They recorded it in 1962….Jay Siegel on lead still hits every note…..he was in his 70’s when this performance was recorded in Pittsburgh…..incredible, professionals…..glad you enjoyed this exceptional performance.

@christinalikoski4937

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Robert love the comments people like yourself who tell us some hidden truth to their history Australia 💕 Christina

@sorrystaunton

2 жыл бұрын

@@christinalikoski4937 Australia??? Being as old as I am I remember when these songs first came out…..how are things down under?? The news we’re getting in America is things have gone nutty down there because of Covid…

@christinalikoski4937

2 жыл бұрын

@@sorrystaunton Don't always believe what you hear 🤔 but yes it is at the moment alittle nutty but this nut has a hard shell 🤭 just kidding I just returned from another state (Qld) for a wedding and I felt I was crossing from the Mexican border to the USA 😎but when I returned home (NSW) noone stopped you at the airport just walked thru like any sunny day 🙄 But true as it is I do believe your right about it being NUTTY 🤫 I wonder how this story will go down in history for our future generations discuss in class🧐 Robbie I'm a gorgeous nutty 62 yr old lady😋 Australia 💕 Christina

@sorrystaunton

2 жыл бұрын

@@christinalikoski4937 Well I’m glad to hear that things aren’t as bad as they’re being portrayed on American TV down under….Christina I’m a spry wacky 72 year old living my best life in Montgomery Alabama…..stay safe from that Covid bug….

@christinalikoski4937

2 жыл бұрын

@@sorrystaunton 🤭That is so good to hear and it would not have surprised me as you sound like a gentleman with a great sense of humour Robert As I always say I prefer being a happy old person than a grumpy one 😜 Always your friend from down Under 🤭 Christina x

Goes to show ya;" just because there's snow on the roof don't mean there's not fire in the furnace". Don't count out all of us "Silver topped people", some of us still got it.

@YahshuamySovereign

2 жыл бұрын

🕊💞🕊

@autumnamber6849

2 жыл бұрын

My mom used to say that, you just reminded me of her, sh passed a few years agl. Good memory thanks.,

@bubbastill2040

2 жыл бұрын

Just two more words: Tony Bennett!

@andrewhoffmann212

2 жыл бұрын

That's from the Cadillacs

@ralphide5874

2 жыл бұрын

I like that. Got to be the best phase I have ever heard.

This was in Jungle Book. Jay's granddaughter told her class her grandpa he sang the song, and of course they didn't believe her so Jay went to the school and preformed to the whole school.

@corinnepmorrison1854

2 жыл бұрын

That is phenomenal!!

@leonardshevlin7260

2 жыл бұрын

There is a version in the 2019 adaptation of The Lion King.

@sadfaery

2 жыл бұрын

That's cool. Grandpa for the win!

@joannerichards1750

2 жыл бұрын

"Yes, he did! Yes, he did!" "No, he didn't! You're a liar!" "Yes, he did! It's no lie!" "Go blow your nose!" "Go ahead, Grampa - sing it!" "GULP!!"

@Gutslinger

Жыл бұрын

This song wasn't in the Jungle Book.

The lady in back singing soprano... wow!

It is somewhat rare to hear singers in their 70's still sound like when they were young, especially when they have such a high voice.

In their 1961 original version of the song. The Soprano part of the song done in the background was sung by Opera Singer Ms. Anita Darian who passed away back on February 1st, 2015, at 87 years old. Though she was not in the credits her contribution to the song was immense and memorable. Her high pitch vocals in the background will always have a lasting impression for decades to come. In this video you have Soprano Kelly De Fade who does a fantastic job of matching Ms. Anita Darian's vocals in the background in this performance. These women need to be recognized for their contribution and adding their voices to one of the most listen to and played songs in Rock & Roll history. Priceless!

@blessed5545

Жыл бұрын

I was wondering who was hitting those high notes. The lady who replaced Ms. Darien did an amazing job. Her vocals are out of this world. Thanks.😊

@sarge3255

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for giving credit to these two fantastic sopranos. Their ultra-high notes in soprano falsetto add immensely to the song.

@54nomore

Жыл бұрын

@@sarge3255 You are very welcome. It is amazing to me and to most people that back in the 40's, 50's and 60's. Record and Movie producers purposely omitted the Ghost voices from the credits. Not many people know that the Opera Singer who sang those very high notes in the background was Soprano Ms. Anita Darian. Her voice was used in the 1961 original version of the (Tokens) greatest hit "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."

