KEVIN JOHNSON"Rock&Roll I Gave You The Best Years Of My life

[oct201981]

WHAT A CLASSIC !!, WHAT A VOICE , WHAT A STORY. GENUINE REAL LIFE POETIC LYRICS. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WORLDWIDE NO 1, BUT THEN AGAIN THE CHARTS ARENT WORTHY OF A SONG OF THIS CALLIBRE

[22witchypoo]

Saw Kevin Johnson in Hobart about 33 years ago, his music has soul, it brings back memories of a great night.

[vintage52]

Bought this in the early 70s - evocative lyrics brilliantly sang - of a time when music meant so much to me. Lost the record in a house move and had to replace it - I now treasure it and play it when I'm in a soulful mood. They dont write songs like this any more........ Kevin has a lot of fans in England and the record is often played by Johnie Walker on Radio 2.....thankfully

[cinderella0307]

Dank Proxy-Server-Wechsel hab' ich jetzt endlich auch Zugang zu den in DE gesperrten Clips. Und diesen Song hier hab' ich schon lange gesucht ...

Danke.

[Brettosophy]

I recall when this was on a wrap of American Top 40 (Sunday mornings in NZ) and Casey Casem described this as 'the ultimate rock 'n roll song'. he is fantastic - and what a tribute.

[MrPogiSteve]

Last I seen, a few years ago, he is living in a Northern Beaches suburb of Sydney.

His son was in the Sydney production of "Jersey Boys"

[ROB31956]

they just do not make music like they use toooo

[snorley51]

i totaly agree mickb55.so much talent.what ever happend to kevin.

[73soulboy]

Where oh where do people find these wonderful, rare old bits of video.Fantastic stuff from 1974.Although it didn't chart here until January 1975,when it got to number 23.Pax to all from 73soulboy.Xxx.

[andy92712]

I do believe this bloke was raised in Rockhamton before he released this song

[MrGarvo27]

its ironic that he ened up writing a classic like this

[Tequila484]

I remember this song so well, It was John Cave William Shakespeare who use to sing this song all the time, one of his favorites. ,Although he has left us for the gates of heaven last year to sing with the angels, The one version he changed was while making sweet love to you in your bedroom, I was only just one step behind you. Miss you John and love this song, A memory I live with, Annie484

[gstacy100]

One of my favourite songs. Every time I hear it I seem to go back to my childhood when I would hear it on the radio.

[mannmikeful]

yes, and I can still remember when I bought my first guitar......

[zach35100]

Saw his show once in Dublin. This song was one of the standouts in a most remarkable night.

[andersjanice]

Still sounds as good today as it did when first released all those years ago.

Loved it then and love it now.

[liverpoollad431]

I played in a band in the 70's and into the early 80's. We were good, but not quite good enough to really make it big, so we eventually split up and went our separate ways. It was towards the end of our days as a band that we discovered this song. It seemed to sum up our journey completely. Little wonder it has remained a fim favourite ever since. We failed, but we all had a great time in the process.

[2615browning]

The appeal of this seems to just go on and on. I bought a copy in the 70's and then updated to cd not so long ago. It really does seem to be timeless. It just works. Certainly, it will remain on my playlists for many years to come, and even

longer perhaps.

[Manchesterman167]

I first heardthis song while driving aeound Europe. I liked it then and I have continued to like it ever since. It captures the striving to succed and also the philosophical acceptance of failure,

[Electricchris1]

memories :) this song on the radio of my car ty so much :)

[Mary1Claire]

I've always loved this song ... and still have the 45rpm ... Magic! ... Thankyou

[bagup59]

Think he wrote this song for me and thousands like me !

[baird55aus]

Such an easy song to listen to. He wrote and he sings it like he did!

[mrs2amazing]

i never new this man was so good can sing i am only fourteen

[mollymitch1]

@mrs2amazing You are certainly different from the normal 14 year old. I have an 18 year old who listens to my Community Radio program and I play 50s to 80's so you're not alone.

[spbcameraman]

fantastic singer/songwriter, i love this song,still nice to see kevin is still giging today. just NOT in the uk

[nyosito]

@camper. Terry Jacks couldn't write a hit song to save his life. Overrated singer as well. Even the words to Seasons in the Sun were written by another Australian which he ripped off too. And Bobby Wright's version was far better than the banal effort by Jacks.

