RIP Stan Freberg, The Guy Who Once Rolled A Giant Cherry Into Lake Michigan

Stan Freberg passed away Tuesday at the age of 88.

The man who inspired Weird Al Yankovic was known for his strange, subversive sense of humor that he used to make comedy records in the '50s, eventually working his way into TV commercials in the late '60s and early '70s, many of which you may recognize.

I am not alone in having a hard time pinning down Freberg, the New York Times admitted as much as well. He was more than just an ad man or a guy who made bizarre song parodies which did everything from pillory the beatnik movement to mock American History. He was a man who made his life by just being himself.

My favorite Freberg piece was this ad promoting radio by showing how easy it was to roll a giant cherry into Lake Michigan just by using sound effects and a great imagination. You remember imagination don't you?

Freberg also did some classic TV commercials. See if you remember any of these. I sure do.

There was the prune snob.

The Pizza Rolls commercial featuring the Lone Ranger.

And this take off of horror films used to sell TV dinners.