@54nomore

Жыл бұрын

@@blessed5545 You are very welcome. The Soprano singing here is Ms. Kelly De Fade who did a tremendous job matching the original 1960's version done by Opera Singer Soprano Ms. Anita Darian.

@brianjohnson6861

Жыл бұрын

Yessir. It was an opera singer

I can't hit a note like that even when I stub my toe😮 This song is on my all-time faves list, Thank you for your reaction💖

@thomastimlin1724

2 жыл бұрын

🤣

@tracieleeburnett3395

2 жыл бұрын

So great! Thanks

@daviddelaet8116

2 жыл бұрын

😆

@6666Imperator

Жыл бұрын

did you try LEGO?

This is exactly why we call them “oldies but goodies” because the ‘60s & ‘70s never grow old.

I am literally in tears this is so beautiful and soulful.Before the Tokens had this hit,they had a member who left for solo stardom,Neil Sedaka,who sang and wrote some of the greatest early rock-era hits.Definitely worth a listen too!

@corinnepmorrison1854

2 жыл бұрын

I did not know about this part of Neil Sedaka’s life... Thank you!!

@oldermusiclover

2 жыл бұрын

didn't know that

@archivemediavault

2 жыл бұрын

Neil Sedaka is in my top three singers (and songwriters) of all time

@bubbastill2040

2 жыл бұрын

@@archivemediavault He's definitely in my top ten,he's from my late mom's era and she remembered him fondly too

@archivemediavault

2 жыл бұрын

@@bubbastill2040 He#s still going strong and performing.

The Tokens' version of the song was released in 1961. So it's been 60 years. And these guys are performing it LIVE, in their 70s. Phenomenal and incredible.

@ajruther67

2 жыл бұрын

This performance clip is about 15 years ago

@Grumpy_Rabbit

2 жыл бұрын

@@ajruther67 Well, if the band members were 20 years of age when their version of the song was first released in 1961, then 15 years ago they'd be 65. So if some or all of them were at least 25 back in '61, then any such members would be at least 70 in 2006.

@ajruther67

2 жыл бұрын

@@Grumpy_Rabbit If I remember correctly, PBS first aired these concerts 2003 - 2006.

@Bpg5012trick

2 жыл бұрын

@@ajruther67 And not a crack in his voice.

@Bpg5012trick

2 жыл бұрын

@@ajruther67 If you're saying 42 years doesn't make much change to your voice, then hardly an extra 3 years isn't going to make much difference, if they would of done it in 2006

Research the origins of this song….pure beautiful African Zulu lullaby!

@rudolphbehrmann2719

2 жыл бұрын

Should look up Solomon Linda for the backstory to this song.

Wow. Jaw dropped on the floor. This is so impressive!! Beautiful!!! Phenomenal!!

They have gotten better with age!

Us old farts can still sing! I'm gonna turn 66 on Friday and I'm still hittin' the high notes. thank you for the "fine wine" comment.

@horrorfan5157

2 жыл бұрын

I'm 31. I'm getting old.

@oldermusiclover

2 жыл бұрын

i can if someone hits my toe

@eugeniocorpuz8338

2 жыл бұрын

I'm 64 and the tenor section leader for the Oahu Choral Society. We performed the Mozart Requiem with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra 2 weeks ago. I also serve as cantor for the Newman Center on the UH Manoa campus.

@TheDivayenta

2 жыл бұрын

Same here! Workin’ on “ Can’t Find My WaY Home” for karaoke! I’m 71- ultra old fart!

This song has a long and interesting history. First titled "Mbube" and performed by Solomon Linda and the Evening Birds in 1939. Mbube means Lion in the Zulu language. Legendary folk singer Pete Seeger recorded a version in 1952 called "Wimoweh", which was a mispronunciation of "Uyimbube", which means You are a lion in Zulu. The song hit the top ten and Pete was informed of the song's origins. He learned Solomon Linda hadn't earned a single penny in royalties, so Pete sent his earnings for the song to Solomon. It is believed the funds never made it to Solomon however. The Tokens used the Pete Seeger version to audition in acapella for a record contract in 1961, and it was turned into the pop hit we know today! 80 some years later, the song still amazes and thrills us.

@kisakyerita8780

Жыл бұрын

Leave all that Africa is the only place we call mama when singing ,so oo

Amazing!! I kept waiting for the lead singer's voice to crack but it never did. OUTSTANDING!!

