Sam Theard

Who was Sam Theard?

Samuel Allen Theard, was a singer, song-writer, actor and comedian. He also performed as Lovin' Sam Theard and a variety of other names.

His first recordings, as Lovin' Sam from Down in 'Bam, accompanied by Tampa Red and Cow Cow Davenport, date from 1929, when he recorded one of his best-known songs, " You Rascal You", for Brunswick Records in 1929 with Cow Cow Davenport, and which was covered by several artists.

He recorded for Brunswick from 1929 to 1931.

In 1930, he also recorded for the Gennett label as Sam Tarpley, and for Decca in 1934. In 1936, again for Decca, he recorded "New Rubbing On That Darned Old Thing", which would later be recorded by Grateful Dead as "The Rub". In 1937, he recorded "Spo-Dee-O-Dee" for Vocalion, and a watered-down version for Decca in 1940.

His last recording as Lovin’ Sam was for the Bluebird label in 1938.

Using the name Spo-Dee-O-Dee, Theard performed as a comedian at the Apollo Theater in Harlem during the 1930s and '40s, and also recorded under that name in 1941.