January 28th, 2023 we celebrate something you don’t normally think of when it comes to rock and roll. The role, “The Kazoo,” has played in music, especially rock music. Let’s see if I spark a memory or five on how cool a Kazoo solo can be. Almost as important as the Cowbell, but a close second. Let the humming begin. Kazoo’s rock! No wonder they made a National Kazoo Day.

• "Rock N Roll", Detroit Feat. Mitch Ryder

  Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels   Jim McCarty on guitar, Earl Elliott on bass, and Johnny “Bee” Badanjek. Who can forget the intro to this classic on kazoo.  “Rock ‘n Roll” in ’71, a solid track that comparison to the original version by Lou Reed. The following year, former Detroit Wheels Jim McCarty and John Badanjek formed The Rockets.

• Ringo Starr - You're Sixteen You're Beautiful (And You're Mine)

  The song was first written by Johnny Burnette in 1960. Ringo covered the song and took it to #1 on the charts. Starr’s version remains one of the few No. 1 singles to feature a ‘kazoo-sound’ solo. And who does the kazoo solo goes to Ringo but the producer Richard Perry swears that the kazoo solo credit goes to Paul McCartney who wasn’t dead at the time. ( Inside Beatles joke)

• Jimi Hendrix - Crosstown Traffic

  Hendrix also plays his own made up kazoo made from a comb and tissue paper. Backing vocals Otis Redding along with Dave Mason. With its hard rock riff, the song is an example and mixture of blues and acid rock and kazoo.

• Frank Zappa - 1966 - Help, I'm A Rock

  This was a strange one but who better than, “Frank Zappa” “Help, I’m a Rock” is a song written and recorded by Zappa along with the rock band the Mothers of Invention on the group’s debut album Freak Out!, which was released in 1966.

• Susan Christie - I Love Onions

   

  Susan Christie’s novelty song “I Love Onions” in 1966. The song cost $700 to produce. A catchy, quirky song with Christie’s breathy vocals is featured with a chorus of kazoo, harmonica, and backup singers. The last verse is recited in an Elmer Fudd type of voice. The song was somewhat popular, peaking at #63 on Billboard. I have the 45 single in my Wurlitzer jukebox at home.

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