@lydie6374

8 ай бұрын

no drug nor alcohol to keep your voice unchanged !

It's darn astounding when we think about it, when you have the talent man you got it and still have it.

Great live performance! and the female backup singer was amazing!

@oldermusiclover

2 жыл бұрын

wonder what her name was

@The1958Rocker

Жыл бұрын

@@oldermusiclover Kelly De Fade.

@oldermusiclover

Жыл бұрын

@@The1958Rocker thanks

The 50s 60s and 70s no voice manipulation machines. Pure talent pure voices just amazing! I am 63 and it blows my mind when I watch reaction people and they realize these are their real voices. Been watching you two for quite some time love your channel.

Whoever did the female vocals hadn't even been thought of when this song came out. Her parents were probably still in grade school.

@jackmandu

2 жыл бұрын

The wonderful soprano is opera singer Kelly Defade.

Love me some Brooklyn boys. My other favorite from them is "Tonight I Fell In Love". Give it a listen. Onstage here is Dr. Jay Siegel singing lead, with Jay Traynor, the original Jay from Jay and The Americans singing background. Give a listen to Jay Traynor doing "She Cried" live with this band. I'd still love for you guys to do Smokey Robinson and The Miracles doing a live black and white version of "Ooh Baby Baby". These are the kind of live performances I grew up with.

@corinnepmorrison1854

2 жыл бұрын

We were so fortunate to grow up with all the greatest music!!

@novusmundi

2 жыл бұрын

Oh wow! I didn't know that they sang that song. I am a Gen X'er obsessed with 50's music both the Rock and Roll Era and the Sinatra era.

@novusmundi

2 жыл бұрын

I will have to link the live version of Cara Mia by Jay and the Americans for them from PBS.

@helgar791

2 жыл бұрын

@@novusmundi The music I grew up with is a great obsession indeed. IMO the great R&B/R&R singers of the 50's were Clyde McPhatter, Tony Williams, Sam Cooke, and Jackie Wilson. Sam's singing style is the most original, the most copied, and he paved the way for other soul singers. But Jackie's singing style was the most dynamic and exciting, he had the best range, and his stage act is the most copied, although you'd never know it from the tame live examples on KZread.

@novusmundi

2 жыл бұрын

@@helgar791 That's hilarious because those are my favorites too with the exception of Clyde McPhather. I preferred Ben E. King on the Drifters. I even have Sam Cooke's greatest hits CD of him when he was a gospel singer for the Soul Stirrers.

That gave me chills…and it’s not the first time I have seen it either. Out of the ball park!!

They are also record producers .Producing records for many artists from the fifties until now.

You kids are a complete pleasure for me to watch. I love your genuine reactions to my favorite songs from my teen years. Thanks, Shawn and Mel. :)

I was just watching another reaction to this song and had the thought “there’s no way they would sound like this now” and low and behold my oh my did I eat my words

Wow, I never saw the song done live. It shows the depth of what always seemed like a simple song. A friend had the 45 when I was a kid.

The tokens sound just as good live as they do on the album.

Wish ya'll could see the smile on my face!❤❤❤

I was 11 when they charted with this song, I'm 71 now.

@theresagallagher9161

2 жыл бұрын

Right there with ya. One of my favorites as a child & still is. Love harmonies in doo wop.

I gave you guy's a standing ovation for your reaction to this song!!! It was incredible!!! Just as this performance was. Great job!!! You gave this performance it's just due.

I remember when you did the original recorded version. This was pure joy i have to say. i could not stop smiling from ear to ear. thank you so much.

I am so happy you did this recent performance, I loved it the first time I saw it, they still have it!

Great reaction! When it comes to Doo Wop music, you either have it, or you don't. You really have to have good harmonies and voices to make this style of music sound really good and The Tokens are a good example of that. PBS television usually showed their Doo Wop specials during their fundraising time and seeing the original musical groups doing their most famous songs was such a treat! Long live Doo Wop!

I went with my mom to see them in concert a few years ago. They still have it. His voice is still clear, high, and powerful.

They sound the same live because there was no hiding behind dub overs and auto tune back then ;) You had it or you didn't make it. Thanks for reacting to this :)

you have to check out Marian Makeba's African Zulu version the original was a Zulu lullaby for children

@MrNormaltoo

2 жыл бұрын

or her hit song Pata Pata.....another one guaranteed to make you move with a smile.

