”Ghost Riders in the Sky” has been one of favorite songs, or alternatively, guitar instrumentals since the late 1950s. Among the best versions I had collected prior to Outlaws coming on the scene: Vaughan Monroe; Johnny Cash; Marty Robbins; and Roy Clark. Outlaws gave the song a thorough arena rock upgrade, and I like to listen to the live performances of the various lineups the band has weathered through. Currently the 2017 lineup playing at small venues have imho the best sound quality and a solid duo of lead guitarists who deliver the goods as well or better than their predecessors. I agree with you to the extent that Outlaws pioneered the elevation of the verses to virtual dark metal ferocity and intensity. But I respectfully push gently back against the notion that Outlaws own the song, because there are so many versions performed in different styles that it is like comparing apples to motowns. So I am seizing the opportunity to introduce to the community of fellow and sister Outlaws fans the following two modern re-arrangements created by two family bands that support their Christian music catalog by performing secular pieces with a level of virtuosity that I am confident present and past Outlaws shredders would cheerfully applaud. I had no idea these bands played Christian music until after I discovered these two versions of “Ghost Riders in the Sky”. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do, along with all the other worthy versions. I’m still waiting for Buckethead to weigh in on it (assuming he hasn’t already). The version by Southern Raised shows bluegrass influences, whereas the other, by the brilliant Annie Moses Band, sounds quasi-ELO-ish (even including two gifted and - not that you care - gorgeous ladies on violin and vocals. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-f4D_tAyF_iY.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-oG85zhpgmJY.html Btw, the Annie Moses Band includes an unexpectedly brilliant, slow burn guitar solo towards the end , which dovetails its 24th fret wailing climax with the first yippee eye yay of the goosebump-triggering chorus.
There are quite a bit of southern rock bands out there that never got the recognition they deserve and The Outlaws is one of them. They are a kick ass band with some great songs 😎😉👍🎼🎶🎸🇺🇸
Why not do that now? I do that all the time. Some of the greatest new bands are playing in bars an clubs and play for $10-$15 a ticket.. You can still do all the same stuff..IN fact it is getting more legal all the time. 420 legal in many states! Get out there and ROCK everyone!
I also saw them in 81at JFK in philly the only thing I was disappointed in was Danny Joe Brown wasn’t with Molly Hatchet other than that it was a great concert
Saw them as openers for 38 spl. A year later they were headliners and 38spl. Was opening for them. Good times. Would gladly drive 100 miles to see them play.
I saw this concert, Johnny Van Zant and Foghat performed with them in Atlanta at the Omni, we had box seats on the floor. The whole floor was filled with the Outlaws m/c. What a great night that was.
A strat never sounded better than in the hands of hughie. He had a style of playing that just can't be duplicated. One hell of a guitar picker. Awsome band.
Love this - back in the day when you actually had to play music instead of surround yourself with costumes and dancers to distract from your lack of talent. These guys obviously had a blast playing this.
Coincidentally, Bassist, Rick Cua (striped shirt, goofy glasses) wrote and sings a song called "Back in the Day" which includes the line "Back in the day, when music was music, and bands really played" on his band, Blues Counsel's recently released new album.
I saw this concert back in 1981, I was stationed at Fort Hood and believe I went to Austin. They opened for UFO. This was on their Ghost Riders Tour, UFO was on their Wild, Willing and Innocent Tour. They rocked the heck out of this one, the screen in back actually had a herd of long horns with red eyes glowing. Modern bands suck compared to what used to be!
Damn, that background going with them playing this song must've been fucking cool. I'd had loved to see that!! I wish I could've been there to see that!
OMG I saw this tour too in Buffalo and I had forgotten the longhorns with the glowing eyes till you mentioned it! I do remember this song was the last song of the encore the night I saw them.
one of the best southern rockers ever...i saw them every time they came here....i saw them with Molly Hatchet when Molly Hatchet's first album came out...had front row seats....it was the PLAYIN' TO WIN tour....still have my concert program
Outlaws opened for Skynyrd at the Spectrum in Philadelphia in 76, great show. Ashame this live music is gone. Still listening today. Hughie and Billy almost stole the show. Than Ronnie and the boys came on. Both were great.
In ‘79 they did a benefit for a young girl with some disease outside Philly. One of older friends had done roadwork for them so was able to get me in. It was a small show and I can still remember sitting off stage by the stairs drinking a Genesse cream ale and being surrounded by sound. My days are getting shorter so memories like this are awesome.
Agreed but originally it was a Western in 1948/9 (Stan Jones). It's one of the top 100 westerns of all time...according to the Western Writers of America. The song was released by several singers over the decades. You'd be surprised. Check it out. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(Ghost)_Riders_in_the_Sky:_A_Cowboy_Legend
seen them in NYC at the old Palladium 1980 and then pier 54 on my Birthday 1981, with great friends who are now ghost riders NEVER forget them, OUTLAWS Forever...... RIP all.......
Saw them in May of 1981 at Kings Dominion amusement park, north of Richmond, Va. High school Sr night. Great show! Billy Jones was still with them on lead guitar.
Damn..I Love them all...Man I grew up in Tampa 1970 to present , growing up in Town and Country and going to Lowry Park ( before it was anything) watching Huey and the boys jam under the "shell" for nothing, not a dime,(other than the dime bag or 2 we had ) this was before anyone really even knew them...man what a time ,love em
The Outlaws were originally going to play the Spectrum with Iron Maiden opening... For some reason they changed the venue to the Tower and recorded it for MTV I was there!
.......and that is how it s done ......saw them opening for Molly Hatched in Germany Essen Grugahalle 1983. They took no prisoners and started hier show with this song. Still remember it just like yesterday. I feel sorry that I missed Billy Jones. Molly Hatched appeared with Danny Joe Brown, Dave Hlubek, Duane Roland, Riff West, Bruce Crump and Bobby Ingram. I feel sorry as well, that I missed Steve Holland......luv ur music, attitude and southern vibes from down there🙏keep it up
This is brooks Rountree from Akron Ohio got a love this video Freddy really rocked it out I think he really had a lot to do with the success of this song
I bought High Tides Forever when it's been released, still got it nowadays and guess I been listening to it a little less than 100 000 times since then :))
Summer of '80 in New Orleans. Lunch at Busters in the Quarter and hurricanes at Pat O'briens all. night. long. One of the best summers of my life. Where are you now Laura Daniels?
I remember seeing the Denim jean jackets with bands like Molly Hatchet, .38 Special, Allman bros.& Outlaws painted on the back. Even the heavy metal bands as well like Iron Maiden. Great artwork on most of them.
A Classic Southern Rock Band that never got it's equal due. Yes they charted & they had a good run. Mention the Outlaws now as you would the Allman Brothers band & lynyrd skynyrd, most people would say "Who". In my book equal guitars to any other Southern Rock band.
saw these guy molly hatchett Marshall tucker 38 special allman brother with charlie daniels late 70 early 80 at west palm beach speedway in middle of the summer on white sand infield it was so hot but we didn't care 12 hours of music lits of beer and few of the funny looking cigarette lol amazingly i remember those days
