Friday, April 30, 2021

I'm In Love With A Mutant


Sonny Adams

 

 I'm In Love With A Mutant

 Cique Records 101

1961

 

Samuel T. Adams, Jr. (1928-2016)

Sam, also known as "Sonny" Adams, was a fixture on the local New Oleans entertainment scene. Managing to earn a living not only as a pianist and clarinetist, but also as a humorist, puppeteer, and TV "Bozo the Clown".  He is best known, to his chagrin, as one of the perpetrators of "Nobody Likes A Smart Ass," the irreverent satirical cabaret show that somehow ran successfully for 15 years in the French Quarter during the 1960s and 1970s.

Older fans might remember him best for his song parodies, which were almost always topical, clever and achingly funny, but sometimes teetered on the boundaries of good taste. He was hilarious and unfiltered, and let his quirky thoughts lead him wherever they might. While he had a Masters Degree in Zoology, his Korean War Army service led to a stint at the Navy School of Music, which he credits with honing his longtime interest and skills in music. He ultimately received a Masters Degree in Music and taught briefly before heading out to entertain the world.  

During his Army service, Sam involuntarily participated in "Operation Upshot-Knothole". An atmospheric nuclear blast at the Nevada Test Range, which he credits his life long relationship with skin cancers and dermatologists. . He recorded a full album on the RPC custom label about skin conditions, titled "The Derma-Disc". The album can be downloaded here

According to his obit, Sam Adams, "The Prince of Parody," announced in 2016 that he has completed his 88-year gig on planet Earth, and was available for other engagements.

 

Monday, April 26, 2021

Devil Named Sue

 



Windy Craig
Cevetone 518
1963
 
 


Devil Named Sue


Love Me



 Wendell "Windy" Craig (1940-2020)

Wendell won a guest disc jockey contest at WATS in Sayre, PA, in his senior year in high school which inspired him to change his major from Engineering to Radio and Television. He worked at Syracuse University radio station WAER, and after graduation he was a popular DJ in Ithaca and Syracuse, where he was known as the "Weird Beard" at radio station WOLF. He set a world record for riding the Ferris Wheel at Suburban Park in Manlius, NY, stepping off the wheel after 183 hours at 4:02 pm on September 6th, 1964.