The Jaggerz - 'The Rapper'

[sauquoit13456]

On this date in 1970 {Jan. 31st} "The Rapper" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; it peaked at No. 2 {for 1 week} and spent a total of 13 weeks in the Hot Top 100!!! (I did notice that at the beginning of this video it shown that Record World had it at No. 1)

[mvs784]

never knew donny iris was from this group up untill a few yrs ago! thnx 4 posting it !

[klaus0]

Essa música saiu aqui no Brasil com o nome de "Não Vale Nada - The Fevers"

[NBFLASH]

@klaus0 The translation to this comment is "This song came out here in Brazil with the name "is not worth anything - Secondhand Serenade". Thank you. :)

[tragiksun]

raps not dead its exploited

[sheliaann]

I love this song, I did a search for it because it was in my head when I woke up this morning. I am 42 years old now and I remember listening to it as a kid (when I was 10/12 or so) and jamming out. lol

[NBFLASH]

@sheliaann Thank you for the comment. I never thought the type of replies I'd get when I first posted this video. The best comments come from those who have served our country over the years, especially during the late 60s and 70s when the song was released. My father and The Jaggerz helped soldiers feel good and gave them a sense of hometown freedom when it came over the airwaves overseas. Anyway thanks again for your response. :)

[strictlycomments]

@NBFLASH Awesome! This was my favorite song when I was 11 yoa. My 24 yr old brother-in-law had a 34 ford coupe hot-rod, and I remember hearing this song on his car stereo back then. Thought the brother-in-law was the coolest guy...and this was the coolest song! I'm 52, and he's now 65...and still my brother-in-law. Still a cool guy...and this is still a cool song! Please thank your Dad for us!

[777butch777]

This song represented my initiation into listening to rock and roll as a 15-year-old. I thought it was great then, and 42 years later I feel the same!

[avdreader1]

I always liked this song.

[kourosh89]

I typed in "rapper"

[spideraxis]

In the 1950s,1960s and 1970s a lot of great music was made. The majority of music today is is pure cRAP, especially RAP.

[FraterSoddi]

This was pink and weak when it came out and time has not been kind to it. Now his CDs are being sold through a cheapjack hot dog chain.

BTW, I come from the same town in Western Pennsylvania as Donny Ierace and have you ever seen George Romero's zombie movies set in W. PA? They are not fiction.

[NBFLASH]

@FraterSoddi The Jaggerz, The Rapper, and George Romero's zombie movies all have one thing in common besides Western PA. They're all classics. And when they came out they were innovative and ahead of their time influencing those who came later. It's all good though. It's Christmas! :)

[FraterSoddi]

@NBFLASH Well, Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band released "Lick My Decals Off Baby" in 1970, King Crimson released BOTH "In the Wake of Poseidon" and "Lizard" that same year, "Deep Purple in Rock" was #1 on my personal charts and the first "Emerson, Lake and Palmer" album ran a close 2nd.

James Brown's "Sex Machine" was a hit as was Stevie Wonder's "Signed Sealed Delivered".

We obviously have different ideas regarding what's classic.

[SUZZEE08]

nbflash did ur dad cut a record i thin not so I aint gonna cool down You will not disgrace my father by saying he sang about hitting woman he never has never will and elvis if u met my dad I want to know how he passed away 2 years ago

[NBFLASH]

@SUZZEE08 Are you kidding me? My dad was an original member of THE JAGGERZ! From 1965 to 1971, 1989-? I know exactly how, when, and where the song was written. YOU obviously have mistaken me for someone else. If you aren't convinced I'll personally send you a picture of my father's GOLD RECORD for THE RAPPER! The song he was the drummer on, and it wasn't Pugs! Donnie told me personally the song was written with my father's soulful style in mind. So YES my dad did cut a record!!

[NBFLASH]

@SUZZEE08 I never once said it was about raping. Get your information straight! Which of the Jaggerz is your father?

[landasn]

@SUZZEE08 - Not to get not the middle of this but I'm confused when did NBFLASH say the song was about hitting women. I read that he said it was about 'hittin' on women" which I took to mean, trying to pick up women. I certainly won't claim to be an expert on the band or the song but it sounds plausible, when I hear the lyrics. Did I miss something?

