sons ("Space Man" -- Jumpin' 50001 -- 1960), and again in the late `50's, but with lots of variants from the original, by Dewey, George & Jack And The Belltones ("Flying Saucers Have Landed" -- Raven 700). There was even an answer record made about it, another break-in called, "The Answer To The Flying Saucer U. F. O. (Men From Mars)" by Syd Lawrence and Friends -- Cosmic 1001/1002 -- 1956, which blew raspberries at Buchanan & Goodman by daring them, ON the record, to sue the artist for copying their style.
  • 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.
  • Buchanan & Goodman On Trial (#80) / Crazy -- Luniverse 102 -- 11/07/56
The b-side of the 78 pressing was a rock 'n' roll instrumental that could be played at 45 or 78 RPM, it even says so on the label. Playing it at the normal 78 speed makes it sound "crazy", playing it at 45 makes it sound normal. The 45 pressing, although it only lists being playable at 45, could be played at 33 1/3 RPM or 45 RPM. The higher setting would make it sound, in a word, crazy. Also, there were two different pressings of this record, the original had autographs by the artists etched into the run-out grooves and used a Fats Domino clip that says, "Yes, it's me & I'm in". The second pressing does NOT have autographs and uses a clip from Jim Lowe's "Green Door" instead of the Fats Domino clip.
  • The Banana Boat Story / Mystery (In Slow Motion) -- Luniverse 103 -- late 1956/early 1957
The B-side is a crime-drama show-based track with little dialogue, later released under other titles (see below).
  • Flying Saucer The 2nd (#18) / Martian Melody -- Luniverse 105 -- 7/13/57
Two different copies exist with two different versions of the B-side. One version is played at various speeds as if somebody was manually spinning the turntable on a record player, the other version is played at "normal" speed. (Baron-Von-Vaughn's note: from what I know, the only one that sounds normal is the one on the flip side of, "The Touchables" (see below).)
  • Santa And The Satellite Parts I & II (#32) -- Luniverse 107 -- 12/14/57
  • The Flying Saucer Goes West / Saucer Serenade -- Luniverse 108 -- 1958
  • 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
  • Flying Saucer The Third / The Cha Cha Lesson -- Comic 500 -- 1959
  • Frankenstein of '59 / Frankenstein Returns -- Novelty 301 -- 1959

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.

[edit] Spencer & Spencer (Dickie Goodman & Mickey Shorr)

  • Stagger Lawrence / Strogonoff Cha Cha -- Gone 5053 -- 3/59
This is by Spencer & Spencer, their real names are Dickie Goodman & Micky Shorr.
  • Russian Bandstand / Brass Wail -- Argo 5331 -- 5/18/59
This is the second and final record by Spencer & Spencer. The A-side uses the flip side of their previous record as the backing music. Rumour has it there are two different versions of this record, one with the Chuck Berry clip of "Maybelline" played backwards and the other with something by The Sonia Pryor Choir played backwards.

