Hooty Sapperticker (MP3's)

It was close to 30 years ago that I first heard Barbara and the Boys’ immortal 45, “Hooty Sapperticker”, on the Dr. Demento show. Many years later, it was mentioned prominently in Dave Barry’s series of columns (and book) on the worst records ever made, and it continues to hold that status for many who have heard it. Why that is mystifies me – I consider it inspired idiocy, along the lines of Alfred E. Neuman’s “It’s a Gas” and “The Blob” by The Five Blobs – the sort of  ridiculous rock and roll record that I can listen to over and over again without ever growing tired of it. It’s certainly far better than any number of highly regarded “serious” rock and roll records that I could take up the rest of this page listing. It was also co-written, by the way, by the Sherman Brothers, who would soon go on to great success in a series of films and other projects for Walt Disney. This single has been shared on many sites (although not here), but because of what came next in my search for a copy, I’m sharing it here, as well:

Barbara and the Boys – Hooty Sapperticker (MP3)

Over the last several years, I have periodically looked for a copy of this 45, without success. It occasionally shows up for auction on eBay and other sites, but typically goes for far more than I’m willing to pay for a single 45, particularly not one I've had on tape since the '80's. Thanks to a like-minded collector friend, I now have the high quality MP3 of it, shared above. But in seeking out this 45, I’ve come across some interesting facts. First, at least a few DJ’s across the country (including Chicago's legendary Dick Biondi) were in the habit of using the name Hooty Sapperticker in running gags, during the late ‘50’s and early ‘60’s. At least one even had a jingle using the name, although it apparently was not the tune heard on either of the records I’m sharing here today.

Finally, and most surprisingly, my search led to a 45 from about 1967, by Andy Rose and the Thorns. This record has the same title but is otherwise unrelated to Barbara and the Boys’ record. While I wouldn’t put it in the same league as its '50's namesake, in terms of appeal or quality, it has its own charms as well:

Andy Rose and the Thorns – Hooty Sapperticker (MP3)

For completists,  here is the B-side of Andy Rose’s record:

Andy Rose and the Thorns – Hey Scooter (MP3)

Andy Rose A-Side (JPG) – Andy Rose B-Side (JPG)

Comments

[JimB]

Hooty was a staple of the Hound show on FMU for years and can be heard at www.thehound.net.

[Albert Osdoe]

In the early 60s Hooty Saperticker Day was a summer celebration every year in Chicago via Dick Biondi, Art Roberts and others on WLS. They always played the Andy Rose version and encouraged everyone to celebrate by doing nothing on that day. Makes me think Andy's version must have been released earlier than 1967 because that went on for years and by 67, there was lots of way cooler music and we had strayed from AM listening instead to early underground radio that was far more interesting. I don't recall ever hearing the Barbara and the Boys original which is way stranger. Thanks for posting both of these.

I had it bad for awhile as a young un celebrating each year by writing Hooty Saperticker on everything I could find and even going so far as to go through way too many crayons using the sidewalk as a huge marquee, writing one letter per sidewalk square and continuing on at least 6 long blocks away from where we lived.

[Bob Purse]

Thanks for the additional information. More digging turns up a label discography that documents the record having been released in late 1964. Dick Biondi would have been gone from WLS for a year by then though, so who knows.

Bob