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*''You Don't Have To Be Jewish (1964)<ref name=":0" />'' |
*''You Don't Have To Be Jewish (1964)<ref name=":0" />'' |
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*''When You're In Love the Whole World Is Jewish (1965)<ref name=":0" /> |
*''When You're In Love the Whole World Is Jewish (1965)<ref name=":0" />'' |
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*''Al Tijuana & His Jewish Brass (1966)<ref name=":0" /> |
*''Al Tijuana & His Jewish Brass (1966)<ref name=":0" />'' |
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*''The Yiddish Are Coming! The Yiddish Are Coming! (1967)<ref name=":0" /> |
*''The Yiddish Are Coming! The Yiddish Are Coming! (1967)<ref name=":0" />'' |
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*''Scream On Someone You Love Today (1967)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/scream-on-someone-you-love-today-mw0000244577|title=Allmusic|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> |
*''Scream On Someone You Love Today (1967)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/scream-on-someone-you-love-today-mw0000244577|title=Allmusic|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>'' |
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*''The New First Family - A Futuristic Fairy Tale (1968)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.discogs.com/Bob-Booker-George-Foster-The-New-First-Family-1968-A-Futuristic-Fairy-Tale/master/378461|title=Discogs|last=|first=|date=|work=|access-date=}}</ref> |
*''The New First Family - A Futuristic Fairy Tale (1968)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.discogs.com/Bob-Booker-George-Foster-The-New-First-Family-1968-A-Futuristic-Fairy-Tale/master/378461|title=Discogs|last=|first=|date=|work=|access-date=}}</ref>'' |
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*''Beware Of Greeks Bearing Gifts (1968)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Bob-Booker-And-George-Foster-Beware-Of-Greeks-Bearing-Gifts/master/544499|title=Discogs|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> |
*''Beware Of Greeks Bearing Gifts (1968)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Bob-Booker-And-George-Foster-Beware-Of-Greeks-Bearing-Gifts/master/544499|title=Discogs|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>'' |
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*''Pat McCormick Tells It Like It Is (1968)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Pat-McCormick-Tells-It-Like-It-Is/release/9589984|title=Discogs|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> |
*''Pat McCormick Tells It Like It Is (1968)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Pat-McCormick-Tells-It-Like-It-Is/release/9589984|title=Discogs|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>'' |
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*''The Jewish American Princess (1971)<ref name=":0" /> |
*''The Jewish American Princess (1971)<ref name=":0" />'' |
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*''Out Of the Closet (1977)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.audiophileusa.com/item.cfm?record=112071|title=Audiophileusa|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> |
*''Out Of the Closet (1977)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.audiophileusa.com/item.cfm?record=112071|title=Audiophileusa|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>'' |
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== Television work == |
== Television work == |
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A partial list of his television credits. |
A partial list of his television credits. |
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*''NBC Follies (1973)<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0095372/|title=Internet Movie DataBase|last=|first=|date=July 27, 2019|website=IMDB|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> |
*''NBC Follies (1973)<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0095372/|title=Internet Movie DataBase|last=|first=|date=July 27, 2019|website=IMDB|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>'' |
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*''Cotton Club '75 (1974)<ref name=":2" /> |
*''Cotton Club '75 (1974)<ref name=":2" />'' |
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*''Charo (1976)<ref name=":2" /> |
*''Charo (1976)<ref name=":2" />'' |
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*''50 Years of Country Music (1978)<ref name=":2" /> |
*''50 Years of Country Music (1978)<ref name=":2" />'' |
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*''Grease Day USA (1978)<ref name=":2" /> |
*''Grease Day USA (1978)<ref name=":2" />'' |
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*''Waylon (1980)<ref name=":2" /> |
*''Waylon (1980)<ref name=":2" />'' |
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*''Best Little Special in Texas (1982)<ref name=":2" /> |
*''Best Little Special in Texas (1982)<ref name=":2" />'' |
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*''The Funniest Commercial Goofs (1983)<ref name=":2" /> |
*''The Funniest Commercial Goofs (1983)<ref name=":2" />'' |
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*''Foul Ups, Bleeps & Blunders (1983-84)<ref name=":2" /> |
*''Foul Ups, Bleeps & Blunders (1983-84)<ref name=":2" />'' |
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*''Love Boat Fall Preview Special (1984)<ref name=":2" /> |
*''Love Boat Fall Preview Special (1984)<ref name=":2" />'' |
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*''Anything For A Laugh (1985)<ref name=":2" /> |
*''Anything For A Laugh (1985)<ref name=":2" />'' |
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*''Comedy Break (1985)<ref name=":2" /> |
*''Comedy Break (1985)<ref name=":2" />'' |
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*''Rickles On the Loose (1986)<ref name=":2" /> |
*''Rickles On the Loose (1986)<ref name=":2" />'' |
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*''Hit Squad (1987)<ref name=":2" /> |
*''Hit Squad (1987)<ref name=":2" />'' |
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*''Out of This World (1987)<ref name=":2" /> |
*''Out of This World (1987)<ref name=":2" />'' |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Bob Booker
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Booker in 1986
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| Born | (1931-08-01) August 1, 1931 (age 92) |
| Occupation | Television Producer |
| Years active | 1948–Present |
| Known for | The First Family Album |
| Spouse | Barbara Noonan Booker |
| Children | 2 |
Bob Booker (born August 1, 1931) is an American writer and producer of television shows and record albums. He is best known for producing the 1962 album The First Family with Earle Doud. The album is a parody of President John F. Kennedy and his family, and it remained at #1 on the Billboard 200 for 12 weeks, and won a Grammy for Best Album of the Year in 1963.[1]
Booker was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and graduated from high school at age of 16. He was first employed as a local radio DJ.[2] A new television station began operation and Booker was hired at the age of 18, where he worked as a TV host, news anchor, weatherman, camera operator, set builder, film editor, program producer and director. He was later drafted into the army during the Korean conflict and was stationed at Ft. BlissinEl Paso. Because of his background in radio and television, he was placed on staff for the commanding general, doing PR for the base. Discharged after two years, he moonlighted as a talent manager and became station manager of WIVY in Jacksonville.[2]
In 1958, Booker was hired by Miami's WINZ AM radio for their afternoon drive slot.[3] He ingratiated himself with all the top entertainers who frequented the popular winter vacation spot through one-on-one interviews. Celebrities like Jack Benny, Nat Cole, Martha Ray, Andy Williams, Ray Charles, Mort Sahl, Ava Gardner, Gloria DeHaven, Sinatra - many became lifelong friends. He also did on-air work at two local TV stations, and hosted weekend shows. In 1960, he left Miami and relocated to New York City.[2]
Booker discovered it was not easy to start a career in the Big Apple, as an MCA agent got him exactly one TV pilot hosting job in one year. He made friends with local writers, including Pat McCormick (who later wrote for Johnny Carson) and Earle Doud. He and Doud began some writing projects, which included a series of gag record greeting cards, an article for Playboy magazine and their ultimate brainchild: a comedy album spoofing the President of the United States.
Booker and Doud cast Vaughn Meader who they saw via the Talent Scouts TV show as JFK and Naomi Brossart, a model and actress as Jackie.[4] They cut a demo record and made their first pitch to Capitol Records. After hearing the demo, an executive and friend of Booker, said: “I wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole!” Dejected, the two considered other labels and ended up at ABC Records who referred them to ABC President, Leonard Goldenson. He passed, but suggested a small record label, Cadence Records, owned by Archie Bleyer. He liked the concept and signed the two writers to a record deal.
On October 22, 1963, The First Family was recorded at Fine Studios in New York City, ironically at the same moment that President Kennedy announced the naval blockade of Soviet Union ships traveling to Cuba, prompting the Cuban Missile Crisis. Once the crisis was over, Booker and Doud devised a simple plan to market their record: radio airplay. Booker also worked part-time for 1010 WINS AM and when the first albums were delivered to Cadence, the two immediately sought out the most popular DJ in the city, Stan Z. Burns at WINS. Burns loved the record and The First Family was the only record he played for his entire three hour shift. The WINS switchboard lit up with callers — listeners, news outlets and competing radio stations — everyone wanted the new record. Booker and Doud, who came armed with a handful of records, traveled around the city, dropping off albums to numerous radio stations. Booker remembered it best: “Lightning had struck...we were in the right place at the right time.” It would become the fastest selling album in record history.[2]
Arthur M Schlesinger Jr., Assistant to the President, nearly crashed his car when he first heard an album cut on the radio: Reporter: What do you think the chances are for a Jewish president? Meader: Well, I think they're pretty good. Let me say, I don't see why a person of the Jewish faith can't be President of the United States. I know as a Catholic I could never vote for him, but other than that...[5]
Booker and Doud produced a second First Family album in the spring of 1963. After President Kennedy was assassinated that November, all unsold albums were pulled out of stores and destroyed. The producers did not want to appear profiting from the President's death.[2]
Booker continued to produce albums with George Foster, including the very successful 1965 album You Don't Have To Be Jewish and When You're In Love, the Whole World is Jewish. He produced 16 comedy albums from 1962 to 1977.[2]
Booker wrote for the Garry Moore Show during the late 1960s and also contributed to the Ed Sullivan Show as well as other variety programs. When Hollywood came calling, he relocated to Los Angeles and worked in the motion picture industry for a few years. He returned to television and produced numerous TV shows from the 1970s to the 1990s, including The NBC Follies, Fifty Years of Country Music and partnered with Burt Reynolds, producing two network pilot specials: Cotton Club '75 and The Wayne Newton Special. In 1977, Paramount hired him to create television specials to promote their feature film releases American Hot Wax, Foul Play and Grease. In 1987, Booker created the NBC teen fantasy sitcom Out of This World starring Maureen Flannigan and Donna Pescow.[6] He produced numerous “outtake” shows and established an extensive comedy videotape library for his shows Foul Ups, Bleeps & Blunders with Don Rickles and Steve Lawrence, Comedy Break and The Hit Squad. He would continue to market the TV library globally for decades.
Booker donated many of his personal television scripts to the Writers Guild Foundation Archive.[6] He is now retired, living in Northern California with his wife of 51 years, Barbara Noonan Booker. They have two children and four grandchildren.
A partial list of his album credits.
A partial list of his television credits.
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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