Brothers Bring Fun Routines To Superpops

How do you explain the Smothers Brothers to a generation that didn’t grow up with them?

You can call them “funny folk singers,” which is technically true. Yet this captures neither the scope of their act nor their importance to American pop culture.

To find out more about all things Smothers, the best thing to do is head for the Spokane Symphony SuperPops concert on Saturday.

Based on reviews from pops performances in other cities, we can expect to see some of the tried-and-true Smothers Brothers routines, in which Tom plays the charming goofball and Dick plays the exasperated older brother. For instance, there’s the “Take It, Tom” routine, and Tom’s version of “Hangman.” As usual, they rarely make it to the end of a song before an argument breaks out.

In addition, Tom will do his Yo-Yo Man routine in which he shows off his yo-yo tricks and explains his philosophy of Yo. At this concert, he will be joined by symphony trumpeter Chris Cook, who is a yo-yo champ himself.

Still, all of this talk about arguments and yo-yos probably doesn’t go very far toward explaining their importance or their longevity. As to the latter, here’s what Tom has to say:

“I guess our longevity has something to do with the fact that we are unique,” said Tom. “Uniqueness makes you a success. When we started out we were the only funny folk singers around. It’s probably gotten us a lot more applause than it should.”

As for their cultural importance, “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” was the only place on TV in the late ‘60s where you could see the Beatles, the Doors, the Who and, of course, Pat Paulsen’s campaign for president. It was also one of the first shows to be kicked off the air for reasons of censorship (it was later picked up by another network).

The first half of Saturday’s concert will consist of the orchestra playing Rossini’s overture to “La Gazza Ladra” (“The Thieving Magpie”), Leroy Anderson’s “Bugler’s Holiday,” “McArthur Park” and a medley of Simon and Garfunkel tunes.

The Smothers Brothers fill the second half of the show, backed by their own pianist and the orchestra.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: CONCERT The Smothers Brothers and the Spokane Symphony will perform Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Spokane Opera House. Tickets are $28.50 to $14, available at the symphony ticket office (624-1200), all G&B Select-a-Seat outlets or by calling (800) 325-SEAT.