Bill Kirchen had the voice and vocal delivery of a seasoned 60 year old at the ripe old age of 23

@MarchDad

Жыл бұрын

He's still doing it. Dieselbilly rockin'

@househead67

Жыл бұрын

facts.

@jaspertyner3990

Жыл бұрын

Just saw him play tonight. Still amazing

@jimmuck

10 ай бұрын

I saw him in Kilbarchan Scotland last year, seeing him again soon in coatbridge scotland, he still sure gets around @@jaspertyner3990

I ran into Bill Kirchen at Detroit airport about 5 years ago. He was there with his wife and was playing at his high school reunion the next night. He had his Tele strapped across his shoulder walking through the airport. He was pleasantly surprised when I recognized him and said hello. Nice guy, great player.

@JohnGrimes-yi5ve

2 ай бұрын

Were you wearin' his brand new shoes?

These guys picked me up hitching to chelan wa in their motor home. Glad I had my harmonica. Small but fun line in my life story. Those that didn't participate in the 70s missed something magical. It was an amazing time for me.

@anthonymessina2834

3 жыл бұрын

Apple Blossom Festival!!! Those were the days!!!!

@eriksweet01

2 жыл бұрын

You’ve gotta be shittin’ me. I grew up in Ephrata. Legendary story if true.

@markz5505

2 жыл бұрын

They were very popular in Austin, Tx. back in the 70"s. Commander Cody, The Riders of the Purple Sage, Jerry Jeff Walker, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Waylon, Willie, Emmylou, and many I can't even remember. Needless to say it was one great big party, I miss the 70"s..

@michaelspindler8099

Жыл бұрын

WHAT !!!!! 😮

@Alexandra_acount3

Жыл бұрын

@@markz5505 They were all popular in the SF Bay Area we spent many a weekend in Palo Alto at the Circle in the Round

I listened to this song on 8-track tape in my van while I was in high school. Can't remember much, but I must have had a great time.

@garychaney5484

3 жыл бұрын

I only had a 4 track! Till they came out with the 8.

@Kalvin5

3 жыл бұрын

Riding high in the Super Van!

@chrismadden2288

3 жыл бұрын

lol

Saw these guys in Boston in the fall of ‘72. They opened for Hot Tuna. One of the best shows I ever attended

@Baci302

3 жыл бұрын

That's a great show. What venue did you see it at?

@johnnykR9

3 жыл бұрын

@@Baci302 it was a long time ago but I think it was the old Boston Music Hall on Tremont St

@johnnykR9

3 жыл бұрын

@@Baci302 I saw Jeff Beck, Santana and Mahavishnu at different times, in the same place, back in the 70’s. All GREAT performances!

@jimfritz9503

3 жыл бұрын

Saw them open for Billy Preston. 1973 Kinetic Playground / Chicago. Billy had " Outta Space and Space Race" on the charts. Twas a dark + foggy night.

@michaelward9880

3 жыл бұрын

Man, I bet it was!!

Dr. Hook and the medicine show. Is another American classic

There is no question in my mind , for me , this IS the GREATEST country band EVER !!!!!

@heyoldman2003

Жыл бұрын

truck stop Rock 😎

@joeblondiemanco8918

Жыл бұрын

Criminally underrated. My dad had their first album on vinyl and I used to beg him to play Lost In the Ozone. That was my anthem as a child

@andrewnewman8907

9 ай бұрын

@@joeblondiemanco8918downing wine and gin musta been a fun way to grow up

@artprince9163

7 ай бұрын

Buck Owens & Buckaroos, Merle Haggard & Strangers, Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives, Desert Rose Band and a few others might need some attention!

Haven’t heard that song in almost 50 years. Forgot how cool it was! 😎thanks for posting

@altpotus6913

3 жыл бұрын

Yup, been as long time...

