Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong announced yesterday they’ve reunited for a 22-city comedy tour called “Cheech & Chong: Light Up America.”The tour starts September 12 in Philadelphia.
I’m not a big fan of drug humor. I never saw any of Cheech & Chong’s movies. And I only bought their albums on CD for historical purposes.
But I’ve always liked “Basketball Jones” (with Cheech singing as “Tyrone Shoelaces”). That 1973 track – a parody of the already- ridiculous “Love Jones” – was a Top 20 hit for Cheech & Chong.
I didn’t know until now that the parody version features an all-star band... including George Harrison, Billy Preston and Carole King.
And last week I stumbled on an old animated short film made for “Basketball Jones.” It’s embedded below. It’s wild.
(Hat-tip: The Raw Story.)
I remember channel surfing a few years ago and seeing a bit of this cartoon, only to find it was being watched by Peter Sellers in the movie, Being There. I'd seen the movie before (more than a few years) but didn't remember that cartoon being there in Being There.
ReplyDeleteBlack Lassie,from the Wedding Album is the real gem with a great spoof of Shaft and the popularity of the Wah pedal.
ReplyDeleteI have never been deep into drug culture or the promotion of it,but their movies are funny,even without being under the influence.
They are a great comedy team and you owe yourself a marathon viewing session.
And of course I probably don't need to mention Tommy's soulful Canadian connection as a member of Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers.
ReplyDeleteLocal kid Robbie King was the B3 player for them as well.
Still funny. It's unfortunate, that this kind of parody cannot be done today. Too many sensitive people and too many lawyers who need the bucks.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone catch the blimp with the subliminal NIXON IMPEACH message, towards the end?
It'd be nice to see Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers reunite for 20 city tour, although it would almost certainly be stuck in the sad genre that Tommy James and the Shondells or The Zombies are - that of the one old guy four new guys touring the casino circuit.
ReplyDeleteBobby Taylor still croons in jazz clubs every few months here in Vancouver.
Bobby Taylor has been very active again,working on a few Philly and Motown projects in the past couple of years.
ReplyDeleteI think he has a studio in China or something as well?