[bjcollis]

sorry camper .... you are wrong. Kevin Johson is the composer....credit where credit is due please.

[chris68939]

Lieber andreasprochaska! DU hast echt Musikgeschmack! Danke, das du uns teilhaben läßt! Liebe Grüße, Christian

[camper69]

But this is a good version nonetheless!

[camper69]

He didn't write the lyrics. They were written by Terry Jacks, an under rated Canadian singer of the 1970's.

[dewangen]

remember me always back to Australia - what a great time

[eenavid]

this is such a briliant song so well written.sad as hell thou..shud be redone by todays artists....

[bekindunlimited]

Great 

[mixsetup]

We played this song at our radio station yesterday and I didn't know who it was I asked the others as it is such a great song and he is very good.

[darrenjray]

Quite possibly the best Australian composition ever. And Kevin has a heap of them. 'Iridescent Shadows', 'Over the Hills and Far Away', 'Grab the Money and Run'. Do yourself a favour.

[DocBrewster]

@darrenjray To coin a term of the vernacular, "Fuck oath!"

[Moorlough1]

Lovin' this song! Just heard it played on Midwest Radio in Ireland a few minutes ago. Haven't heard it in so long, I had to check into Youtube and listen again. Cool song. Cool singer.

[skodajim]

just heard over the hill and far away,good 1

[bostonpicky]

Awsome. Not heard this for many years :o))

[skodajim]

i like this song very much from the other side of the world from u kevin [IRELAND]

[FlorryMc]

I've listened to that song so many times especialy every time I thought about giving up this music game Till I realize tis not about success but doing it THANX for the inspiration

[danglissa1]

my sons went to school with his son, but they never found out who his dad was until his son became a star in jersey boys, in the sydneyproduction..,30 yrs later,lol

[freddieseal]

used to play this song around the clubs in the liverpoool area . one of my favourites never ever forgot the words.

[HUMPHRIESification]

Great song which I haven't heard for years & that I used to play when I worked as a solo in the 70's.

[locomotion60]

Does anybody have a video [or know how to look it up on you tube] of Kevin Johnson song called Friends of mine? [Roy Orbison]

[ronalron1]

Finally found it again after all these years!....was despairin..thanks..

[jratt2]

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

[daffonfire]

Absolutely wonderful!!!!

[arclinux]

I've heard this song when i was 4 . I don't remember where. I haven't heard it since then. i searched it for 6 years. Now,at 14 i found it. Thank you very much.

[pyrofella]

Have not heard this in years - great tune - what ever happened to those days ? thanks for posting

[apache30]

I love this, emotive song

[lynflanigan]

Great Aussie talent - so many memories of this song from my younger days.

[gdpunk4life]

What a great song!!

[paddioche]

Rip uncle mick

[mickb55]

Just wonderful why wasn't this guy a global superstar? I know, heartfelt lyrics, great voice, great playing, integrity. Thank you for posting -love this to bits!!

[myshelley8]

Best Song ! Play it repeatedly on the long drives...

[sunitakochon]

I lost a friend his name was Kevin Johnson. I don't know if he is gone, but I love this song for him. Whereever u are my dear friend I love you.

[lathyrusvej]

Great song, I love it :-)

[anneml07]

I just love this! Fantastic words with a haunting melody -what more does a song need? Why isnt this available for download?

[schusterlehrling]

Kevin.

You may never be a star, but you gave a whole lot of nice songs to us.

Thank you for that from the other side of the globe.

[annerose22]

I can still remember......:-)

[darshane1515]

from the first time I heard Kevin sing in the 70's I was a fan.

[TomGilfillan69]

locomotion60...the song is

BONNIE PLEASE DON'T GO



[locomotion60]

@TomGilfillan69 Hi Thank you for that. I now have found it . I could'nt remmber the name of the song [Bonnie please don't go] . Once again thank you. Cheers.

[alfredhitchcock8]

Yeah, great song and hardly ever heard today. At the same time Kevin released this, it was also done by New Zealand singer, Craig Scott. Craig's version did better on the charts in N.Z. and was really nice. Craig Scott was one great singer with a big local fan following and creditable score of hits to his name, but I always preferred the original Rock and Roll, by Kevin Johnson here. Beautiful video, too. Wish my back yard looked as pretty as that.

[Biggus63]

Another of his songs, "Over the hills and far away" is the equal of this in my opinion, and does for idealists what this did for musicians. Being an idealistic musician I love them both......I can't help but thinking he's been reading my mail-or was, at least!