[landasn]

"Hey girl, I betcha, there's someone out to get ya,

You'll find him anywhere, on a bus, in a bar, in a grocery store.

He'll say "excuse me, haven't I seen you somewhere before?"

Rap-a-rap-a-rap, they call him the Rapper.

Rap, rap, rap, know what he's after."

[sheliaann]

@SUZZEE08

*hitting on* does not mean violence. It is a term for *flirting* or *trying to get a date* or to *talk to someone*

ie: That dude was hittin on that chick hard man, and she turned him down cold, he walked away with frostbite.

NOT....that dude *hit* that woman and she ended up in the hospital.

[SUZZEE08]

If you truly want to know about this band the base player is my father and no its not about slapping woman its about trying to talk to them. rap= talking damn get ur shit straight

[paynecharles500]

That song is great even after all these years. Not at a "rap" song but a real talk and get things done story. I remember listening to it on the school bus. Yes, still sounds great after all these years. I like the way the song starts. Makes you want to listen to it. Wow

[TheRichie46]

Another 45 I inherited from my older sisters when I was a kid. Love them so much for their great taste in music and just in general. My late sister met Jim Morrison. How many of you out there can say that?

[peejay1954]

Actually, just met him yest'day. I been busy and real hungry, just finished eating de day b'for yest'day. Burrrp. 'Scuse me Mam. Thankya Vrmuch. Love Elvis

[HinknownUnson]

It sounds really good to me...thank you.

[justindowty]

i was agreeing with you, i posted that as a reply to some stupid fuck talking about chris brown and shit being real rap. im not retarded dude

[justindowty]

@alexxxxxx real rap is Lil Wayne? icp?? CHRIS BROWN?!?! youve gotta be fucking kidding me i listen to a ton of rap, real rap, and this music right here is better than ANY of your bullshit rap

[Themightykruise]

@justindowty rap? really? ICP? "youve gotta be fucking kidding me" -justindowty. By the way the rap you are thinking about was made up around the late 1970s. and if you havent noticed the song was made in 1970. Please research the music you listen to it helps you understand what they are trying to explain over their song. thank you and have a nice day :D

[PimplySwede]

I've always liked the way the song ends. It's perfect.

[correiro]

What a cool song! I always loved this one. Nice production and vocal arrangement.

[RamblinHusky]

"Rapping" just meant talking.......nothing more.

[YoungWolve1]

back then rapping meant hitting on a woman. Now many rappers rap about hitting woman. the irony

[oceangirllorna]

a super great tune just love it... brings back some great memories when it was on the top of the charts... could listen to it all day .. thanks for sharing.. these guys knew how to get a place rocking ,,

[slipperyskeeter]

The great harmonies, distortion, percussion. What  catchy tune - Love it !!!

[zipsrule]

Yinzers.

[zipsrule]

Best song ever .

[hamslice15164]

@zipsrule LOL fool!

[drumiceman]

@alexxxxxx this is not 2011 garbage. its real rap music

[tommieparch]

they sound like a black group, like the O;KASIONS did. i like the fuzz pedal, 4 notes & they sound like iron butterfly.. fun song . wish u could post the long version.. thanks . tommy

[raponte1955]

Why this usually is labeled as bubblegum? It has a rough edge to it, so I don't think is bubblegum.

[zipsrule]

@raponte1955 Because it was AM music.

[Bensmom511]

OMG! My sister played this 45 CONSTANTLY! Being 6 I kept wondering why they were singing about a "wrapper"! : - )

[epicsmashmob]

This isnt worth nothin

[zacpier]

I suddenly like rap better now XD

[SGTdoodoo]

@alexxxxxx

BWAHahHAhaHAhaHa, how old are you 10? troll somewhere else little boy

[MrPatches45]

@alexxxxxx what an asshole

[NBFLASH]

@ alexxxxxx. Awww someone tryin to show he knows music, how cute! Listen dumbass. This song is about 'rappin' which was how guys hit on women back in the day. Its not a rap song or a rap group. It was #1 in 1970, over 40 years ago. On a side note THE GAME sampled their 'shit' on his 2008 CD LAX with Nas, Lil Wayne, etc. Unbelievable you let yourself post 'that shit'.

