Bob Barry’s Unearthed Interviews Podcast: Tommy Smothers
Who remembers the Smothers Brothers? Tommy and brother Dick wanted to be folk singers, but they also liked being funny, so they mixed comedy into the folk songs. They formed the Smothers Brothers comedy act and appeared on television with their own show in 1965. But they demanded more control from CBS and got it with the Smothers Brothers Comedy hour in 1967. The brothers also became politically active when they became friends with John Lennon. They played guitar on Lennon’s recording of “Give Peace a Chance.” Tom and Dick got together in 2019 for a 50th anniversary celebration of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Just as a reference, Tommy is the crazier of the two, while Dick was more the straight man in the act. You’ll hear a sample of their material. And, as you know, stuff happens in live radio. Listen for Tommy’s wife interrupting us at the beginning and again two minutes into our conversation.
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WBA Hall of Famer Bob Barry ruled Milwaukee’s airwaves in the ’60s and ’70s. He interviewed the Rolling Stones, Chubby Checker, Bing Crosby, and many others. Bob is sharing his remarkable recordings in 