If Igor Stravinsky's new shoes hadn't squeaked the night Lindley Armstrong Jones sat in the front row watching the maestro conduct the "Firebird Suite"; or if the radio show audience had not gotten hysterical when percussionist Jones erroneously hit a box, missing the appointed chime as the announcer said, "And here's Bing Crosby", SPIKE JONES might never had seriously considered a career in comedy music.

 

Jones, nicknamed "Spike" by his railroadman father's co-workers, was at the time a very successful studio musician.  Being a staff drummer at Decca, RCA Victor and Columbia Records, his credits included a myriad of recordings with Crosby, Judy Garland, Victor Young, Dinah Shore and others.  His radio work included the Fiber McGee and Molly, Eddie Cantor and Kraft Music Hall shows.  But Jones, wanting to front his own band, put together some talented fellow musicians, naming the group "The City Slickers".  They rehearsed diligently between jobs and were looking for material to record for RCA Victor when they were asked to consider "Der Fuehrer's Face", a tune from a forthcoming Walt Disney cartoon.  With RCA not knowing what to do with it, Spike took the record to New York disc jockey Martin Block, who played the tune every half hour.  Block's efforts, along with the bravado displayed by the irreverent ''Bronx Cheer' sound effect  (giving Hitler the raspberry), helped sell 1.5 million records in 1942, bringing Jones the first of six Gold Records. *  Their hit brought Spike Jones and The City Slickers their own radio show and film contracts.

 

In the mid-40's, Jones revolutionized the touring band business with his Musical Depreciation Revue, an elaborate stage show with a cast of 40 that crisscrossed the United States playing to packed auditoriums.  

Jones was known for hiring band members for their exceptional musicianship and comic ability.  His quest for precision was so intense that the cowbells, autohorns and two octaves of Flit guns had to be in perfect key.  Even the live goat, Phoebe, bleated in the key of 'C'.  He lead his musical aggravation with a deadpan expression and a .32 caliber pistol.

 

The public heartily embraced Jones' performing persona.  Today the mention of his name to a fan of his music elicits a reply such as, "He was one of a kind; there'll never be another one like him."

During a twenty year span as a recording artist, Jones recorded dixieland, christmas music, county, polka's, children's music, the classics, big band style and novelty.  In all, Spike Jones had 14 hits in the Top 20.

Today, nearly 55 years after his death, The Godfather of Musical Madness has been rediscovered by a new generation.  Much of his music is included in two dozen record compilations.  His television shows from the 50's are seen on cable and available on video internationally. Mr. Jones, a founding member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, was inducted into the GRAMMY HALL OF FAME in 1994.