Dickie Goodman

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Richard Dorian "Dickie" Goodman (April 19, 1934 – November 6, 1989)^[1] is considered one of the earliest proponents of sampling in music. He used a series of "break-in" records he created from 1956 to 1986.

In June 1956, Dickie thought, “What if a seemingly normal record was interrupted by a report of flying saucers landing?” His first record, "The Flying Saucer," was co-written with partner Bill Buchanan, featured a four-minute rewriting of Orson Welles’ famous “War of the Worlds" radio show.^[2] While Goodman asked questions of pedestrians, scientists, and even the Martian himself, their responses were "snipped" from lyrics of popular songs of the day, such as:

• The Great Pretender by the Platters
• Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis Presley
• Earth Angel by the Penguins
• Tutti Frutti by Little Richard
• Maybellene by Chuck Berry^[3]

Although "The Flying Saucer" became a major hit, it also landed Goodman in court for copyright infringement - 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 North Carolina in 1989 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. ^[4] Goodman is survived by his sons Jed and Jon and daughter Janie.

His son, Jon Goodman, supervised the issue of Greatest Fables, the first authorised CD collection of Dickie Goodman's recordings in 1998. The album included Jon's tribute, "Return Of The Flying Saucer". Jon also authored a biography of sorts about his dad, entitled "The King of Novelty" in 2000 published by Xlibris Corporation. In 2008, Jon Goodman updated his father's "Energy Crisis '74" which he posted in the Dickie Goodman MySpace page.

In 2006, his estate produced and authorized two albums: All Time Novelty Hits and Dickie Goodman's Greatest Hits.

Singles discography (incomplete) w/Billboard chart peak positions

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Buchanan & Goodman

• Back To Earth Part 1 / Back To Earth Part 2 -- Luniverse 101X -- 1956

Original title of "The Flying Saucer"

• The Flying Saucer (#3) -- Luniverse 101 -- 7/25/56

• The Flying Saucer Parts 1 & 2 -- Radioactive 101 -- 1956

The same recording as the one on Luniverse, but ever-so-slightly shorter on each side. One or two "jokes" were cut from each side. Some pressings use a dark red or maroon label, but there were also dark blue labels found recently on this record. It's touted as being a bootleg and has bad sound as well.

• Please Won't You Call Me / Why Should We Break Up -- Herald 477 -- 1956

This record was by The Sonnets and was produced by Dickie Goodman with possible musical involvement as well.

• Forever Young / Come On Baby -- Eldorado 504 -- 1956

Jo-Ann Campbell sang these songs with the A-side being written by Dickie and both sides being produced by him and his partner, Bill Buchanan. It was even released on their other label. She had a few other singles on the label also written and produced by Dickie and/or Bill. Non-break-in records were also released on Luniverse by the Pittsburgh group The Del-Vikings.

• Buchanan & Goodman On Trial (#80) / Crazy -- Luniverse 102 -- 11/07/56

• The Banana Boat Story / Mystery (In Slow Motion) -- Luniverse 103 -- late 1956/early 1957

The B-side is a crime-drama show-based track with little dialogue, later released under other titles (see below).

• Flying Saucer The 2nd (#18) / Martian Melody -- Luniverse 105 -- 7/13/57

• Santa And The Satellite (#32) -- Luniverse 107 -- 12/14/57

• The Flying Saucer Goes West / Saucer Serenade -- Luniverse 108 -- 1958

• Invisible Thing / Some Other Fellow -- Luniverse 109 -- 1958

This is by a group called, The Casual Three. The songs are written and produced by Dickie Goodman and he provides the voice of warning and the speeded up laughter. He was probably also involved musically.

• Class Room / Fake Out -- ABC-Paramount 45-9963 -- 11/02/58

This record was by Frankie Sardo. The A-side of this record was written and produced by Dickie Goodman. Sardo is best remembered for appearing on the ill-fated "Winter Dance Party Tour" in 1959 with Buddy Holly

• Flying Saucer The Third / The Cha Cha Lesson -- Comic 500 -- 1959

• Frankenstein of '59 / Frankenstein Returns -- Novelty 301 -- 1959

All of the Buchanan & Goodman records on Luniverse (with the possible exception of "Flying Saucer Goes West") and Radioactive were also released on 78rpm vinyl discs (shellac for the Radioactive release) in very limited pressings. After 1957, the singles were pressed only on 45rpm discs.

Spencer & Spencer (Dickie Goodman & Mickey Shorr)

• Stagger Lawrence / Strogonoff Cha Cha -- Gone 5053 -- 3/59

• Russian Bandstand / Brass Wail -- Argo 5331 -- 5/18/59

Dickie Goodman

• The Ride Of Paul Revere -- 1960?

This is sort of a take of on "Please, Mr. Custer", by Larry Verne. I have no other info on this recording other than it's different from the other two versions Dickie released in the following years.

• Paul Revere / Oh Susanna Rock -- Strand 25002 -- 1960

This was Dickie recording under the name Val E. Forge. This is a different version of the above recording.

• Space Ship / We Belong Together -- Novel N-200 -- 1960

This is a group called, The Missles, that Dickie sang with for this record. The A-side IS a break-in.

