Died On This Date (November 6, 1989) Dickie Goodman / Novelty Hit Maker
themusicsover Dickie Goodman
April 19, 1934 – November 6, 1989
No matter who you’ve been told was the earliest to use sampling in there songs, it’s likely that Dickie Goodman isn’t on that list even though he was doing it as far back as 1956. It was that year that he released his first big hit, “The Flying Saucer” that was basically a “man on the streets” interview that included snippets of songs by Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Chuck Berry as the answers to his questions about an alien invasion. The song was a huge hit that continues to get airplay on Dr. Demento type programs. Goodman continued to release such novelty, or as they were called “break-in” records well into the ’70s. In 1975, he released his biggest hit, another break-in record, “Mr. Jaws,” parodying the blockbuster film of that summer, Jaws. The record shot to #4 on the Billboard singles chart. Dickie Goodman shot and killed himself on November 6, 1989.
What You Should Own
George M. Cohan was a popular songwriter, composer, producer, singer and actor who was one of the biggest draws on Broadway during the ’40s. Cohan took to entertaining early, performing as a dancer in family productions along the Vaudeville circuit. He began writing and selling songs at the turn of the century, his first hit being “Give My Regards to Broadway.” He became one of the most prolific writers in what became to be known as Tin Pan Alley in New York City. Some estimates put his output at as many as 1500 songs. During that time he also produced many popular Broadway shows. During the ’30s, Cohan turned his sights on film and began appearing in popular movies of the day. And they were just song-and-dance roles, but serious drama parts. In 1942, Yankee Doodle Dandy, a musical adaptation of his life was released. Playing Cohan in the film was James Cagney, who one the Best Actor Academy Award that year. On November 5, 1942, George M. Cohan died of cancer at the age of 64.
Jheryl Busby was a long time music industry executive who, in recent years, was the President and CEO of Motown Records. Busby’s career in music began in the early ’70s when he was hired by Stax Records to be the head of West Coast promotion and marketing. From there, he moved on to A&M, Casablanca, and then MCA Records where he helped establish the black music division which developed into the one of the most lucrative labels of the ’80s thanks to discoveries like New Edition and Jody Watley. In doing so, Busby was elevated to the rank of President. In 1988, Busby purchased a stake in Motown Records and became it’s President and CEO. There he helped develop such young talent and Boys II Men and Queen Latifah while rebuilding catalog sales during the height of the CD revolution. In the later years of his career, Busby worked for DreamWorks Entertainment. On November 4, 2008, Jheryl Busby, 59, was found dead in his hot tub. His death was ruled accidental, caused by pre-existing cardiovascular and other conditions.
