10 Actors Who Swapped The Boards for the Bandstand
PART Kermit, part hipster, Michael Cera is loved by many (and he probably irritates a fair few too, but that’s normal) and has starred in a bunch of films that make people in Converse Chuck Taylor’s go weak at the knees.
So it isn’t very surprising that Michael Cera has released folk album called ‘True That’.
The actor released the material on August 8th via his Bandcamp page. Not many people noticed it, but then, Superbad co-star Jonah Hill posted a link to it and now everyone is cooing and clucking about it.
Of course, he’s not the first actor to have a go at singing and making music. In fact, the movies are filled with actors who have decided to have a go at making sweet melodies. The results, obviously, have been mixed and sometimes, downright baffling.
Mostly though, they’ve been a bit bland. Remember Minnie Driver’s album? Of course you don’t. Was it bad? Sadly, it was competent so no-one could get mad.
Some actors have been pretty good, but they’re no fun – we’re interested in the weird ones. Dudley Moore’s fine jazz and J-Lo’s ace pop aren’t for us.
We’re here for the lousy and oddball.
Robert Mitchum
Cinema legend Robert Mitchum was swept away by the infectious music of the Caribbean and thought he’d make a calypso album. His deadpan delivery is funny, but is it a bit racist doing what is tantamount to a comedy black voice? Judge for yourself.
Scott Baio
You’ll know Baio in his role as Chaci Arcola in Happy Days, where he basically played a mini Fonz. The ladies seem to like him, and someone, somewhere, saw money potential in him and he released a rock record. Seriously. Check out the hilarious ‘How Do You Talk To Girls?’ It is possible that he thought he sounded like Bruce Springsteen. It is possible no-one had the heart to tell him that he didn’t.
William Shatner
No singing-actor list is complete without The Shat, who released the cult favourite, ‘Transformed Man’, where he did now famous versions of ‘Mr Tambourine Man’ and ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds’. Here, for your pleasure, is a different cut from the LP. Of course, he went on to make another album with members of Sonic Youth and the like, but he was in on the joke then, so it wasn’t nearly as good as the original.
Peter Wyngarde
He played Jason King in the ’70s and contained one of the most outrageous wardrobes in television. However, more outrageous was his solo LP which is, without doubt, in possession of one of THE WEIRDEST collections of songs ever made. On it, is the fantastically controversial ‘Rape’ which is not only distasteful in subject, but also for the impressions of all the people around the world who might like to rape. This song is 100% agony to listen to.
Hylda Baker & Arthur Mullard
While Hylda and Arthur’s version of Grease mondo-hit ‘You’re The One That I Want’ is a comedy song, it is always worth including in a list when you get the chance. Their live reading of the song on TOTP is absolute gold.
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan cut a record called ‘We Are Ready’, which hasn’t aged well, but his voice isn’t all that bad. Still, on listening to it, it does have a certain evangelical, charity quality to it and you’d rather see him in the middle of a frantic fight scene.
Telly Savalas
Telly, known as Kojak, was the unlikely heartthrob in many households, and becoming hugely famous, got his way to make some music. His singing voice is not a million miles away from his speaking voice. Maybe for some of you, that’ll be more than enough.
Mr T
Mr T now, who made an instructional video about doing the right thing and leading a good life. On it, it contains a fabulous song about treating your mother right. Mr T has all the rhythm of a horse in high heels.
Joe Pesci
Pesci once said he was giving up acting to start singing. Have a listen to this and try and work out whether he was being serious or not.
Brigitte Nielsen
You haven’t lived a properly fruitful life until you’ve heard Brigitte’s appalling cover version of ‘My Girl’. And to think she ended up bumping uglies with Flava Flav. If he heard this, he may have run a mile.
Posted: 14th, August 2014 | In: Key Posts, Music Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
