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Dr. Demento | |
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![]() Dr. Demento in 2004 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Barret Eugene Hansen |
Also known as | Barry Hansen |
Born | Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. | April 2, 1941
Genres | |
Occupation | Disc jockey |
Years active | 1961–present |
Website | drdemento |
Barret Eugene Hansen (born April 2, 1941),[1] known professionally as Dr. Demento, is an American radio broadcaster and record collector specializing in novelty songs, comedy, and unusual recordings from the dawn of the phonograph to present.
Hansen created the Demento persona in 1970 while working at KPPC-FM in Pasadena, California.[1] After playing "Transfusion" by Nervous Norvus on air,[when?] DJ "The Obscene" Steven Clean remarked that Hansen had to be "demented" to play it; this became Hansen's stage name. His weekly show went into syndication in 1974[1] and was syndicated by the Westwood One Radio Network from 1978 to 1992. Broadcast syndication of the show ended on June 6, 2010, but the show continues weekly online, with Hansen scheduled to retire in October 2025.
Hansen holds a master's degree in ethnomusicology[2] and has written for magazines and as a liner notes author for recording artists outside the novelty genre. He is credited with introducing generations of listeners to early and mid-20th-century artists such as Harry McClintock, Spike Jones, Jimmy Durante, Benny Bell, Rusty Warren, Yogi Yorgesson, Nervous Norvus, Allan Sherman, Ray Stevens, Candy Candido, Stan Freberg, and Tom Lehrer. He also helped bring "Weird Al" Yankovic to national attention.
Early life
[edit]Barret Hansen was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of an amateur pianist. He began his record collection at age 12 after finding that old 78 RPM records were 5¢ each at a local thrift store.[1] He attended Reed College in Portland, Oregon, serving as Program Director of KRRC in 1960 and General Manager in 1961. He wrote his senior thesis on Alban Berg's opera Wozzeck and Claude Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande. He graduated in 1963 and later earned a master's in folklore and ethnomusicology from UCLA.[3]
After his master's, he lived for two years in Topanga Canyon with members of the rock band Spirit, briefly working as a roadie for them and Canned Heat. He joined Specialty Records as an A&R man and started his weekly radio show while there, later moving to Warner Bros. Records. He prepared many "Warner/Reprise Loss Leaders" mail-order compilations in the 1970s, which were advertised on inner sleeves and only available by mail order at $1 per LP. Most were double LPs, priced at $2, at a time when double LPs typically cost $9.98. As Barry Hansen, he contributed magazine articles (Rolling Stone, Down Beat, Hit Parader), liner notes, and wrote the "Rhythm and Gospel" chapter in The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll.[4]: 25—29
Career
[edit]The Dr. Demento radio show
[edit]
Hansen created Dr. Demento in 1970 at KPPC in Pasadena, California.[1] Positive listener response led him to turn his rock oldies show into an all-novelty format. At the end of 1971, he moved to KMET in Los Angeles, hosting a four-hour live show from 1972 to 1983. From about 1974, the local version was four hours while the syndicated show was two. He often played punk records in the mid-1970s, earning respect among the punk scene.[5] The show moved to KLSX, then to KSCA,[6] until KSCA changed format in February 1997.[7]
The show went into national syndication in 1974, produced by Larry Gordon of Gordon/Casady,[1] and from 1978 to 1992 was with Westwood One, marking its national popularity peak. Producers included Lynnsey Guererro (1978–1982), and then Robert Young (1982–1990), who expanded the show’s reach, coordinated live performances, and later released the e-book "Producing Demento."[8]
From 1992 to 2000, syndication was by On the Radio Broadcasting. Hansen, under "Talonian Productions," managed syndication from 2000 until dropping the show in 2010 (he identified himself as Talonian’s owner in 2007;[9] Talonian only produced Dr. Demento). Between the mid-1970s and the mid-1990s, he continued live broadcasts on KMET and Los Angeles stations, and made TV appearances on ‘’The Gong Show’’ (1988–89), ‘’Bobby's World’’, ‘’The Simpsons’’, and on the Barnes and Barnes music video for "Fish Heads".