• The Touchables (#60) / Martian Melody -- Mark-X 8009 -- 2/26/61

• The Touchables In Brooklyn (#42) / Mystery -- Mark-X 8010 -- 4/30/61

B-side is the same as "Mystery (In Slow Motion)"

• Horror Movies / Whoa Mule -- Rori 601 -- 1961

This is Dickie's take off on the hit "Western Movies". He would revisit this same recording a few years later in his career. (See below)

• Berlin Top Ten (#116) / Little Tiger -- Rori 602 -- 10/23/61

• Santa & The Touchables (#99) / North Pole Rock -- Rori 701 -- 12/31/61

This is basically the same as "Santa & The Satellite" with a different story line.

• Ben Crazy (#44) / Flip Side -- JMD RX-001 / Diamond D-119 -- 7/62

• Senate Hearing (#116) / Lock Up -- 20th Century Records 443 -- 11/02/63

• John Fitzgerald Kennedy: The Presidential Years, 1960 - 1963 -- 20th Century TFM 3127 -- 12/61 - 01/64

JFK Tribute Album / Non-comedy collection of U.S. President John F. Kennedy's more famous speeches, narrated by David Teig, including a reading by David of the speech JFK was scheduled to deliver to the Dallas Trade Mart on November 22, 1963. Dickie was president at 20th Century Records at the time and quickly put this album together as soon as he got word that JFK was murdered.

• Paul Revere -- Rori 712 -- 1964

Very possibly the same recording that was listed above, but unconfirmed at this writing.

• I Really Wanted To Be A "Singar" / Young And Foolish -- Rori 714 -- 1964?

This Joel Langran record was written and produced by Buchanan & Goodman and is a parody of Pres. Kennedy, which is why there's a question mark after the release date. More than likely it came out just before JFK was murdered, but, according to Neal Umphred's book "Goldmine's Rock 'n Roll 45RPM Record Price Guide (3rd edition)", it was released in 1964.

• My Son The Joke (Risque-Theque) -- Comic CLP-69 -- 1964

Dickie decided to parody Allan Sherman's parody style in an "off-color" way. The album was reportedly a HUGE flop and Dickie vowed NEVER to copy someone else's style again. The titles (followed by the songs they parodied) are as follows:

Harry's Jock Strap (Frere Jacques),

Sweet Pure Daughter (Cool Water),

Dis An' Dat (Allan Sherman's "Schticks Of One"),

Army, Navy, Marines (The theme songs of each branch of the service sung with risque lyrics),

See Ya Later, Linda (Cielito Lindo),

Red River Sally (Red River Valley),

If Ida An' Anna (If I Had a Hammer Trini Lopez version),

Balling My Zelda (Waltzing Mathilda),

Tarvern In The Town (Tavern In The Town),

16 Bums (16 tons)

• My Baby Loves Monster Movies / Theme From A Whodunit -- DCP International 1111 -- 10/03/64

This is a really cool ska (blue beat) version of the song "Horror Movies" (see above) sung by Jekyll & Hyde, otherwise known as [Dickie Goodman] & 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.

• Presidential Interview (Flying Saucer '64) / Paul Revere -- Audio Spectrum 75 -- 10/1964

• Frankenstein Meets The Beatles / Dracula Drag -- DCP International 1126 -- 12/12/64

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

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)

• James Bomb / Seventh Theme -- Twirl 2015 -- 1965

• 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"

• 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

• 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

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.

• The Glass Bottle -- Avco Embassy AVE-33012 -- 1970

This group was produced by Bill Ramal & Dickie and had a pretty big hit with 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 Glass Bottle -- I Ain't Got Time Anymore (#36) / Things -- Avco AVE-4575 -- 7/07/71

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.

• Things -- 1971

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)

• Purple People Eater (#119) / Ruthie's Theme -- Rainy Wednesday 204 -- 9/15/73

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

• Energy Crisis '74 (#33) / The Mistake -- Rainy Wednesday 206 -- 2/74

• 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

• Gerry Ford (A Special Report) / Robert -- Rainy Wednesday 208 -- late 1974

• Inflation In The Nation / Jon & Jed's Theme -- Rainy Wednesday 209 -- 1975

• Mr. Jaws (#4) / Irv's Theme -- Cash 451 -- 9/06/75

• 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

• Mrs. Jaws / Chomp Chomp -- Shark 1001 -- Summer 1978

• Super, Superman / Chomp Chomp -- Shark 1002 -- Early 1979

• Energy Crisis '79 / Pain -- Hot Line 1017 -- Summer 1979

• Election '80 -- Prelude -- Fall 1980

• 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/Montage P-B-1220 -- fall 1982

• 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

• Radio Russia / Washington Inside-Out -- Rhino RNOR 019 -- 11/83

• The Return Of The Jedi Returns (Star Wars IV) -- Rhino RNLP 811 -- 11/83

This can ONLY be found on the album "Dickie Goodman's Greatest Hits".

• Election '84 / Herb's Theme -- Shell 711 -- 1984

• Safe Sex Report / Safety First -- Goodname 100 -- late 1987 / early 1988

Dickie Goodman's final record

References

External links

• Dickie Goodman MySpace page
• Dickie Goodman's compilation albums at Rhapsody
• Free songs by Dickie Goodman