Once again, we get a lot of deaths in the news lately. When it rains it pours.
Errol Mauck
Those who knew Errol probably think I'm joking around mentioning him. If you are from Fort Branch, you probably knew Errol, and if you didn't know him, you more than likely saw him on many occasions. Ask anyone who's worked at Holiday Foods (or Norman's) and they can tell you many stories about Errol as he was Fort Branch's staple citizen. About 90% of the time when I went into Holiday Foods, he was either in there or would arrive while I was there. One time I even went into Holiday Foods twice in one day and he was there both times! It was unbelieveable.
I have to tell a quick story about Errol. I almost killed him once. Not on purpose, and it would have been his fault. I was driving down Locust street (probably on my way to Holiday Foods) when Errol, on a bicycle, pulled out in front of me. I had to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting him. I was on the phone with Beth at the time and she remembers this incident. In fact, she reminded me of it to share it on here. Word has it that Errol died of a heart attack. He was 47.
You might think I'm going to talk about Farrah Fawcett or Michael Jackson. Well you're wrong! I will mention that as a kid, Michael Jackson's Thriller album (tape) was the first of few albums that my parents actually bought for me. I remember I was in third grade and EVERYONE had that album. Within the last few years, I picked up a copy of Thriller on vinyl and I dug it out last night just to confirm that I had it. My theory about Michael's death is that he had a heart attack after hearing about Farrah Fawcett's death.
What I really want to write about is the one death that quickly dropped from the headlines, Ed McMahon. And at the time of this writing, wikipedia does not even have Ed McMahon listed under the notable deaths in 2009. Michael and Farrah are though. Last night on the dish, I saw the TV Guide channel had a show on about Ed McMahon. I turned to it and guess what? They were talking about Farrah Fawcett instead.
What I have to say about Ed McMahon is probably not what everyone's expecting. It is ironic, sorta, for him to die right after Jay Leno quit the Tonight Show. What I was going to point out may have been said before, I just haven't heard or read anyone say it. I see a huge parallel between Johnny Carson's show and Jack Benny's show(s). Jack Benny was Johnny Carson's influence. Anyway, Johnny had Ed and Doc Severinsen and Jack Benny had Don Wilson and Phil Harris.
Here's a quote from the book "On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio" by John Dunning about The Jack Benny Show:
On April 6, 1934, Don Wilson became the new announcer. Wilson would remain with Benny to the end of the TV show in 1965. His deep, rich voice was one of the show's trademarks,... Wilson also brought to the show a deep belly laugh that could often be heard above the studio audience. Benny liked laughter from his cast and orchestra and assistants: he was "extremely dependent on a favorable studio audience"...
Now who does that sound like? An announcer with a rich voice, deep belly laugh that could be heard over the audience laughter, and stayed with him until the end of the show? Sounds like Ed McMahon to me. Don Wilson started his career in 1923, same year Ed McMahon was born. And Doc Severinsen would chime in once in a while the way Phil Harris would on Jack's show.
Johnny Carson gives Jack Benny some advice
This is a funny clip from 1955. In it, Johnny has been in show business for 2 years. Jack claims he's been in show business for 20, but in reality it was more like 30.
Here's an obscure video of Ed McMahon. In 1996, I think, the Disney channel did a show called "There's No Going Home" with Weird Al. It's a lot of concert footage and other assorted wackyness. In the video I have linked to, Al goes to his parent's house, only to discover that they have rented out his room. Fast forward the video to 5:40 and in a few seconds we see who they rented it to.
Why all this talk about Jack Benny? Well, I've been listening to his old shows a lot lately. There are over 600 shows in mp3 format you can download from www.archive.org. Not many know, but I really enjoy listening to old time radio shows. What started me on it recently was the show "When Radio Was" on 1280WGBF. They play it from 5 to 7pm on Sunday's, though on June 28 it moves to 6am. "When Radio Was" plays a wide variety of shows, but I mainly like the comedys. The only exception to that would be "The Shadow". Luckily for me, most old radio shows have been moved into the public domain and are kindly available online at www.archive.org. I have downloaded and listened to every episode of Abbott and Costello they had. I have downloaded every Jack Benny Show they have and am currently listening to them. The show ran from 1933 to 1955 and I am currently listening to 1938, so I have a while to go. After I finish Jack Benny I will probably download and listen to Burns and Allen.
For Father's day this year, Beth (and the kids) got me one of those cards with sound and it was Abbott and Costello doing a short clip of "Who's on First?"