The syndicated show opened with audience requests, followed by a themed second hour and a "Funny Five" countdown of top requests. Holiday-themed shows, especially at Halloween and Christmas, were frequent, as were the annual, year-end "Funny 25" countdowns. Hansen typically produced 52 original episodes annually.
The program’s opening theme is an instrumental of "Pico and Sepulveda" by The Roto Rooter Good Time Christmas Band; during the early KMET years, it was “Sugar Blues” by Clyde McCoy. Short musical teasers and countdown intros were recorded by the same band or sampled from Harry Partch’s "Barstow". Hansen’s opening line, "Wind up your radios," refers to 78rpm records from his collection, and the closing theme is "Cheerio, Cherry Lips, Cheerio" by Scrappy Lambert (aka Gordon Wallace). He ends each show with "Stay Dement-ed!"
Since 1987, "Whimsical" Will Simpson[10][6] has produced a weekly "Demented News" segment and recorded break-in comedy interviews, including "Hey Dickie", using posthumous samples of Dickie Goodman, the pioneer of the break-in comedy genre and a frequently requested artist on the show.
By the late 1980s, the show lost affiliates due to radio industry changes. In 1992, Westwood One dropped the show; On the Radio Broadcasting immediately picked it up.[11] The new syndicator allowed tracks Westwood One would not, such as "It's A Gas" by Alfred E. Neuman[12] and "Moose Turd Pie" by Utah Phillips, as well as allowing the time for Whimsical Will's "Demented News" segment to air nationally.
In 2000, Hansen formed Talonian Productions for self-syndication.[13] Dwindling ad revenue forced him to change to a fee-based model, with exceptions for large market stations like Chicago's WLUP-FM. When WLUP dropped the show, terrestrial syndication ended.[14] In October 2007, Hansen stated financial issues jeopardized the show's future.[9] On June 6, 2010, the terrestrial radio version ended; new episodes continued online each Saturday.[15] The show ran on KACV-FM in Amarillo for a limited time.[14][16] Hansen observed that changing radio demographics and his show's "odd duck" status made finding a home on modern formats difficult.[17][16]
Online streaming and series end
[edit]Beginning around 2006, The Dr. Demento Show began pay-per-show audio streaming at its official website. Archives from 1974 onward, and most of the post-2012 Westwood One-era syndicated programs, became available.[18] Some archived live Los Angeles shows were added as well. Stations were barred from online streaming by contract,[14] leading to further drops in affiliate count,[14] with only six stations airing the show by the end of its terrestrial run, down from over 100 at its peak.[15][14] Despite hopes the online version would attract advertisers,[11] it remained behind a paywall.[5]
The online show continues the original format but often runs longer, with flexible segments and a monthly Top Ten in place of the weekly "Funny Five." Hansen is also able to feature less-censored or rare records.[17]
Due to age, Hansen produces only two new shows per month in 2025; in other weeks, playlist compilation and archival material are provided by associates Jeff Morris and "Musical Mike" Kieffer. On May 31, 2025, he announced his plan to retire after the October 11, 2025 episode, which will feature the program's top 40 songs in its history.
Other media
[edit]From 2003 to 2005, XM Satellite Radio aired a weekly "Best of Dr. Demento" show on channels including Special X, 60s on 6, Deep Tracks, and Laugh USA.
Hansen appeared in the 2005 documentary Derailroaded: Inside The Mind Of Wild Man Fischer and, in 2007, as Hippocrates on The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd.
He has made guest appearances on other shows, including guest-hosting for Montel Williams on Air America Media (Halloween 2009),Cite error: The opening <ref>
tag is malformed or has a bad name (see the help page). on Anything Anything with Rich Russo in 2011 and 2013, and with classical host Jim Svejda each New Year's Eve until Svejda's 2022 retirement.
In April 2013, Meep Morp Studios began a Kickstarter for a documentary, Under the Smogberry Trees: The True Story of Dr. Demento. The campaign was funded, but in September 2016 Hansen withdrew support and began making his own version with Devin Lucas, instructing Meep Morp not to use his name or likeness.Cite error: The opening <ref>
tag is malformed or has a bad name (see the help page). Meep Morp states after the film had been largely completed, Hansen refused further participation and issued a cease and desist order.Cite error: The opening <ref>
tag is malformed or has a bad name (see the help page). Neither version has been released.
