Tom Waits - Rockpalast 1977 FULL SHOW PROSHOT 

I saw this homeless guy singing a couple summers ago. I told him he sounded just like Tom Waits. He said that's because I am Tom Waits. I really couldn't argue with him about that. I like to think Tom would agree with him as well.

Saw Tom Waits at the Orpheum Theatre in 1978 and it changed my perception about performing art. music, poetry, and story telling. One of the things I cherish most in this world are people who are simultaneously authentic and unique. He is all that. BTW, saw him again in San Francisco in 2004, and he hadn't lost a step. Tom Waits is a true American Treasure.

saw him 3 times shook his hand once for about 5 min he asked if I was finished and I said nearly to which he said take as long as you like

Special Shout Out To The Man Who Turned Me on to Tom Waits Years Ago his name was Martin Keown . he owned and ran a Record Pool for DJ's in Philadelphia . worked his ass off . he was so influential to so many people . loved you bro and miss you man Rest In Peace My Brother he had the DEEPEST BLUE EYES I EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE 💙💙👍

I maintain that a joint, Tom Waits playing in the background and a comfortable chair is the closest to peace that we can get to.

Those people sat in their seats and applauded as if it wasn't the most perfect performance they would ever witness.

Tom Waits is a national treasure.

He's not just a singer or songwriter, he is a painter of words.

I was transported in time. I saw Tom Waites in 76 or 77. come across this video on an insomniac night. and whoosh I was in my 26 yr old body feeling life that I thought was gone.

I'm convinced Tom Waits came out of the womb a 57 year old alcoholic 1930s jazz musician

The OUTSTANDING Musicians playing here: Frank Vicari - Saxophone Dr. Fitzgerald Jenkins III - Double Bass Chip White - Drums And of course the one and only: Tom Waits - Songs, Vocals and piano

This was the most beautiful show. I truly felt like I was there. Magic.

There could never be another Tom Waits.Absolutely unique and a treasure to the world

Step Right Up 1:24 Invitation To The Blues 7:22 Depot Depot 14:03 Jitterbug Boy 17:29 Pasties And A G String 23:39 I Wish I Was In New Orleans 29:33 Fumblin' With The Blues 33:46 Semi Suite 36:25 Emotional Weather Report 42:06 Bad Liver And A Broken Heart 46:23 New Coat Of Paint 51:08 I Can't Wait To Get Off Work 53:33 The One That Got Away 57:02 Small Change 1:02:00 Tom Traubert's Blues 1:11:46

Saw him at THE BOTTOM LINE in Greenwich Village in the early 70 s He was and is one of a kind.FANTASTIC.

43 years ago....damn time has gone by fast since these songs were new and I was still a young dude digging them before going out on the town. Now I'm an old fart digging them at home hiding out from the fucking Corona virus so I can live a bit longer.

I'm glad he has lived long enough to grow into that old soul of his...I hope it's gotten easier to carry with time. Thanks for all those phat heart tunes Mr. Waits

earthy poetry, Chicago bar room blues, is how I describe it. love it. Smoky basement bar A couple of drunks,, a few business men who can't face goin home, hooker or two hoping to pick up a little late night work, lovers, oblivious to all sitting at the table in the corner, barman cleaning a glass, dreaming of better things to come, and Tom, on the little stage, playing piano, singing to himself!

The best. Ever. Saw him in '77 for the third time, seen him 8 or more. All iterations and he kicked ass in every one. Nobody comes close to Tom Waits.

I forgot how much I love Tom Waits until my wife asked me who wrote All my friends are married ( I was playing it on my guitar) so I showed her. Now I'm listening to his songs all the time on youtube and I'm buying his old albums on CD. I'm having trouble typing this because I am listening to him now and laughing too hard. What an unique genius. His IQ must be off the charts.

This Concert is Fucking Incredible!!..He's a Genius...

I saw him at the old California Theater In San Diego during this same era. I pray I never forget it.

Tom Waites is an absolute genius his songs are straight from the heart, so deep some a little dark but isn't that just life yep he's the best 😁🐒

Man, he really digs into the time of the opening cut, Step Right Up. Really makes it swing. Thrilling. And he's doing this to his own tune. He created this world.

