EXCLUSIVE: Five Stupid Questions with Howard Stern’s sound FX guru, Fred Norris
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- November
- 7
Fred Norris was still in college when Howard Stern made his professional debut as a deejay in Briarcliff Manor, but Norris would meet the King Of All Media at Stern’s next stop—at WCCC in Hartford, Conn. Despite Stern’s insistence that the man known as “Earth Dog” on the WCCC airwaves actually hails from Mars, their working relationship and pleasantly awkward friendship has spanned almost three decades.
Astute Stern fans know Norris is more than just a sound effects guru who knows when to play Ed McMahon’s “Hiyo!” and the unmistakable “Uh… WOW!” with perfect comedic timing. He’s also a comedy writer, trivia expert and the guitarist for King Norris, a rock trio that tours the country with original songs.
After postponing a gig at Mickey Spillane’s in Eastchester three months due to a Sept. 8 “family emergency” that reportedly turned out fine, King Norris will return to that bar for a 10:30 p.m. gig on Saturday, Dec. 8.
King Norris’ drummer, Frank Fallon, passed along Suburbarazzi’s Five Stupid Questions to the band’s namesake and today replied with Fred’s e-mailed responses. After the break, learn all about Fred’s favorite musician to appear on the Stern show, must-have sound effects and high praise for “Sour Shoes,” a frequent caller from the Lower Hudson Valley.
Chris Serico/Suburbarazzi: As you know, Lower Hudson Valley resident Michael “Sour Shoes” DelCampo frequently calls into your show to perform songs on command. Among the songs you’ve requested, what’s the most obscure one that he has correctly played?
Fred Norris: No song is obscure when Sour Shoes plays it. He is a song stylist extraordinaire.
CS: In terms of an interview and/or performance, which of Stern’s musical guests most impressed you?
FN: The person who impressed me the most has been and always will be Stevie Wonder. He is the most amazing musical talent I have ever heard and probably will ever hear.
CS: I know King Norris plays original material, but what’s your favorite cover song to play on guitar?
FN: Probably something by Led Zeppelin. Great songs – great lead parts – actually make you think you can play.
CS: If you were on a desert island with the Stern crew and strangely had to put on a radio show to survive, which three of your sound bytes would you bring?
FN: A fart, “Hey Now” and “Bababooey.”
CS: Of Howard Stern, Robin Quivers, Gary Dell’Abate and Artie Lange, who has shown up to the most King Norris shows?
FN: It’s a three-way tie between Howard, Robin and Gary. I have never seen Artie. Artie’s gotta do what Artie’s gotta do.
UPDATE: Thanks to FishbowlNY for the link! Hey now!
(Photo courtesy of KingNorris.com)
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, November 7th, 2007 at 1:17 pm by Chris Serico.
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Hi fred, Fred is the true genuis of the show. He rarely misses abeat. Take away Fred and the show would be lackluster to say the least. My sweet angel fred.
Artie’s gotta do what Artie’s gotta do? What does that even mean?
RE: Steve: If you don’t know “Artie’s got to do, what Artie’s got to do” you aren’t really a fan of the show.
Hi Fred.
Hi Fred. Bye Fred. F you fat Artie.
Sorry, Steve, I agree with “Eric” Norris.
Sometimes I wish Fred could follow me around with his sound bytes. They’re always in my head and I have to censor myself from using them during normal conversations. Like, “What are you saying?” and especially, “Someone rape me for cryin’ out loud!” People just wouldn’t understand.
F Jackie
Fred rules
Fred is the best. Eric is good too. Like everyone except Benji. Arivadirchi, c***sucker! Hi Richard.
In my book – Fred qualifies as “genius”. So freaking well rounded, too. And love those very rare occassions when he get’s pissed and shows that side of him.
xxx
fred ive been listenning since the nbc days an i can say with out a doudt that you are the true genius of the show comedy wise musical wise smarts witty an please fred stop kissing that pompis a hole arties ass hes funny yea ill agree but when hes not on the air in front of howard listen to the way he speaks EXCUSE THE SPELLING WE ARE NOT ALL GENIUSESSES LIKE YOUR SELFS
JOE
FRED YOU ARE THE SHOW
Fred:How much did you make at WCCC and what percent compares to today?
I stopped listening to Howard b/c of Fred’s sound effects. They are boring, juvenile and annoying!!!
Fred,
You are on the greatist show on earth. That being said, what are the chances of you having your own radio show on sirius when Howard retires? You, among others on the show, would stand to make a ton of money plus produce a great show of your own. Just a thought.
Fred ROCKS!! If you’re annoyed by his sound effects, like Glenn stated, then you got some deeper issues to deal with. The sound effects he plays are all part of the masterpiece that Howard and the gang are creating every day. Without Fred and his FX, the show wouldn’t be half of what is.
