Larry Platt Performs 'Pants On the Ground' on 'The View'

Jan. 18, 2009 — -- Finally, Larry Platt got the chance he deserved.

Today on ABC's "The View," the 62-year-old Atlanta resident turned instant "American Idol" star, performed his hit "Pants on the Ground" rap in its entirety -- this time, without the interruption of cold-hearted judge Simon Cowell.

Known by friends as the "General," Platt performed in sunglasses to a clapping audience on a small stage. His animated turns and dance moves, which ended in the splits, were reminiscent of his lively performance on "Idol."

"View" host Sherri Shepherd asked Platt what inspired the song that is now sweeping the nation. "I was walking one day, and [I saw] a guy with a baby bottle in his mouth, and he had his pants on the ground. And that's what gave me the inspiration," Platt responded.

Co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck asked how Platt felt when he saw his performance on television. He responded, "I got so happy. It made me feel good knowing that I want to get these pants up." Platt's nephew Jason was in the audience, and told the hosts how proud he was of his uncle. "He is finally getting his word out that he's wanted to for all these years."

Platt, is a veteran of the 1960s civil rights movement. He reportedly took part in the infamous 1965 "Bloody Sunday" march in Alabama from Selma to Birmingham, with the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He rocketed to fame last week when "Idol" aired his gut-busting audition during the show's season nine premiere.

"I want to sing my song called 'Pants on the Ground," Platt told Cowell and the rest of the crop of "Idol" judges, including Grammy winner and guest judge Mary J. Blige.

"Pants on the ground?," Cowell muttered, incredulously.

Platt proceeded to burst into song and dance, clad in shades, a hat and pants that fortunately did not fall to the ground -- even when he attempted a split. While he rocked out, the judges exploded with laughter -- Kara DioGuardi appeared on the verge of convulsions.

After the "Idol' performance, Cowell, brow furrowed, his head shaking, said "You know, I have a horrible feeling that song could be a hit."

Indeed. Not since season three of "American Idol," when William Hung belted out a so-bad-it's-good rendition of Ricky Martin's "She Bangs," has an "Idol" audition gotten so much attention. Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre has become the latest celebrity to jump on the "Pants" bandwagon.

Favre was filmed chanting the lyrics with teammates after leading his team to a victory over the Dallas Cowboys Jan. 17, 2010. Singer Brandon Gray also paid homage to Platt with his own acoustic spin on the tune.

"I think this song all touched us greatly. While this isn't even close to the amazingness of the original 'Pants on the Ground', it's my little attempt at covering this classic song," he said.

Jimmy Fallon parodied the performance on his late night show, crooning it while pulling off a spot-on Neil Young impersonation and video of Platt's performance became an instant hit on YouTube.