Jerry Samuels, who had a hit as Napoleon XIV, passes.

[gr8oldies]

We remember, (or would like to forget) "They're Coming to Take Me Awaaay, ha-ha!". "Napoleon" was Jerry Samuels, and he has passed away.

https://bestclassicbands.com/jerry-samuels-obituary-napoleon-xiv-3-10-23/?fbclid=IwAR0-rjAM_fiew8IQjvOp0bAW8Ozw98KhvNALbfGILpYv-SSZpbNvk2Oy7i8

 

[radiofan2023]

Life imitating art...RIP Jerry

 

[TheBigA]

Might be added to the list of early rap songs.

 

[Theater of My Mind]

A Dr. Demento staple.

 

[Oldie919]

Hope "Napoleon" has gone to ".....the happy home.....where life is beautiful all the time......"!!
IIRC....the original 45 had the song actually CUT backwards on Side 2....
If you had a turntable that could spin CCW, it would track from the INSIDE to the OUTSIDE groove!!
No telling what it might do to the stylus....
Did anyone really TRY to do this???!!!

 

[CTListener]

The delusional man believing he is Napoleon has been something of a trope for as long as I can remember. Did it originate with that song/artist or was it around even before that? It was invoked again for the cover of this album in 1984:

 

[spiritof67]

A Dr. Demento staple.

And on the Demento show, I think he also gave us "I Owe A Lot To Iowa Pot."

 

[boombox4]

His follow up to "They're Coming to Take Me Away", "My Split Level Head", was pretty cool.

 

[Larry]

https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/jerry-samuels-obituary-take-me-away-ha-20230311.html