Ever notice that guys like Croce could deliver live every bit as well as in the studio even with the crude sound equipment available in the early 70s? No tricks, no gimmicks, no smoke and mirrors, no dog and pony show, just pure talent. Good times.
No doubt. That innocence in his voice and the authenticity in his demeanor are rare traits in musicians. Of course that's why we're all here paying tribute and hoping his music will stay alive for many more generations to come.
I'm amazed at his dexterity on the fretboard. I was just playing along with Jim without a capo on 'I got a name' and it's a serious workout! But to top it off he's singing sooo melodically too. Genius + passion = Croce
Man braucht dafür halt auch nix außer einer halbwegs vernünftigen Gitarre und ein Mikro - der Rest ist Spielen und Singen. So einfach kann es sein - wenn man's kann 🙂
@@brianwalsh6666 Jim was a great player, but Muary was off the charts great. He is one of the finest acoustic players i have ever heard. If you just listen to his accompanist playing, it makes the song.
Skill=hours of dedicated practice. Unfortunately, talent does not eliminate the work; talent is the special heart and mind that performs differently from others.
Croce was one of the top 5 singer songwriters of the best era in music. He is right there with Denver, Lightfoot, Taylor and Chapin. God I miss those days.
You just named the best of the best in the singer/songwriter genre, all featuring beautiful acoustic guitar work and poetic, evocative, haunting lyrics. Nothing glitzy or flashy, just pure, simple talent.
A man whose integrity cost him his life. He went to Natchitoches to fulfill a previously scheduled concert obligation. A concert he had scheduled before his “over night success”. Many would have not honored that obligation but Jim was not that kind of man. We will never know what he would have done with the rest of his life. I only wish he had had the chance to live to a ripe old age. Thank you for the music Jim. I will always wonder what might have been.
@@stdpozer Didn't the pilot(57 y/o)...have a heart attack? That's what I read. Was it something else that caused the crash? Nothing surprises me in this evil world.
Actually, i heard from a very reliable source that there was a drug bust earlier that day on Jims plane! The police found pot of course and a bunch of pills. Not to upset the college folk they allowed him to do the show but afterwards he was supposed to turn himself in, instead he made a run for it. He was seen running to his plane after the show only to find out that the cops had emptied the fuel from the plane. They tried to take off fast but the plane only had enough fuel to take off!
william rasp what a revelation! it would explain why he had no money ever. however, we won't need to worry about any regular habits of a dead man. nobody can take the music from him. that is the main thing.
@@turtleislandlac1490 The show aired July 1973. The Helen Reddy Show was a summer replacement for the Flip Wilson Show and only aired in 1973 and its final episode aired August 16, 1973
This was actually aired in 1973 and I remember watching it. It was Helen Reddy's summer replacement show for Flip Wilson after her huge success and Grammy Award for "I Am Woman". It obviously a typo error that put it as 1974 when it was actually 1973.
Rock Shorts. saw Jim one time around 1971 at balboa park, San Diego Ca.. I was with a friend and as we were walking in the park, we saw a group of people walking all in one direction. We wondered what the commotion was all about so we followed to see what was going on. Well, much to my surprise there was Jim Croce with his side kick both holding guitars. I couldn't believe my eyes. He was telling stories about the songs that inspired him to write his songs. WOW what a treat. After telling his stories he would sing the song. What a down to earth person he was and how tragic how short his life was cut. I'll never forget this for as long as I live.
It's so sad that Jim struggled financially throughout his life while today's top musicians make millions with not even 1% of the talent that Jim had. Marty too, unfortunate that he is not talked about more, coming up with a lot of the great guitar licks for Jims songs. Great duo, still miss them
And even more disconcerting is the fact that his widow, Ingrid, and one-year-old blind son, AJ, were left to fend for themselves, while the record companies laughed all the way to the bank!
did they really laugh all the way to the bank? i read these comments and smirk, maybe the people today do not have talent, but guess what, people are paying for it, so maybe not trash someones ability.
When I was very young riding my 20” Stingray Bicycle from the Chit Factory to DevilsHole State Park along the trails of the NiagaraFalls Gorge I carried my bike up the stairs to top of gorge and rode my bike down Lewiston Road to Main Street to Portage Road and Jim was sitting on a chair playing his Guitar and Singing outside a car wash and as a car wash pulling out of the car wash he got up and placed his guitar on the chair and asked me to keep my eye on it. When he finished wiping the water off he sat back down and playing and singing again I then said your Good are you famous He replied “I wish” I then said you will be just keep singing Then quite a few years later I went home from high school for lunch and as I’m eating it I’m watching the 12 o’clock news and they reported a Jim Croce has died in a plane crash and show his face and I said to myself that’s the guy at the car wash. And in the song “working at the car wash Blues” Jim sings about NiagaraFalls yup that’s where I had my very first open air single personal Concert by Jim Croce era 1964
I've read that Maury, Jim's shy singing partner/lead guitarist, positively influenced Jim's songwriting. They both were very talented in their own right, but together they were magic.
