Fantastic Friday Smorgasbord at the 2023 Birthdays of Musical Greats Colin Blunstone Jeff Beck Mick Fleetwood and Arthur Brown
by Robert Wilkinson
Late June featured the birthdays of 4 extraordinary musicians! A big Happy goes out to Colin Blunstone of the Zombies, guitar master Jeff Beck, Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac, and an old friend of mine, the remarkable Arthur Brown.
Given the prodigious output of these 4, it would be impossible for me to give you any true sense of how important each of these have been to rock music over the past 50 years. That said, I've found a few videos of each that will give you a sense of how great each of these remarkable talents have been.
We'll begin with Colin Blunstone (24 June 1945). Lead singer for the Zombies, his voice graced all the major hits, and just kept going through a long and distinguished solo career. He and Rod are still going strong, giving us new interpretations of some of the true musical classics of the 20th century!
From a bygone era, but played almost every day somewhere on earth, Colin on lead vocals with the great Rod Argent on organ, and the rest of the Zombies live on television a long time ago performing their #2 hit from 1964, “She’s Not There” (complete with some very real screams! Yes, they had that effect when they played!)
Think of all these as twist tunes! Live on Shindig in the same era, their second hit (also written by Rod) to reach the top 10, “Tell Her No”
From Shindig in 1965, the Zombies live doing a very exciting rave up rocker, “It’s Alright By Me”
Last year I had a great live tv performance of our next song, but this year it’s disappeared. So instead, you get the original studio version of this mid-60s rave up written by bassist Christ White, the electric “What More Can I Do,” and this is a GREAT Live at the BBC performance of “What More Can I Do”
From the UK first album, “I Can’t Make Up My Mind” and “I Know She Will”
Here’s the only known color footage of this great band! From the Summer of 1966 at the Hippodrome, the Zombies offering up “Got To Get A Hold of Myself”
Here's a rare find! It's the Zombies in 1967 in a performance in France! The Zombies obviously liked their R & B! This year I still have the clip of them cranking out the great Smokey Robinson song, “Going to A Go Go,” and from that same gig, here’s their cover of the Isley Brothers' hit ”This Old Heart of Mine."
From Live at the BBC, the Zombies giving us another live version of ”This Old Heart of Mine"
A few more from the mid-60s!
This obscure gem from the first album was the follow up to “She’s Not There.” "Leave Me Be" and another, "I Must Move"
Written by Colin, this gem was featured in the late 1965 movie Bunny Lake Is Missing. Last year I had the sequence in the movie with the Zombies on the television at the bar, but this year it’s gone. So here’s the studio version of the somewhat dark and brooding R&B “Just Out of Reach”
Also from the movie “Bunny Lake,” two written by Chris! “Nothing’s Changed” and "Remember You"
Here’s the studio version of bassist Chris White’s song “I Love You”
Speaking of that song, here's the very rare album titled I Love You
Here’s another Rod composition that made the top 3 in the Summer of Love! From a 2005 live performance on Belgian television, “Time of the Season”
Here’s one of the greatest albums ever recorded! From 1967, it’s a classic of psychedelia and the atmosphere of the Summer of Love. From beautiful ballads through some very trippy stuff into some rockers and timeless classics, all written by Rod Argent or Chris White, here’s the entire 34 minutes of the legendary Zombies album, Odessey and Oracle
I found it again! There’s a “great lost Zombies album” from 1969, titled Imagine the Swan In Floral Street, which was shelved after the band broke up and wasn’t released until 2000. I’ve noted the writer of the songs as I found them through research. For your enjoyment, the great lost Zombies classic studio album Imagine the Swan In Floral Street.
