Mike and I play a "dead or alive" game when we see celebrity spokespeople on TV. Ricardo Montalban - dead. Wilford Brimley - as of this writing, alive. William Shatner is alive, but his Priceline character apparently died last year when a bus went off a cliff. Jamie Lee Curtis - alive and regular! We keep seeing Pat Boone in a commercial for reverse mortgages. We thought he was dead. Nope, he's still here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Boone
As I read the Wikipedia article about Pat Boone, I was surprise to learn that Mr. White Sport Coat released an album in 1997 (when he was age 63) called "In A Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy." The album contained cover versions of heavy metal songs including (wait till you hear this) Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train."
When "Crazy Train" was released in 1980, it didn't get much attention. Over the years however, it became Ozzy Osbourne's signature song. The family used a Pat Boone sound-alike version as the theme song for "The Osbourne's" television show. Listen to how Boone stylized the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UApNEoF3fZc
Now listen to the original version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxlqZBBttxg I never heard "Crazy Train" until it was used in a Honda Pilot commercial. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmY_TRlO3MU Now I'm forever hearing boom-boom and ay-ay-ay-ay. I read an article that criticized Honda for using the song. The writer seemed to think that today's tween would not be conversant with Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, so the kids would never begin the cup shaking sing-along. That writer should take a look at this video. The pint sized singer slurs his words (a little too much like the "Prince of Darkness," maybe), but the guitarist has some precocious talents.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGr1dCzbreA
Never thought I'd say this but I actually like the Ozzi version better.
ReplyDeleteI too thought Pat was dead, wonder how many people think I might be!