Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz here!
- Thread starter Thomas
- Start date
In case anyone is wondering, I've also done the same for all of the audio recordings I had on tape. That was a massive venture that had to be processed in real-time (coming from analog sources.) That was project I had begun around 1992 (using Mini-Disc) and revisited a few times over the next few decades. I eventually wrapped it up in 2017, a year-off from touring.
Next: videos!
I agree
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Blk Diamond
Senior Member
@bermuda
While reading this obituary today, the first thing that pops into my head is the chorus to "Mr. Popeil".
Thanks a lot you guys for that apropos "earworm"!
Obituary
Ron Popeil, ‘Set It and Forget It’ Infomercial King, Dies at 86
By Alex Noble, TheWrap.com - July 28, 2021
Ron Popeil, the prolific infomercial spokesman behind “as seen on TV” products like the Showtime Rotisserie and Hair in a Can, has died. He was 86.
Popeil died early Wednesday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center following a “severe medical emergency” on Tuesday, Popeil’s family told TMZ.
Popeil was best known for the “Set it and forget it” catchphrase he used to sell the Showtime Rotisserie in late-night infomercials. The product shattered QVC records, selling over $1 billion worth of appliances, according to TMZ.
He is also often credited with popularizing the phrase, “But wait, there’s more!”
But Popeil was more than just a smiling face for hire, he pioneered the art of the infomercial and modern television advertising as a whole. In the 1950s, he and his partner, Mel Korey, produced the first minute long commercial for just $500, according to Popeil’s official website. The product? The Ronco Chop-o-Matic, a gadget created by Popeil’s father, Samuel “S.J.” Popeil.
In 1964, the NYC native founded Ronco to sell more of S.J’s products. Popeil went on to invent and sell household appliances of his own such as Mr. Microphone (the first Karaoke machine), the Popeil Pocket Fisherman, the Buttoneer, the Smokeless Ashtray, Popeil’s Electric Food Dehydrator, the Inside-the-Egg Scrambler, GLH-9 (Great Looking Hair Formula #9) Hair in a Can Spray, the Rhinestone Stud Setter (precursor to the Bedazzler), the Cap Snaffler, the Popeil Automatic Pasta Maker and the Ronco Electric Food Dehydrator.
As Popeil’s late night television presence increased, his signature fast-talking pitch style and business savvy made him a household name, spawning generations of parodies, notably from the likes of “I Love Lucy” and “Saturday Night Live.” His celebrity status was so great that he appeared on everything from “The Simpsons” to “Old School” to “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” as himself.
Today, many of Popeil’s original products can be viewed at the Smithsonian Museum.
Source: Ron Popeil, ‘Set It and Forget It’ Infomercial King, Dies at 86 (thewrap.com)
"But wait, there's more!"
We can only hope so, but we won't find out till the end. Godspeed Mr. Popeil.
While reading this obituary today, the first thing that pops into my head is the chorus to "Mr. Popeil".
Thanks a lot you guys for that apropos "earworm"!
Obituary
Ron Popeil, ‘Set It and Forget It’ Infomercial King, Dies at 86
By Alex Noble, TheWrap.com - July 28, 2021
Ron Popeil, the prolific infomercial spokesman behind “as seen on TV” products like the Showtime Rotisserie and Hair in a Can, has died. He was 86.
Popeil died early Wednesday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center following a “severe medical emergency” on Tuesday, Popeil’s family told TMZ.
Popeil was best known for the “Set it and forget it” catchphrase he used to sell the Showtime Rotisserie in late-night infomercials. The product shattered QVC records, selling over $1 billion worth of appliances, according to TMZ.
He is also often credited with popularizing the phrase, “But wait, there’s more!”
But Popeil was more than just a smiling face for hire, he pioneered the art of the infomercial and modern television advertising as a whole. In the 1950s, he and his partner, Mel Korey, produced the first minute long commercial for just $500, according to Popeil’s official website. The product? The Ronco Chop-o-Matic, a gadget created by Popeil’s father, Samuel “S.J.” Popeil.
In 1964, the NYC native founded Ronco to sell more of S.J’s products. Popeil went on to invent and sell household appliances of his own such as Mr. Microphone (the first Karaoke machine), the Popeil Pocket Fisherman, the Buttoneer, the Smokeless Ashtray, Popeil’s Electric Food Dehydrator, the Inside-the-Egg Scrambler, GLH-9 (Great Looking Hair Formula #9) Hair in a Can Spray, the Rhinestone Stud Setter (precursor to the Bedazzler), the Cap Snaffler, the Popeil Automatic Pasta Maker and the Ronco Electric Food Dehydrator.