(Track list: “Never My Love,” "I Know She Will," (CW) “Smokey Day,”(CW/RA) “Unhappy Girl,”(RA/CW) “I’ll Keep Trying,”(RA) “Conversation Off Floral Street,”(CW/RA) “Walking in the Sun,”(RA) “If It Don’t Work Out,”(RA) “Sometimes (Acid),” “ Telescope (Mr. Galileo),”(CW/RA) “Girl Help Me,”(CW/RA) “I Could spend the Day,”(CW/RA) “Imagine the Swan.”(CW/RA)) - [ADD: These tracks were also released in the compilation Zombie Heaven.]
From that album, a single track. "Imagine the Swan."
After the Zombies Colin had a great solo career interpreting tunes written by others before he got back together with Rod a few years ago and resurrected the Zombies as a contemporary act. For your enjoyment, here are a few from his solo years.
With Dave Stewart, he hit big with “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted”
For the first encore, here’s an entire concert! DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!! It’s an amazing show from March 2008 at the 40th anniversary of Odessey and Oracle! This featured the reunion of the 4 living original band members, and was the first time this album had ever been performed live! Here’s a full 56 amazing minutes of The Zombies - Odessey and Oracle Revisited 40th Anniversary Concert
While that show is impossible to match, our encore gives us Rod and Colin at their best! Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone – The Complete 2013 Summerstage Concert
Our third encore is a ripping set from the BBC back when they were on top! For your listening enjoyment, the very live The Zombies Live on the BBC
And for our final number of the tribute, the “new” Zombies in 2012 giving us a great performance of “I Love You”
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From here we move into Jeff Beck (24 June 1944 – January 10, 2023) and his remarkable guitar work with these great pieces:
From January 1966 on Shivaree, the Yardbirds live doing a rave up of “I’m A Man”
Here's a b/w tv performance of "Heart Full of Soul"
Also from January 1966, the Yardbirds doing “Still I’m Sad.”
This is said to be the "first psychedelic rock classic." On French TV, an interesting “live” lip synched “Shapes of Things To Come”
At the 1966 NME concert, a great live performance of "The Train Kept A Rollin'"
From the late 1966 movie Blow Up, the Yardbirds featuring both Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page in a classic performance where Jeff is featured smashing his guitar in a (staged) random fit of destruction! “The Train Kept A Rollin’”
From 1966 at Palisades Park, a cheesy lipsynch of “Over Under Sideways Down”
And yet again, on the UK TV show, A Whole Scene Going with Jeff Beck, the Yardbirds lipsynching to the studio version of “Over Under Sideways Down”
In 1966, they added Jimmy Page on bass, and the classic lineup was born! Here’s 7 minutes of live performance footage from that year! “Train Kept A Rollin’,” Shapes of Things to Come,” and “Over Under Sideways Down”
In this 1966 Milton Berle Show clip, the Yardbirds with Jeff and Jimmy Page on twin lead guitars lip-synch to the original studio version of “Happenings Ten Years’ Time Ago”
Here’s a fantastic live performance clip from 1967 after Jeff left and Jimmy Page took over lead duties. While it doesn't feature Jeff, it's still one of the most psychedelic raveup tunes of the era and Jimmy Page SMOKES in this Beat Club performance of “Happenings Ten Years’ Time Ago”
Here's the original full studio version, with Jeff and Jimmy on dual leads and John Paul Jones on bass instead of Chris Dreja! “Happenings Ten Years’ Time Ago”
From later in his career, Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart reunited in LA to do one of Jeff's biggest hits, "I Ain't Superstitious"
From the same show, Rod and Jeff doing the great Curtis Mayfield ode to Spirit, "People Get Ready"
From 2009 in Madison Square Gardens, here's Jeff and Sting doing "People Get Ready"
Here's Jeff and the Reverend Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top doing a tribute to the greatest, "Foxy Lady" at the 25th anniversary of the Rock and Roll hall of fame concert.
From the same 25th anniversary concert, here's Jeff Beck and Stevie Wonder doing Stevie's mega-hit, "Superstitious"
Also from this 2009 25th anniversary at his induction, here’s Jeff and his old bandmate from the Yardbirds, Jimmy Page, doing one of Jeff's signature tunes "Beck's Bolero” and "Immigrant Song."
