Tune In, Turn On
If it seems to you like our musical heroes have been passing away at a rapid clip, you’re not imagining it.
As a journalist, I feel compelled to always shine a light on the accomplishments of those who had a career, or were active in music, and who also had a connection to where we live here in southern New Jersey. Of course I wish I didn’t have to write these tribute to the dearly departed, but it’s important to honor the legacies of those who helped shape our musical/cultural experiences; people like Floyd Vivino, aka Uncle Floyd, a cable television host and performing comedian/songwriter who passed away on Jan. 22 at age 74.
For the uninitiated, Floyd was a colorful, offbeat kind of guy who was known for his plaid, porkpie hats and sport jackets, who hosted a variety program, “The Uncle Floyd Show,” on UA-Columbia Cable TV of New Jersey from 1974 to 1998 – a solid 23-year run.
The irreverent, unscripted program was once described as a “cross between ‘Pee-Wee’s Playhouse’ and ‘The Soupy Sales Show,’” blending music, sketches, puppets (Oogie and Bones Boy), and parody. During its run, “The Uncle Floyd Show” was recognized as the longest-running, New Jersey-based television show in history.
Floyd, who came from a family of musicians, also booked musical guests. Among the more than 500 big-name guests to perform on his show were Cyndi Lauper, Bon Jovi, Squeeze, The Smithereens, Tiny Tim and countless others. Many were lip-sync performances, which only added to the irreverent nature of Floyd’s show.
Legendary punk rock band the Ramones, who also appeared on the “The Uncle Floyd Show,” recognized him in their song “It’s Not My Place (In the Nine To Five World).” Ramones guitarist Johnny Ramone could often be seen wearing an Uncle Floyd T-shirt in pictures taken with the band. Lead singer Joey Ramone often wore an “Uncle Floyd Show” button on the lapel of his leather jacket. Famed New Jersey rockers Dramarama feature “The Uncle Floyd Show” in the lyrics of their 1994 hit “Work For Food.” The Wayne, N.J., group also appeared on Floyd’s show.
Mercury Records took Floyd seriously enough to release an album, “The Uncle Floyd Show Album,” in 1984. No less a luminary than the Thin White Duke (late superstar David Bowie) even wrote a song about Uncle Floyd, “Slip Away,” for his 2002 album, “Heathen.” A 2023 documentary called “Flipside,” by filmmaker Chris Wilca about his attempt to save a New Jersey record store, included an Uncle Floyd segment.
Vivino performed here many times, including two sold-out appearances at the Elks Lodge in Brigantine in 2018 and 2021.
“We would go to see him (Uncle Floyd) at Borgata Music Box when they ran the Borgata Comedy Club there. He was great,” said Mike Kelly, who booked Floyd for both Elks performances.
Floyd’s connection to Atlantic City goes back to his childhood. He was on stage at the Steel Pier during the 1960s as a child performer in the “Stars of Tomorrow” shows, a regular feature on the pier.
Perhaps most telling are the scores of quotes from famous musicians and people in the music industry praising Floyd.
Jon Bon Jovi, in a recent social media post, wrote, “Uncle Floyd gave me a shot on his show first before anyone. Thank you, Floyd. Rest easy, my friend.”
Longtime shock jock Howard Stern wrote, “Those of you from the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut area would know who Uncle Floyd was. He was this guy who I loved. I did his show once. His show was charming.”
Floyd also had a wicked sense of humor. South Jersey rock accordionist Malcolm Tent, who performed on Uncle Floyd in 1984, told us, “After I performed a few songs, Floyd held up my two singles and said to his TV audience, ‘Here’s Malcolm’s two records. They’re selling like hotcakes; too bad they’re not selling like records!”
Perhaps his brother, Jimmy, summed it up best.
“When my brother Floyd was made, there was no mold to be broken,” musician Jimmy Vivino told us by text. “God works completely freehand sometimes. Floyd was one of those creations.”
In a state known for having produced many world-class musicians and entertainers through the years, Uncle Floyd will be remembered as well as one of the Garden State’s greats.
RIP Uncle Floyd Vivino.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com
