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Papa, Play for Me: The Autobiography of Mickey Katz
The heartwarming autobiography of a vintage Jewish comedian, with a new introduction highlighting his relevance to contemporary culture and cultural studies.
Mickey Katz (1909 - 1985), a Jewish comedian and musician, is best known for his parodies ― "Theme from Moulin Rouge (Where is My Heart)" became "Where is My Pants?", "(How Much is that) Doggie in the Window" became "Pickle in the Window" ― incorporating Yiddish words and accents. His very first English-Yiddish recording, "Haim afen Range," was an instant hit and he went on to record ninety singles and ten albums for RCA and Capitol. Father of performer Joel Grey and grandfather of actress Jennifer Grey, Mickey Katz's irreverent blend of Jewish story-telling, vaudeville routines, African-American jazz, Jewish klezmer and popular dance band music have had a lasting impact on American culture. In this rollicking autobiography, first published in 1977 and reissued here with a new introduction, the King of the Borscht Capades talks frankly about politics, music, family, identity and show business.
Mickey Katz (1909 - 1985), a Jewish comedian and musician, is best known for his parodies ― "Theme from Moulin Rouge (Where is My Heart)" became "Where is My Pants?", "(How Much is that) Doggie in the Window" became "Pickle in the Window" ― incorporating Yiddish words and accents. His very first English-Yiddish recording, "Haim afen Range," was an instant hit and he went on to record ninety singles and ten albums for RCA and Capitol. Father of performer Joel Grey and grandfather of actress Jennifer Grey, Mickey Katz's irreverent blend of Jewish story-telling, vaudeville routines, African-American jazz, Jewish klezmer and popular dance band music have had a lasting impact on American culture. In this rollicking autobiography, first published in 1977 and reissued here with a new introduction, the King of the Borscht Capades talks frankly about politics, music, family, identity and show business.
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2002
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May 13, 2018
Before Alan Sherman, before Weird Al Yankovic, there was the one and only Mickey Katz!
I’m not saying that Mickey Katz invented the song parody, probably the second song ever written was a parity of the first song ever written, but Mickey Katz did it like nobody else. If you read this wonderful and heartwarming book without knowing Mickey‘s music you’re missing half the story.
This memoir is a fun and fast read, as you follow Mickey’s life, a child of orthodox Jewish parents to a nightclub hepkat getting his first big break with Spike Jones and then his own wild and swinging band. The one thing this book can’t convey is the joy and excitement of Mickey Katz‘s music.
Not just the lyrics, which even for me, with my tiny smattering of yiddish, makes me laugh out loud but the energy and exuberance not to mention the consummate skill of the musicians. Mickey Katz not only sang song parodies he played energetic traditional klezmer music. He not only leads his band he also sings and plays a wild clarinet and saxophone.
There’s nothing particularly deep or profound about this autobiography. No life lessons hard learned, no traumas or skeletons in the closet. This a story of a performer who struggled and made a name for himself, who traveled the world entertaining people, even though even though, sadly, now he’s largely forgotten.
Still, there must be a genetic component to talent because his fame lives on in his son Joel Grey and his granddaughter Jennifer Gray.
And in the musicians like Don Byron recorded a tribute album to Mickey and who continue to play his music.
In the great tradition of Mashugana Jews Mickey Katz holds a special place. So give on yourself a pleasure, have a bowl matzo soup, a blitz and a nice glass tea. Then read this book and listen to Mickey Katz’s music.
You’ll plotz!
I’m not saying that Mickey Katz invented the song parody, probably the second song ever written was a parity of the first song ever written, but Mickey Katz did it like nobody else. If you read this wonderful and heartwarming book without knowing Mickey‘s music you’re missing half the story.
This memoir is a fun and fast read, as you follow Mickey’s life, a child of orthodox Jewish parents to a nightclub hepkat getting his first big break with Spike Jones and then his own wild and swinging band. The one thing this book can’t convey is the joy and excitement of Mickey Katz‘s music.
Not just the lyrics, which even for me, with my tiny smattering of yiddish, makes me laugh out loud but the energy and exuberance not to mention the consummate skill of the musicians. Mickey Katz not only sang song parodies he played energetic traditional klezmer music. He not only leads his band he also sings and plays a wild clarinet and saxophone.
There’s nothing particularly deep or profound about this autobiography. No life lessons hard learned, no traumas or skeletons in the closet. This a story of a performer who struggled and made a name for himself, who traveled the world entertaining people, even though even though, sadly, now he’s largely forgotten.
Still, there must be a genetic component to talent because his fame lives on in his son Joel Grey and his granddaughter Jennifer Gray.
And in the musicians like Don Byron recorded a tribute album to Mickey and who continue to play his music.
In the great tradition of Mashugana Jews Mickey Katz holds a special place. So give on yourself a pleasure, have a bowl matzo soup, a blitz and a nice glass tea. Then read this book and listen to Mickey Katz’s music.
You’ll plotz!
Displaying 1 of 1 review