Wednesday Special

I've been listening to Dr. Demento's last show over the last couple of days and just finished it yesterday afternoon. It was a Top 40 most requested songs of the 55 year history of his show. With just a couple exceptions (I actually think the official tally was 3) I was able to recite all the songs I remember hearing when I was routinely listening to Dr. Demento back between 1996 and 2004.

I got into Dr. Demento when I decided to listen to the Dr. Demento 20th Anniversary Collection that my Mom had. I fell in love with it and needed more. Learning that his show aired out of Kansas City on KYYS Sundays at midnight, I began staying up late to listen. Dr. Demento is the reason I was bad at school. I stopped listening when I just couldn't stay awake anymore. His show had moved stations at least twice since I started listening and, based on someone else's research, left the Kansas City area in 2007. The radio show would come to an end in 2010. Dr. Demento began streaming in 2006 and has been online since. You can listen to thousands of episodes of his show on his website.

No one else I knew listened to the show. I could annoy my friends and anyone near me with dumb novelty songs. I'd quote odd, random things and could take credit for being so funny. I felt like I was a member of a secret club. I'd go back to Dr. Demento and novelty songs numerous times over the years. They were comforting. I got into so much more music because of Dr. Demento. Being a fan of Dr. Demento and novelty songs just reinforced the belief that I should've been born in 1909. I can't even count the ways Dr. Demento has inspired me.

Back in June, Dr. Demento, whose real name is Barry Hansen, announced he was retiring. Keep in mind, he's been doing this radio show for 55 years (since 1970) and is now 84-years-old. He has more than earned a retirement. I saw numerous comments online on how Dr. Demento got them into different music or wanting to do that kind of music. I'm glad Mr. Hansen is able to see and hear how much he means to so many people. Here's to long and happy retirement, Doctor. Thank you for being one of the best.

December 1, 1966

He did this 48 times (counting the one that made it) and probability states that at least 23 of those cigarettes should of made it. I guess it would be less since he couldn't just not caught any, swallowed and spit a few out, bit at the wrong time... Ok, so maybe missing 47 times is possible.

Don't do it Brutus. Doesn't seem worth it. Monetarily or what it's going to do to you later. Just get a burger or some soup and go back to work. You don't need to eat the diner shrimp.

And don't forget to stay demented!