The Mad Daddy Rides Again!
(Featuring two hours of the originator of Halloween Radio, The Mad Daddy Himself!  Originally broadcast on 1 October 2011 on KPSU, again in 2015, and again in 2016 as “#19.1.”)

In the late ’50’s and early ’60’s, the citizens of Cleveland would tune in late at night to hear the rhyming ravings of a real radio genius, The Mad Daddy!  Using sound effects on record, a reverb machine, various tape effects, and a stack of records from groups that were not getting regular airplay, he would get on the air and present two and a half hours of some of the most inventive radio you’ve every heard.  And, in an instant, he was gone.  This show is a small gesture toward recreating what a real Mad Daddy show must have been like, using a variety of materials and sources that I dig up just for this broadcast.

These are actual recordings of The Mad Daddy himself, in action.  Half of this show is culled from an hour-long air-check tape from 1958, and various bits from from the great compilation, Wavy Gravy! Atom Smashin’ Zoomeratin’ Mello Jello Radio Broadcasts 1958 – 1964, which make up the bulk of the material for the show.  There are also a few period songs from when his show was on the air, and also includes both sides of the 45 Mad Daddy cut in the early 60’s, “I Love A Good Practical Joke” b/w “What Is A Pfisteris?”

Special thanks go out to the excellent archivist and blogger, Kogar The Swinging Ape (the one responsible for the Lux & Ivy compilation series), and the “Salad Days” radio program, which did an excellent tribute show at the beginning of 2010.  Both websites helped lead me in the right direction when I was trying to assemble this broadcast, and both led me to recordings and songs that I was unaware of before I had this idea for a show.  In particular, Kogar posted on his blog a recording of an acetate that contained recordings of the sound effects that Mad Daddy used when he was on the air.  Those are sprinkled liberally throughout this show.

There is something wonderful about listening to The Mad Daddy in action, that I have never heard on any kind of radio before or since.  His rhyming weirdness, his theatrical enthusiasm, and the creepy undertones of his weirdness, have all the hallmarks of a good Horror Host, and in many ways he invented the form.  This isn’t exactly “creepy” or “spooky,” but definitely has a retro feel that fits the nostalgia that is common around this time of year.  Plus: his raps are fantastic.  All improvised, and well worth the time and energy.

Stay tuned, as next week we’ll feature his apprentice, Ghoulardi!  Enjoy!

The Mad Daddy Rides Again!

01.) The Mad Daddy * Show Opening * Wavy Gravy! Atom Smashin’ Zoomeratin’ Mello Jello Radio Broadcasts 1958 – 1964 * Norton Records * Norton Records
02.) The Mad Daddy * 1958 Air-Check Excerpt 1 * The Mad Daddy * WHK Radio
03.) The Mad Daddy * News Break * Wavy Gravy! Atom Smashin’ Zoomeratin’ Mello Jello Radio Broadcasts 1958 – 1964 * Norton Records * Norton Records
04.) The Mad Daddy * Gillette Razor * Wavy Gravy! Atom Smashin’ Zoomeratin’ Mello Jello Radio Broadcasts 1958 – 1964 * Norton Records * Norton Records
05.) Rene Hall * Twitchy * “Twitchy” b/w” Flippin'”
06.) The Mad Daddy * 1958 Air-Check Excerpt 2 * The Mad Daddy WHK Radio
07.) The Joker (The Mad Daddy) * I Love A Good Practical Joke * “I Love A Good Practical Joke” b/w “What Is A Pfisteris?” *
08.) The Mad Daddy * 1958 Air-Check Excerpt 3 * The Mad Daddy * WHK Radio
09.) The Mad Daddy * RCA Dehumid-d-d-d-difier * Wavy Gravy! Atom Smashin’ Zoomeratin’ Mello Jello Radio Broadcasts 1958 – 1964 * Norton Records * Norton Records
10.) The Five Stars * Pickin’ On The Wrong Chicken * “Pickin’ On The Wrong Chicken” b/w “Dreaming”
11.) The Mad Daddy * 1958 Air-Check Excerpt 4 * The Mad Daddy * WHK Radio
12.) The Mad Daddy * Record Rendezvous * Wavy Gravy! Atom Smashin’ Zoomeratin’ Mello Jello Radio Broadcasts 1958 – 1964 * Norton Records * Norton Records
13.) The Mad Daddy * WHK Jingle * Wavy Gravy! Atom Smashin’ Zoomeratin’ Mello Jello Radio Broadcasts 1958 – 1964 * Norton Records
14.) The Tune Rockers * Green Mosquito * “The Green Mosquito” b/w “Warm Up”
15.) The Mad Daddy * 1958 Air-Check Excerpt 5 * The Mad Daddy
16.) The Valiants * Good Golly Miss Molly * “Good Golly Miss Molly” b/w “This Is The Nite”
17.) The Mad Daddy * Random Air-Check Excerpt * The Mad Daddy
18.) The Mad Daddy * Gillette Razor 2 * Wavy Gravy! Atom Smashin’ Zoomeratin’ Mello Jello Radio Broadcasts 1958 – 1964 * Norton Records
19.) The Joker * What Is A Pfisteris? * “I Love A Good Practical Joke?” b/w “What Is A Pfisteris?”
20.) The Puddle Jumpers * Snake Charmer * “Snake Charmer” b/w “Mud Puddle”
21.) The Mad Daddy * Big Bad Train * “Snake Charmer” b/w “Mud Puddle”
22.) Muddy Waters * (I’m Your) Hoochie Coochie Man * Complete Chess Masters
23.) The Mad Daddy * Martian Shave * Wavy Gravy! Atom Smashin’ Zoomeratin’ Mello Jello Radio Broadcasts 1958 – 1964 * Norton Records
24.) The Nite Riders * Pretty Plaid Skirt (And Long Black Socks) * “Pretty Plaid Skirt” b/w “I’ll Never Change”
25.) The Mad Daddy * Moldy Basement * Wavy Gravy! Atom Smashin’ Zoomeratin’ Mello Jello Radio Broadcasts 1958 – 1964 * Norton Records
26.) The Eternals * Rockin’ In The Jungle * “Rockin’ In The Jungle” b/w “Rock ‘N Roll Cha Cha”
27.) The Mad Daddy * Record Rendezvous 2 * Wavy Gravy! Atom Smashin’ Zoomeratin’ Mello Jello Radio Broadcasts 1958 – 1964 * Norton Records
28.) Dwight Pullen * Sunglasses After Dark * “Teenage Bug” b/w “Sunglasses After Dark”
29.) The Mad Daddy * Record Acid Test * Wavy Gravy! Atom Smashin’ Zoomeratin’ Mello Jello Radio Broadcasts 1958 – 1964 * Norton Records
30.) Dale Hawkins * Tornado * “Tornado” b/w “Little Pig”