Chances are good that if you watch commercials or listen to radio shows today, you’ll hear Stan Freberg’s influence.
The advertising legend, comedian, and radio host died Tuesday at the age of 88 from what his family said were a number of age-related illnesses.
Freberg was born in Pasadena, and became a giant in the advertising and radio industry, thanks to his satirical, and often off-the-wall, style of writing. Instead of making comedy albums like stand-up comedians did, Freberg went into the studio and recorded what he called “audio moments,” which featured sound effects and actors.
His most famous work may be “Stan Freberg Presents The United States of America,” which comedically goes through American history from Christopher Columbus to the American Revolution, with Freberg playing many of the main characters.
What do you remember most about Stan Freberg’s work? What is the legacy he leaves in advertising? In comedy?
Guest:
Jeff Goodby, advertising executive and the co-founder of Goodby, Silverstein, & Partners, an advertising agency in San Francisco