US master of parody

Veteran US parodist Stan Freberg has died at the age of 88.

His son wrote Donavan wrote on Facebook: 'He was and will always be my hero, and I will carry his brilliant legacy forward as best I am able.' his son wrote on Facebook.'

The comic has been hailed as the father of the funny commercial, and made a number of hit music parodies. one of his biggest hits was the 1953 album St George and the Dragonet, a send-up of the detective series Dragnet. It was the spoof, not the actual show, which coined the catchphrase: 'Just the facts, ma'am.'

Another hit was the groundbreaking two-part concept album Stan Freberg Presents The United States of America, covering his nation's history from Columbus' arrival to the First World War. He was said to be working on a third installment.

His recordings led to a hugely successful career on radio, where he regularly mocked commercials by advertising bogus products. But he also opened his own real-life advertising agency, which had the slogan 'more honesty than the client had in mind'.

He also voiced animated characters for films such as Lady and the Tramp and Stuart Little, and TV shows ranging from The Bugs Bunny Show to Ren & Stimpy. He also had a recurring role on the 1990s sitcom Roseanne.

Freberg died of natural causes at a Santa Monica hospital, his family say.

Among those paying tribute on Facebook were 'Weird Al' Yankovic, who posted: 'Very sad to say that one of my absolute all-time heroes has just passed away. RIP Stan Freberg. A legend, an inspiration, and a friend.'

Here's is classic spoof of Old Man River, recorded in 1957, spoofing political correctness well ahead of its time.

Published: 8 Apr 2015