Stagger Lawrence
Encyclopedia
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 record is a parody of The Lawrence Welk Show
, in which host Lawrence Welk
(portrayed by Goodman) is constantly being interrupted by Lloyd Price
, sampling his hit song Stagger Lee
. Though Welk attempts to introduce "The Lemon Sisters
," Price (Shorr) responds that "they're now regulars on Bandstand
" and proceeds to continue to play Stagger Lee. Welk takes offense to the song entirely, including references to gambling and even Price's pronunciation of the word "clear," which Welk repeatedly attempts to correct. Price's bulldog
, in response, attacks Welk's accordion
.
Several of the jokes and sound effects were sampled from Stan Freberg
and his 1957 Welk parody Wun'erful, Wun'erful (Sides uh-One and uh-Two).
The B-side is "Strogonoff Cha Cha", a jazzy version of "The Song of the Volga Boatmen". This would later be used on Spencer & Spencer's "Russian Bandstand
" as background music.
Novelty song
A novelty song is a comical or nonsensical song, performed principally for its comical effect. Humorous songs, or those containing humorous elements, are not necessarily novelty songs. The term arose in Tin Pan Alley to describe one of the major divisions of popular music. The other two divisions...
single by Dickie Goodman
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, 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 record is a parody of The Lawrence Welk Show
The Lawrence Welk Show
The Lawrence Welk Show is an American televised musical variety show hosted by big band leader Lawrence Welk. The series aired locally in Los Angeles for four years , then nationally for another 27 years via the ABC network and first-run syndication .In the years since first-run syndication...
, in which host Lawrence Welk
Lawrence Welk
Lawrence Welk was an American musician, accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario, who hosted The Lawrence Welk Show from 1955 to 1982...
(portrayed by Goodman) is constantly being interrupted by Lloyd Price
Lloyd Price
Lloyd Price is an American R&B vocalist. Known as "Mr. Personality", after the name of one of his biggest million-selling hits...
, sampling his hit song Stagger Lee
Stagger Lee (song)
"Stagger Lee", also known as "Stagolee", "Stackerlee", "Stack O'Lee", "Stack-a-Lee" and several other variants, is a popular folk song based on the murder of William "Billy" Lyons by Stagger Lee Shelton...
. Though Welk attempts to introduce "The Lemon Sisters
The Lennon Sisters
The Lennon Sisters are a singing group consisting of four siblings: Dianne , Peggy , Kathy , and Janet . They were all born in Los Angeles, California of German/Irish and Mexican ancestry. The original quartet were the eldest four in a family of twelve siblings...
," Price (Shorr) responds that "they're now regulars on 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...
" and proceeds to continue to play Stagger Lee. Welk takes offense to the song entirely, including references to gambling and even Price's pronunciation of the word "clear," which Welk repeatedly attempts to correct. Price's bulldog
Bulldog
Bulldog is the name for a breed of dog commonly referred to as the English Bulldog. Other Bulldog breeds include the American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge and the French Bulldog. The Bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose...
, in response, attacks Welk's accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
.
Several of the jokes and sound effects were sampled from Stan Freberg
Stan Freberg
Stanley Victor "Stan" Freberg is an American author, recording artist, animation voice actor, comedian, radio personality, puppeteer, and advertising creative director whose career began in 1944...
and his 1957 Welk parody Wun'erful, Wun'erful (Sides uh-One and uh-Two).
The B-side is "Strogonoff Cha Cha", a jazzy version of "The Song of the Volga Boatmen". This would later be used on Spencer & Spencer's "Russian Bandstand
Russian Bandstand
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" has the audience members shot if they don't like the songs, or if the singer sings the wrong...
" as background music.