Honors
[edit]Dr. Demento was inducted into the Comedy Music Hall of Fame (June 2005),[19] the National Radio Hall of Fame (November 2009),[20] and the Oregon Music Hall of Fame (2014).[21]
Personal life
[edit]Hansen was married to Sue Hansen (née Sue Charles) from 1983 to her death in 2017.[22] The couple was childless by choice,[22] and Hansen does not keep pets.[23] Sue had worked as a clerk and training officer at Union Pacific. Hansen describes himself as an "armchair railfan" and occasionally played railroad-related songs on his show.[citation needed] He credited his wife with saving his life after the hard-living Los Angeles years.[22]
Hansen is interested in the roots of rock 'n' roll in R&B[16] and country music, and has written about them in magazine articles, liner notes, two chapters of The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll, and his master's thesis.[16]
His collection includes over 85,000 records.[24] He estimated it at 300,000 in 2010 but has lost count.[16] The collection includes nearly every record sent by listeners; he listened to submissions personally when assembling shows.[12]
Influence
[edit]Dr. Demento is known for bringing parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic to national attention. In 1976, after Hansen spoke at Yankovic's school, Yankovic sent him a tape of parodies. The first song, "Belvedere Cruisin", prompted a positive listener response and led to further recordings. Hansen then funded Yankovic's first EP, Another One Rides the Bus, which led to a record deal. Hansen appears in several of Weird Al's music videos and the movie UHF.
Other artists who gained exposure via Dr. Demento include Barnes & Barnes ("Fish Heads"), Ogden Edsl, Larry "Wild Man" Fischer, Larry Groce, and Elmo and Patsy ("Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"). The show revived novelty hits overlooked by mainstream radio and promoted earlier artists like Benny Bell, Spike Jones, Tom Lehrer, and Stan Freberg.
Frank Zappa, a major influence, appeared several times as a guest. Upon Zappa’s 1993 death, the entire show was devoted to his work for the first time. Other memorable episodes featured Spinal Tap, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and Mel Brooks.
Dr. Demento was parodied on Mr. Show with Bob and David as "Dr. Retarded," and is featured as an expert on "paranormal monster parties" music.
Rainn Wilson played Dr. Demento in the film Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.[25]
Discography
[edit]A number of Dr. Demento compilations have been released:[26]
- Dr. Demento's Delights (1975)
- Dr. Demento's Dementia Royale (1980)
- Dr. Demento's Mementos (1982)
- Dr. Demento Presents the Greatest Novelty Records of All Time, Volume I: The 1940s (and Before) (1985)
- Dr. Demento Presents the Greatest Novelty Records of All Time, Volume II: The 1950s (1985)
- Dr. Demento Presents the Greatest Novelty Records of All Time, Volume III: The 1960s (1985)
- Dr. Demento Presents the Greatest Novelty Records of All Time, Volume IV: The 1970s (1985)
- Dr. Demento Presents the Greatest Novelty Records of All Time, Volume V: The 1980s (1985)
- Dr. Demento Presents the Greatest Novelty Records of All Time, Volume VI: Christmas (1985)
- Dr. Demento Presents the Greatest Novelty CD of All Time (1988)
- Dr. Demento Presents the Greatest Christmas Novelty CD of All Time (1989)
- Dr. Demento 20th Anniversary Collection (1991)
- Dr. Demento: Holidays In Dementia (1995)
- Dr. Demento's Country Corn (1995)
- Dr. Demento 25th Anniversary Collection (1996)
- Dr. Demento 2000! 30th Anniversary Collection (2001)
- Dr. Demento's Hits From Outer Space (2003)
- Dr. Demento Interviews, The (2013)
- Dr. Demento Covered in Punk (2018)
- First Century Dementia – The Oldest Novelty Records of All Time (2020)
The Demento Society released members-only demo compilations Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes annually from 1991 to 2008.