[edit] 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.
  • Paul Revere / Oh Susanna Rock -- Strand 25002 -- 1960
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.
  • The Touchables (#60) / Martian Melody -- Mark-X 8009 -- 2/26/61
B-side is a 33 1/3 RPM version of the same recording as the "normal speed" version of "Martian Melody" (Luniverse 105).
  • The Touchables In Brooklyn (#42) / Mystery -- Mark-X 8010 -- 4/30/61
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)
  • Berlin Top Ten (#116) / Little Tiger -- Rori 602 -- 10/23/61
Similar to "Russian Band Stand", but has more than one record breaking in repeatedly.
  • Santa & The Touchables (#99) / North Pole Rock -- Rori 701 -- 12/31/61
"The Touchables" recordings based on the "The Untouchables" TV series. This is basically the same as "Santa & The Satellite" with a different story line.
  • Ben Crazy (#44) / Flip Side -- JMD RX-001 / Diamond D-119 -- 7/62
Inspired by the "Ben Casey" TV show. B-side is same as "Crazy" on the "On Trial" single. The JMD version is actually very slightly different than the Diamond re-issue. On the Diamond version, when the Dr. is cutting into a patient, you hear someone scream, on the JMD version, it sounds more like an entire audience of voices screaming. The artist was listed as Dickie Goodman & Dr. I. M. Ill. I don't know the release date of the JMD version, but the Diamond version was released 7/14/62. His Spencer & Spencer partner, Micky Shorr, did a Ben Casey break-in called, "Dr. Ben Basey", as, Micky Shorr & The Cut-Ups (Tuba 8001 -- 4/6/62) at the exact same time. Rumour has it that Dickie actually WAS one of the Cut-Ups.
B-side is the same track as "Mystery"
  • 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 "in charge" of some high position 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 (Frerre Jaque),
Sweet Pure Daughther (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.
  • Presidential Interview (Flying Saucer '64) / Paul Revere -- Audio Spectrum 75 -- 10/1964
It has nothing to do with a flying saucer, but some people used to call break-in records "flying saucer records" because the first few were all about flying saucers, so the "Flying Saucer" tag on this title was only there for description of the kind of record it was. The flip side is NOT the same as the Val E. Forge version, but could be the same as the one on Rori.
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 disreguard the lyrics.
  • Schmonanza / Backwards Theme -- M.D. 101 -- 3/01/65
Inspired by the TV show "Bonanza". 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.
  • Batman & His Grandmother (#70) / Suspense -- Red Bird 10-058 -- 5/28/66
B-side is the same track as "Mystery" and "Lock Up"
  • James Bomb / Seventh Theme -- Twirl 2015 -- 1966
Dickie's send up of James Bond.
  • Congressional Medal Of Honor -- 1968
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!".
  • Washington Uptight / The Cat -- Oron 101 -- late 1968
Dickie recording under the name "The Pennsylvania Players (Narrated By None Other Than...)" This was the first of about a dozen times that he used a band that played cover versions of the hit records used in his break-ins, but, in this case, the original music was also there under the studio band's recordings. Apparently, he was still getting sued, partly by The Beatles, for using their records ("Nowhere Man" was used on this one) on his records and somehow found out that he could use their records as long as he changed or disguised them somehow.
  • 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
  • The Saxophone Circus! -- Avco Embassey AVE 33002 -- 1969 or 1970
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. It comes from an album but I've not been able to find the album.
This group was produced by Bill Ramal & Dickie and had a pretty big hit in 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
  • I Ain't Got Time Anymore -- Avco AVE-4575 -- 7/17/71
The flip side is on the album (see above).
  • Speaking of Ecology / Dayton's Theme -- Ramgo 501 / Scepter 12339-- 7/71
  • 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.
  • Superfly Meets Shaft (#31)/ Part Two -- Rainy Wednesday 201 -- 4/14/73
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.
  • Watergrate (#42) / Friends -- Rainy Wednesday 202 -- 6/16/73
"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)
While trying to read The Constitution, a series of sounds (a band playing marching music, among other sounds) keeps getting louder and louder and he has to keep telling them to keep it down. The B-side is another story telling soundscape very much like "The Mystery" / "Mystery (In Slow Motion)" / "Lock Up" / "Suspense" (see above and below), but not the same recording.
  • Energy Crisis '74 (#33) / The Mistake -- Rainy Wednesday 206 -- 2/74
"The Mistake" was a false start from the A-side of the record, about 34 seconds into the record. Only the first second or two has anything on this side the rest of the 2:00 is silent. Later pressings feature "Ruthie's Theme" as the B-side.
  • Screwy T.V. -- (Label unknown) -- 1974
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. President (#73) / Popularity -- Rainy Wednesday 207 -- 6/15/74
This is NOT the same recording as the "Mr. President" on Wacko Recorrds. (see below) The flip side of this is the exact same recording used on the flip side of Dickie's "Inflation In The Nation", where it's called, "Jon & Jed's Theme" and on the flip of another break-in by Super Stu & The Disco Turkeys called, "The Great Debate" -- Brown Dog BD 9016 -- 1976, where the song was called, "Lovely Lady".
  • Gerry Ford - A Special Report / Robert -- Rainy Wednesday 208 -- late 1974
I have no idea what "Robert" is like, I have not been able to find anything but one-sided promo copies of this.
  • Inflation In The Nation / Jon & Jed's Theme -- Rainy Wednesday 209 -- 1975
Jon & Jed were Dickie's two boys. Jon is the one that wrote the book "Dickie Goodman: King Of Novelty" (Xlibris Press) a few years ago that I helped write, about Dickie's work, and he continues to make break-ins himself and is releasing lots of his dad's recordings trying to keep Dickie's name alive. As above, "Jon & Jed's Theme" is the same as "Popularity" and Super Stu's "Lovely Lady".
  • Mr. Jaws (#4) / Irv's Theme -- Cash 451 -- 9/06/75
"Irv's Theme" is the same as Herb's Theme". (see below) Someone probably mis-heard the title before printing the label for one or the other. Dickie came up with the name for this label when someone asked who to make a check out to.
  • 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
This is a COMPLETELY different recording from the above mentioned, "Star Warz". The flip side isn't bad and Dickie does some REALLY good harmonies on it, if it IS him singing.
  • Mrs. Jaws / Chomp Chomp -- Shark 1001 -- summer 1978
"Chomp Chomp" was used on the flip of both records on the Shark label. It's a pretty good funk song, too! Only problem is, every copy of the record I have, of BOTH records, skips in the exact same spot unless I keep the weigth on the needle almost as light as it can go and still be able to play the record.
  • Super, Superman / Chomp Chomp -- Shark 1002 -- early 1979
(See above for "Chomp Chomp".) This is a completely different recording than "Super-Duper Man" (see below).
  • Energy Crisis `79 / Pain -- Hot Line 1017 -- summer 1979
As much as I hate disco, the flip of this is a pretty cool disco song, on the spacey side, too. And don't let the timing on the label fool you, it's well over 4:00 long! This is NOT the same Hot Line label that Al Greene used to record on before he signed with Hi Records.
  • Election `80 -- Prelude -- fall 1980
I've got at least 4 copies now and have yet to find one with a B-side.
  • 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 possibilty exists that this flip side may be the same as the one of the same title (see above) released in the early `60's. I've never been able to find anything but one-sided promo copies.
  • 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 "Banana Boat Story" 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)