Hey Glenn…. how’s your Mom doing?
Fred is so amazing and I love the dynamic between him and artie and robin and Howard. They are the meat of the show
Hiiiiiiiiiiiii Fred.
Fred Noris is a god amoungst men. I say this out of pure fear of what he would do to me if i left something negative, not that i would EVER even dream of it.
You make the show and you are my hero.
F YOU FAT ARTIE
Fred is definitely indispensable. As a matter of fact, when Jackie left, I thought the biggest problem with it was that Fred all of the sudden became silent and invisible. Now that I am listening again on Sirius and missed 5 years, Fred seems back on track, but I will always cherish his messing with Jackie. F-Jackie.
Fred rules!!!
I always seem to have a variety of Fred’s sound clips dancing around in my head and whenever somebody says something, I mentally insert one of his gems. Even though others can’t hear it, it still makes me laugh inside and brings a smile to my face…
hiiii fred
Screw the rest, Fred’s the best. Thanks for a bit of intellect…
Fred is awesome! Without Fred Howard wouldnt be where he is today I love robin But Fred is more valuable to the show and before he retires Howard ought to buy Fred a better car then he bought Robin. Without Fred there would never be A Howard with 500 million or serious.
Fred rules!!! Weird looking guy, but funny. Love the laughing sounds when an ominous story is in Robin’s news. The clips of Wendy the Retard as Freddy today was golden.
Fred really makes the show. I love that guy!
Sal should be castrated and have his gonads grafted onto Richard’s chin.
Artie might as well go back on the H and enjoy the remainder of time here on the blue sphere. Howard should renew his contract and outlast that puss filled Imus. Robin go lay an egg and lsat but not least—keep on rockin’ unitl the fat lady sings King Norris.
Fred I love you and you make me laugh everyday. And PPLLLLEEEEZZEE sombody in America get Fred on Celebrity Super Shuffle! Just 10 songs Fred, PPPPLLLEEEAAASSSEE!
Fred is the fucking man, i could do without everyone on the show but I NEED fred and howard eveyone else can die
Fred Is The True Mechanics of The Show.
Without fred theres no Flow .
Your the Man Fred , the guy behind the scenes.
It’s not Howard without Howard, Robin, Gary, and Fred! Fred’s imitations of Eric the Midget, Artie, and Nick Manning are gold gold gold.
FRED FRED FRED FRED
FRED FRED FRED FRED
FRED FRED FRED FRED
FRED FRED FRED FRED
Fred is a genuis. He was the best part of the Private Parts movie and his contribution to the show is priceless. I am a HUGE admirer of Fred. I’m glad he has a happy life, as he has brought countless happy moments to my work day. THANKS FRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Everybody SING!
fred fred fred fred, fred fred fred fred, he’s a fred, he’s wonderful FRED!
I’m coming to get you Fred!
Your job, that is!
I live when Fred quits the show. Hopefully we get another outrage by him soon.
“He’s A Fred, The Wonderful FRED!!!!!!”
Fred you Rock !!!!!!!!!!
hey, fred is so funny i laugh at all his bits and drop ins!
id love to get a chance to come see the studio and meet every one
hey here’s to another 5 yrs of howard stern and fred norris
Fred has been droppin’ LOADS! Love your new impression of Ms. Quivers boy toy on the side (Sorry Jimmy).
i once had a friend, his name was frederick, and people
called him rick. he once said he wished he could change his name to eric…so fred is not alone. rick also told me he was visited by extraterrestrials as a child and they
implanted him with e.t.i. (extra-terrestrial intelligence).
Fred rules I have been listening since 1991, However the show jumped the shark when it hired Sal & Richard they are horrible please get rid of them, They are as funny as every kid I went to JR. high with.
hey fred
Big fan of u and the show. Wanted to ask a question, maybe you will answer it, but pry not. Bob Dylan, big inspiration to me. Are u a fan of him? I believe his guitar playing is under rated, where do you stand on that subject? Thank you. And i will have to check your band out some time.
Hi Fred…
I’ve been a fan since NBC, I never called in but always wanted you all to know how great the show is and how it made my mornings for the last 25 years.
...F Jackie
Hiiiiiii Fred
Love you, love your sounds, love the Howard Stern Show- some of the greatest entertainment on earth. It’s real, raw, and I love it all.
F Jackie
Love you Artie!
Hi Fred,
Have you ever been offered to do a 1 hour show on 100/101?
and if so why have you not done so?
And has there been any talk about the people on the show getting their own 1 hour spotlight show?
Thanks.
