I played with Jr. in 1973, playing bass and tuba. Recorded several songs with the group. One time he asked for a $500. loan. His wife, now Ex, came over to my house and picked up the cash. I later asked several times when he was going to pay back the loan. ZZZZZZ. Never did. No respect for this guy. None.
Barely, or rather occasionally-controlled Pandemonium Chaos..... as one would expect from the Maestro of Mayhem, the Spike himself!! The athleticism of many of the performances is a HUGE contributor to what made his work so great - and he seemingly enjoyed almost every moment... check out 6:12 .... unlike many entertainers, that laughter is GENUINE!! Kudos to a man who has made so many people laugh for so many years.... his stuff is both priceless and timeless!!
I was like 7 or 8 years old when I first heard Carmen Murdered. My father had that record which was not common in Portugal and I have no clue how he got it. Still today I remember all the lyrics and it’s been 50 years. Spike and The City Slickers were absolutely genius. Incredibly funny and incredibly talented. Thank you for posting all this legacy. Im now going to sing the bravachi pizzicato poco, allegro moderato from the 3rd movement of the andante allegretto and return to my dressing room.
Hi Paulo - Thanks for the kind words. Carmen at the Opera is one of my favorite SJ recordings. The arrangements, musicianship, performances and timing were beyond anything I’ve ever heard. Oh, yea, no overdubs. I wish he had found other Opera’s he disliked (appreciated) as much as Carmen. Thanks again. SJ2
Fervently hoping that the neighbors don't report me to the on-site management for my sustained guffawing -- thought I knew all of Spike's repertoire; this one is delightfully new to me.
Glenn Johnson I would like to pass on my best wishes to you on behalf of my late father,who loved your fathers music and influenced me back in the 50`s.I still have many of the original 78`s and to see all this wonderful footage for the first time makes my heart soar.I do some of these arrangements with just vocal and guitar when i entertain residents in some of the residential homes i work at.Dad did get to see a handful of clips of these shows that i had on a VHS that was aired back in`88 on Channel 4 and i have never seen him laugh so much.You see,dad taught me to play,so the musician in him influenced me greatly.Thankyou so much for this.
Spike Jones was the Ernie Kovacs of music. Dear Billy -- so great to see him performing like this. I knew him in his later years -- he was still a trouper, a hard worker, and a nice guy. Rowby
"Junior", I'm so glad that you're still sharing your father's "legacy". I spent much time and records with his work (played them until they wouldn't play any longer). Of course he probably had the most impact on the previous generation (my folks). His work also affected my personal interest in playing music. "Thank You Music Lovers!" (one of the compilations I personally "trashed"). Steve B.
Peter James had used the stage name Bobby Pinkus in the 1920s and '30s. He had been one of Ted Healy's Stooges in 1927 & '28, in the Broadway revue A Night In Spain, replacing Moe Howard when Moe quit Healy's troupe for a year or so to start a family. James/Pinkus was one of two ex-Healy stooges to join Spike Jones' band. The other was Paul "Mousie" Garner, who was one of the "Second Stooges" troupe, with Dick Hakins and Jack Wolf, after Moe, Larry, and Shemp walked out on Healy in 1931. The other Stooge lookalikes/wannabes in this video are banjo player Freddie Morgan (Moe haircut) and Earl Bennett, aka Sir Frederick Gas (Larry haircut).
+KeithE4 HI - Thanks for offering that info. Much of it is correct. Peter/Bobby was almost my Godfather. He and I became very close. Peter often picked my sister Leslie and I up from school throughout the early 60's. During this time, Spike and Helen (my mother) continued to do their show in Vegas, Tahoe, Reno and other resorts. Peter's responsibilities included performing and writing the show plus managing the band and the comedy acts. He helped Spike a great deal when he became ill, and our family loved him for that. When my dad passed, I continued leading the Spike Jones band, and Peter taught me comedy bits, timing and how to sell a gag. In my opinion, no one other than Soupy Sales took a pie in the face better than Peter. Thanks again for bringing him up. However, I must correct you on one note. Freddy Morgan and Sir Frederick Gas were never, "Stooge" wannabees. Freddy's hair was similar to Moe's, but that's it. Nothing else such as his comedy, rubber face, and exceptional musicianship lines up with any of the Stooges. As far as "Gas" is concerned, his hair was far longer and taller than Larry's. Larry was balding, and his curly hair was a result of that. Earl wore his hair long and tall as a gag. Larry's hair was for real. Each of the five gentlemen you mention are individuals and iconoclasts. No one strove to copy anyone.
@@spikejj -- A long-belated Thank You for the reply, and my apologies for the "Moe/Larry lookalike" reference. No offense was intended. Is there any info regarding Peter's career other than with Ted Healy and your dad? I've never been able to find anything. He really was amazing as to how he could move at that age (in his 40s then?). He sounds like an interesting guy.
