To Orwell Today,
re: JFK LIKED HIS IMPERSONATOR

Jackie,

I enjoy your Web site.

Vaughn Meader was in Louisville, Kentucky in the early seventies and he played piano and sang at 108 West Washington Street (by the Ohio), owned by Eddie Donaldson. I played drums behind him there and at the Storefront Congregation on Bardstown Road. He invited me to his Victorian house apartment (with a pool in the back) and he recited to me, in the JFK dialect, a speech he had composed. Needless to say, I had goose bumps for a long while.

Thanks,
Clint Jones

Greetings Clint,

It's amazing to be hearing [2006] from the drummer of JFK's impersonator - the late, great Vaughn Meader - and congrats for being part of his act - and thanks for sharing that great memory.

Just recently, on YouTube, I saw a compilation of some of JFK's press conferences, and in it (starting at 8mins/30seconds) he talks about Vaughn Meader:

Question: It's been a long time since a president and his family have been subjected to such a heavy barage of teasing and funpoking and satire. There have been books on "backstairs at the White House" and cartoon books with clever sayings, and photo albums with balloons and the rest; and now a smash hit record. Can you tell us whether you read and listen to these things and whether they produce annoyment or enjoyment?

JFK Answer: Annoyment?... Yes, I have read and listened to them. Actually, I listened to Mr. Meader's record, but I thought it sounded more like Teddy than it did me... so he's annoyed...."

I keep the cover (with record inside) of Vaughn Meader's THE FIRST FAMILY album propped up against a shelf of JFK books (instead of filed away with other LPs, gathering dust by the old turntable). I play it for people once in awhile so they get an idea of JFK's humour (as expressed through his impersonator).

Now I see part of it's available on YouTube:

It's hilarious to listen to Meader and see in his routines -- some posted on YouTube -- how much he looked like JFK - the hair and the mannerisms and even the teeth. What an amazing talent he was.

If JFK had been allowed to live - and complete his five more years in office - can you imagine the tears of laughter we'd have shed - courtesy of Vaughn Meader - instead of the tears of sorrow we're still crying now.

All the best,
Jackie Jura, 2006

watch Vaughan Meader on Andy Williams Show, March 28, 1963 YouTube

watch Vaughn Meader Impersonating JFK at Boston University, YouTube

watch Vaughn Meader as JFK (in front of students at Boston University..."Now let me tell you this about that..." at 3min50seconds)

watch The First Family, Vol. 1, Part 1/5 (...NEXT QUESTION: I am the house nurse. I should like to ask a question regarding the daily bath. There seems to be some confusion as to the toys to be taken into the bathtub. Now Caroline's toys are getting mixed up with John's and I should like to know once and for all whose toys are whose. JFK ANSWERS: Well let me make a judgement on that. The following toys have been appropriated for tub use: 18 PT boats, 3 Yogi Bear beach balls, 2 Howdy Doody plastic bouncing clowns, a ball of silly putty and a rubber swan....)

Vaughn Meader: The First Family, Volume 1: Part 1/5 and Part 2/5 and Part 3/5 and Part 4/5 and Part 5/5

JFK'S BEDTIME STORY & JFK LIKED HIS IMPERSONATOR

JFK TRUTH & UNTRUTH & JFK ASSASSINATION PUZZLE PIECES