Two notable entertainers left us this week.
Comic actor Harvey Korman, best known for his role as Hedley Lamarr in Blazing Saddles, and as Tim Conway's comedic foil on The Carol Burnett Show, passed away at the age of 81.
Here is a sample of Harvey in Blazing Saddles:
And here is the classic Dentist's Office sketch from The Carol Burnett Show. Harvey never could keep a straight face around Tim Conway.
Legendary pioneer rock 'n' roller Bo Diddley passed away yesterday at the age of 79. Diddley was known for his energetic stage presence, square guitars, and heavy chucka-chucka-chucka "scratching" rhythm. His first hit record was released in 1955 as a 78 rpm single for the Checker record label, which was a part of Chicago-based Chess Records, one of the most important early rock and R&B record labels. Diddley's first single coupled two originals (credited to his legal name, Ellas McDaniel) entitled "Bo Diddley" and "I'm a Man." "Bo Diddley" was a light-hearted take on the old nursery song "Hush little baby don't say a word, daddy's going to buy you a mocking bird ..." And "I'm A Man" has been copied by generations of rock and R&B singers, most notably George Thorogood's "Bad To The Bone."
The Latin-flavored rhythm of "Bo Diddley" has been described as "shave and a haircut" rhythm. But if you don't know the song, do yourself a favor and listen to it. Here it is, from the original 78:
Download bo_diddley_bo_diddley.mp3
Download bo_diddley_im_a_man.mp3
That was a sad day. Almost as sad as when Paul Newman left us.
Posted by: Atlanta Dentist | March 31, 2009 at 01:58 PM
Bo Diddleyis is a rock 'n' roll legend and very good guitar player. Thanks for sharing
Posted by: Marietta Dentist | July 12, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Tim Conway is a very versatile actor, and he carried on his role as a dentist and gave good laughs to the audience. He lived a good enough life at 81, and many comedians wish to be more funny like him.
Posted by: Nathan Bedingfield | February 27, 2012 at 07:17 AM