Spike Jones

For the music video and film director, see Spike Jonze.

Lindley Armstrong "Spike" Jones (December 14, 1911 - May 1, 1965) was a popular musician and comedian. He was born in Long Beach, California. He became a drummer and bandleader, initially supporting such performers as Al Jolson on the Kraft Music Hall radio program, then with his own band The City Slickers.

The City Slickers created and performed a series of anarchic, cacophonous arrangements and parodies of popular songs. "Der Fuehrer's Face" was an early success. "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" was a number one hit in 1948.

Other band members were George Rock (voice and trumpet), Doodles Weaver (voice) and Red Ingle (voice).

Jones's wife was the singer Helen Grayco, who performed on some of his radio shows.

On his death in 1965, Spike Jones was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.

Some other well-known tracks included:

• "Cocktails for Two"
• "William Tell Overture"
• "That Old Black Magic"
• "The Blue Danube"
• "The Sheik of Araby"
• "You Always Hurt the One You Love"

Some modern reissues of Spike Jones recordings suffer from poor sound quality. A useful and well-remastered compilation is The Spike Jones Anthology (Rhino Records, 1994), which was co-produced by Dr. Demento.

Sources

Notes by Peter Gamble from Clink Clink Another Drink CD by Audio Book & Music Company, ABMMCD 1158.