Shamus M'Cool

Richard Doyle (c. 1941 in Providence, RI - January 19, 1990 in Los Angeles, CA), professionally known as Shamus M'Cool, was an American comedian and singer. He is best known for his 1981 Hot 100 hit "American Memories", which he released under his very own Perspective Records, and is the hardest Hot 100 hit to find in the history of the charts. By some estimates, only 10 copies of this record exist. Allegedly, Doyle shipped the single to several L.A. radio stations who reported it in their playlists submitted to both Billboard and Cashbox. Both publications listed the single in their pop charts, though it is unlikely that the single was ever played on the air. An earlier holiday single by Doyle, "Santa's Little Helper Dingo", and credited to "Dingo, the Most Lovable Elf Of All" charted at #11 on Billboard's Holiday Singles charts in 1973, and was reissued in 1976 with a different B-Side. These singles are also extremely rare, though somewhat more common than "American Memories."