[puppydoug]

@Biggus63 Yep, just read your comment and have to agree 100%. Check out OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY by Kevin Johnson, if you can find it. Really well written and a good retrospective story in song.

[skodajim]

grate song

[TheSierrapete]

this great song echos our lives in so many ways great lyrics and sentiment i love it

[hillpost]

The lyrics. All true. We have all went down this road at some point in our lives. It could not have been sung any better. Just super.

[locomotion60]

Great song Kevin.[That i was always just one step behind you]. I carn't find the song Kevin sung. She's leaving she's on the ship now she's leaving. Tossing streamers over her way i find it kind of hard that she's leaving.

[ARMAGEDON8875]

a realy love that beautifoul song:)...,Kev u are simply the best...

[Gaffelfall]

Lang, lang her - hörs immer noch gern

[awzstefan]

Das ist für mich ein Musikalisches Fotoalbum,Mir fällt zu jedem Satz eine Begebenheit ein.Wunderbares Lied über eine unwiederbringliche Zeit.

[Edzikozi]

Kevin Johnson is absolutely brilliant!

[Mariaj555]

Ein wunderschönes Lied!! Habe es letztens auf WDR gehört und konnte es seitdem nicht vergessen....

[flamingfrancis]

A standard from a great Australian composer / singer. This work has been copied by many around the world since Kevin's 1975 release recorded in Sydney.

If you can get the CD there are many excellent other tracks.

Backing is by Cool Bananas with Rory o' Donahue on guitar (Thin Arthur, Aunty Jack), Russell Dunlop on drums. Tommy Tycho, music director Channel 7, was the orchestrator and Wayne Findlay string arrangement.

[chrisbannisterone]

I haven't heard this in years, I love this song so much, one of the saddest, most beautiful songs about music ever written. Wonderful

[fmorawitz]

Super Song!!!!!

[spbsteve]

we still want you to come to uk ,forget your bad pass , your such a great talent,dont keep it in aus. steve the cameraman

[boozebuster5681]

just brilliant,thousand thanks ..bbblues

[ivebeenthere1]

I had this record years ago...love this...this bought back great memories...many thanks!!

[RenzoColameo]

Beautiful song. Thanks my Friend !!!

* * * * *

٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•٠•

[mission507]

Awesome, 5 stars,... great rock n roll story

[anitashelby]

Very Lovely & Heartfelt Song!!! 5*s Thankyou mission for sharing....Anita.

[19rosco46]

Gr8 song!!!!

[MrEffortless]

One of my all time favourites,.Thanks

[mastertusk]

well get off your arse hank and find that scrag and beat the shit out of her...the bitch

[skodajim]

its just a nice song.i love it

[ufothe3]

A nice tune,BUT.....It is a strange song in many ways, sung far too ruefully,or regretfully & the chorus doesn't sound much like Rock at all-a pleasant "oom pah" feel to it,none of which is bad in itself, it just leaves the listener really puzzled as to why Kevin Johnson ever bothered to enter the Rock "scene" in the first place.....In fairness,his "Man of the twentieth century" is a better, more definite effort

[skodajim]

great song

[shelkamark]

Welcome to the 21st Century...man...

[hankluvsdagny]

Its a trip--I saw the cover versions by that hillbilly american and the canadian dude, and they don't make me feel as bad as kj cause there's no feeling in the covers. kj knows, and it shows. You cant play the blues on the keys (my instrument) like you can on the axe. This song is like a car wreck--cant look away even if its gory. I'm gonna drink a 12 tonight, i can feel it already. music is no talent american idols while guys who can play and write work at walmart. GODDAMMIT!!!!

[hankluvsdagny]

Too close to home--I HATE this song! Look at 3:50. I could smoke KJ.. My GF was named Suzanne, and she told me I wasn't good enuf and to get a job. I didn't believe her and she left me and she wuz right--not good enuf. KJ's downcast eyes @ 3:54 still makes me bite my lip and fight back tears. MFMFMF! That's ME! That's what makes songs great--people who can relate. One of the best songs ever, but I still hate it and always will--he never met me, but he'll never let me forget I wasn't good enuf.

[phpLD]

Gänsehaut ... das Lied ist ein Traum

[ruthie10101010]

great song, was one of my dad's favs. still can see him sining along. sweet memories. thanks for posting.