In 2013, Meep Morp Studio compiled all 17 Basement Tapes into a boxed set, limited to 50 copies as a Kickstarter reward for Under the Smogberry Trees and signed by Dr. Demento.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "The Online Internet Site for Information on Dr. Demento music, songs, lyrics and chat". Drdemento.com. Retrieved 2014-03-30.
- ^ Schlanger, Talia (May 20, 2018). "Dr. Demento And John Cafiero On World Cafe". NPR. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
- ^ "School of Rock". UCLA Magazine. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ Hansen, Barry (1976). "Rhythm and Gospel". In Miller, Jim (ed.). The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll: The Definitive History of the Most Important Artists and Their Music (1st ed.). Random House. pp. 25–29. ISBN 978-0394732381. LCCN 76021728. OCLC 987864025. OL 21363112M – via Internet Archive.
- ^ a b Lewis, Randy (2018-01-11). "Dr. Demento, comedic song hero and unsung punk rock legend, gets his due on new album". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ a b "Los Angeles Radio Guide" (PDF). Americanradiohistory. 1995. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
- ^ Hochman, Steve (10 April 1997). "Demento's Dilemma". Weekend. Los Angeles Times. p. 24. eISSN 2165-1736. ISSN 0458-3035. OCLC 3638237. Archived from the original on 10 July 2020. Alt URL
- ^ "The Dr. Demento Show #92-35". Dmdb.org. 1992-08-30. Retrieved 2014-03-30.
- ^ a b Dr. Demento. "A note from Dr. Demento..." DrDemento.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2007. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ "details for Whimsical Will". Dmdb.org. Retrieved 2014-03-30.
- ^ a b Julian, Steve (11 June 2010). "Dr. Demento wraps up 40 years on the air, moves online". KPCC (FM). Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
Hansen enjoyed a long ride with Westwood One, until 1992. [...] 'Well, I had no choice. Westwood One decided that I was not big enough for them anymore. So, I actually hooked up with another syndicator, On the Radio Broadcasting, which was a much smaller version of Westwood One. I went with them for five years. After that I decided to take it over myself.'
- ^ a b "Meet Dr. Demento, the man who discovered Weird Al and 'Fish Heads'". Yahoo Entertainment. 2018-03-01. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ "The Dr. Demento Show through the eyes of a disc jockey". Dmdb.org. Retrieved 2012-02-24.
- ^ a b c d e "Dr. Demento Ends His 40 Year Old Radio Show". Chicagoradioandmedia.com. 2010-06-05. Archived from the original on 2010-06-30. Retrieved 2010-06-22.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ a b Lycan, Gary (2010-06-11). "Dr. Demento leaves the airwaves after 40 years". Orange County Register. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ a b c d e "Dr. Demento Leaving Radio For The Web". Billboard. Associated Press. 2010-06-30. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ a b "Dr. Demento: Off The Air, But Still Happily Deranged". NPR. 2010-06-22. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ "Dr. Demento - Streaming".
- ^ "Dr. Demento / Inducted: July 11, 2005". throwingtoasters.com. Comedy Music Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2007-11-07. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
- ^ "Radio Hall of Fame – Arthur Godfrey, Music / Variety". Radiohof.org. Archived from the original on 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2010-06-22.
- ^ "Oregon Music Hall of Fame".
- ^ a b c kevincarter (2017-09-12). "Dr. Demento's Wife Passes". RAMP - Radio and Music Pros. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ "Our visit with 'Dr. Demento'". Long Beach Post. 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ The Book of Lists, pg. 178
- ^ Kreps, Daniel (March 2, 2022). "See Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna in First Look Photo From 'Weird Al' Yankovic Biopic". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ "Dr. Demento: Discography: Compilations". AllMusic. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Demented Music Database – official playlist archive and more
- "Under the Smogberry Trees: The Dr. Demento Story" website
- Dr. Demento Discography
- Not on display/sandbox discography at Discogs
- Dr. Demento at IMDb
- The Mad Music Archive – a fan-run, user-supported site with song and artist information
- Top 100 (or so) Demented Hits (from Funny 25’s) – updated annually
- Another Side of Dr. Demento: An Interview at Twenty-Four Hours
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