PACIFICA PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE

AIRDATE:  12/11/09, 2:30 – 3:00 pm

HOST:  Donna Walker

GUEST:

Spike Jones, Jr.

Spike Jones, Jr., son of the legendary comedian, musician, “master of mayhem” Spike Jones, joins us to talk about his father, and the release of a new DVD set – The Best of Spike Jones, the Funniest Show on Earth – and it just might be.  Even though his television and radio shows aired long ago, the material is still fresh, funny, and classic.

Spike Jones was a seminarl influence and inspiration to everyone from Frank Zappa to George Carlin, Billy Crystal, Stan Freiberg, Weird Al Yankovich, and PDQ Bach.  You can see his comedic lineage in everything from Lucille Ball to SNL.  Irreverent, outrageous, musically brilliant and downright silly, his Musical Depreciation Revue with his City Slickers Orchestra specialized in de-composing the classics.  These “musical homicides” elevated the use of whistles, gunshots, horns and cowbells to an art form.  Fans of Dr. Demento are certainly aware of Spike Jones’ contributions.  Even Novelist Thomas Pynchon was an admirer.  Called the “Master of Mayhem” by Rolling Stone, Billy Crystal says, “Spike Jones was a hilarious innovator, the Mozart of Mayhem” – the operative word is definitely ‘mayhem.’

If you aren’t aware of Spike Jones, go on YouTube immediately and check out “Cocktails for Two,” “In De Fuher’s Face,” and horserace fiasco set to the William Tell Overture.  His famous “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” – Number One Hit in 1948 – remains a Christmas classic.  With advent of Television Show, visual gags, as well as the audio – Billy Barty – (1954 – 1961) – also pilots – “Foreign Legion” and “Wild Bill Kiccup,” 

Spike Jones died at the very early age of 1953 of emphysema, but the skits, bits, and zaniness live on.  “For the love of Mike, don’t miss Spike!”  And remember “Never Hit Your Grandma With a Shovel!

Copies of this show can be ordered from the Pacifica Radio Archives at www.pacificaradioarchives.org.