I'm Hearing Red: #13 "Lil Red Riding Hood" Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs (1966)

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Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs were a borderline novelty act famously known for the classic party song “Wooly Bully.” Sam is Domingo Samudio, a Mexican-American from Texas who donned turban and robes on stage. In 1961 Dallas, Sam formed a group whose look was inspired by Yul Bryner’s costumes in “The Ten Commandments.” The original Pharaohs disbanded due to lack of success. Sam joined Andy and the Nightriders in 1963 and nicknamed himself Sam the Sham as a joke about being a bad vocalist. When the founders exited, Sam assumed control and made the name change. The band had the two big hits with “Wooly Bully” and “Lil Red Riding Hood” both peaking at Billboard #2. The album track was written by Ron Blackwell and inspired by the fairy tale. In 1967, Sam renamed the band the Sam the Sham Revue in deference to the Israeli seven day war. Sam continued performing until his retirement.