Category:
Music

Bat Sounds?

Several sources claim that in 1999 one of the top-selling CDs in Europe was titled "Bats." It consisted entirely of the sound of bats flying around.

However, one of those sources is the Weekly World News (May 4, 1999). So not very reliable. And since I can't find any trace of this CDs existence elsewhere (I thought a copy would likely have surfaced on eBay -- but no; or on YouTube -- no again), I'm wondering if the CD was real, or one of WWN's jokes.

The other source that mentioned the CD was the Glasgow Sunday Mail, May 2, 1999. But maybe they got their info from the WWN?

Do any WUvians have the answer to this bat mystery? Was Bats really a European top-seller?

Weekly World News - May 4, 1999

Posted By: Alex - Fri Sep 18, 2015 - Comments (7)
Category: Animals, Music, 1990s

When the Circus Comes to Town



I have no idea of the provenance of this half-hour compilation. Shown at cinemas before the main feature? Whatever the case, it has everything. Cornball music, girly cheesecake, animated cartoon, stop-motion cartoon, narration by a chimp. Also, the highly disturbing image reproduced below. Somehow I feel it relates to the "horse fondling" theme of yesterday.

image

Posted By: Paul - Wed Sep 16, 2015 - Comments (6)
Category: Animals, Clowns, Dreams and Nightmares, Music, Sex Symbols, Cartoons, Stop-motion Animation, 1940s

RIP Will Atkinson, the Walmart Elvis


Will Atkinson died recently of pancreatitis, at the age of 51. He had gained fame in Oxford, Mississippi as an Elvis impersonator, and was known there as "Elvis," or the "Big E." And also as the "Walmart Elvis" because he worked at Walmart and would sing in the aisles as he worked. From the Clarion-Ledger:

By day, he worked at the local Walmart, where he would sing gospel and Elvis classics throughout the store so well that many mistook his voice for the sound system, said Walmart sales associate Suzette Boone...

Atkinson obsessed over getting every Elvis detail correct. He dyed his hair, had four Elvis jumpsuits, and fashioned his voice to sound just like the real thing...

At the local Walmart, employees broke corporate protocol and set up a memorial wreath at the entrance, and had pictures displayed on a table inside, along with a condolence book, which many customers have stopped to sign. The store even played some of Atkinson’s recordings on the sound system. "The aisles are going to be quiet now," said Walmart assistant manager Lavina Woodfin, "No more song."

There are more tributes to him here and here.

Posted By: Alex - Tue Sep 08, 2015 - Comments (5)
Category: Music, Obituaries

Mystery Illustration 9

image

What pop song of the 1950s was this tableau intended to represent?


Answer after the jump.

More in extended >>

Posted By: Paul - Tue Sep 08, 2015 - Comments (8)
Category: Fashion, Music, 1950s

Forward March

Posted By: Paul - Mon Aug 10, 2015 - Comments (0)
Category: Aliens, Music, Surrealism, Cartoons

The Apple



Explanation here--insofar as is possible.

Posted By: Paul - Fri Jul 31, 2015 - Comments (6)
Category: Drugs, Ineptness, Crudity, Talentlessness, Kitsch, and Bad Art, Music, Science Fiction, 1980s

Lemon Incest



Background info here.

Posted By: Paul - Thu Jul 23, 2015 - Comments (4)
Category: Family, Music, Sexuality, 1980s, Europe

Follies of the Madmen #254

image
image

Having little mannikins of the performers standing on their records is a vivid metaphor about the living quality of the sound. But then to set those records and their passengers rafting down the river--well, the metaphor gets a little jumbled, to say the least.

Original advert here.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Jul 20, 2015 - Comments (10)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Music, 1950s

Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich



I thought I knew the music of my youth pretty well, but I can't recall ever hearing of these guys with the weird band name, till just now reading the obituary of one member.

The jaunty surrealism in this video holds up pretty well, as does the music.

"Between 1965 and 1969, the group spent more weeks in the UK singles charts than the Beatles."

Where was I?!?

Posted By: Paul - Fri Jul 10, 2015 - Comments (9)
Category: Music, 1960s, Europe

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Who We Are
Alex Boese
Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes.

Paul Di Filippo
Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1.

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