TCHS Alumni News - Temple City Kazoo Orchestra Mystery Pondered

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Temple City Kazoo Orchestra Mystery Pondered

By Rees Clark '60

May 25, 2002 -- In (presumably) song and legend, the Temple City Kazoo Orchestra dazzled fans in the 1970s. Obscure references have found their way to your editor, but no definitive history has emerged. Here are a few passing references from around the 'net.

From http://www.coolandstrange.com: Before Irwin Chusid woke up the record biz to Scott, Esquivel, and other almost-forgotten heroes, the only national hearing for strange music came by way of a super-shy guy named Barry Hansen operating a radio show out of a home studio in the Valley. Hansen is a sweet, retiring man who loves music, speaks softly and is brutally informed and intelligent. His wife is as gentle a soul as I have ever met. But, on mic, Hansen became the hyper-animated Dr. Demento, record nerd gone over the bend. AOR rock stations of the '70s handed a few hours per week over to Spike Jones, Mrs. Miller, Mickey Katz, Tom Lehrer, and other strange godsX this during the period when Rhino's biggest artist was the TEMPLE CITY KAZOO BAND. Only WNYC's David GarlandX whose took cool strange music to radio in 1984, rivals Hansen's on-air legacy of bizarre (to my knowledge). Thirty years since Hansen became a Doctor, his practice still thrives. This double-disc compendium spans fifty years of recorded dementia, as heard over the last thirty years. Just as wonderfully eclectic as his show has always been, so is this collection. Lehrer, National Lampoon, Chuck Berry, Weird Al, Mrs. Miller, and Mel Blanc are all represented, as are a few dozen more purveyors of weird. For those of us who listened to the good doctor way back when, it's a gilded trip through our tortured, dateless teen years. If it came with Stridex pads, it would be painful deja vu. That Rhino honors him with such a collection is fitting. Before RE/Search's Incredibly Strange Music books, Chusid's groundbreaking reissues, and the crop of releases since, Barry Hansen raised the flag we've all been flying since. Dementia 2000 is a testament to a National Treasure. Unlike most such testaments, it's pure fun. (Rhino Records, 10635 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025-4900.) OK, so it's really about Dr. Demento, but we needed a filler.

Can you help? We'd like to know more and fill in this important part of TC history. (If you have links to share, please send to Editor.)

Update

TCKO Resources:

Real Media Sample: Amazon has a compendium album including two TCKO songs. If you want to buy it, please re-enter Amazon via our portal in the Contents and your alumni assn. will get a few pennies. Thanks!
"Vibes" Positives Françaises: A review of TCKO in French. Translation appreciated, s'il vous plait.
Personal Commentary on Folk Art: Mention in a collection: Read

Reader Comments

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Kimberly E.	Nov 20, 2002	Azusa, CA 91702	Admin, Asst.
In a time long ago, called 1980-ish - In a far away place called Reseda, there stood a building then known as the Wolf and Rissmiller Country Club. I was barely 14, and a VIP guest at the Dr. Demento 10yr Anniversary Show. I was treated to VERY rare performances by Doodles Weaver (Spike Jones),Barnes & Barnes (Fishheads), Bobby Boris Pickett ( Monster Mash), and a remarkable performance by the Temple City Kazoo Orchestra. I remember their performance of Led Zepplins Whole Lotta Love was packed with Passion... Their rendition of the theme from "2001" was nothing short of breath taking. I remember the Temple City Kazoo Orchestra fondly - and Often.


Tim Verthein	Aug 11, 2004	Bovey, Minnesota	radio show host
I have two LP's by the Temple City Kazoo Orchestra, total of 8 songs (4 per EP album). Great stuff. Early, limited reoeases from Rhino records. I recently put the vinyl recordings on CD. If you'd like a copy let me know (I doubt you would ever find the records anywhere). I could also copy the liner notes for you. It's great stuff.


Stuart Asher	Aug 23, 2004	Mahopac, NY	software engineering consultan
I 1st heard whole lotta love by temple city at 3:00AM coming home from playing a gig in the Hamptons (long island) in the late 70's .. probably on the Dr. Dimento show .. I'm still laughing! Been looking for a copy of temple city doing that and 2001 space ode for the pas 25 years! It's frustrating to find so many references to it on the web now, but still to be unable to procure a copy. WOuld love to have one prior to my 55th b'day. My wife is waiting for decades now to hear it! Regards (still laughing) Stu 845-628-1878


George Williamson	Aug 27, 2004	Glasgow, UK	Radio Lollipop Volunteer
Tim (Verthein) we would love to get more of the Temple City Kazoo Orchestra for playing on Radio Lollipop - a worldwide children's charity providing a care, comfort, play and entertainmetn service for children in hospital. Contact me at: info@radiolollipop.org - website: http://radiolollipop.org Thank you.


Rees Clark	Aug 31, 2004	Editor
To all: I've asked Mr. Verthein about getting copies we can make available through the magazine. Hang in, fans! RC


Jim	Jul 25, 2005	NJ	Office Drone
Hello, Over this past weekend I was searching the bins at Princeton Record Exchange. I came across an album with many gentleman proudly holding their kazoos. I bought it for 3 dollars. Wonderful! Did an internet search and found myself here. Look forward to finding out more about these folks. Jim