Ray J. Johnson

Raymond J. Johnson, Jr. is a character created by comedian Bill Saluga.

The shtick

Saluga's shtick as Ray J. Johnson is to become annoyed when addressed as "Mr. Johnson", exclaiming in a loud voice, "My name is Raymond J. Johnson, Jr. Now you can call me Ray, or you can call me J, or you can call me Johnny, or you can call me Sonny, or you can call me Junie, or you can call me Junior; now you can call me Ray J, or you can call me RJ, or you can call me RJJ, or you can call me RJJ Jr." ultimately ending with, "but you doesn't hasta call me Johnson!"

The spiel got more widespread attention in the late 70s in a series of commercials for Anheuser-Busch Natural Light Beer. Saluga appeared alongside comedian/pitchman Norm Crosby echoing (in a roundabout way) Norm's advice to unknowing customers: "Well, y'doesn't hasta call it Anheuser Busch Natural Light Beer, and y'doesn't hasta call it "Busch Natural". Just say "Natural"!" This before launching into the "You can call me Ray" tirade at the mere mention of the word "name".

Capitalizing on the relative fame of Raymond J. Johnson, Jr., in 1979, Saluga released a disco single called "Dancin' Johnson."

Saluga performed Raymond J. Johnson, Jr. on This Is Tom Jones, The David Steinberg Show, Sanford and Son as well as Redd Foxx's eponymous variety show, and later on television commercials...
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