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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 record, "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.
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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 record, "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. The book generally received who were upset that Jon Goodman wrote more about himself than his father. They were also upset about the numerous grammatical errors found within the book.
(The phony comments were left on Amazon by political proponents of a local casino, while Jon Goodman was writing critical editorials at a local newspaper)
In 2006, his estate produced and authorized two albums: All Time Novelty Hits and Dickie Goodman's Greatest Hits.
Goodman is survived by his sons Jed and Jon and daughter Janie.
In 2008, Jon Goodman updated his father's "Energy Crisis '74" which he posted in the Dickie Goodman MySpace page. The new track is titled "Economy Crisis" by Dickie Goodman and a video can be found on YouTube. & 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.
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 disregard 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 Embassy 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
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.
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.
- Speaking of Ecology / Dayton's Theme -- Ramgo 501 / Scepter 12339-- 7/71
- 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)
- The Constitution / The End -- Rainy Wednesday 205 -- late 1973
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 are Dickie's two sons. 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 weight 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).
B-side is a spacey disco-type song, 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".
- Hey, E.T. / The Ride Of Paul Revere -- Montage P-B-1220 -- 1982
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).
- The Return Of The Jedi Returns (Star Wars IV) -- Rhino RNLP 811 -- 11/83
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
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