"A Gift of Laughter", the autobiography of 1960s comedian-singer-songwriter Allan Sherman, tells in his own words how he "became an overnight success in only 38 years." After surviving World War II (in Camp Wolters, Texas, where he was discharged as medically unfit -- for an allergy to Brazil nuts), and then getting expelled from the University of Illinois for breaking into a campus sorority house, he struggled for years as a free-lance $5-a-joke gag writer for nightclub comedians like Joe E. Lewis and Jackie Gleason. Later he produced television shows like the long-running hit "I've Got a Secret" (which he co-created). For years, Sherman wrote and performed funny parody songs just for fun at parties for a few friends and relatives. Then, on one fateful night, after picking up his unemployment check, he recorded an album of his parodies he called "My Son, the Folk Singer", which sold over one million copies, and became the fastest-selling album of all time. President John F. Kennedy was even heard singing one of those songs, Sarah Jackman, a parody of Frere Jacques. Sherman's next two albums were also smash hits, making him the only artist ever to have three consecutive Billboard #1 Hit Albums. His third album, "My Son, the Nut" contained the top-ten hit "Hello, Muddah! Hello, Fadduh! - A Letter from Camp Granada" -- a summer camp anthem which is still loved 50+ years later. He sang at Carnegie Hall - twice! And the Hollywood Bowl - twice! He guest-hosted The Tonight Show, performed with and conducted The Boston Pops (notable because he can't read music), entertained Presidents and Supreme Court Justices, and amused and delighted millions of regular folk. The surprising popularity and overnight success of Sherman's song parodies influenced generations, paving the way for parodists like Weird Al Yankovic and Adam Sandler, as well as helping start Dr. Demento's novelty song radio career.
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