Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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BUCHANAN and GOODMAN

Bill Buchanan and Dickie Goodman (b c'34--5, NYC; Goodman shot himself 6 Nov. '89; Buchanan d 1 Aug. '96, LA) enlivened the summer of '56 with million-selling single 'Flying Saucer Parts 1 And 2' (no. 3 USA), written with help from Mae Boren Axton (who also wrote 'Heartbreak Hotel'): an interview with spacemen was interspersed by their replies lifted from pop songs of the day. The fast-paced, well-edited novelty had a sequel '57 but the idea brought lawsuits, demonstrating pop's lack of humour where money is concerned. The lawsuits must have been settled; Goodman also prod. album Mr Jaws And Other Fables '75 on Cash, a best-of incl. 'Saucers', 'Touchables', 'Super Fly Meets Shaft' etc. He was also a comedy writer for Jackie Mason and head of the music dept at 20th Century-Fox.