Jim was one of those shooting stars that shine so bright. Their beauty and brilliance is mesmerizing, but so fleeting that just when you begin to appreciate them, they are suddenly gone and you are left to realize you have seen something very special that you will probably never see again.
Thank you for posting this. I knew Jim Croce passed away in September of 1973. It turns out this episode actually aired July 19, 1973 (I looked it up). I don't know where you found this, but thank you for sharing it because this is definitely a priceless video.
Man, I wish Jim Croce was still with us! I was just a little kid when he died but I grew up with his influence. I put him up there with Hank Williams!! Love this guy's music!!
Steve Endicott I was just six when he died but I remember hearing it on the radio in the car when it happened. I loved the song Leroy Brown and my Dad and I would sing it and rock out down the highway. First pop/rock song I recall liking. I didn't understand when Dad explained that he was dead. What do mean? He's singing on the radio right now! RIP Mr Croce. You are part of an important childhood memory for me.
Maury Muehleison was a phenomenal guitar player! As a big Croce fan from 72, i have listened and watched MM play, and his skill and technique were off the charts ! Tragic to lose two great talents!
Is it a normal for me a 23 yr old boy listening this lovely songs of jim? I dont know how but i really love listening old musics made by heart and soul ❤
It’s weird for you to ask if it’s normal. People listen to screamo lol I did and have you heard the lick my pussy rap shit by the chick rappers these days people love that. It’s only normal to enjoy music of all tunes and sounds. Btw 24yr old been listening to Jim for years he’s one of the best to ever do it. It would not be normal if you didn’t listen to him haha
May God continue to bless Jim Croce and now Helen Reddy as I am sure they are playing together in heaven. I visited Jim‘s grave Mother’s Day as he is buried in the same cemetery as my parents.
Legend...The fact that he is not in the R&R Hall of Fame while so many others with far less impact shows you how the hall is a sham driven by greed and music business insider b.s. He had 8 top 40 hits in less than 3 years for crying out loud!
Such a tragic loss to music and the world as a whole. One of the greatest songwriters in history. You can envision characters and things in everything Jim wrote. He is gone but certainly not forgotten.
My buddy told me him and some other kids used you go listen to Jim play on his front porch when he was a kid, years before Jim made it big. Excellent memories
Jimmy died before i was even born..i so would have loved to have met the guy..he came across as a humble fella who would give ya the shirt off his back n he never really gets the credit he deserved to get..i would rate this fella in the top 10 solo performers from the 70s n sadly we will never know how much further he could have gone..unfortunately his "humble" personality cost him his life in the end ( and mauries as well) R.I.P jim n maurie😍😍😍
Oh thanks for that. WHen I Googled Jim Croce I noticed at the bottom it said "people also look for..." Maury. And then when I was watching the videos I noticed how good he was and wondered what his name was and what happened to him. (Sad all 'round) But thanks for putting it together for me.
I cannot imagine how many more great songs this guy would have written had he not died in that plane crash. So tragic and sad! I LOVE his music...especially his ballads!
"A man of the people." I wonder if Helen Reddy realized how well she summed up one man's legacy and contribution to the world. In one statement she reveals the magic that is Jim Croce, his ability to connect with people. With his voice and music, he captured the absolute beauty and poetry of a different time and place where people seemed to be more genuine, and more carefree. Making the best of life's experiences.
Impossible in 1974! Jim Croce died in an airplane on September 20 1973 and the Midnight Special was a live tv show. Jim Croce was and still is my favorite singer. I was 15 years old when he passed away. I was awed and shocked when I heard about his passing. Only a 30 year old Dad
Not only that but I'm surprised that a younger person like yourself appreciates this.....and then leaves a good comment thanking his grandad. Kudos to you Zach.
Stay on this path young man but never overlook talent in your age group. Stay versatile. Check out these also...The Stray Cats and Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. Expand your horizons!
It’s funny. I’ve listened to all his music. Bought all his albums. But until this video, I don’t think I ever heard him talk. Very strange. Gave me goosebumps.
Do not stop. Dig deep inside yourself and always stay in touch with the feelings good music of any genre evokes in your spirit. Fill your soul with music..to me, the best religion is songs that move me to where I feel something ethereal...no other context needed to know something great is occurring when you hear them.
