"The Spike Jones Show" (1954) on TV in the 50s featured Spike's wife, Helen Grayco, who had been singing with the band since the 1940s.
Began his career as a top studio drummer, working on several Bing Crosby sessions and as a percussionist on the The Wizard of Oz (1939) soundtrack, among many other assignments.
Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 229-230. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
Father of Spike Jones Jr.
Got his nickname from his dad's co-workers on the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Grandfather of Alexandra Selsman Hughes
Had an unusual hobby as a young adult of collecting junk that made odd, funny noises, which started the orchestra leader off on his wild and wooly career that would feature everything from cowbells to toilet plungers.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6290 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
Known for his madcap comical musical arrangements and lyrics.
Prolific recording artist, primarily for RCA Victor, Verve, and Liberty records, his hits included "Der Fuhrer's Face," "Cocktails for Two," "Chlo-e," "Dance of the Hours," "Pal-Yat-Chee" (with Homer and Jethro), "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth," and "Washington Square."
Spike reportedly got his idea for demented re-workings of popular songs after hearing the squeaking shoes of an orchestra conductor during a live broadcast of a symphony performance.
WWII audiences embraced Spike and his City Slickers ("the Band who played for fun") for their delicious parodies of popular songs; some of their best being "Der Fuehrer's Face", "Cocktails for Two", which included a chorus of hiccupping, and "You Always Hurt the One You Love", which was dominated by a series of shootings, hangings and poisonings.