It’s theme week on the Forgotten 45 as we feature songs from folks better known from acting, though in this case, is there anything Steve Martin can’t do? Comedian, actor, musician, Steve is an American icon.
Steve got his start as a comedy writer for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, but he really took off with his comedy albums “Let’s Get Small” and “A Wild and Crazy Guy”, where not only did he start several catch phrases “Excuuuuuuuse Me!”, he also recorded today’s Forgotten 45, “King Tut”.
The song reached #17 in 1978 and was recorded with the Toot Uncommons, who were members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The song became popular as the real King Tut exhibit was traveling around the country. (he gave his life for tourism!)
Recently TMZ ran a story about how millennials just don’t get the popularity of the song, but Steve’s popularity and talent won out.
Here’s Steve Martin performing King Tut on Saturday Night Live, a show he has hosted 15 times, second to only Alec Baldwin.
