Moments of Fun With Big Daddy

THE HAIR-RAISING STORY OF BIG DADDY'S INCREDIBLE ESCAPE

EXCLUSIVE INQUIRER INTERVIEW

Big Daddy, a popular 1950's rock n' roll combo, has recently returned home after being held captive for more than two decades by Communist Revolutionaries in Northern Laos. The group was secluded in Camp David where they underwent gruelling debriefing sessions by day, while recording a record album by night. Amazingly, because the group had not heard Rock n' Roll for nearly a quarter of a century, the record comista of contemporary hits recorded in the musical styles of the 1950%. Read on for their complete, incredible but true story.

Introduction

Sometime in the nineties, I heard a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing In The Dark”, it was slowed down and actually quite a lovely version. I did like the original but I also loved this new version.

It turns out Big Daddy are a Rock 'n Roll/Doo Wop band specialising in (at the time) cover versions of modern compositions. "Dancing In The Dark" and "Hotel California"(in the style of Del SHannon’s “Runaway”) are notable examples.

They formed in southern California in the 1970s as "Big Daddy Dipstick and the Lube Jobs" and eventually gained national attention simply as "Big Daddy" on the Dr. Demento radio show in the USA.

Among their claimed influences are: Eddie Cochran, Danny & The Juniors, Devo, Bo Diddley, The Jordanaires, Pat Benatar, Del Shannon, Duane Eddy, Gene Vincent and the London Symphony Orchestra.

They still have a Facebook presence here

Although I tried to scrape the text for the introduction to this article you can read the story of the legend of Big Daddy below from the article from the back of their debut album.

Usually I do write a bit about the songs when I do playlists but these all just speak for themselves so I just give a very high level informational summary for each one.

So here are a few of their wonderful covers.

Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing In The Dark slowed to a smoochy last dance

The Beatles “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” in the style of Jerry Lee Lewis

Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” Doo Wop Style

Talking Heads “Once In A Lifetime” vaguely crossed with The Tokens “The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh)”

Guns’n’Roses “Welcome To The Jungle definitely crossed with The Tokens “The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh)”

Eagles “Hotel California” in the style of Del Shannon’s “Runaway”

John Williams “Star Wars Theme” in the style of Duane Eddy

Rick James’ “Super Freak” in the style of The Everly Brothers

Andrew Lloyd-Webber's “Music of the Night” in the style of Bobby Boris Pickett and the Crypt Kickers “Monster Mash”

The Beatles “A Day In The Life” in the style of Buddy Holly singing “Peggy Sue”

Kim Carnes “Bette Davis Eyes” in the style of Chuck Berry

Conclusion on the absolutely wonderful Big Daddy

They were a surprise but love how they take the fifties pop styles and apply it to what were at the time modern songs. While these are in some ways comic, they are also extremely lovingly done and produced with a great deal of respect.

You do need to listen to these songs and I guarantee they will leave you happy and smiling.