Sam Phillips @ David Letterman, 1986, drunk, stoned, or Joaquin Phoenix?

[Zubrus555]

Yeah David is the best ,,Jay leno is fake and awfull

[sammycut1]

Omg that was too funny.

[OldMusicSoul]

reminds me of Waylon Jennings for some reason lol, If he had a cowboy hat on and a darker beard he could be his double.

[ecavuto]

Sam comes off as a dick here.

[dylankrisandcash]

@ecavuto cause he is

[kincaide67]

What was Andretti's outcome since he had to use a backup car? LOL.

[cottageorgan]

That's just Sam's style. He's a laid back southerner.  A giant of music, a great man and innovater....A

[drucafate]

Sam Phillips was someone that helped rhythm & blues and rock 'n' roll to become very popular. But, by other side, I think he didn't know to direct the careers of various artists at Sun Records. Many, many good recordings just saw the light twenty years after. Harold Jenkins (later, Conway Twitty), Roy Orbison, Barbara Pittman and many others didn't shine at Sun Records, but in other labels. 

[MrRecordbuyer]

Whoa....Sam was in another universe during that interview!

[ridewave444]

Yep, "kthanid83" you're right. Less bullshit phoniness back then. Also, for once all the clueless losers on here that comment about someone being drunk, high, or on acid on here will be right! lol Phillips is definitely drunk of course, which makes it interesting. :] The dumbasses who think some of these people that act kinda weird on these shows are high or whatever don't have a fucking CLUE about drugs. Lol

[ThePieIsLie]

Don't miss the upcoming sequel to I'M STILL HERE (the lost years of Joaquin Phoenix), I WENT BACK (in time to screw with Letterman).

[adaption27]

"How do you use buck teeth and make a million dollars?, you know its not a lot of people that can do that"...... Damn, I woulda slap that guy for that!!!!!

[rockypc24]

indy 500 report at the beginig for micheal or mario andretti

[billwx1]

@rockypc24 I remember that Mario had to start at the back of the pack because he couldn't use the car he qualified with. I think he actually came up close to the front before it was over.

[26highstreet]

Nothing worse than trying to be polite to an inn your face drunk

[potterscotter]

WHAT A FUKIN TWIT

[douchebag]

sam is obviously fucking hammered he is indeed a genius but u people r stupid to think this all part of his unique style i mean c mon listen to him "they all drop by and it just happens they all drop by they all drop" haha that drunk fucker is just living life the way u should

[surfmcgoogler]

I think if you've had a few drinks the energy in that room would be a little too scrutinizing. Sam kind of creates a weird vibe and the audience doesn't know how to react. Dave's just trying to patch things up the best he can.

I'm a Letterman fan who knows that the show could be a little hostile and unwelcoming to some personalities. Dave + tension = sarcastic comedy.

Not that Phillips is an easy interview. Although he does seem quite intelligent and perceptive.

[xander7ful]

"You're gonna have to work a little tonight for this one, son..." I think he probably didn't like Letterman or being on the show and probably was somewhat drunk as well.

[mjrooney7]

Sam was just lucky that Elvis walked into his studio that day.

[mickjoG]

so he is dead now right?

[GodFearingRebel]

yes.

[hgates101]

Letterman is the best...nothing is better then a difficult guest with Letterman!!

[Msylarry]

it seems to me that dave got a taste of a good ole country boy that was not interested in any of his silly bullshit andight have even ben a litle bored.  Hell David letterman bores me to death too. He probably just came on the who because he knew Paul.

[mrtwang32]

This silly little show could not handle people like Sam Phillips or Captain Beefheart, men who have forgotten more about creativity and innovation than third-rate comedians like Letteman will ever know. Late night talk shows pretend to be hip and cutting edge but they are just fodder for advertisements and none of them have any backbone.

[mrtwang32]

Sam is not exactly drunk, he is high on himself, and not really impressed with smarmy smart alecs like Letterman.

[Rickstarbrown]

@mrtwang32

your right..

but iam sure he had a few...

[kthanid83]

is it just me or was the talk in talk shows a lot more relaxed back then. less gags, less pretend emotion, less bs in general.

[sazzrhilee]

No I understand what you mean, even 5 months after you comment :), I like the fact the background isnt "Fake" !.

[AccordionManiac]

@kthanid83 Absolutely. Or at least Letterman's show for sure

[fleischpudding]

@kthanid83 so true!! something happened in the late 90s

[spipes31]

Yeah or a Rice Blacklisting. Enough for a "book and a movie".

[theprickfuck]

i think the first two

[mrrudyfrimmel]

This guy is obviously a legend but to come on the show that drunk...Im surprised his manager or publicist didn't stop him from going out. It is interesting to see Dave's handling then, and how he dealt with Joaquin....now he'll just make fun of you, ha!

[silverglobe]

nobody can hide from youtube now lol... .wow sam.. your family will be proud when they see this!!!!

[ck1film]

Letterman couldn't handle himself then (his nervous mug drinks) - now he walks all over any guests they throw at him like a cocky son-of-a-bitch

[Garveergor]

Neither, I think. Sam, apparently, was always like this. Crazy visionary whom few people understood. Genius.

[danmonsterhog]

drunk and on pills imo

[Anglynn74]

Woah, he's definately on SOMETHING. What that something is I'm not sure. I'm thinking alcohol. Most certainly under the influence of something.

[kolst8406]

I saw this live, but had forgotten it.  Sam was a bit menacing.

[friskylamar]

This is one of the first things I ever recorded on my brand new Betamax in '86. Thanks so much for posting it for all to enjoy ! ! ! !

WOW!