@@sarazivkovic2211 That's great, Sara....another one of the greats was Harry Chapin....very moving lyrics and music and, unfortunately, died way too young. Also John Stewart...his early stuff like the California Bloodlines album he did ~1970 and a couple albums after. People used to say there was something magical about that album.
He was a great singer and songwriter. He had some big hits about the time I graduated from high school. Listening to him now reminds me of those good old days...
I was 19 year's old in the summer of 1973.by the way the best summer in my lifetime and I was born and raised in Chicago so BADBAD LEROY BROWN always brings me back great memories
His family also . Some things we just never understand. That beautiful gem that touched the Spirit,soul of many, a story teller if real. Thank him and his family and God for sharing.
I remember living in Hawaii in the 70's and 80's and his songs fit right in with Kalapana ,Cecilio and Kapono, and Olomana to name a few legends of Hawaii.
amazing performance by a legendary performer. "I got a name" is the only song that he recorded that he didn't write, but when he heard the song, it made him feel closer to his father so he agreed to sing it. The songwriters, Fox & Gimbel, wrote another big hit that very year, "Killing Me Softly With His Song", which won the Grammy.
Man he died before my time, but i fully appreciate his music, he had a knack for story telling life like it was. He was as real as a musical artist could get, and didnt let it go to his head. Carry on Jim croce, you got a name.
I Really HOPE that Someday, They(Hollywood) make a Movie of His Life and Tragic end. JIM CROCE was/Is still One in a Million. Such a Great Singer/Songwriter. He would Still Be a Star Now if He had Lived. No Doubt in My Mind.
now listen,since you mention this. I remember in the '80's I watched a movie, kind of fantasy island tpye of movie. People arrived at an island for vacation, now this is weird, first I saw that movie in SPANISH, I I remember a phrase I heard on the movie "a life without dreams is real inferno" then the most important thing, the visitors, each of them had his story to tell, for instance a couple breaking up, but the most important thing, there was a singer among the visitors, and at one point during the movie, one of the visitors becomes suspicious about where they might be exactly, and somehow he mentions that it was so weird, just before they got on board of the plane he had heard on the news that THE ARTIST in the trip had died in a plane crash. I remember this movie so clearly, as if it was yesterday, I also remember I compared the movie at that time with Eagles' Hotel California. Furthermore, I have been looking for that movie in places we could not detail here, but we all imagine, and NOTHING. Like if it was all a dream. As a matter of fact, a couple weeks ago I went into some website, in its blog there was a discussion, and I posted my request there. Strange how sometimes we might continue looking for something for years, and never give up. Just like Jim's music, it was so great back then and it is even better today.
His 😃 was everything. I was very young in his heyday but I've been listening to his music as long as I can remember. So sad his life was cut so short. Grateful for the incredible music he left behind. My ❤ is full reminiscing. RIP Jim Croce and thank you for sharing your gifts with the world.
Maury was with Jim through thick and thin..a fantastic guitar player and backup to Croce. How sad that both perished in that terrible plane crash before they really hit the big time. As Jack Dingler said below, Croce's recording company made millions, mostly posthumously...I just hope Jim's wife got a share.
Group Sang his song time in a bottle in six grade graduation unknowing it was a Jim Croce song. Had meaning then as a kid back In 1979. Years later discovered singer and his songs. Want a story teller like Harry Chapin. Greats whose legend was stamped early but wishing more could have been told. Decades later still loving music like this as well as Tom Petty and John Mellencamp. Oh if I only could save time in a bottle.
Loved Jim songs as a child . Now I can see what he looked like a great meaningful voice, RIP Jim & Thank You for your beautiful worded songs telling a story with a great music sound & harmony 's .
He was a story teller extraordinaire who could put words to music making his music come to life. Came from a working man's family and graduated from college. We were all thankful he choose music over engineering career.
Jim worked a lot of jobs in his short life too. He climbed telephone poles and was a wire man in The Army, he drove a truck, taught young ladies and gentlemen with behavioral issues, and sang in many bars on weekends, sometimes performing behind a chicken wire screen to keep him and Maury safe from the glass beer bottles and steins that might be thrown their way during the inevitable barroom fight. He mentioned using his guitar as a shield to protect him from flying debris. He also mentioned how his students kicked the crap out of the old Volkswagen Bug he used to drive. It was so badly dented in, he called it "The Raisin", if I remember correctly. I heard his son, A. J. tell that story about his dad somewhere. It's so sad that A. J. was just a baby, I think about two years old, when Jim died. What a shame. I heard A. J. sing a tune that he wrote where he said something to God about not taking him away too early, "'Cause I'm not ready!" I thought that was too cute. I guess he just wanted to make sure that God knew about his preferences. Good plan! 👍👏🙏😁