@Fuzzbucket3358

3 жыл бұрын

Smoke a joint to celebrate

@markz5505

2 жыл бұрын

@Bru Rred You missed out on Freedom. If we keep fighting maybe we can get it back, I hope.....

@johnstallings4049

2 жыл бұрын

@@Fuzzbucket3358" .. everybody tells me there's other ways to get high..." 👁️💓🎵💕🍄🍬❄️🌎❄️😂✌️🍷

Saw these guys mid seventies,what a band.No gimmicks just genuine feel and talent

@scrunchymacscruff1244

Жыл бұрын

The old boogie-woogie! I happened to be around for the 100 Years of Berkeley celebration, they gave a free concert at the campus probably 1976, or so. I think it was Kirchen who introduced the crowd to "..the old, broken down Commander." Then after i dropped out of college the first time, twenty-three or four of us showed up and paid cash to go into the Yuma Civic Center and they played for us like we were at Woodstock. They scraped a down-on-his-luck looking steel-player for the show from some obscure cellar who was fantastic! Great fun.

@horacecrider4960

Жыл бұрын

Ditto to that Davey

Such an underrated band. So damn good. As for the haters out there, of modern music. You're listening to the wrong radio station. No shortage of cool Americana music out there today.

Bill Kirchen looks so YOUNG in this video. I've been a huge fan of his for decades, and have seen him dozens of times. He is probably one of the most talented--and under-rated--guitarists in the history of rock-and-roll...

@cravinbob

3 жыл бұрын

Read some comments and you will find "under-rated " is the most overused phrase on youtube. STOP!

@Formula-602

3 жыл бұрын

@@cravinbob ok..as great as Bill is....ask 1,000 people on the street,who he is..How many will know?.Sounds like underrated to me!

@waterfordrs22

2 жыл бұрын

@@Formula-602 - ask a thousand good guitar players, plenty will know.

@randy472

2 жыл бұрын

Maybe we can agree on under-recognized, but not under-rated by those who know of his work? Glad you're enthusiastically promoting him. I'll join you!

@LovelyAbyssinianCat-ye6bd

3 ай бұрын

Don't forget Andy stien

Played guitar on a 2007 gig in Rochester NY with Commander Cody (aka George Frayne). This tune was in the setlist.

@monoped8437

3 жыл бұрын

i think it was on the set list from inception!

One of my all-time favorite bands

yeah i remember that.. 10 dollar bag of Mexican brown 1/3 seeds and stems 1/3 leaf the rest some compacted dried out buds with small leaves oh yeah a little bit of dirt also ! great song.. great band!!

@drewamasterpiece5268

3 жыл бұрын

Don't forget the rats and lizards.

@ricktudor402

3 жыл бұрын

@@drewamasterpiece5268 We called it Mexican Mud.

@altpotus6913

3 жыл бұрын

Ah, yes. Those we're the days...

@michaelporter8531

2 жыл бұрын

@@ricktudor402 We called it Mexican Ditchweed

@georgewarren8722

9 ай бұрын

Saddest song ever written!

50 years ago, can't be right. But it is sadly!

@curtisconrad3668

3 жыл бұрын

Where did it go so fast?

That brings a tear to my eye. Not just because it's sad, it is indeed, but because I can sing along, though it's been fifty years since I've heard it. Played straight, as it should be, it's a beautiful song.

@sammylacks4937

7 күн бұрын

I like to put it on for today's youngsters to hear when the mood strikes me. Lol.

Bill Kirchen and the rest of these guys are rock gods. I treasure "Live at the Armadillo World Headquarters" (1974). Beyond excellent.

@brushcountry6361

Жыл бұрын

I was there.

@charlesseymour1482

6 ай бұрын

I was a big fan at AWH. Saw the gods of music of the 70s. And brother ray from ASATW. A sleep at the wheel.

