Magic dust, also known as angel dust or PCP (phencyclidine), is a powerful hallucinogenic drug that gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. The drug was made famous by the comedy duo Cheech and Chong, who often referenced its use in their movies and comedy routines. Despite its association with the counterculture movement and comedic portrayals, magic dust is a dangerous substance that can have profound effects on the user's mental and physical well-being. Magic dust was originally developed as an anesthetic but was later discontinued due to its side effects. However, it found its way into the illegal drug market, leading to its recreational use. The drug can be ingested orally, smoked, or injected, with each method producing different effects.
Tale of a Groovy Dude
By 1971, comedy acts had done big business on the record charts for years, but the comics who did the best tended to be your Bill Cosbys and Bob Newharts, the ones whose routines were fit for TV and hotel showrooms. Even George Carlin and Richard Pryor worked clean enough for The Ed Sullivan Show as they were coming up. “Underground” comedians like Lenny Bruce made albums too, but they didn’t become hits the same way Cosby and Newhart albums did. And there was little or no comedy that came directly out of baby boomer culture and experiences. Not until Cheech and Chong came along.
In 1971, Cheech Marin was 25 and Tommy Chong was 33. That summer, they released a self-titled album of character sketches and parodies full of stoner slang and other references that only counterculture-savvy listeners would get. It took a while for the album to catch on, finally peaking at #28 in the winter of 1972. They were still over a year away from their great commercial breakthrough, the albums Big Bambu and Los Cochinos, and the singles “Basketball Jones” and “Sister Mary Elephant.” But that’s getting ahead of today’s story.
During the sessions for their debut album, Cheech and Chong recorded a six-minute bit called “Santa Claus and His Old Lady,” which didn’t appear on the album. It was released as a single in time for Christmas 1971, but it landed very quietly. It made Billboard‘s Christmas singles chart for the week of December 25, but it doesn’t get a review or any other mention in the magazine during either November or December 1971, and it shows up on only a couple of local radio surveys. KLIV in San Jose Diego charted it on December 15, 1971, alongside other hits of the moment, “American Pie,” “Brand New Key,” and the like. It’s also shown on a 12/27/71 listing from KWFM in Tucson, a progressive rock station—the kind of station far more likely to play such a thing than a station that played “American Pie” and “Brand New Key.” A handful of Top 40 stations would chart it over the next four Christmases.
In “Santa Claus and His Old Lady,” Cheech is trying to write a song about Santa Claus, but Chong confuses Santa with a local musician. So Cheech enlightens him. “Once upon a time, about five years ago, there was this groovy dude, and his name was Santa Claus, you know?” Cheech tells how Santa Claus and his old lady moved up north with a bunch of midgets to eat brownies and drink tea, and to start a business delivering toys to kids around the world. Santa Claus delivers in a sleigh driven by “flying reindeers,” Cheech says, “On Donner, on Blitzen, on Chuy, on Tavo,” landing in “Chicago, L.A., Nueva York, Pacoima, all those places, you know?” Chong believes it all, except for the flying reindeers part—until Cheech explains that what makes them fly is “magic dust.” “Oh, magic dust!” says Chong. But Santa doesn’t do the toy bit anymore, Cheech says. He got strip-searched at the border, and down South, people cut his hair and shaved his beard. “Everywhere he went, he ran into too much recession.” Chong says, “No, you mean he ran into too much repression, man.” “Recession, repression, it’s all the same thing.” The bit ends with Cheech saying Santa has gone underground and appears only in disguise now, ringing a bell next to a kettle downtown. “Hey!” Chong says, “I played with that cat last year!” “Santa Claus is not a musician, man!” “I’m hip, man. That cat didn’t know any tunes!”
Considering how well-remembered it is, it seems likely that the progressive or underground station in your town eventually played “Santa Claus and His Old Lady,” if not in 1971, then certainly in years to come, as Cheech and Chong’s profile grew. I didn’t hear it until I got to college, and one of my older classmates busted it out one December, in 1978 or 1979.
How funny you’ll find “Santa Claus and His Old Lady” to be depends on how funny you find Cheech and Chong in general. For me, the humor is in the wordplay—Chuy, Pacoima, repression—and in the characterizations that would become so familiar over the course of Cheech and Chong’s career. After 50 years, “Santa Claus and His Old Lady” remains a holiday favorite among old stoners, and their hipper descendants.