And now the superstar tribute that closes that show! Featuring Jeff, Jimmy, Flea, Ron Wood, Joe Perry and a bunch of other major league talent, here’s the band doing the old Yardbirds rave up standard, "The Train Kept A-Rollin’"
We’ll begin to close this brief tribute with a great 8 minute clip from the Iridium Jazz Club in NYC in 2010 where Jeff plays some original rockabilly and rock and roll in a tribute to Les Paul. Jeff Beck - Rock n Roll Party Honoring Les Paul 2010
For our closing numbers, some great ones recorded when Jeff toured with Brian Wilson! First, from 2013 in Georgia, an incredible pair of beautiful tunes! “Our Prayer” and “Surf’s Up.” Next, also from 2013, this time in Houston, “409,” “Surfin’ USA,” and “Fun Fun Fun.” The final clip from this tour comes from Montclaire, NJ with a rollicking “Barbara Ann” and "Surfin’ USA., (Jeff RIPS on “Barbara Ann”!)
I was at this classic show at the Greek Theater in 2013, hanging with my friend, the awesome keyboard player Paul Haugen! Various clips come and go, and last year I had the entire 2 hour and 30 minute show on one clip but it’s disappeared. However, I did find three clips, all with Jeff Beck’s guitar weaving sonic sounds in the mix. We begin with the great Blondie Chaplin taking the lead vocals on ”Sal On Sailor.” This one is beautiful with Jeff Beck’s guitar taking “lead vocals” on ”Surf’s Up” and the closer’s a great medley of Brian Wilson and Friends Live at the Greek Theater - "Barbara Ann" and “Surfin’ USA” (Jeff Beck SMOKES on his lead on "Barbara Ann." The other guitarists just stare trying to figure out what he's doing! Set list at the video; simply awesome!)
For our encores, three shows! Our first concert is from 1999, a rocking 1 hour 27 blast featuring Jeff Beck live in Tokyo - 1999
Our second show is an hour and 40 from Ronnie Scott’s in London in 2007! For your enjoyment, Jeff Beck Live at Ronnie Scott’s – 2007.
For our final encore we have two clips from a remarkable show! The first features two of the best guitarists in history, Jeff Beck and Stevie Ray Vaughan in Honolulu performing a screaming guitar duet of another of Jeff's most famous compositions "Jeff's Boogie." I also found a smokin’ 44 minute clip! This is definitely worth watching if you want to see some serious jazz blues guitars. Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jeff Beck Live at the CBS Record Convention - Hawaii 1984.
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From here we move to Mick Fleetwood (24 June 1947). If you want to hear some amazing early Fleetwood Mac performances, please check out the 2021 Birthday Tribute to Blues Master Peter Green in the archives from last October.
From The Midnight Special television show in 1973, Fleetwood Mac in their brief incarnation with Bob Welch, Christine and John McVie, Bob Weston, and Mick! Here’s they do a great live performance of "Miles Away" & "Believe Me"
From Santa Barbara in 1976, Lindsey and Mick cranking it out on "I'm So Afraid" (This is around the time I saw them in Austin - magnificent, even if the band was fracturing internally.)
From Apr 1976, live on The Midnight Special, a great performance of "Rhiannon." From that same show, "World Turning"
From a 1977 concert, Mick setting the pace for a major performance of "Go Your Own Way"
From Nov 1977 in Oz, great version of this song! “Go Your Own Way”
From the Tusk documentary, a very live performance in 1979 of "The Chain"
Here are the Mick Fleetwood Blues Band with Rick Vito doing some early Fleetwood Mac greats! First, "Oh Well"
For more great Fleetwood Mac performances from 1971-74, please check out the 2022 Bob Welch birthday tribute in the archives of last September. After Bob left Fleetwood Mac in December 1974, they called Lindsey Buckingham and offered him the lead guitar slot. So for more great performance clips from 1975-1987, please revisit the 2022 Lindsey Buckingham birthday tribute in the archives of last October.