[RRGary]

@NBFLASH

Everybody ought to cool down.

This aint't nothin' but gold ol' late `60's early `70's club music.

Pre-disco, when a small group (4-5 pieces) could make a living playing this style of music.

[ExitMusic720]

HAHAHA nice! I got to perform this song with the Jaggerz themselves as part of the Canonsburg Middle School stage band back in I want to say 2000 or 2001. Played drums along side their drummer. We were the first group to start an annual tradition that I'm pretty sure lasted until our director, Michael Caporizzo, retired.

[RASinger]

Sayyy... isn't today the day that kook said was THE day of Rapper!?

What?

(Pause)

Oh. RapTURE.

Ummm..... nevermind.

Love this song though!

[meesan77]

Fun song!

[oldbimmercoupe]

jimmy pugliano rules!!

[NITTANYRAY]

NBFLASH I knew your dad in HS. I was a Sophomore when he was a Senior.

He was also a pretty good Basketball player.

We used to go to Rochester and Elwood City to hear them play before they hit the big time. They were great at recreating the oldies back then.

After the Rapper went to the top of the charts most of the members of the group bought gold Lincoln Continentals. I saw there cars around NB a couple of times.

[rcinkan1]

from my hometown the steel city of pittsburgh

[deemilieu]

this was a great song!

[primogennaio]

Boy does this bring back memories. Such a fantastic song.

[RUFREE2SIMI]

This song reminds me of the my 16yo babysitter who also worked at the KFC near Sherman Oaks when I was like 9yo...And you are correct it's about guys picking up chicks with a some good rap, hence The Rapper!!!

[tony0000]

Along with Venus and Travelin Band (CCR) , the best thing on the radio in its day.

[yngwiestrat2012]

believe it or not the guitarist in this is my grandpa. eugene benny faiella sr. i dont really see him all that often though because hes never around. but its still cool to be related to him

[tikidevil]

@musicguy550 The mid-section and chorus is so funky--perfect bed for some free flow.

[drumiceman]

@WiccansEatShit be quiet

[katan2026]

14 years old and had the single playing on my little record player, dancing in my room with friends. Where did the time go? So nostalgic to hear again after all these years.

[1RONSTER714]

@WhiningWiccans ONE WOULD THINK PEOPLE TODAY WOULD BETTER EDUCATED, AS FAR AS MUSIC HISTORY AND THINGS, BUT YOU AND YOUR SHIT EATING BUDDY SUCK! AND THE COMMENTS YOU MADE ARE RETARDED AND IT SHOWS WHAT IDIOTS YA'LL REALLY ARE! NOW GO LISTEN TO YOU GAGA CDs and WATCH YOUR beiber videos you jackass!

[1RONSTER714]

@WiccansEatShit YOUR A RETARD!

[1RONSTER714]

Heard this in the 70's on a little am portable. I took the single earphone and spliced a another together with it and the sound was fantastic for am. They did not make stereo ear phones back then so I had the only one till some friends saw what I did and wanted me to fix a set for them. Don't know how many I made! I still have my set somewhere. Man, the memories! THANKS!

[CaptainReverb]

I've loved this song since I first heard it when I was 13- 1970 was a fantastic year, so many great memories are wrapped up in these songs.Thanks for posting it! -Mike

[ffieditor]

Yep good old time bubblegum music. This was super hot hit, remember it extermly well. It came out the year after Sugar, Sugar, Sugar. and bad moon a rising and Vinus. I was in a garage band that played song like this. This was at the beging of the undergrould music movement, when FM was starting to take over. When group like grand funk, led zip, yes and before soul and funk took over and became disco.

[NBFLASH]

@ sthsam. my father was in this band and the drummer on this song. it has nothing to do with rape. its about guys in clubs hittin on women. donnie iris wrote it as an observation when the group would play clubs and bars all over. do your research.

