Russian Bandstand
Encyclopedia
Russian Bandstand is the second and final single by Dickie Goodman
and Mickey Shorr, released on Argo Records
in 1959.
The record is a parody of American Bandstand
in which the host "Nikita Clarkchev" (as a spoof on Bandstand host Dick Clark and then-current Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev
) has the audience members shot if they don't like the songs, or if the singer sings the wrong song, the singer is shot. In the end the host is shot by the secret police, giving Russian Bandstand a new host.
"Strogonoff Cha Cha" can be heard playing in the background. It can also be heard on the B-side to Spencer & Spencer's Stagger Lawrence
.
The B-side is "Brass Wail", an instrumental similar to the "Strogonoff Cha Cha".
hit Maybellene
played backwards. The other contains a selection from "The Sonia Pryor Choir", which can be heard on the Rhino Records compilation "Dr. Demento Presents the Greatest Novelty Records of All Time, Volume II: The 1950's".
Dickie Goodman
Richard Dorian "Dickie" Goodman was an American music producer.-Career:In June 1956 Goodman created his first record, "The Flying Saucer", which he co-wrote with his partner Bill Buchanan, and featured a four-minute rewriting of Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds radio show...
and Mickey Shorr, released on Argo Records
Argo Records
Argo Records was started in December of 1955 to accommodate some of the rapidly growing recording activity at Chess Records. Originally the label was called Marterry, but bandleader Ralph Marterie objected, and within a couple of months the imprint was renamed Argo.Initially, Argo offered a...
in 1959.
The record is a parody of American Bandstand
American Bandstand
American Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...
in which the host "Nikita Clarkchev" (as a spoof on Bandstand host Dick Clark and then-current Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev
Nikita Khrushchev
Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev led the Soviet Union during part of the Cold War. He served as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, and as Chairman of the Council of Ministers, or Premier, from 1958 to 1964...
) has the audience members shot if they don't like the songs, or if the singer sings the wrong song, the singer is shot. In the end the host is shot by the secret police, giving Russian Bandstand a new host.
"Strogonoff Cha Cha" can be heard playing in the background. It can also be heard on the B-side to Spencer & Spencer's Stagger Lawrence
Stagger Lawrence
Stagger Lawrence is a novelty single by Dickie Goodman and Mickey Shorr, under the name Spencer & Spencer, released in 1959. Shorr was a popular Detroit rock 'n' roll DJ in the 50's and 60's....
.
The B-side is "Brass Wail", an instrumental similar to the "Strogonoff Cha Cha".
Release
Two versions of this record exist. The original pressing contains a sample of the Chuck BerryChuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
hit Maybellene
Maybellene
"Maybellene" is a song recorded by Chuck Berry, adapted from the traditional fiddle tune "Ida Red" that tells the story of a hot rod race and a broken romance. It was released in July 1955 as a single on Chess Records of Chicago, Illinois. It was Berry's first single release and his first hit...
played backwards. The other contains a selection from "The Sonia Pryor Choir", which can be heard on the Rhino Records compilation "Dr. Demento Presents the Greatest Novelty Records of All Time, Volume II: The 1950's".