Loved Billy's melancholic take on this early recording

Literally one of the saddest songs ever written

@LuisRamirez-yg5cw

2 жыл бұрын

Any stoner will understand 😅😭

I have the album. Had it a long time. They had a sad song titled Mama Hated Diesels among others/

@sharonelliott2366

3 жыл бұрын

I remember that one for sure

@topixfromthetropix1674

3 жыл бұрын

How about "Looking at a World thru a windshield?"

@Daniel-ow2io

3 жыл бұрын

@@topixfromthetropix1674 Oh Yeah!

@derykbarker9634

3 жыл бұрын

Saw CC a couple of times in London in 1973; dragged a friend who didn't like country music along to their show at the Rainbow. 3 hours later he was a country music fan. It was either this or Mama Hated Diesels that was introduced as "the first heartbreak of the night"...

@coachhannah2403

3 жыл бұрын

@@derykbarker9634 - George advertises him music as "feel good music."

I was literally down to seeds and stems the first time I heard this. It came on the radio as I was running my leftovers through the sieve for the fourth or fifth time trying to get a joint to relieve some misery.

I think this is West Virginia Creeper on pedal steel. When Bobby Black came in as their steel guitarist, the band took a major jump in sound, timing and quality. Bobby Black’s contribution was huge.

@dawgj99

2 жыл бұрын

Bobby Blue Be Bad

@scrunchymacscruff1244

Жыл бұрын

Well, he was still dragging the bar up and down the neck, and that's okay.

@mandograssable

Жыл бұрын

@@scrunchymacscruff1244 LOL Yeah I noticed that.

@kurtschultz8199

11 күн бұрын

I was able to watch Bobby Black at a small venue in Hayward, CA, many years ago. During the break between sets, I asked him "Did they ever used to call you "Blue'?". His reply was "Just for that one album!" (I checked later - he was on two of the CC&tLPA albums)

They were a great band.

The sax/ violin player, Andy Stein, was in the movie " PRARIE HOME COMPANION". He was in the real house band. Great player !

@walkshills

Жыл бұрын

Andy would join with the Commander to give a comeuppance to a local music critic in Austin that somewhat berated the band musicianship. Cody and Andy came out alone at the Armadillo, dressed in tuxes and tails; Andy played viola, I think, and with Cody on the piano, they proceeded to do Mozart. Very formal and note perfect. And then Cody said, "F**k you xxxxxxx" to the music critic as the audience roared. That's the way it was in the '70s there. The ambiance of the times came through in their music; they became the house band at the 'Dillo for a long time. When there was a headline band, Asleep at the Wheel would open for them, all for a $3 ticket. It was simply great music by both groups that everyone could afford. A professor at UT has all the video and recordings, but there has been a ton of problems with copyrights and releases, so nothing has ever been put out. But it is preserved, all the music and video. I was there the day the Armadillo opened, Aug. 7, 1970, and there the last night...it fed a deep hunger in Austin for music in the 70s.

@walkshills

Жыл бұрын

That is: 'was not a headline band'...

@jimfritz9503

Жыл бұрын

@@walkshills We saw C. Cody open for Billy Preston around 1973. He had an instrumental ( Space Race )? on the radio. Big hit song. C. Cody was great . I've been a fan since the 1st album. I bought it just because of the cover/ the music was better than the cover art. Win / win.

Now I'm crying in my take out food 😭.

@tooberetta

3 жыл бұрын

Man there's alot of memories in a tune like this.

Brings back great memories at U of M and seeing them in the bars around Ann Arbor.

I was thinking about this song just last night. What a pleasure to have grown up in a time when songs had words and they actually described what was going on in life. Real stuff. Can't beat it.

This song got me thru rough times and still does

Bill Kirchin and Too Much Fun played at a local dive every week for many years in Northern Virginia. He is one of the best. It never occurred to me that he was young once! Thanks for the post!

@paragongzzz

2 жыл бұрын

Was at the Sunset Grille every Thursday for years and many of the Sunday shows before they stopped...