Pass It On:
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
- More
- Click to print (Opens in new window)
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
Cheech & Chong and War to play the Arena
The Up In Smoke tour featuring CHEECH & CHONG and WAR, is burning it up all over the country and plays The Arena at Gwinnett Center on Saturday, JUNE 13 at 8PM.
A Night of Music and Comedy You’ll Never Forget, this tour promises to be the "smokiest" night of the year, featuring all of your favorite WAR hits and all of CHEECH & CHONG's outrageous and hilarious comedy. The Up In Smoke tour is a complete integration of WAR's timeless catalog, and CHEECH & CHONG's no authority brand of comedy and music. The party begins with WAR performing hit after hit such as “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” “Low Rider” and “Cisco Kid,” with the show progressing into a combination of Cheech and Chong’s most infamous songs (backed up by WAR) such as “Earache My Eye,” "Basketball Jones” and “Mexican Americans” and some of their most iconic comedic skits such as “Dave’s Not Here” “Santa Clause and His Magic Dust” and “Sister Mary Elephant.” Seeing WAR and CHEECH & CHONG jamming together on the same stage, has been described as a genius night of music and comedy.
CHEECH & CHONG's first film, “Up In Smoke," was the highest grossing comedy of 1978 and topped $100 million at the box office. In 2009, the duo made history when comedy partners Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong announced their first reunion tour in more than 25 years, selling out shows from coast to coast. Multi-platinum-selling WAR, the original street band, has been sharing its timeless music and message of brotherhood and harmony for more than four decades to millions across the globe. Their hits include “The World Is A Ghetto,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” “The Cisco Kid,” “Low Rider,” and many more. WAR performs more than 150 shows a year and the phenomenal group and has been honored twice by its hometown of Los Angeles for making positive contributions to the betterment of the community with its powerful music.
Tickets range from $38.00 to $78.00 and go on sale to the public beginning Friday, January 23 at 10AM at www.GwinnettCenter.com, The Arena at Gwinnett Center Box Office or by calling (770) 626-2464.
All dates, acts and ticket prices subject to change without notice. Fees may apply.
About Gwinnett Center
Just minutes outside of Atlanta, Gwinnett Center’s 80-acre lakefront campus can accommodate a variety of events from concerts, performances, meetings, trade shows, conventions, banquets, and celebrations. The multipurpose campus includes an amazing 13,000 seat arena, a 702-seat Performing Arts Center, 23 versatile meeting rooms, a 50,000 square foot exhibit hall, and a 21,600 square foot grand ballroom. Gwinnett Center is beautifully landscaped and architecturally stunning facility with an award-winning outdoor private garden, soaring atriums and modern angles which provide a beautiful backdrop for any event. The campus, operated by the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau, distinguishes itself by hosting a diverse range of events, including the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships, Lady Gaga, Catalyst Convention, George Strait, Beyoncé, Enrique Iglesias, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Menopause the Musical, Justin Timberlake, Dave Matthews Band, Vicente Fernandez, Carrie Underwood, Eric Clapton, FLW Forrest Wood Cup, Michael Bublé, MUSE, and many more. For a full list of events, please visit www.gwinnettcenter.com.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Gwinnett Center, Marketing and PR Manager
Cheech & Chong with War press release
THURSDAY , JANUARY 22, 2015 | 7 P.M. DOORS , 8 P.M. SHOW
PARAMOUNT THEATRE
123 3rd Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, I.A. 52401
Tickets on-sale Friday, November 14 at 12 p.m.
Reserved seating, all ages, $47, $61, or $81
Additional fees may apply
Event Link
The Up In Smoke Tour featuring Cheech & Chong and War is burning up stages all over the country with night after smoky night of “no authority” comedy and horn-infused funk and soul music. The party begins with War blasting hits like “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” “Low Rider” and “Cisco Kid,” then progresses into a combination of Cheech and Chong’s most infamous songs (backed up by War) like “Earache My Eye,” “Basketball Jones,” “Mexican Americans,” and some of the duo’s most iconic comedic skits such as “Dave’s Not Here,” “Santa Clause and His Magic Dust,” and “Sister Mary Elephant.”