Every time I hear this guy I try to figure him out. Every interview or appearance of his. He is the coolest person in the building. I would love to read his autobiography.

The best concerts I've ever seen in my lifetime.

"you wear a dress baby, I'll wear a tie, we'll laugh at that ol' bloodshot moon in that burgundy sky" Genius

'Waltzing Matilda' breaks me to tears. He's so great.

Notice the musicians supporting him are top notch. 👍

Saw him twice in one day. Akron 6 pm then Cleveland 12 am. Unreal.

on a foggy night will always be my favorite song

I was lucky enough to pay opening act for Tom at the Troubador in Los Angeles in this era. He bummed two quarters from me to make a call from the public phone booth after the show. Never paid me back, but it was worth the price to hear his inspiring performance. He was on FIRE in the 70s ...

One of the best shows ever to be. Simple, underground, suspicious and jazz. And i haven't found yet what Tom Waits for.

Tom Waits for no man.

Saw this show at Armadillo World in Austin, summer ‘76, fan ever since

This was right about the time of Nighthawks At The Diner. I fell in love with this artist when I first heard Tom Taubert's Blues and Step Right Up. A perfect representation of Tom's work.

completely sublime. if tom waits didn't exist, humanity would need to invent him

Maybe not in the traditional sense, but Tom Waits is one hell of a singer!

this is pure gold. He's really funny too. A stand-upper, a poet and a musician. Love him, never get bored of him.

This set made me thankful for my 4am insomnia... The best "nocturnal emission" I have had in ages. Frank Vicari really owned this material and that bass players tone was to die for. Thanks Tom you magnificent bastard....

“Bad Liver and a Broken Heart” is brilliant (this entire performance is!)... his piano playing is amazing... little teases of, “As Time Goes By”, and the lyrics... You can name your poison Go on ahead and make some noise I ain't sentimental, this ain't a purchase It's a rental and it's purgatory And hey, what's your story, well, I don't even care 'Cause I got my own double-cross to bear “Genius” seems like an understatement.

Happy to see him back, just one year older than in 1976, when I was present at the rightly famous free concert in Hotel Americain, Amsterdam, may 26th. Same people playing excellently. Fumblin' with the blues - forever!

God broke the mold, when he made Tom Waits. Genius.

Some friends tell me Tom Waits is an “acquired taste”. But the first night I listened to Nighthawks at the Diner I was transfixed. Maybe acquired like fine whiskey or Shakespeare. This flooded my memory of the first time I saw him, an evening I remember 50 years later. Agree with another comment, I want to read an autobiography.

Is it just me or does anyone else kind of like seeing that some people don’t get Tom and hit the thumbs down button? I don’t want em in here.

Just jumped here searching for some oldschool sounds, and then just I was like WOW, sing me in! Im in a bad condition for a few days right now and then they came in and I've got this pleassure to meet them and they helped me out. Awesome sounds, outstanding skill of performance of these musicians is something that I needed a lot in those hard times. For surre, this is the first show I've watched, but not the last show I've enjoy a lot. And one about this one is pretty really easy word. MASTERPIECE!

Pamięci Tomasza który wprowadził mnie w świat Toma.RIP

TOM WAITS... Warmest regards (from Poland) You are an exceptional artist. You've never sold out - you haven't starred in an ad, etc. You, Nick Cave, are great. By the way, over duly to the same secret society. Case ? How can you live seeing all the evil of this world... ? 🌹 🌿🌿☘️

There is only one Tom......This is great.

Wow. This is one of the greatest live performances I’ve ever seen.

ahh Mr Waits you never fail to amaze me

An original communicator. Creator of style.

Our premier ARTIST for not just his Era but for always!

Such a fantastic performance - smooth and effortless like a neat shot of whiskey.

Rockpalast sure has caught a few gems over the years...

"An unemployed cheerleader in a overworked sofa". What a poetic picture!

Oh so young and beautiful.... now he's just beautiful.

FUCKING AMAZING

God bless Tom Waits

That bass player's a monster!!

