Aspiring Rock Stars (pre-American-Idol)

I am indebted to Wikipedia for the following biographical material:

Lenny Kosnowski (Michael McKean) is a lovable goof who pesters Laverne and Shirley along with his best friend and roommate Squiggy (who both live upstairs from Laverne and Shirley’s basement apartment). Lenny works as a truck driver at the Shotz brewery. Raised by his father after his mother abandoned them, during the series it was learned that Lenny was the 89th in line to the Polish Throne. When Lenny attempted to have the words “Lone Wolf” embroidered on the back of his red jacket, a mistake left him with “One Wolf” instead; Laverne was kind enough to sew on one of her own fancy-script “L’s” to complete the phrase. Lenny says that, while he’s not completely sure, he thinks his last name (Kosnowski) is Polish for “Help, there’s a hog in my kitchen.”

Andrew “Squiggy” Squigman (David Lander) is the most obnoxious of the bunch, and the greasiest. Squiggy works and lives with childhood friend Lenny. Squiggy grew up with neglectful parents, and is often scheming to get rich or succeed by somewhat devious means. For some reason, he collects moths, and prizes a stuffed Iguana named Jeffrey. Squiggy, like Lenny, loves the chocolate-flavored drink Bosco Chocolate Syrup, and makes nearly every entrance with his trademark “Hello” said in a slightly dopey voice. In the final season, we learn Squiggy has a lookalike sister named Squendoline.

I am indebted to Wapedia for the following:

Lenny and the Squigtones is a fictional musical group headed by Michael McKean and David Lander, the two actors who played the characters Lenny and Squiggy on the television series Laverne & Shirley. Recorded live at the Roxy in Hollywood, they perform parodies of 50’s rock ballads (“Night After Night,” “Creature Without A Head”). In between, there’s plenty of schtick and patter (“So’s Your Old Testament,” “Babyland”). The group’s eponymous debut album, Lenny & Squiggy sing Lenny and the Squigtones, was released on the Casablanca label in 1979. The album is now a collector’s item because of credited guitar work by future Spinal Tap member Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest). A photo on the inside cover also includes two band members who look a lot like Derek Smalls and David St. Hubbins of Spinal Tap. Also includes “Murph,” the keyboard player from The Blues Brothers, and “Ming the Merciless,” actually Kiss drummer Peter Criss without his famous cat costume and make-up.

* Side A

1. Vamp On
2. Night After Night
3. Creature Without A Head
4. King Of The Cars
5. Squiggy’s Wedding Day
6. Love Is A Terrible Thing

* Side B

1. Babyland (For Eva Squiggmann)
2. If Only I’d’ve Listened To Mama
3. So's Your Old Testament
4. Sister-In-Law
5. Honor Farm
6. StarCrossed
7. Only Women Cry
8. Foreign Legion Of Love
9. Vamp Off


Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, I give you:

Lenny and the Squigtones!

There are more videos of Lenny and the Squigtones out there. I’m sure you can find them if you really want to.