Fred is a huge talent. The most unsung person on the show. Go Fred!
don’t let guys like the oh so respectable captain kirk plug tahiti village anymore. they are a scam. oh , the horror story i have. Fred,look it up and next time someone comes on to plug it , plz pull the rug out from under them. it will be great radio when they get mad and can’t tell you anything about them. it’s legit business, but they practice unethically and aren’t really all that accommodating. YOU DO GREAT WORK FRED . KEEP IT UP.
fred norris has grown into the talent he is today. I’ve followed stern from wash, dc. and NYC days just before Philly, then thru the Philly period on WYSP. I have Sirius now and salute Fred/Eric Norris as his rare and genius talent has come to the forefront in recent years. He’s stepping up to the mike more often and i ALWAYS get a charge out of him. No doubt Howard grooms great talent all around. Long live the Howard Stern Show, the guys an obvious work-a-holic, Beth likes the good things in life and so does Fred, What a talent, stay cool buddy, I’ll have to call one day. busdriver Steve in NYC most days a week parked near Lincoln Center.
For dear Fred: Enjoy your music & LOVE your soft sexy voice. Feel like a young school girl whenever I hear that voice over the air!! Would love to see you perform in STL You are wonderful, Fred. xo Teresa
Like I said, I stopped listening due to the tedium of the sound effects. What he does is no different than a little kid with a yellow noise toy where someone says pig and you press the oink oink button. It’s fun for about 10 seconds and then you want it to go away. If it wasn’t for Artie and Benjy, there would be no show.
Fred , You are a Friggin Genius. I’ve never heard anyone who is as fast on the trigger as you.Keep up the excellent job that you do and I hope they pay you what you’re worth!!
Hey Now!!!
Fred, You are my favorite show personality. Sorry Howard, Robin, and Artie. I have been listening since “The Show” arrived in Pittsburgh many years ago…...I also use your sounds clips in everyday speak, my girl and my mother think I’m an ass for it.
“F” Jackie and Timmy!
oh man… this guy rocks,
frm singapore..
Fred’s the best. I just wish he’d speak up more often. the sound effects certainly require a razor-sharp mind and great hand/eye coordination, but I really appreciate Fred’s intelligence. He’s clearest the smartest brain in the room—we should her more of him!
If wish Fred would do a show where he talks about music on 101 once a week. When Howard and Fred start talking about music Fred’s insight is so interesting.
lunatic fred, we know you’re out there, can you feel the resistance (wind), can you feel the thunder (bonne). ride on you crazy diamond, i’ll see you on the dark side of the moon. you’re genius!
Fuck you Artie, fuck you to Hell!
Hi Fred.
Fred is the BEST!
Fred is so hot! I would love to give him a bro-job.
I love all the sounds Fred adds to the show. I especially love the Beetlejuice one kinda sounds like “wherasusegozeba”
Also the Gilbert Godfried laughing makes me laugh out loud.
Bless you guys for making me laugh at least once a day!
Love ya Fred you fucking martian.
Fred who…?
easy money u lucky fuck keep up the good work
Fred—actually, HOWARD is boring…..wish you would talk MORE. You should have your own show, you are awesome. I hope someone as smart as you has a happy, great life personally.
Fred,
Your Great!
You recharge the show when it gets boring.
More, More, More
Artie…You suck!
Liked the show MUCH better with Jackie
With his sound effects, Fred is easily as funny as anyone on the show. Overall, probably funnier than that fatso drug addict. I’m constantly anticipating certain sounds at certain times. And when he plays Gilberts laugh at the most inappropriate times its classic.
F-Jackie
Hey Fred:
Whatever happened to the “It doesn’t matter” drop from the lady from Africa? You are awesome and always nail the right sounds, hilarious.
HEEE’S A FRED!!! AAA WONDERFUL FRED!!! HE’S AAAA FRED!!! A WONDERFUUUL FREDDD!!!!!!
Fred,your the greatest. Great w/ the sound effects, hated ya at first when I started hearing back in ‘97 cause of that dam kazoo sound effect. I’d like to know where you get those “out of studio” sounds?
ERIC ERIC ERIC ERIE ERIC
HEEE’S AN ERIC!!! AAA WONDERFUL ERIC!!! HE’S AAAAN ERIC!!! A WONDERFUUUL ERIC!!!!!!
Fred rules, always, sometimes so on the freakin’ money it’s frightening!! In the words of my sweetheart Wendy T.R.:
“I feel like blowing my mind up!!”
fred, you’re my favorite part of the show! and you’re cute too!
Dear Fred-you are priceless! Hope your family appreciates your mind…......your laugh is the best and I can’t wait to hear it!! xxxooo
fred is huge