Biography
Sam Theard, who performed professionally under the name Lovin' Sam Theard, devoted the bulk of his long career to acting and comedy across stage, screen, and television. Scholars of vintage hokum, suggestive blues, and comic swing discs link him to earthy numbers such as "She Skuffles That Ruff," "You Can't Get That Stuff No More," "Rubbin' on That Darned Old Thing," and "I Wonder Who's Boogiein' My Woogie Now." In the present era of abundant digital information, Theard surfaces most often as the composer of "(I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You," the lively tune popularized by Louis Armstrong. Above all, queries for his name surface repeated mentions of his landmark composition "Let the Good Times Roll," which became one of Louis Jordan's signature successes and a foundational piece in rhythm & blues as well as early rock & roll.
Theard entered the world in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 10, 1904. He joined a traveling circus in 1923 and logged years of performances in theaters and nightclubs while on the road. Nearly all of his studio work took place in or around Chicago. Between 1929 and 1930 he waxed sides for Brunswick as Lovin' Sam from Down in 'Bam under A&R chief Mayo Williams. These sessions centered on ribald, sex-themed material supported by guitarist Tampa Red plus pianists Cow Cow Davenport and H. Benton Overstreet. After a short 1930 stint with Gennett under the alias Sam Tarpley, Theard moved among several imprints, cutting tracks for Decca in 1934 with pianist Albert Ammons, for Vocalion in 1937, and for Victor's budget Bluebird line in 1938. His vocals also appear on discs credited to pianist Tiny Parham and trumpeter Hot Lips Page.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s Theard worked steadily as a comedian in Harlem, appearing regularly at the Apollo Theater with Dusty Fletcher, Pigmeat Markham, and Jackie "Moms" Mabley. During those years he adopted the stage name Spo-Dee-O-Dee. While performing in Chicago in 1942 he and Fleecie Moore wrote "Let the Good Times Roll," which they passed to Louis Jordan; the saxophonist's Tympany Five version became a major success in 1946. Theard also had a role in Jordan's film Caldonia. After relocating to Hollywood in 1976 he enjoyed a modest career resurgence, occasionally reviving the Spo-Dee-O-Dee moniker. He appeared with Redd Foxx on Sanford & Son, joined Foxx and Pearl Bailey in Norman, Is That You?, and guest-starred on Little House on the Prairie. Audiences who knew nothing of his earlier achievements began to recognize his face in supporting parts, including Cripple in Richard Pryor's Which Way Is Up?, the Wino in the all-Black Cinderella retelling Cindy, Old Second alongside Jackie Gleason and Karl Malden in The Sting II, and the Left Hand of God in Motown's biographical tribute to Scott Joplin. Versatile and influential yet denied widespread acclaim, Sam Theard died at St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, on December 7, 1982.
Theard entered the world in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 10, 1904. He joined a traveling circus in 1923 and logged years of performances in theaters and nightclubs while on the road. Nearly all of his studio work took place in or around Chicago. Between 1929 and 1930 he waxed sides for Brunswick as Lovin' Sam from Down in 'Bam under A&R chief Mayo Williams. These sessions centered on ribald, sex-themed material supported by guitarist Tampa Red plus pianists Cow Cow Davenport and H. Benton Overstreet. After a short 1930 stint with Gennett under the alias Sam Tarpley, Theard moved among several imprints, cutting tracks for Decca in 1934 with pianist Albert Ammons, for Vocalion in 1937, and for Victor's budget Bluebird line in 1938. His vocals also appear on discs credited to pianist Tiny Parham and trumpeter Hot Lips Page.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s Theard worked steadily as a comedian in Harlem, appearing regularly at the Apollo Theater with Dusty Fletcher, Pigmeat Markham, and Jackie "Moms" Mabley. During those years he adopted the stage name Spo-Dee-O-Dee. While performing in Chicago in 1942 he and Fleecie Moore wrote "Let the Good Times Roll," which they passed to Louis Jordan; the saxophonist's Tympany Five version became a major success in 1946. Theard also had a role in Jordan's film Caldonia. After relocating to Hollywood in 1976 he enjoyed a modest career resurgence, occasionally reviving the Spo-Dee-O-Dee moniker. He appeared with Redd Foxx on Sanford & Son, joined Foxx and Pearl Bailey in Norman, Is That You?, and guest-starred on Little House on the Prairie. Audiences who knew nothing of his earlier achievements began to recognize his face in supporting parts, including Cripple in Richard Pryor's Which Way Is Up?, the Wino in the all-Black Cinderella retelling Cindy, Old Second alongside Jackie Gleason and Karl Malden in The Sting II, and the Left Hand of God in Motown's biographical tribute to Scott Joplin. Versatile and influential yet denied widespread acclaim, Sam Theard died at St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, on December 7, 1982.