@stevenbaty6247

2 жыл бұрын

@@paragongzzz Cool, I was sitting next to you on more than one occasion. Great memories.

@dennis652

Жыл бұрын

I was a Grillbilly too and there almost every Thursday. When I first started seeing him there with Jeff and Dave they didn't even charge a cover. Then came Johnny and Jack and after a while you couldn't hardly get in the place. I miss those days.

@stevenbaty6247

Жыл бұрын

@@dennis652 We lived in a very special time and place. DC was and remains a world class music town. Lisner, Warner, Fort Dupont, Blues Alley, Cellar Door, Desperados. What memories. Thanks for posting.

@dennis652

Жыл бұрын

Steven... Don't forget the Bayou...

Lol Bill Kirtchen looking like he’s had more than just the seeds n stems here.

@Free1108

3 жыл бұрын

Lol, that’s good!…and I believe you’re right! My “lol” was literal, I really did Laugh Out Loud!! 🤣

@andrewbowen8122

3 жыл бұрын

@@Free1108 lol jolly good. So funny as I’ve dug Bill Kirtchen ever since I found out he had played with Nick Lowe but he looks straight as owt nowadays 😂

@francinecorry633

3 жыл бұрын

Ludes?

Awesome song - today’s pampered youth never had to walk through the snow to get to school or deal with seeds and stems

@tomlehr861

3 жыл бұрын

Good old daze

@walkertongdee

3 жыл бұрын

WTF dude you are wasted and make no sense

@tomlehr861

3 жыл бұрын

@@walkertongdee dont bogart dude

@richardmills5326

3 жыл бұрын

Aye we smoked some shit through an empty can

@johndef5075

3 жыл бұрын

😂🚬

Great "last song of the night as we close the bar" tune. And it pairs nicely with "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down"...

@Formula-602

3 жыл бұрын

And..Coming down again......by The Stones......

Their understated stage presence belies the genius of each artist in this band.

@carterc9171

Жыл бұрын

as a beginner steel player myself, i’m in no place to judge the west virginia creeper in this clip from 1971, but he clearly wasn’t on par with the rest of the band, he was just a guy their age that had a steel guitar and could play it with reasonable competence. the bands classic lineup didn’t come until the next year when steel legend bobby black joined.

This one sent me time tripping, and planted a smile on my dour face. The lyrics rolled right off my tongue, like it was 1976 at Slippery Rock State College, and I was a lonely teenage bronkin' buck...

@waukivorycopse2402

2 жыл бұрын

Superlative name, man!

I recall watching these guys at the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin. That was when it was all about music and good vibes! It launched the likes of Jerry Jeff, Willie and Waylon and all the boys and girls who made music for all the right reasons!

I saw them at the Paramount Theater in Seattle 1977. They KNOW how to put on a show. Best I’ve ever been to.

Awesome! I first heard this song in the mid 70's while in college in the south. It was very popular in school.

Nice to here great music something that people today have no clue of

Amazing footage! I love this song.

A great seminal band from the greatest decade of music too! I dealt with my own issue of "seeds and stems" back then too.

My uncles were in Ann Arbor around this time and somehow the "Ozone" album made its way into our fairly thin collection of contemporary records back in the Seventies and it became one of my go to records for many years and I am lucky that even today I can't shake it from my sonic recollection. In 2001 I think Andy Stein the fidel player was a member of Garrison Keillor's radio band and he got all of the "Lost Plant Airmen" back together for a show at St. Paul's F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater which fell on the night that I was fly to N. Y. C. For my vacation. I couldn't reschedule so I had to miss what my uncle told me was a great show.

@BC-ui9yt

Жыл бұрын

Wondered if it was Andy on the fiddle. Had no idea he was part of this band, back when I was listening faithfully to PHC

Early 1970s, sophomore year of college - every Friday at the end of the school day my 8-track of this album was put on full blast in the dorm and well, let's just say the evening always started off right when Commander Cody was playing.