OMG just discovered. Incredible. Thank you Tom for the music, stories, everything…

Tom being brilliant as usual

Undeniably the "coolest" phase for Mr. Waits. If you wanna argue about it, boy do I got something to sell ya. ;)

Ich war vor seeehr vielen Jahren mal in Paris in einem Jazzkeller und dort tanzte ein Paar auf ungefähr solche Musik so etwas ähnliches wie Rock'n Roll. Das war phantastisch.

he flipped me off for passing out in the whole coffeehouse at the u of m in 78'. he was describing the IDS tower and his hand was about 4 feet from my face when I was blacking out. I just about crapped my pants and he laughed. I was a 17 year old suburbanite.

Thanks for posting! In 1977 I had never heard of him, but up in that shithole where I was born just about no one had, and I was only ten. My first Tom Waits experience was about '79, on state TV, the only channel there was. It was from a concert and I crashed directly into 'The Piano Has Been Drinking'. Time stood still. They also used to send shows from Rockpalats back then, but nothing like this. Seems like a jazz club and it can't be more than 50 people. Lucky bastards!

"Fast women, slow horses: unreliable ressources." Tell it as it is, Tom!

Rockpalast shows never disappoint

Un genio fuera de serie , una voz imposible , gracias por compartir este show !!!

Great recording of Rockpalast on German TV in 1977.

He got me through disco. So unique, talented and creative.

My God!! Where was I in this time of history?? This could have changed my life!!!!!

This is one of the best concerts ever. I love this whole performance

Tom is amazing. A genius and a national treasure, nobody else like him.

Tom stuck in my mind with my Paris. Old wooden floor flat with matress on the ground, reading all second hand books of Gallimard and Minuit, listening to Tom Waits for hours at night. Love.

He is beyond amazing. Who agrees with me that much may have been “lost” on a German audience, as his is such a uniquely American experience. I burst out laughing a couple if times and thought sure the Germans didn’t get it. eg, do they understand what an American means by yelling, “chicken! chicken! chicken!!” I don’t know. Regardless, what a treasure of a show! anyone could enjoy the spectacle of his performance. And can we mention the videography? It is GORGEOUSLY done, impeccable! wow! every frame is a painting fun to look at! if that was a German film maker, they DO “get” Tom Waits. WOW. thanks for posting this treasure.

Wowza this a diamond 🐦 thankyou so much for posting this

Hope I´LL get the chance to see him live. I really like (most of) his records but live he`s special deluxe.

He looks like my father in his prime alcoholic years. It was impossible to talk to him, he would act like Tom Waits on stage but without music.

Its also fantastic to listen to the musicians on addition to Tom 😮😮

Thanks! I will put this gem on my channel for kidz!

He's still the best EVER

A perfect antidote in the height of the disco era. Beautiful.

Reading through his wikipedia it said he struggled with touring around this time. You can see it in his tightness here, but this performance is still so awesome though

I was six years then but...my god I wish I was there.

My brother and I went to high school with Tom, and I just wanted to say hello to him and tell him I have been following his fame for a long time.

I love Tom Waits; especially the song "Blue Valentines." However, for some reason; watching this made me think of him as Renfield in Francis Ford Coppolla's movie: "Bram Stoker's Dracula", saying the line: "Master, you promised me eternal life; but you give it to the pretty woman!" Man, if had dime for everytime time I heard that....

Glad to find this--I saw pretty much the same concert (probably a bit shorter) in a small venue in Princeton NJ, must have been 1977(same backing band)--it was awesome! Tom has really grown as an artist, but this early stuff--his chops as a songwriter and a performer--is still great.

Thank you for uploading this gem

Thank you for posting the full show!

I LIKE HOW YOU INTRODUCE YOUR BAND TOM YOU ARE A GREAT STORYTELLER

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

He is rare & copesetic gift!” 👌🙏👏👏

This one can listen to 24/7 on replay

Tom Waits For No One!

Such fantastic music that goes through marks and bones. And such an irresistible voice. 😍

Nighthawks At The Diner album was my first hearing ofTom Waits. This video is great. This is a beautiful/sadtreasure of poetry for sure. Great stuff!

Love you Tom for a long xx, Thank you.

you're going to get a nice cushy chair and extra grapes in Heaven for uploading this.

Thank you so much for uploading this. I have never seen this. Amazing