In conjunction with the tour, War released its first studio album in 20 years, “Evolutionary,” on May 13, 2014 (Far Out Records/UMe). Featuring special guest collaborations with Cheech & Chong, “Evolutionary” showcases WAR ’s multi-ethnic lineup and genre-defying style, combining jazz, rock, funk, soul, R&B and Latin.
Cheech & Chong’s first film, “Up In Smoke,” was the highest grossing comedy of 1978 and topped $100 million at the box office. In 2009, the duo made history when comedy partners Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong announced their first reunion tour in more than 25 years, selling out shows from coast to coast. Multi-platinum-selling WAR , the original street band, has been sharing its timeless music and message of brotherhood and harmony for more than four decades to millions across the globe.
Tickets are available at JadePresents.com, the Paramount Theatre box office, by
calling (319) 366-8203, or at ParamountTheatreCR.com.
As a valued supporter of live entertainment, a special pre-sale opportunity is available in three ways:
• Follow Jade Presents on Facebook
• Sign up for official Jade Presents mailing list at JadePresents.com
• RSVP to this show’s official Jade Presents Facebook event
Password protected pre-sale: November 13 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The drug can be ingested orally, smoked, or injected, with each method producing different effects. The use of magic dust can lead to a dissociative state, where the user feels detached from reality and their sense of self. This can result in hallucinations, paranoia, and a distorted perception of time and space.
The drug can also cause intense anxiety, aggression, and violent behavior. One of the most concerning aspects of magic dust is its potential for overdose. Due to its unpredictable effects, users may unknowingly take a lethal dose, leading to serious health consequences or even death. Additionally, the drug is often laced with other substances, such as fentanyl, which further increases the risk of overdose. Long-term use of magic dust can have severe consequences on both physical and mental health. Users may experience memory loss, cognitive impairment, and difficulties with speech and motor skills. The drug can also cause respiratory problems, cardiovascular complications, and damage to internal organs. Treatment for magic dust addiction often involves a combination of therapy, support groups, and medication. It is essential for individuals struggling with addiction to seek help and receive appropriate care to overcome their dependency on this dangerous substance. In conclusion, despite its association with comedy and entertainment, magic dust, or PCP, is a potent hallucinogenic drug that poses significant risks to users' health. It is crucial for individuals to recognize these risks and seek help if they or someone they know is struggling with magic dust addiction..
Reviews for "Why Magic Dust Became the Iconic Symbol of Cheech and Chong"
1. Sarah - 1 star
Magic Dust Cheech and Chong was a complete disappointment. As a longtime fan of this comedy duo, I had high hopes for this film. However, I found it to be lacking in substance and humor. The jokes were repetitive and forced, and the overall plot seemed disjointed and confusing. I would not recommend this film to anyone who is a true Cheech and Chong fan, as it tarnishes their reputation as comedic geniuses.
2. Michael - 2 stars
I had mixed feelings about Magic Dust Cheech and Chong. While there were a few moments that made me chuckle, overall, I found the humor to be crude and outdated. The film relied too heavily on cliche stoner stereotypes, and it became tiresome after a while. Additionally, the acting was subpar, and the characters lacked depth. It's safe to say that this film did not live up to the high expectations I had for Cheech and Chong's comedic talent.
3. Emily - 1 star
Magic Dust Cheech and Chong was a complete waste of time. The jokes were juvenile and lacked creativity. I found myself cringing more than laughing throughout the film. The storyline was weak and felt like it was thrown together at the last minute. As a fan of Cheech and Chong's earlier work, I was left feeling disappointed and wanting more. I would advise others to skip this film and rewatch their classics instead.
4. David - 2 stars
I was hoping for a nostalgic trip down memory lane with Magic Dust Cheech and Chong, but unfortunately, it fell flat. The humor was hit or miss, with some jokes feeling forced and others simply not landing. The film lacked the cleverness and wit that made their earlier projects so enjoyable. While it was nice to see Cheech and Chong together again, I couldn't help but feel like this film was a missed opportunity to recapture their comedic magic.
5. Jessica - 1 star
Magic Dust Cheech and Chong was a disaster from start to finish. The jokes were tasteless and offensive, relying on cheap laughs rather than genuine wit. The plot was non-existent, leaving me wondering why I wasted my time watching this film. As a long-time fan of the duo, I was deeply disappointed with their latest endeavor. I would advise others to steer clear of this film and instead revisit Cheech and Chong's earlier, more memorable works.