It’s a bit after the fact but I wanted to acknowledge the passing of a legend and pay tribute to the late, great Bo Diddley – one of the founders of rock ‘n roll. And like all good founders, Bo knew the importance of cartoons and comics.

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In interviews, Bo said that his song “Road Runner” was inspired by a road runner he saw scooting across the New Mexico desert where he was living.

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But if that’s the case, why the “beep beep” refrain? It’s pretty obvious to me that was Bo saw was a Road Runner CARTOON and he was inspired by Chuck Jones and not the wonder of nature.

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Sadly, I’ll never get to ask him that question now.

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Whether Mr. Diddley was a cartoon fan or not, he was truly one of the greats and he will be missed. His influence will be felt for years to come. And I’ll think of him every time I knock on someone’s door with that shave-and-a-haircut… two-bits rhythm.

For some high-speed rock ‘n roll, click on the bar below…

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Next week, tune in for a tune about a crazy cave man…

Even though it is the height of Summer you should be think of the Autumn.  That means Thanksgiving, elections, football, and going to the movies.

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Since June is almost over lets hope you all were able to submit something. If not here are a few last minute ideas.

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Director Tex Avery and animator Preston Blair turned out some of the sexiest cartoons of all time! A 1943 theater audience in Iselin, N.J., clapped, whistled, and yelled, until the beleaguered manager showed one of their hot toons three times!

Disney artist John Hench on the popularity of Mickey: “…Mickey Mouse…is made out of a series of circles…circles are things we have fun with - babies, women’s behinds, breasts!”

Felix the Cat was one of the earliest animated cartoon characters (dating back to 1919), the very FIRST character to appear on television (in a decidedly unanimated role as a test pattern) and the first balloon in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1927. So then why has it taken this long for Felix to make hit first appearance on DJ David B’s Comics Tunes Tuesday? I am so ashamed.

It is believed that Felix was created by cartoonist/animator Otto Messmer, although producer Pat Sullivan claimed credit.

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Felix, the first TV star.

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(This parade was actually in Toronto, but you get the idea.)

This 1958 cartoon theme song should resonate with all you Arf-loving baby boomers who grew up messmer-ized by Felix as he rooted around in his bag of tricks to find a way out of a jam with The Professor and Poindexter.

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It’s a long road from the silver screen of 1919 to the internet of 2008, but you finally made it, Felix. That’ll do, cat. That’ll do.

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To relive this musical memory, click on the bar below…

(if no bar appears please click here to listen)

In the 1930’s and 1940’s, unauthorized pornographic mini-comics called Tijuana Bibles (”The Kind Men Like!”) featured some of the biggest cartoon stars of the day, among them, Jiggs, Betty Boop, Popeye, and Batman!

In 1906 Planters Peanuts held a contest to create a company spokestoon with a $5 prize-mere peanuts! THe winning entry was 13-year-old Antonio Gentile’s Mr. Peanut! Nutty but true!

The Nazi propaganda tool Das Schwartz branded Superman a Jew!

Cartoonist James Thurber was legally blind!