[lmgavin]

@NBFLASH Always loved this song and it just popped into my head and I had to hear it. Tell your dad I said "thanks" for a great record.

[deemilieu]

@NBFLASH  'getting a rap' was urban speak back then for hitting on a chick.

[finnemccool]

@deemilieu I liked this song a lot when it came out. It was one of the few songs that used "rap" when it meant  just talking. It was a popular slang word in the early 70s before it was taken over by Hip Hop.

[thechrilado]

@NBFLASH There's always someone stupid trying to put a different meaning to a song! Love this song!!!! Kudos to your dad!!!

[chardonnay501]

@NBFLASH That is really cool. This was my favorite song in 1970. I was in 5th grade. Our classroom would always put on rapper when the teacher left the room. Great memories.

[gore53]

@NBFLASH I've so many adolescent-coming-of-age type memories associated with this record. Tell your dad, thanks. The record, as so many from the AM era, sounded much better 'compressed' and pumping from a big tower. For me, that would've been 'LS' and 'CFL' in Chicago. It all sounded great from the tinny speakers of 1961 Olds.

[sthsam]

You do realize this song is about a rapist right? Lol look up the lyrics.

[bibbler227]

@sthsam You do realize that you have no idea what you're talking about, right?

[ArvideAbernathy1]

The lead singer of The Jaggerz (who wrote "The Rapper") was Donnie Iris. He also had a Top 40 hit in 1981, with "Ah Leah!" when he was with Donnie Iris and The Cruisers....

[TheYOuNgGen]

God how I wish I could've been born in time to enjoy the 70's

[NBFLASH]

The Eagles were not formed by anyone from The Jaggerz.

[spahnranch69]

Didn't one of the guys from this band go on to form the Eagles?

[tmartin781]

An old guy at my school likes this song. He should retire...

[tornmask]

i used to run towards the radio & listen, everytime i heard this song! =0)

[BassistsRockMore]

my roomates dad plays guitar for them... yup... they kick ass btw

[steggieone]

That bassline is fucking SICK!

[Geraldolini]

Fuzzzzzzzz Box!!!!

[goldsmice]

I always figured this singer was black....

[chairjockey1]

This song is so cool. I was fourteen when it was on the radio.

[rolewicz3]

one hit wonders!!! oh yeah!

[ch0000ch]

Donnie Iris was too funky for himself even way back then...the stuff we call legends!!

[funnel29]

i LOVE this, a real blast from the past

[angeldevil808]

my 2 great great uncles r in dis!!!! billy maybray and sum1 else>>>



[MrJamesrnolan]

Penny looked at her galpal Jean as the lanky,well dressed ladies man sauntered over.He layed out a spiel most likely practiced in front of his mirror on a daily basis.After a few moments pondering over his come-ons,she informed him "Who do ya think you're kidding 'stud'?" adding "Get lost,chump!" In a far corner,a young bespectacled fellow named Dominic Ierace,had observed all this and chuckling,thought "I oughtta write a song about that guy-his rap was a joke!",then left to do just that.

[MrTotter12]

I've been looking for this song for over a year. I put rapper in you-tube no help at all. Lucky a friend knew the group. Love this song. Unless you know the name, you won't hear it, shame

[cesky69]

more cowbell!

[3306372264]

Donnie Iris was part of this group!!!....very under rated ...!!!!!! thanks for the post

[NBFLASH]

Actual old school video of The Jaggerz on it's way...

[brucec43]

@NBFLASH True. I know for a fact that the Eagles were formed by two assholes.

[keaster55]

Always liked this song. It's funny at the beginning of this video they talk about the bubblegum years. On a local radio station they had a contest and I was like the 5th caller or something and I won a bubblegum song and a plastic hammer to break it with. It was probably from the 1 2 3 Bubblegum Machine. Anyone else know of some goofy old bubble gum songs? Let me know!

[sincyn69]

hey thanks for posting this it's been in my head for like a week now, & i was hoping that someone had put it on Utube :)

[Welshbluesman]

Chord sequence goes like this: A-B-D-E...simple!

