Norman Greenbaum

Video

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Job Title
Songwriter, Musician

Norman Greenbaum wrote the 1960s classic rock hit “Spirit in the Sky” with a hard drive introduction featuring his Fuzz-Tone and electric guitar. The song is considered a standard rock anthem of the era.  It was also featured in the movie Apollo 13 in the classic scene when the cassette tape player was floating in the airship. Norman was the leader of Dr. West's Medicine Show & Junk Band, which recorded several novelty songs he wrote including "The Eggplant That Ate Chicago" and the upbeat "Canned Ham" in 1970. Norman also released the innovative acoustic album entitled “The Day the Well Went Dry” in 1972.