[rizla0071]

gives shivers. thanks for the upload.

[maggiesexgodess]

This song reminds me of my dad. R.I.P, Daddy.xxxxxxxxxx

[ruthie10101010]

it reminds me of mine too..... xxxx

[maggiesexgodess]

@ruthie10101010 Bless you and your dad.xxx

[ruthie10101010]

......and you and yours xxx

[justmusicandme]

Beautiful! Thanks, Willem, for sending!

[isli009]

Das ist mittleweile ein Klassiker ! Ein sehr schönes Lied !!! Es wird leider zu wenig im Radio gespielt, aber zum Glück wurde es hier eingestellt ! Ich sage vielen Dank dafür !

[kaptainklutz1102]

Absolutely superb - What poignant lyrics sung so masterfully by this highly underrated musician - where have the likes of him gone?

[dickstermandster]

Great Voice. Always loved this song. Enjoy talented musicians.

[kamiraka]

Warum sind solche Klasse Songs nicht mehr auf den Radio zu hören und wenn dann nur sehr sehr selten.

[lozza241]

He may have been a one hit wonder, but what a song. IMO one of the best songs ever written. Brings back great memories for those of us that grew up in the 60s and 70s. The lyrics are beautiful.

[weenyone]

He did have a few well known songs especially 'Man of the 20th century' which had more of a chuck berry sound to it

[veegale]

Great song from Kevin Johnson from summery 1976 (?) I wish I could have it all back - unbeatable. Have a listen to 1994 eurovision winner Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan - similartites? I think so- both beautiful - one a Gazelle (sorry WBY).

[iirish21]

Since i grew up in Ireland and now living in NE USA, I rememeber this song very well. Can't get it on itunes, I would live to get a copy too please..... Great song?

John

[HIFI121]

Gary Glitter is the original artist...you can find his music on ebay. Good luck.

[alschtir]

...no gary glitter is not the original artist...

[phoenix1916]

U can download it from here!!

[clarebannerman]

I always loved this song. Great artist. Song must be over 25 years old ♪♫ ♥

[catchatoricat]

Kevin Johnson rocks. Brett Paterson [Australian Democrat...next PM] would like to nominate you as a candidate.

[Gaffelfall]

Lange nicht mehr gehört, doch wieder erkannt und gemocht.

Schönes Lied!

[nalydennud]

he sing's this song so easily.

[nalydennud]

ty lol ..

[Ozimick57]

Kevin will probably be remembered as a one hit wonder,but having seen him many years ago,doing the aussie club scene he was a very much an underated singer/songwriter." Yes Kev rock and roll has given us the best years of our life."

[Hudd212]

Fantastic song thought about it for 35 years .Could not track it down until heard it played last week on Radio leeds.What a wonderful selection of comments.

[herschel0815]

Ein klasse Song........Thank Kevin

[GeordieS56]

Anybody know where I can get a copy of the original? Easy to get for Mac Davis who also had a hit in the 70's.

[huppypuppy]

GeordieS56,

Send me your email address as I can, and will, oblige - I have the album it is from!

Joe

[Jusfriend]

Very nice song. In a way, it's very touching. The lyrics sound great. Thank you, Gary, for sending me this tune.

[anitashelby]

Great Song! I loved the story as well..Thanks Gary

[smego36]

This song will last..dont know "Shaney Boy"...

will do in about 2 mins...TYVM...

[garyco345]

Great song, creative and articulate story that comes across most amusing, and performed really well.

[Dixie1947]

Thanks, Gary for sending me this great song.

[laura060366]

Great song!

[scotishjohn]

thanks for share slumber2

remember this

[tradeboy007]

yes indeed Val Joyce made this song famous in Ireland.Kevin toured Ireland in the late 80s to sell out crowds.-5 STARS-I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SONG AS WELL AS "SHANEY BOY"

[losarman]

In Ireland in the 70´s there was only one radio station and Val Joyce played this every week on his horse racing programme. He was totaly taken by this song and so am I. Great song.

Is he still with Suzanne?

[BadAssChopper]

Great Great song.

[1970groupie]

Terrific song and artist. Bonnie Please Don't Go was special to me way back then and still is.

[981661]

Lovely song. Heard it first many many years ago and still love it. Thanks for posting it.

Kevin Johnson had another big hit with Shaney Boy which hasn't survived as well as this one.