This guy is amazing. He is using elements of Japanese Kabuki Theatre, opera training and slapstick. I saw him perform in a small club on Haight St. in San Francisco one Halloween Night. It was a riot. Smoke bombs. The police came. They started dancing. Women with black eyes. Crazy. Gonzo. Holy. It was the ultimate spiritual experience. We loved you, SJH. We loved you.
Before there was Marilyn Manson, before Cooper and his fake blood, before Ozzy bit the head off a bat, there was the original shock rocker-Screamin' Jay Hawkins.
@@nola2chi wrong- Alice bit the head of the bat, verified fact - he throught it was one of his rubber props that he usually had, he was unaware that a fan had actually threw a live bat up onto the stage. He was horrified.
In one performance he channels classical tenor, tribal chant, bebop scat, garbeling, and arena rock screams so seamlessly that the sharp differences between them vanish and it becomes something pure, free, shocking and amazing.
David Sanborn. Screaming Jay Hawkins & David Sanborn's Band ( New York City session musicians ) really clicked in making beautiful music together. Best band I ever hear accompanying Screaming Jay!
Some background on this compelling, one-of-a-kind performer: Born and raised in Cleveland, Hawkins studied classical piano as a child and learned guitar in his twenties. His initial goal was to become an opera singer (Hawkins has cited Paul Robeson as his musical idol in interviews), but when his initial ambitions failed he began his career as a conventional blues singer and pianist. Hawkins was an avid and formidable boxer. In 1949, he was the middleweight boxing champion of Alaska. When Hawkins became a solo performer, he often performed in a stylish wardrobe of leopard skins, red leather and wild hats. Hawkins' most successful recording, "I Put A Spell On You" (1956), was selected as one of The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's 500 songs that shaped the world" Died in France February 12, 2000.
+fourcrippledhorses Yeah, by people looking to get out of the meeting as soon as possible, make sure you the act reaches the largest possible profitability while avoiding negative publicity and lawsuits. Basically treating the result of human creativity like they were coming up with a new scented toilet paper.
Screaming Jay Hawkins & David Sanborn's Band ( New York City session musicians ) really clicked in making beautiful music together. Best band I ever hear accompanying Screaming Jay!
It took a long time.. but Screamin' Jay is now recognized as a great showman and entertainer.. not to mention having fabulous pipes that any rock singer must envy.
I saw Screamin' Jay years ago at North Sea Jazzfest. He was absolutely amazing! Chills down my spine whenever I hear him do this song. Great man, great artist.
Fucking priceless...you will never, ever see anything like this ever again. Awesome performance from everyone on here. They need to put TV shows like this back on the air.
this is what it means to be talented, a musical prodigy and musical genius. he is the whole package, talent like this is rare. He feels, lives breaths music
If he presented this act today in American Idol or X-Factor or whatever, he would probably be dismissed, laughed about and ridiculed. Such unique talent he was!
I dont feel kind of sad watching this - nor did the band from the smiles on their faces. I feel blessed to have seen an original - and what a fabulous voice!
Seven years ago, 9-year old Norwegian child prodigy Angelina Jordan honored Screamin' Jay Hawkins with her jaw-dropping version of his song in the B&W film by Per Heimly. In the opening sequence, she is holding a candle with his picture on it. This video has received millions of views and is the one most reacted to on RU-vid. Angelina won Norway's Got Talent singing jazz classics at 7 years old! She was invited to sing at America's Got Talent The Champions 2020 when she was 13 and wowed the judges and the audience with her own unique version of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. Heidi Klum gave her the Golden Buzzer. The remaining musicians in Queen were amazed and gave her her own copyright for her unique version of their song. Angelina has covered classics, old and new, with her own jazzy spin on them. She was signed by Republic Records at 14. She continues to astound all who listen to her, including many in the music industry.
This man was wicked good as a singer and performer. Unfortunately he passed before my time, at least we have RU-vid. Most definitely a movie needs to be made.
That voice was born for the stage. Jay's also sublimely reminding his people about the power of the Black Spiritual Sciences! HE PUT A SPELL ON US INDEED!
+Sorry Blinky - "his people?" are you fucking kidding me? why is it offensive if a white man uses the phrase "your people," but it's OK for the two of you? get a life, you pathetic white guilt apologist. and WTF are "the black spiritual sciences?" what BULLSHIT is that? voodoo is supposed to be something to be proud of? and why does a person's heroes need to be the same race? there are people of all races that are an inspiration to me. i don't have some childish insecurity that can only be assuaged by having white heroes. how fucking PATHETIC is that? by saying retarded bullshit like that, you only insult and degrade the african race. IDIOTS!
Pure musical genius! What an amazing talent, Screamin Jay with the Night Music band. Sax solo by David Sanborn was fantastic too. I feel blessed to have been able to see Screamin Jay perform "live" on this show!
@@faceofextinction7156 Hawkins hated James Brown. He hated the way James Brown treated people, especially the way James Brown treated the women in his life. He called James Brown a no-good scoundrel. Yeah, James Brown wasn't gonna do no show with Hawkins.
OMG thats FUCKIN madness.....Thats definetly my favourite Version of this song!!! This is fuckin mindblowin eargasm...n stuff...Everytime I hear this sax solo I feel like I explode into thousands of directions. This is some piece of Art that is veeery veery hard to be exceeded
I did a gig with him in London years ago.. Met him backstage before we played support.. He was scary to say the least.. Big man.. Imposing.. Didn't say much.. Looked about 9 foot tall, hands like shovels.. My hand disappeared into his when we shook them after we played.. He loved my harmonica playing ... Phew! Nice man when he relaxed around u.. As a performer he was a joy to watch.. A legend to be sure, in a class of his own...
Hilarious 😅... Not going to bother showing you the 'truth'..if you're that bothered cos I'm not.. Try and google my name.. Might give u a clue! Atb.. JT 😉@@The1trueking1966
@@The1trueking1966 lol.. Hilarious 😂.. I'm really not bothered about you calling me a liar.. But if it troubles you that much, try the magic of Google and search my name, it might give u a clue!! ... Enjoy! Atb JT 😉
@@The1trueking1966 lol.. Hilarious! 😂.. I'm really not bothered about proving myself to u or anyone for that matter.. . But if it really bothers you that much try the magic of Google and search my name! It might give u a clue!! 😉 Atb JT
This was the best music show ever on television. So many great artists, many behind the scenes composers and musicians, many just low profile icons or their music is not currently in vogue. Amazing finale jams! Lot of it is here on the Tube. Earth to Doris! Earth to Doris!
LOl.! Responding to a two year old comment.! Assoluta you're right...in fact there's a YT video of SJH doing his version of Ole Man River and you can hear what a voice he had...
Это просто бомба , самый лучший❤️ никто ещё его так не перепел, в особенности эту песню, а уж тем более нашей российской «эстраде» в кавычках этого и не снилось , пусть не позорятся.
Vitor,this man was a fantastic entertainer. You have no appreciation for this man's talent. Wish more singers were as great a showman. He's surly missed...........................