As Popeil’s late night television presence increased, his signature fast-talking pitch style and business savvy made him a household name, spawning generations of parodies, notably from the likes of “I Love Lucy” and “Saturday Night Live.” His celebrity status was so great that he appeared on everything from “The Simpsons” to “Old School” to “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” as himself.
Today, many of Popeil’s original products can be viewed at the Smithsonian Museum.
Source: Ron Popeil, ‘Set It and Forget It’ Infomercial King, Dies at 86 (thewrap.com)
"But wait, there's more!"
We can only hope so, but we won't find out till the end. Godspeed Mr. Popeil.
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And of course his sister Lisa is an old friend and has recorded and toured with us!
There are too many great Hal tracks to pick a few, they all stand out for something he did on them. Byrds, Mamas & Papas, Beach Boys, early '70s Neil Diamond (incl Cracklin Rosie and Sweet Caroline,) Grass Roots, John Denver, carpenters, Partridge Family, Paul Revere & The Raiders (Indian Reservation best remembered for lots of concert tom work!) Captain & Tennille, dozens of "one hit wonders" like Scott McKenzie & Richard Harris... it's a very long list.
My wife and I were at his 90th birthday party about a month before he passed. Very glad to say hi to him one last time.
Neilage
Well-known Member
The list of Hal's amazing contributions seems endless.
I swoon over his technical playing on Whipped Cream & Other Delights.
OK...youve got one artist other than W.A. to tour with. I've seen you on many award shows and if you were to walk up to the podium with one other musician for an award who would that be. Your answer won't be pushing Al to the side...just curious who that artist would be...think of it as a second job..a night or day job.
Thank you! Not sure why it took me five months to see your post!
Another hard question, there are many artists/bands that I'd be thrilled to play with. McCartney, Neil Diamond, Elvis Costello, The Kinks, Talking Heads, B-52s, INXS, Bowie would have been cool, Alice Cooper, U2, R.E.M., Blondie, Monkees, Elton John, Cheap Trick... it could be a much longer list.
Whoa!..i was thinking (maybe) one particular artist but you gave me a buffet! of various choices. You definitely aren't a strict vegetarian. Looks like you'll even grab a small fry and Coney dog along the yellow brick road.
toddy
Platinum Member
Hi Bermuda.
You have been a long term member of the forum for many years by this stage. I was wondering, do you think that over these decades that the world has become better or worse for a drummer interested in making money? obviously there is covid so live work took a big hit. but what about things like remote recording etc, do you have any opinion on that?
edit* by money i mean a liveable monthly earning, e.g. £2000 / £24k a year.
You have been a long term member of the forum for many years by this stage. I was wondering, do you think that over these decades that the world has become better or worse for a drummer interested in making money? obviously there is covid so live work took a big hit. but what about things like remote recording etc, do you have any opinion on that?
edit* by money i mean a liveable monthly earning, e.g. £2000 / £24k a year.
toddbishop
Platinum Member
Just watched UHF on Prime and it was hilarious-- Money For Nothing parody was great, we were giggling for 10 minutes about Let Me Be Your Hog.
That took us 3 takes! Al's a perfectionist!
The Money For Nothing track has a story, that is Mark Knopler on guitar (and Straits' Guy Fletcher on keys.) The kit I used on that resides at my brother's house, and he's been Mark's guitar player for almost 30 years. Al finally met Mark in 2019 when I brought him backstage at an L.A. show courtesy of my brother.
It's like 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon, except with Mark Knopfler!
The Money For Nothing track has a story, that is Mark Knopler on guitar (and Straits' Guy Fletcher on keys.) The kit I used on that resides at my brother's house, and he's been Mark's guitar player for almost 30 years. Al finally met Mark in 2019 when I brought him backstage at an L.A. show courtesy of my brother.
It's like 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon, except with Mark Knopfler!
toddbishop
Platinum Member
On the shoot did you play the whole tune, or just get the shots for the video?
Also curious if there was a whole track of LMBYH, of if was just a cue-- since the actor turns off the radio after Al starts screeching.
Also curious if there was a whole track of LMBYH, of if was just a cue-- since the actor turns off the radio after Al starts screeching.