The Melodic Journey of Daddy Dewdrop
An academic examination of the multifaceted career of Richard 'Dick' Monda, charting his evolution from child actor to influential songwriter and recording artist.
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Biography
Identity and Origins
Richard "Dick" Monda, born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1940, is an American songwriter who adopted the pseudonym Daddy Dewdrop. His early life saw a significant relocation from Ohio to California during his childhood, where he began his artistic journey.
Early Artistic Endeavors
Monda's formative years were marked by performance. Alongside his sister, he participated in vaudeville and various shows throughout Hollywood. His early exposure to the entertainment industry included childhood film appearances in notable productions such as The Glass Wall and Go for Broke!. At the age of 13, he secured a significant role portraying a young Eddie Cantor in The Eddie Cantor Story, performing six songs and engaging in dance routines. By 16, he had earned a featured role in the film The Midnight Story.
Transition to Songwriting and Music
While pursuing a degree in mathematics, Monda cultivated his passion for songwriting. His initial foray into music production occurred with Moonglow Records, releasing "Don't Do It Some More" under the pen name Daddy Dewdrop. He subsequently spent seven years with the Four Star Music publishing company, during which he recorded extensively. His artistic career also led him to Verve Records, where he released his debut album, Truth, Lies, Magic and Faith.
The "Chick-A-Boom" Phenomenon
Following his work producing music for the Saturday morning cartoon series Groovie Goolies, Monda released the song "Chick-A-Boom," originally conceived for the show. He assembled a group of studio musicians, including Tom Hensley (later musical director for Neil Diamond) and Butch Rillera (of Redbone), to record a version. Retitled "Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes' Love It)," the track, distributed by Sunflower Records, achieved significant commercial success, reaching #9 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in 1971 and #3 on Cashbox. This period also saw other charted records like "Fox Huntin' on the Weekend" and "Chantilly Lace," with a later hit "Nanu, Nanu, (I Wanna Get Funky Wich You)" on Inphasion Records.
Beyond Music
Monda's creative output extended to the realm of independent cinema. He appeared in several underground films, including Troma productions like Oversexed Rug Suckers from Mars and Body Parts, as well as the indie film The Artichokes. He also recorded an album titled Or Durvs under the alias "Lu Janis."
Discography
Albums
Monda's discography spans releases under both his birth name and his pseudonym.
Albums as Dick Monda
Year | Album | Record Label |
---|---|---|
1969 | Truth, Lies, Magic, and Faith | Verve Records |
1977 | Love is an Open Hand | Album World (Sorrentino) |
Albums as Daddy Dewdrop
Year | Album | Record Label |
---|---|---|
1971 | Daddy Dewdrop | Sunflower Records |
1979 | Meet the Beat | Inphasion Records |
Singles
Singles as Dick Monda
Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Record Label | B-side | Album | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | AUS | |||||
1965 | "It Brings on the Pain" | — | — | Moonglow Records | "Days of Pleasure" | |
1967 | "Blues in the Night" | — | — | Moonglow Records | "Then I'll Go Peacefully" | |
1969 | "River's End" | — | — | Verve Records | "The Bible Salesman" | Truth, Lies, Magic, and Faith |
1969 | "The Bible Salesman" | — | — | Verve Records | "A Wandering Carpenter" | Truth, Lies, Magic, and Faith |
Singles as Daddy Dewdrop
Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Record Label | B-side | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | CAN | AUS | |||||
1966 | "She Didn't Have to Tell Me" | — | — | — | Moonglow Records | "If You Treasure My Heart" | |
1968 | "Here Come the Judge" | — | — | — | Indigo Records | "Collection of Hearts" | |
1971 | "Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes' Love It)" | 9 | 2 | 10 | Sunflower Records | "John Jacob Jingleheimer Smith" | Daddy Dewdrop |
1971 | "Fox Huntin' (On the Weekend)" | — | — | — | Sunflower Records | "The March of the White Corpuscles" | Daddy Dewdrop |
1975 | "Goddaughter" | — | — | — | Capitol Records | "Dynamite Dyna" | |
1978 | "Nanu, Nanu, (I Wanna Get Funky Wich You)" | — | 15 | — | Inphasion Records | "The Real Thing" (Dance #62) | Meet the Beat |
External Resources
Official Presence
Explore Daddy Dewdrop's official online presence for further insights into his work and career.
- Official website
Professional Profiles
Consult professional databases for comprehensive career information.
- Dick Monda on IMDb
- Dick Monda Discography at Discogs
- Daddy Dewdrop Discography at Discogs
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References
References
- Joel Whitburn, The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. 7th edn, 2000
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Disclaimer
Academic and Informational Notice
This document has been generated by an AI, drawing upon publicly available data. It is intended solely for educational and informational purposes, presented from an academic perspective. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy based on the provided source, the content reflects the data as presented and may not encompass all nuances or recent developments.
This is not professional advice. The information herein should not be construed as professional music industry, legal, or career guidance. Users are encouraged to consult official documentation and qualified professionals for specific inquiries related to music careers, copyright, or historical accuracy. Reliance on this information is at the user's own discretion.
The creators of this educational resource are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided.