Assumed/incorrect titles:
- The Rock Rap
other performers:
- Billy Joel (background music)
Written by:
- Whimsical Will (lyrics)
- Billy Joel (music)
Recorded:
- late October, 1987 (vocal, first version)
- November 18, 1987 (vocal, second version)
- 1974 (music)
Recording location:
- Los Angeles, CA (vocal)
- Devonshire Sound, North Hollywood, CA (music)
Available on (*):
- 1998 cassette Cutting Up with Whimsical Will Volume Two (February, 1998; contains second version)
- 2012 CD Cutting Up With Whimsical Will: Volume Three - Songs & Stories 1980-1998 (January 19, 2012; contains second version)
General type of music:
- spoken w/ musical accompaniment
Topics (not including words that are part of the title):
- rock music groups
- rock musicians
Alternate versions:
- The second version is a completely different vocal recording with several changes to the lyrics.
- The following are added in the second version: AC/DC, Cutting Crew, Bow Wow Wow, Yes, Judas Priest, James Taylor, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Electric Prunes.
- The following are omitted in the second version: Patience & Prudence, Virtues, Royal Guardsmen, Buckinghams, and Vanilla Fudge.
- Also, Everly Brothers are changed to Doobie Brothers in the second version, and the music is slightly louder.
- All live plays from November 22, 1987, and after, and all syndicated plays from 1988 on, are the second version unless otherwise specified.
interesting facts (click to see playlist of show on which fact was mentioned, if applicable):
- Will used Billy Joel's "Root Beer Rag" from his 1974 album Streetlife Serenade (and later the B-side of his 1979 single "Big Shot") as the backing track for this piece.
Also credited as:
- Billy Simpson
General type of music:
- break-in
Real name:
- William Simpson
Based in:
- Los Angeles, CA
Also recorded with:
- Mimi
- Princess
interesting facts (click to see playlist of show on which fact was mentioned, if applicable):
- since 1986, has created a yearly break-in recording (a la Dickie Goodman) to honor one of the summer's biggest hit movies (although the first year he did the not so successful "Howard The Duck")
- took voice lessons from Daws Butler
- was a child voice actor in the animated "Star Trek" and "The Little Prince"
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* Note that it may be available on other releases or formats than are listed, and some releases listed may not be currently available. Generally the first release is listed, along with a commonly available release (for items that aren't out of print), and any Dr. Demento compilations on which it has appeared. Albums may be out of print in their original format but still available in another format. We suggest checking various online stores or the artist's web site (if applicable) to determine current availability.