@betterfasterstronger0

2 жыл бұрын

Plenty of weed, eh?

I saw these guys Dec 27th 1971 at The Sportatorium in Hollywood Florida, it was an outdoor show, the lineup that day and night was like a who's who of music legends, The Johnny WInter Band with Rick Derringer, The Edgar Winter Group, yes Johnny and Edgar jammed together at the end of Johnny's act, The Allman Brothers, shortly after Duane's passing, Elvin Bishop, The Mahavishnu Orchestra with John McLaughlin, his original band including Jerry Goodman from The Flock on violin, Earth Wind and Fire, Commander Cody of course, and Country Joe and The Fish and a Floirda band called Tin House. There was a party going on back stage because by the time Commander Cody came on, right after Elvin Bishop, they were already pretty drunk. The piono became the table top for their pitchers of Coors, everybody in the band was drinking one. Bill Kirchen was so drunk he stepped on his guitar cable, unplugging it and never even noticed, played almost the whole show with it unplugged. They had a wild time on stage, laughing, cutting jokes and making awesome music despite their stupor. It was a crazy day and night of music, Johnny, Edgar and Rick Derringer were the last ones on stage with Johnny Winter's band called Live And. When Commander Cody came on the sun was just starting to set.

@sammylacks4937

7 күн бұрын

That's crazy. Your kinda like a hero or something because you've seen em and all that. I bet it was wild.

Always liked these guys

I just got this album (Ozone) on cassette recently at an estate sale. I was there mostly to dig the crates of records, but grabbed this one too in the pile. Great choice. the live material is great too. thanks for posting.

One of my favorite bands during my class of '72 high school daze.

I hope someone does make a Commander Cody documentary!

I'd never heard that song before. Really good stuff!

@MsLouise1960

3 жыл бұрын

First time to my ears. This is true to many ears I believe x

Man the memory of smoking with my ex father in law and him playing and singing this song. Rest in peace Dennis Gajewski! Miss ya Ole man.

Saddest song ever writ. . .

What a treat , I've been interested in Cody ,and Capt. Beef heart.

@Formula-602

3 жыл бұрын

Together...that would have been amazing!

I just thought of this song so I searched it . AWESOME ! Brings back memories.

Heard this on Spotify. What a GREAT song!!

Even in the early 80 s me and my friends as Surfers in Australia played these guys all the time. All time band Real music real muso’s

Great song. Thanks.

Thank you for posting this version of a classic. One of my favorite perty bands of all time. A proper balance of "alone again on a Saturday night" with the cynnical humor with which to survive that Saturday night.

RIP Commander Cody aka George Frayne.

Watched these guys close down the Amadillo. Whole lot of talent at that event. These dudes Ruled

Man, ain’t nothing like it today

Vintage KIRCHEN! Yeah, Bill - you had it an' ya still got it (even the recitation), son!

I first heard this on WBCN 104.5 FM Boston Stereo Rock (America's first stereo FM rock station) when it came out in 1971.

One of my Fav bands. Never saw this version. Thanks. What a bunch of nerds. Awesome band

saw these guys several times. fun band

beautiful

Saddest country song of all time

@harmonicasplay1608

2 жыл бұрын

"Mama Hated Diesels" is another bonafide tear jerker by CC&HLPAM

a great tune....

Looks around for my bong!

Very nice! Thanks for posting it.

Damn, I remember being totally in love with this band back in 1970. Thanks.

Man, they all look young.

Thanks! Classic stuff!! Good dope!!! Great band!!!!

Nice listening to music as recorded and not edited by computers

The group's leader and co-founder was pianist and vocalist George Frayne IV, alias Commander Cody (born July 19, 1944 in Boise, Idaho, died September 26, 2021 in Saratoga Springs, New York).

Great clip!! Cool to see them so early in the process!!