[baysadaye]

It barely went to #2. Please correct this error.

[NBFLASH]

It went to #1 on Record World Charts which at the time was just as big as Billboard charts...See 10 seconds in. But I'm more concerned why you said it 'barely' went to #2. What does that mean? Did the charts come with a 'Barely made it' category? Don't think so. Correct your error...Gimme a break.

[SolarTiger]

I'm with you...are you trying to negate a truly rockin' tune...I remember getting ready for school and hearing this on Top 40...not the usual fare...years later...one of the most underrated rock songs of the Decade...I salute you NBFLASH

[Farrah300]

Barely went to #2? I agree with you. I don't quite understand that. This song rocks!!! It's #1 in my book!!!

[south78texas362]

@NBFLASH As maybe he said it barely went to #2 because it only lasted one week at #2 and possibly another song had a better push that should have been #2. Billboards up until the 90s pretty relied on airplay than anything else.

[NBFLASH]

Actually there was a more echoing version my dad said was another version.

But it was always the same song.

[phil7779]

I bought this single and still love it, brings back some good memories too!

[unitedautoandresto]

How great is this song !!!!!!! Rock'n in the 70's

[purplerocks666]

FUZZBOX GONE WILD !

[Pottic20xe]

das ist ein 60ger

[gustavrea]

The bass and drums kick ass on this tune...

[NBFLASH]

Thanks for the message. My dad is the drummer on this song. The Jaggerz actually had 2.

[gustavrea]

That kicks ass!!!

[jimbailey69]

@NBFLASH  I was at Fort Sam Houston with Thom's son many years ago (1991).

[babagoo58]

@NBFLASH

Yur DAD IS killer!

1 hit wonder is better than anything in the world!!!

taxiboysdrummer

I'm a no hit wonder ______________ I do good videos though.

[maicodoug]

I believe the effect is from a Gipson Mutron, and is remixed from a bass track. The dynamic created with this song kinda gives you the impression that there is now a gorrilla in the pool with the wall of fuzz in the middle of the choris. Hammered distortion from plain strumming, like you were just on a stroll down the street, then.....(fuzzzzz) THE RAPPER SHOWS UP! I like the "jones'in" in the middle of the song by the vocalist. KHJ played it about 10 times a day

[tommieparch]

@maicodoug allways thought they used the long defunct royal distortin fuzz, if u got one try it ! we used it in the 70,,,,,s & people thought we were them! tommy ,rock bros.

[thiznat]

I appreciate your vids, Bill. I just want the music!

[smartkart]

These fake videos suck. You'd think that since the Jaggerz made TV appearances and still play there would be at least a couple of real videos of them. There must be a strange reason there is no video of them on Youtube since there is of just about every other artist from then or now.

[NBFLASH]

Imade this video. Lol. I do have The Jagerz on video but haven't been able to convert vhs to dvd yet. The Jaggerz were on American Bandstand in 1970 however according to Dick Clark Productions the lost 2-3 years worth on video when they made the move from Philly, PA to L.A., CA. And the years just happen to be 1969 -1971. The Jaggerz were on 1970.

[PinkChocolat07]

What's really cool about this song is that part of it still has that 60s sound but than it switches to the first sounds of 70s funk.

[NBFLASH]

So true. Donnie Iris wrote this song around the drum style of my dad. He said my dad's soulful style and sound is what you hear. Kinda salsa funk with the soul rock. Very unique song.

[PinkChocolat07]

Your dad was in the group??

[NBFLASH]

Yes. My dad is Bill Maybray who is the drummer on The Rapper. He was also the singer and writer of the group's debut song in 1968.

[gustavrea]

Now thats REAL rap music.

[Farrah300]

You got that right!!! The stuff they call rap isn't even music. It's JUNK!!!

[thiznat]

Love the slide show, gave it 5 stars but, be prepared to be shocked......The Rapper was my least favorite Jaggerz song.

I know...

What A Bummer...Baby, what a drag!

[Farrah300]

To each his or her own.