Sam Theard

Samuel F. Theard (October 10, 1904 – December 7, 1982) was an American singer, songwriter, actor and comedian. He performed under the names Lovin' Sam F. Theard, Spo-Dee-O-Dee and others.

Biography Theard was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He started working with a circus in 1923, and began performing in theatres and nightclubs. His first recordings, as Lovin' Sam from Down in 'Bam, accompanied by Tampa Red and Cow Cow Davenport, date from 1929, when he recorded one of his best-known songs, "(I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You," for Brunswick Records. The song was covered by several artists.

He recorded for Brunswick from 1929 to 1931. In 1930, he also recorded for the Gennett label as Sam Tarpley,

Using the name Spo-Dee-O-Dee, Theard performed as a comedian at the Apollo Theater in Harlem during the 1930s and 1940s,

Along with Rudy Toombs, Theard wrote "Hard Ridin' Mama," which was recorded by Wynonie Harris in 1947. He died at St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles in 1982 at the age of 78 from complications from a stroke.