370 plus comments when I typed this! It just goes to show how popular this band was and still is. It's good that Bill, Andy, Bobby and John have come together to record again as the LPA. Such a multi-faceted band who just knew how to entertain at a high level. I saw them on their first ever gig in the UK- the Reading Festival in August 1973- they got off the plane at Heathrow and drove that 20 odd miles straight to the festival to perform- pretty much the same set that was recorded the next month for the Live From Deep In The Heart Of Texas album.

Wish I had those seeds now!

A true oldie and a goody, I had the 8 track, Think I wore it out.

@deepwater2652

3 жыл бұрын

Yup - when you heard the "death warble" from your 8-track, it was all over with...

Commander Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen ... they were so much fun. I saw them live a couple of times in the early 70s. If you didn't have a shit-eatin' grin on your face coming out of their concert, you'd likely be declared legally dead.

You gotta be bout old as dirt to know this song. I remember the last time I heard it when I didn't play it just to hear it myself. A bar in Wrightsville beach NC and , damn lets call it 40 years ago. Older n dirt. Lol. There's to me better sounding versions of this by CC on certain albums. I dont recall name or names. Better and more instruments. Still the same ole sad one by B.S Cody. Had to leave something else after reading comments. No idea there were so many that saw CC or played with them. F ing awesome. My people you've made me feel a little younger. Tnx.

Love this sad one from the Airmen.

They had us dancing on the tables at The Mule Shoe bar Breckenridge Colorado.

Pure Gold...

Got to see these guys so many times in ann arbor and Ferndale. Got a picture with the good comander after a show at the magic bag. We used to hitchhike to ann arbor when we were in 9th grade to sneak into shows. Ah the good old days!

Great song.

A school mate, friend and flatmate of mine played a Commander Cody LP when my new wife and I called on him around '72. Sadly, I took little notice. Since then I've gotten over Led Zep, Cream & Hendrix, branching out to many musics, including Country. I wish I had taken more notice at the time, and trusted my friend's judgement a little more, because I like this. I even understand the title. I also have an mp3 of Hot Rod Lincoln and a Telecaster guitar (which spotted in the video) but never connected either to this.

ENDLESS Thanks for puttin’ this up there 😁😁😁

I saw them twice one of the funnest groups I’ve ever seen

Very cool! We used to sing the chorus way back in "The Day", didn't know where it came from. Thanks!

My favorite tune by the Airmen. I can remember figuring out the chords to this tune and then learning that harmonica break near the end. It does sound like this was an early rehearsal for the tune.

A Draft Dodger from Chicago turned me on to this band when I was a teen.

I thought I heard Willie Nelson. And then I saw Commander Cody. The seeds and stems of time.

Brings back memories of cruising in my 68 Chevelle Malibu 396.

“ I got the down to seeds and stems again blues.”

Saw these guys 2 or 6 times in small clubs > 200. They put on the best shows.

Shoot. It was ten dollar lids! If you were lucky you got a four finger bag! I can put up with stems and seeds again:)

@michaelroberts3495

3 жыл бұрын

Lid! I haven't heard that word uses in years! A filled 35 mm film can and rice papers made for a great night! Back then of course...wink wink

@pietop55

3 жыл бұрын

@@michaelroberts3495 of course:)

@Formula-602

3 жыл бұрын

@@michaelroberts3495 it’s legal now in lots of places..no big deal...He’ll,they deliver here..9 AM -9Pm

The guy singing and playing guitar has a look very close to some Hapsburg kings of Spain!

Love this band! Saw them back in the day at the Colonial Tavern on Yonge St. Toronto. Sat in the upper deck overlooking the band! Something I'll never forget! The Colonial is now long gone! Demolished and just a vacant space left. Shameful!

Great video

I love the version from Deep in The Heart of Texas. Such an underrated band.

Howdy Cody fans! FYI: Bill Kirchen reportedly will be recreating the 1974 Armadillo World Headquarters live recording concert/ entire setlist at a concert venue here in Austin, Sunday, May 26.