@corinnepmorrison1854

2 жыл бұрын

@@MrNormaltoo Going to search for her songs!! Thank you!!

This is such an amazing performance!

Thank you so much for reacting to this amazing performance! I just recently requested this one from another reactor and was so excited to see that you reacted to this wonderful, heartwarming live performance. Yes, they are all in their 70's here and Jay is still performing now! Jay Siegel is the lead singer and he still sings this well at age 82.

It was amazing song this I always feel like I'm in the jungle when I hear this song and still do🤭 Come on you two can you imagine you two at 80 still doing your broadcast 🤭🤭🧐 Australia 💕 Christina

I was really hoping you would do this. Still as good as they ever was.

They did it all those years later in the same key, brilliant...

I am completely blown away by that performance! I'm 66 years old and I've been listening to that recording since I was a little boy. Who could imagine that they could still pull that off live? Great video thanks guys!

Oh gracious! Now this song is in my head! Lol!

Love this song ♥️♥️♥️ released in 1961...I was 11 and in catholic school...we all tried to sing this on the playground 😏🤣🤣🤣

I love your reaction to this timeless song, sung by the original timeless Tokens!💕

Hi Shawn and Mel, this was so much fun, it gave me absolute goose bumps when the woman hit that high note! They all sounded great. That was a wonderful pick. Have a happy day ahead! :)

Thank you, Shawn and Mel for recognizing this live performance...I enjoy this live performance more than the original 1961 recording.

They still tour to this day and sound just as good after 60 years. The lead singer Jay worked behind the scenes for many years producing records for Tony Orlando and Dawn and other artists.

Always one of my favorites songs since I was a kid in the 70s. I had this song on the Goofy Greats album.

I bet he didn't smoke, drink, or do drugs. That's about the only way to pull that off in his 70's. Incredible!

In addition to being a working band, The Tokens were once real movers and shakers behind the scenes in the music business. They developed and produced other artists and hit records. One band they worked with was The Happenings who actually had more hits than The Tokens themselves. Check out some "Happenings" song like "I've Got Rhythm", "See You in September" or "Go Away Little Girl". Great stuff!

The family of the Zulu family who did the original version of this song finally received the royalties they deserved not that long ago

Can you imagine what is was like to be there for this performance? What a show!

This is awesome. You can tell they still feel it. Dang! I'm impressed!

This is called talent, once you have it, it never goes away.

The more I watch you guys, the more I love you guys! Here I am again, hanging out with y'all, "Loving every minute of it" oh by the way thats a great song too! ✌

Outstanding!! They live on, incredible performance especially after all these years!!

Sounds like they might have taken it down a semitone (anyone in the comments near a piano?)or maybe it's just the change in timbre and weight, but never the less. Yep. Amazing. Fun fact: male singing voice isn't total matured until about 40 or 50 in some cases. Frankie Valli is still bangin' em out too.

this is such a great reaction. genuine emotions to the performance throughout. and when the lady just gives in to it and starts skiing with the most beautiful smile on her face ever. surely that's why people started making music in the first place.

I love how you guys appreciate live talent

I saw them live at Little Darlin's in Orlando FL in the 80's.... I love love love 50's and 60's music, cars ect...amazing

When he can Still Hit those hi notes in his 70s says a lot about how talented he is. At that age most have lost a lot of the voice they had while in the 30 s. Most couldnt do that in the prime of life. And we all get to enjoy your reaction to it. Pure fun all day. Lov ur chann cause of YOU TWO! Keep it up . Ill keep watchin and hittin that ( like ) button!❤️😎nothin like good music and good ppl to just make my day!Dan from north florida-1/12/22 ps. Im now 65 and grew up in the 60s.best music ever. To me..

Watched both reactions to this great song, and The Tokens CRUSHED it !! Love it. Love your reactions !!

FWIW, I'm 77 and play bass and sing in a 60s/70s group every weekend. No autotune, no tricks, just a better PA system than was available back in the 70s.

It is genuinely astounding. Most of us took for granted an upper range, but this is incredible.

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 I about fell out seeing you’re reaction to the opening few notes. That man could sing!!! And “The Lion Sleeps Tonight is high up in my Top 100 songs of the 50’s clear thru the 70’s!

