RIP Johnny Nash

'I Can See Clearly Now' Singer Johnny Nash Dead at 80

 

Damn. He also did the "The Mighty Hercules" theme song from the early 1960s cartoon. RIP.

 

I didn’t know that. Hero of song and story, winner of ancient glory!

 

Newton and Tewt are shocked by this development.

 

OLYMPIA!!!!!!!!!!

 

Newton is perhaps one of the most irritating cartoon characters ever. And nobody under the age of 55 has any idea what we're talking about. Unless they're Canadian (because I think I remember seeing reruns of the series as late as the mid-1970s on the Windsor station).

I never realized Trans-Lux was 1. still in business, 2. owns Fair-Play Scoreboards and is a major manufacturer of LED lighting, 3. was once a major theater chain. All I knew were Poyeye and Felix The Cat cartoons. Plus, I believe Speed Racer was released by Trans-Lux as well.

Oh, and Kimba The White Lion! (And no, I don't know who sang that theme.)

 

Wow, Kimba the White Lion! That’s a blast from the way back past! I had completely forgotten that until you mentioned it!

Now that you did, a whole vault of forgotten stuff has opened and all sorts of random names are falling out: Astro Boy, Roger Ramjet, Bat Fink (“My wings are like a shield of steel!”), Mr. Terrific, Tobor the Eighth Man, Captain Scarlet, Clutch Cargo (and his pals, Spinner and Paddlefoot), Space Angel... Make it stop!!!!

 

I believe Ralph Bakshi had a hand in my personal favorite.

 

I see your Mighty Heroes and raise you -- The Super 6, featuring my all-time favorite superhero parody: Super Boing!

Zip, zam, zowie and SWOOSH!

Edit: Theme song by Gary Lewis and the Playboys!

 

Man, does that theme song sound like They Might Be Giants. Instead, it's Jerry Lewis' kid!

Nice pull.

 

Back to Johnny, it’s pretty amazing he transitioned from a traditional singer to one who helped bring reggae into the mainstream
I Can See Clearly Now is one of the best singles ever
Nash wrote that and this one

A reggae cover of a Sam Cooke classic