The Crazy Otto Medley
Encyclopedia
"The Crazy Otto Medley" is a 1955
ragtime
recording made by pianist Johnny Maddox
.
The song is actually a medley of several pieces of music originally recorded by the German comic performer Fritz Schulz-Reichel
under the pseudonym of Otto der Schrage.
The opening song is "Ivory Rag" by Lou Busch
and Jack Elliott. The closing song is "Play a Simple Melody" by Irving Berlin
. The songs sandwiched in between these two are pop songs from Germany. The first of them is "In der Nacht ist der Mensch nicht gern alleine" by Franz Grothe. The second is "Das machen nur die Beine von Dolores" by Michael Jary
. The third is "Was macht der alte Seemann" (composer unknown).
The Medley entered the Billboard Charts
on February 5, 1955, where it spent 14 weeks, peaking at #2. It also became the first million-selling ragtime record and eventually sold in excess of two million copies.
Due to its success, the Crazy Otto Medley became synonymous with Maddox, and resulted in him earning the nickname "Crazy Otto". The nickname had also been given to Schulz-Reichel.
The Grateful Dead
song "Ramble on Rose" contains a line about Crazy Otto, apparently a reference to Maddox.
1955 in music
-Events:*January 1 – RCA Victor announces a marketing plan called "Operation TNT." The label drops the list price on LPs from $5.95 to $3.98, EPs from $4.95 to $2.98, 45 EPs from $1.58 to $1.49 and 45's from $1.16 to $.89...
ragtime
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
recording made by pianist Johnny Maddox
Johnny Maddox
Johnny Maddox is a ragtime pianist and collector of ragtime memorabilia.His interest in the era of ragtime and blues was fueled by his Aunt Zula Cothron. She played ragtime piano at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, and taught Johnny to play...
.
The song is actually a medley of several pieces of music originally recorded by the German comic performer Fritz Schulz-Reichel
Fritz Schulz-Reichel
Fritz Schulz-Reichel was a German jazz and pop pianist.Schulz-Reichel's father was a classical musician, and he began playing piano at the age of six...
under the pseudonym of Otto der Schrage.
The opening song is "Ivory Rag" by Lou Busch
Lou Busch
Louis Ferdinand Busch was a music producer, musician and songwriter who was best known for performing as a pianist under the nickname Joe "Fingers" Carr.-Biography:...
and Jack Elliott. The closing song is "Play a Simple Melody" by Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous...
. The songs sandwiched in between these two are pop songs from Germany. The first of them is "In der Nacht ist der Mensch nicht gern alleine" by Franz Grothe. The second is "Das machen nur die Beine von Dolores" by Michael Jary
Michael Jary
Michael Jary was a German composer.- Early years :...
. The third is "Was macht der alte Seemann" (composer unknown).
The Medley entered the Billboard Charts
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
on February 5, 1955, where it spent 14 weeks, peaking at #2. It also became the first million-selling ragtime record and eventually sold in excess of two million copies.
Due to its success, the Crazy Otto Medley became synonymous with Maddox, and resulted in him earning the nickname "Crazy Otto". The nickname had also been given to Schulz-Reichel.
The Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
song "Ramble on Rose" contains a line about Crazy Otto, apparently a reference to Maddox.
External links
- Ragtime and Honky-Tonk of the 1950s: Sorting Out the Players, Bill Edwards: (2004)