Camel (cigarette)
In late 1987, RJR created "Joe Camel" as a brand mascot. In 1991, the American Medical Association published a report stating that 5- and 6-year olds could more easily recognize Joe Camel than Mickey Mouse, Fred Flintstone, Bugs Bunny or even Barbie. This led the association to ask RJR to terminate the Joe Camel campaign. RJR declined, but further appeals followed in 1993 and 1994. On July 10, 1997, the Joe Camel campaign was retired and replaced with a more adult campaign which appealed to the desires of its mid twenties target market. Camel paid millions of dollars to settle lawsuits accusing them of using Joe Camel to market smoking to children.
Joe Stampley
During the height of his success, Stampley began teaming with Moe Bandy on a string of duets. Unlike the honky-tonk standards that both artists were known for, most of the "Moe and Joe" collaborations were tongue in cheek novelty and satirical songs. Their first charting hit together, "Just Good Ol' Boys", became a #1 hit in September 1979 and was their most successful single. Other hits were "Holding the Bag", "Hey Moe, Hey Joe" (a cover of a single originally recorded by Carl Smith, with modified title and lyrics), and "Where's the Dress". The latter was a satire on Boy George, and had an opening guitar riff similar to Culture Club's #1 pop hit "Karma Chameleon".