POP/ROCK - July 8, 1987

As Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North sits tough in the Iran- contra witness stand this week, the nation’s capital is rocking to “Ollie Be Good,” a parody sung to the tune of Chuck Berry’s classic “Johnny B. Goode.” Five Washington, D.C., area people calling themselves the Fifth Amendment recorded the tune, which is being played “constantly” on WCXR-FM. “We wrote the song knowing that Ollie is now hot,” said Doug Trachtman, who, with his wife, Eva, makes up two-fifths of the Fifth Amendment. Sample lyrics: “He never ever learned to read the law so well / But he could shred that secret paper like a-ringing a bell.” And by the way, North often used the alias “Mr. Goode” in his unofficial communications with various other Iran- contra players.