Literally I watched this whole thing in tears 🙏 Beautiful 🙏 Such beauty and power in his vocals 🙏 When you hear great vocals(just the sounds not necessarily the words) it feels like being in the presence of creation. You can just feel this soul, creating that energy that’s exploding within you as you listen 🙏 Tremendous

Check out Jay Black of Jay and the Americans sing Cara Mia. He does it both in the 60's and then as an older man like these guys!

Love ❤️ this song

Another great song. I remember all these songs some of the best music EVER!!!!!

I'm so glad you reacted to this video. I sent it to you awhile ago. It's neat to see the old groups 40 years later. Just like when you reacted to Little Darling by The Diamonds, back then and 40 years later, they sounded exactly the same.

Thank you for posting this. They're in their 70s and can still reproduce the sound from 60 years ago. I wish for you both to enjoy abundant wellbeing always.

I was 2 when this came out, and my uncle could do it....he'd sing this to me with the record. I'm 62 now. It's a great memory. They still are amazing!❤❤

good for them !! They knocked it out of the park still !! yes

When you sing "properly", without straining your voice, you don't "lose" it. A lot of rockers lose their voices due to screaming riffs, drugs, alcohol and the like...

@davidcollver6155

Жыл бұрын

Adele naturally-aspirated singer, natural, already had operation to restore her vocal cords. So young.

So happy you did this song again with them older , loved my younger years ♥️

Watching Mel's reaction... she needs to hear Alabama "Take me down" trust me on this.... she'll be starstruck and drooling... 🥰😋

The man singing bass has a gorgeous voice! They're all wonderful, but I don't often get drawn to the low notes. Thank you so much for sharing this!

They're the real deal. Jay's voice is incredible.

This gave me goosebumps, and watching you two enjoy it was so much fun!! It's amazing that they still sound the same or even better. I'm 70 now and I wish I still had... well - any of my anything! 😂When my older son was a little boy, this was his favorite song for several years.

Excellent! So cool. Love you guys!

Totally blown away....no words to properly describe how good they still sound...love love loved it guys!!!♡☆

“Tonight I Fell In Love” by the Tokens 1962 is a great doo wop song.

This song always makes my 5 year old happy.

They still sounded good after all those years...in 1975 when I was in my first year of high school, (12 or 13 years old), I was in the school choir, ranging from 12 to 17 years of age, we were a 35ish member group, with everything from mezzo sopranos to bass tenors and we still couldn't quite get that sound...although we did manage to come 2nd in the local Eisteddfod that year... ;)

This is so incredible that so many years later The Tokens can recreate their 1960's hit and sound so good. And thanks to Kelly DeFade for stepping in and sounding great in her soprano part.

Shout out to the boys!!! Still going...

@breckrichardson390

2 жыл бұрын

I think they stopped performing back in 2000.

I just saw this recording and nearly fell out of my seat. Then I noticed you guys had a reaction video and I had to see if anyone else had the same reaction. Holy cow! You saw what I saw and couldn't believe your eyes and ears either. I was 6 or 7 when this was first released by the Tokens in 1961. Absolutely fantastic for a bunch of old farts. First time visiting your site, won't be the last. Lastly I must add that the lady soprano is Kelly De Fade for Pennsylvania whatta voice.

I am 46 now since I was 3 years old this still the one song that stuck when my parents were listening to all of the great music from the sixty's,glad to see y'all enjoying it, by the way I am a DJ and enjoy playing Sixty's more then any other music,some of the best music ever!!!!

This is my favorite song to make coffee in the morning. It always brightens my morning!

This is one of my favorite videos. I actually watch this at least three times a week. They are just awesome! Thaks for including this in your reactions!

Omg the reaction from you both was WOW use 2 are the best. Much love to you both xxxx

I am right there with you!!! Mind Blown!!!🤯

Good lord almighty 😳 They all still got it‼️😳👍🏽👍🏽

Tyvm. wow just wow. loved it

Amazing! They did a phenomenal job! ❤️

Absolutely LOVE seeing your reaction to this live performance.

I love that you rewind and listen again! I can see how much you love the music.

Absolutely, joyfully, brilliant.

hey Mel & Shawn you guy's need to watch the P.B.S special's they have on Music from the 50's & 60's they are really cool you would enjoy them that's what this right here is from PBS music from the 50's & 60's

@flomurdock

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, Johnny Maestro, Jive Five, Jerry Butler and Betty Everett, Mel Carter. Kathy Young, and so many more!!!!