Even though I gave this to you in a clip upstream, it’s so good we’ll close with it. It’s from the 1997 video The Dance, an extraordinary performance of Mick’s pounding beat, John steady rhythm, and Lindsey’s wailing guitar and voice on the amazing "Go Your Own Way" (The last two minutes of this clip are astonishing!)
For our encore, we’ll take the “way back” machine to 1968 when Mick was pounding the skins for Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, and the young dudes were taking the UK and Europe by storm! For your enjoyment, one of my favorite clips from their early days, 11 minutes of pure electric blues gold. Another show that’s definitely worth your time! Fleetwood Mac Live in Paris New Year's Eve 1968
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From here I'll wish my old friend Arthur Brown (24 June 1942) the best of birthday greetings! Though most remember him for having a flaming wig on fire as he took the stage, he's actually a very gentle, wise, thoughtful spiritual man, and creative in more ways than most would suspect. For your enjoyment, we begin with a 1968 Top of the Pops version of "The Crazy World of Arthur Brown" and his biggest hit, the incredible "Fire"
From 1968 at the Beat Club, a psychedelic video of Arthur very live doing “Fire”
Courtesy of Peter Sykes' 1968 head-trip film The Committee, we get Arthur and organist Vincent Crane in a very surrealistic performance of "Nightmare"
Here's a rare treasure from 1968, a performance (in color, no less) by Arthur of "I put a Spell on You" and "Nightmare" from a 1968 TV Programme about Gerald Scarfe the artist.
Arthur doing an interview interspersed with a live performance overdriving the mic diaphragm belting out Kastival 1968 - “Nightmare”
Here’s the entire studio album from 1968! “The Crazy World of Arthur Brown”
The studio version of "Rest Cure" (B-side to "Fire")
Last year I had some very early footage before his Fire costume from 1965-66, but it's disappeared. Something else which is blocked in the US is his 1969 album Strangelands, eventually released in 1988. So instead, I found this 1974 album. For your enjoyment, Dance with Arthur Brown
Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come in the studio versions of "Come Alive," and "Gypsy."
From June 1969, an audio only 41 minute full show of the Crazy World of Arthur Brown in Central Park! The Crazy World of Arthur Brown Live in New York City 1969
Last year I had an 8 minute creepy live performance in Glastonbury, 1971 by Arthur Brown’s Kingdom Come but it’s disappeared. So instead, here’s a 1970 BBC session where Arthur and KC perform Arthur Brown’s Kingdom Come – “Simple Man” (1970)
From 1975, Arthur doing the great Animals' hit, "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place"
From 1999, Arthur doing a great acoustic performance of "I Put A Spell On You"
From late 2009, Arthur in a jazzy electric performance of "I Put A Spell On You"
From 2010, a great video of "Kites"
From 2011, fronting the Hamburg Blues Band, Arthur live giving us the Animals’ classic hit, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” From the same gig, “Nightmare”
Also from 2011 with the Hamburg Blues Band in Nuremburg, Arthur giving us his version of the hypnotically harrowing tune written by the legendary Peter Green as he was sinking into chaos, “The Green Manalishi” (Please go to the Peter Green link at Mick Fleetwood’s tribute to hear the original in its haunting, pounding, menacing glory!)
We’ll close with 35 minutes of a live show from the Jazz Café in London in May 2014. Arthur Brown at the Jazz Café
Our encore is a full hour and 41 of Arthur in Los Angeles! The Crazy World of Arthur Brown – the Zim Zam Zim tour 2017
For a treat, here’s Carl Palmer and Arthur Brown talk about the 60s (Carl was Arthur's original drummer before ELP)
An on this note, we finish a truly great musical birthday marathon and celebration of 4 remarkable musicians all born on June 24! Happy listening, and a very Happy and Merry Birthday to all. May you all live to play on and on and on and.....
Copyright © 2023 Robert Wilkinson
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