Classic instrumental from my youth I remember in 2 places: 1. at my grandma's house & 2. American Bandstand during the half hour break. RIP 2 the unofficial "5th Beatle"!
This was also the period in music when the synthesizer was being used and the introduction of sound shapes (square, cube, opake and oblique), was being introduced. Circa 1973.
@Thedanner1000 Because there's no one FUNKY enough to be Billy Preston. He was one of a kind. He changed the sound of popular music back in the 1970s. It seemed like half of the TV shows back then copied this song. Everybody needs to funk at least once a day. The world would be a better place.
I had to find another version of this because my other one got taken off youtube. This has been one of my favorite songs since it came out. I spent hours at the local record store back in '73 looking for this 45, couldn't find it and settled on "Will It Go Round In Circles". When I finally flipped it over to see the B side it was this song.
@lrich65184 Actually, this was not the theme from the Rockford Files (they do sound similar), but "Space Race" was used as theme music on American Bandstand.
@rjciccone yeah, i'm sure mike post was consciously, or perhaps, unconsciously influenced by this song. it most certainly defined the direction of 70s/early 80s tv music, imo
@shinybald36 While Billy Preston did also play harmonica, I'd be surprised if he had written this song, which is intended to be very funky, for harmonica.
@lrich65184 Same era but completely different artists and influences. I believe Mike Post did the Rockford Files theme, but It did not necessarily follow a direct copy of Billy Preston's music. But the sounds of each are undeniably cut from the same artistic cloth of the early 70s.
after this I just always looked forward to the second half of the best two words on tv American Bandstand and the Spotlight Dance that followed station identification
If reincarnation is a reality, then I want to return as a keyboard player and be able to play like this, one of the funkiest instrumentals from the 70's, incredible music!!
Excellent!! "Space Race" was the tune played for "American Bandstand" with Dick Clark when the program would take a break for commercials after 30 minutes on ABC Television ... starting in the 1977-1978 Television Season. I like that song. A Moving 6!!
I only wish my fat white ass could get on the dance floor and move to to the groove with this song! ;)
mrdap1313 2 weeks ago
Who's the douche who dared to dislike this? WTF!
MrNYCman530 3 weeks ago
From a time when people were just discovering what a synthesizer could really do; from funk to classical, it's all interesting.
DoctorJK3 6 months ago
I have this one.
oakland2949 7 months ago
Classic instrumental from my youth I remember in 2 places: 1. at my grandma's house & 2. American Bandstand during the half hour break. RIP 2 the unofficial "5th Beatle"!
Tubesterist 8 months ago 2
Space Race, holds a very strong likeness to Edger Winter's "Frankenstein".
kevin5555ist 9 months ago
Billy hit #4 in Billboard, 11-24-73. God bless ya, for postin' it. RIP, brother Billy! Thanx!
DaveWollenberg 9 months ago
This was also the period in music when the synthesizer was being used and the introduction of sound shapes (square, cube, opake and oblique), was being introduced. Circa 1973.
directorofmusc 11 months ago
He mastered the keyboard for sure. Love this tune! Any why hasn't a movie been done on his life?
Thedanner1000 1 year ago
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tripfunkmonster 1 month ago
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@Thedanner1000 Because there's no one FUNKY enough to be Billy Preston. He was one of a kind. He changed the sound of popular music back in the 1970s. It seemed like half of the TV shows back then copied this song. Everybody needs to funk at least once a day. The world would be a better place.
tripfunkmonster 1 month ago
He mastered the keyboard for sure. Love this tume
Thedanner1000 1 year ago
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hauusddfd 1 year ago
Great memories!
CatsEyes1717 1 year ago
I had to find another version of this because my other one got taken off youtube. This has been one of my favorite songs since it came out. I spent hours at the local record store back in '73 looking for this 45, couldn't find it and settled on "Will It Go Round In Circles". When I finally flipped it over to see the B side it was this song.
tripfunkmonster 1 year ago
Ron O'Neal (of Super Fly fame) was playing this tune at his house party in When a Stranger Calls (1979) OH YEAH!!!!
BeardedViking 1 year ago
I can see where the theme from Rockford files came from
lrich65184 1 year ago 4
@lrich65184 Actually, this was not the theme from the Rockford Files (they do sound similar), but "Space Race" was used as theme music on American Bandstand.
rjciccone 1 year ago
@rjciccone
Preston's estate should maybe sue Mike Post?
ClassicTVMan1981X 8 months ago
@rjciccone yeah, i'm sure mike post was consciously, or perhaps, unconsciously influenced by this song. it most certainly defined the direction of 70s/early 80s tv music, imo
ultrakool 3 months ago
@lrich65184 have to agree just replace keyboard with harmonica
shinybald36 1 year ago
@lrich65184 have to agree just replace keyboard with harmonica, still great playing, love the rythm.
shinybald36 1 year ago
@shinybald36 While Billy Preston did also play harmonica, I'd be surprised if he had written this song, which is intended to be very funky, for harmonica.
99nicegirl 11 months ago
@lrich65184 Same era but completely different artists and influences. I believe Mike Post did the Rockford Files theme, but It did not necessarily follow a direct copy of Billy Preston's music. But the sounds of each are undeniably cut from the same artistic cloth of the early 70s.
TheEldoradoKid 8 months ago
45s at cook's hi-fi
tSKiLove1 1 year ago
Beautiful copy of this 45RM!! Yum!
RaymondTVinyl 1 year ago
SO FAB!!
RaymondTVinyl 1 year ago
Billy was great. He's now gone-thanks for posting this. You do NOT hear this or Outa Space enough.
mowm88 2 years ago 2
after this I just always looked forward to the second half of the best two words on tv American Bandstand and the Spotlight Dance that followed station identification
radioscott1 2 years ago 2
Yeh, I remember when they played this on Bandstand, but I never the name of it or who did it. I may have heard it on the radio some over the years.
fordude60 2 years ago
Cool song. And clever selection of video for this version, with the clip of the 45 playing on a turntable.
Steve98052 2 years ago
If reincarnation is a reality, then I want to return as a keyboard player and be able to play like this, one of the funkiest instrumentals from the 70's, incredible music!!
3811iberis 2 years ago 2
Excellent!! "Space Race" was the tune played for "American Bandstand" with Dick Clark when the program would take a break for commercials after 30 minutes on ABC Television ... starting in the 1977-1978 Television Season. I like that song. A Moving 6!!
Green18600 2 years ago
@Green18600 Yep and the dancers would be sitting with Dick on the bleachers all moving from side to side in unison and clapping to the beat.
MsTexas73 6 months ago
AHH MAN I COULD SHAKE YOUR HAND!! I never knew the name of this song but hummed it for years.Thank you
shengchenfan 2 years ago
well, i was not familiar with this music from Billy! thank you so much for posting. i rarely dig Moog synth like this :)
check my videos, lots of funk!
c u.
humanvynil 3 years ago 2
thanks for the comments -- Billy rocked the Moog like few have - much to dig indeed!
rjciccone 3 years ago
It was ARP Pro Soloist, actually - according to ARP's brochure of the time.
androidvision 2 years ago
@humanvynil Actually, the synthesizer Billy used was a Pro-Soloist!
plungerdrum 11 months ago