Stairway To Gilligan's Island

The song "Stairway to Gilligan's Island" by Puddles Pity Party is a unique mashup that blends the lyrics of the classic TV show "Gilligan's Island" theme with the iconic melody of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven." This creative cover, featured on the album *Songs That Got Me Through The Plague*, was originally crafted by the San Francisco band Little Roger and the Goosebumps in 1977. Puddles, known for his emotive baritone and clown persona, brought renewed attention to this quirky piece. The original 1978 release by Little Roger faced legal challenges from Led Zeppelin's management, who threatened a copyright infringement lawsuit, leading to the single's withdrawal. Interestingly, Robert Plant, Led Zeppelin's frontman, later called it his favorite cover of "Stairway to Heaven" during a 2004 NPR interview. Puddles sought permission from Roger Clark of Little Roger and the Goosebumps before recording his version, noting on his website that Clark was "a swell fella" for approving the cover. The song's blend of nostalgic TV lyrics and rock grandeur has been described as "strange, yet oddly soothing" by some Zoo Freaks, resonating with fans for its whimsical yet haunting delivery.

Fan reactions to Puddles' rendition have been enthusiastic, with social media posts highlighting its impact. On Reddit, user Wayne_F_ shared their discovery of Puddles, describing themselves as "balls-deep" into his YouTube content, praising the mashup's theatricality. Another fan, Jonny B, commented on Puddles' YouTube channel, expressing newfound fandom after hearing "Stairway to Gilligan's Island" and "War Pigs," appreciating Puddles' heartfelt clown persona. The song's performance during Puddles' Sequestered Summertime Streaming Show on the VEEPS platform in 2020 added to its allure, with fans lamenting missed opportunities to see him live due to pandemic restrictions. One fan on Puddles' website recounted how the song, among others, inspired them to return to music after lighting a Puddles show at the Crest Theater in Sacramento, leading to their signing with the band Legions of Decency.

Puddles Pity Party, the stage persona of Michael "Big Mike" Geier, began as a collaborative project in 1998 when Geier formed a clown-themed band in Atlanta, Georgia. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the fifth of seven children in a family of tall siblings—Geier himself stands at 6'8"—he grew up in Richmond, Virginia, before moving to Atlanta in 1995. There, he fronted the swing, rock, and soul cover band Kingsized and founded the burlesque revue Dames Aflame. The Puddles character emerged from the dissolution of the clown-themed band, evolving into a whiteface clown with a Pagliacci-inspired, melancholic persona. Geier, who refers to Puddles in the third person, developed the act into a solo project, blending silent prop comedy, mime, and powerful baritone covers. His breakthrough came in the 2010s with a viral cover of Lorde's "Royals" alongside Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, earning him the moniker "The Sad Clown with the Golden Voice."

Puddles' career gained further traction through high-profile appearances, including a 2017 stint on *America's Got Talent*, where he performed "Royals" but was eliminated after receiving an "X" from Simon Cowell. In 2019, he secured a residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and in 2024, he joined Primus and Coheed and Cambria on tour, even performing "Holy Diver" with Primus. Puddles has since toured globally, including at festivals like Edinburgh Fringe and Adelaide Fringe. His performances, which avoid spoken interviews to maintain the character's mystique, resonate with audiences for their emotional depth, as Geier noted in a Noise11 interview: "There’s something about a giant sad singing clown that comforts us, let’s us know it’s ok to feel." Fans can connect with Puddles on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fan communities thrive on platforms like the Puddles Pity Party Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks and others share their love for his unique artistry.