Dickie Jones

As a child and young adult, Jones achieved success especially in
B-Westerns and television. He was an accomplished horseman
from infancy, billed at the age of four as the World’s Youngest
Trick Rider and Trick Roper. At the age of six, he was hired to
perform riding and lariat tricks in the rodeo owned by western
film star Hoot Gibson. Dickie Jones is best remembered as the
voice of the lead character in the 1940 Walt Disney animated
film ”Pinocchio”.

Jones starred as Dick West, sidekick to the Western hero known as 
The Range Rider (1951), in a TV series that ran for 76 episodes
(and for decades in syndication). He was given his own series in
1955, Buffalo Bill, Jr. which ran for 40 episodes. Jones continued
working in films throughout the 1950s, then retired and entered the
business world.

The song was recorded at Norman Petty Recording Studio in Clovis, New 
Mexico. The idea for the song came when Holly, Allison, and Sonny Curtis
returned from a trip to the movies in June of 1956. The movie was “The
Searchers” starring John Wayne. It was the actors frequently-used phrase
(below) that inspired the young musicians. The single was inducted into the
Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.

Vigoda began his career with a small roles on the television series, Studio One.
His debut film was 1953’s The Joe Louis Story.

He went on to appear in dramas, including The Godfather (1972), and comedies
such as Barney Miller (ABC-TV, 1975-1982), and Joe Versus The Volcano (1990).

Hal Linden (left) and Abe Vigoda publicity photo for Barney Miller

Harold Allen Ramis (November 21, 1944 – February 24, 2014)

(FoxNews) – Comedy legend Harold Ramis, best known for his role
in the hit “Ghostbusters” films, has died. He was 69.

Ramis suffered from autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a disease
that causes swelling in the blood vessels, and died from complications
of the illness surrounded by his family.

"His creativity, compassion, intelligence, humor and spirit will be missed
by all who knew and loved him," his agent said in a written statement.

Ramis’ Hollywood breakthrough came in 1978 when he co-wrote the
blockbuster comedy "National Lampoon’s Animal House." He went on to
co-write "Stripes" (1981), "Ghostbusters" (1984) and "Ghostbusters II"
(1989), films in which he also co-starred. 

Ramis co-wrote and made his directorial debut with "Caddyshack" (1980),
followed by "National Lampoon’s Vacation" (1983). He most recently
directed episodes of “The Office.” 

Among his professional honors and awards, Ramis was the recipient of
the American Comedy Award, the British Comedy Award, and the BAFTA
(British Academy) award for screenwriting.

Ramis is survived by his wife, Erica Mann Ramis, and children Violet Stiel,
Julian and Daniel Ramis. He also has two grandchildren.

                                 
                                           Sandy Kozel

U.S. Marines cheer after raising the American flag atop Mount Suribachi at
Iwo Jima

Iwo Jima Statue, U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington D.C.