Dick and Dee Dee sing 'Lightening Strikes from Shindig'

[SomebodyGroovy2]

This was from the last episode of Shindig on Jan 8, 1966. This was a "tribute" to the show (Batman) that was replacing Shindig in ABC's schedule. Seems like I read somewhere that it was filmed in color but broadcast in black and white since all previous Shidigs were black and white.

Yes, the skit is silly but hey, the Blossoms look incredible! I am a big fan of Darlene Love

[RoadNasty]

In her book, DeeDee indicated they hated these costumes and doing this particular skit.

[dwcar101]

I just finished reading DeeDee's fantastic memoir....what a great and eventful experience she had. It brought back many wonderful memories from the 1960's. Dick and DeeDee were one of a kind, the best couple act of the 60's.

[geolson1]

Wow I remember this...excellent, and thanks for sharing!

[trollop19]

The shindig band was always awesome!

[gayboylaca]

I really like the costumes and this song - and the Blossoms to the right are awesome. I always loved anything Dick and Dee Dee did - their songs were so fantastic.

[misterlove3301]

Dick & Dee Dees scopitone of "where have all the good times gone?" is pure gold! Was that filmed on Balboa Island? Always loved this song & lost my mind to see these two do it...WOW!!!

[urgdaddy]

This is so F'ing funny....so precious. And I'm 61. Just don't repeat it.

[oceanbound222]

I love this song and this version..  The Supremes are also good.

[dylandollyspud]

What a crappy film, only saved by what appears to be the Blossoms with Darlene Love

[PtolemyJones]

Always thought the lyrics to this song were sooo sexist, but that doesn't stop the beat and chorus from being contagious.

[keca1430]

Didn't Shindig do a countdown of top songs each week, and the various guest stars and staff singers took turns singing other people's hits each week? Isn't this part of that weekly bit on that show? I recall that's what Bobby Sherman and other Shindig regulars on there did, sing the top hits of the week.

[nasty6uldv8]

the wire  lol

[blueblazer68]

It is a bit dumb, but the talent is undenyable. I always thought Lou Christie made this song famous, but could it be it was Dick and Dee Dee? Both were great and thanks for this old video.

[SxTMinMan]

Good song, good duo but it amazes me that the producer(s) would think this stupid skit would be entertaining

[bottibabe222]

love this song...my nickname is DEEDEE...:)...cool baby...

[vortexnyc]

wow...i didn't know joan crawford was ever on shindig! kleck gekleck! joan batman kleck! super kleck!

[unclebobunclebob]

Batman can't fly.

[apple1953]

Freakin hysterical!

[Girardite]

Lou...we loved you at Kent State in 65...

[cw12054]

Dick St.John die in 2003 after falling off the roof of his house

[blinko656]

Costa Mesa Feb 14, live in peerson along with kathy Young!!! Im going...

[heebieandjeebie]

I love all you done, to entertain and to make people smile with your music.THis music will be with us foreever. It is thye greatest like wow!!!! David in Delray Beach Florida

[TonyRezko]

This was the final Shindig! and the shows theme was tributes to all the new ABC shows. Yes it was Batman that replaced Shindig in January 1966.

The producer Jack Good left the show in fall of 1965 over creative differences. The end of an era in 1966, NBC's Hullabaloo would end in August of 1966. The TV airwave became saturated with the music shows in 1965 with Where the Action Is, Shindig, Hullabaloo, Hollywood-a-go-go and American Bandstand that is what did in this genre.

[ncasti]

Guys , thanks for this post! If I am correct, SHINDIG! was canceled for BATMAN. But if you ask me, SHINDIG! was canceled due to the upheaval in the music business soon to take place. Sgt. Pepper was in, classic singers like the Everly's, Righteous Brothers, soon to be out..

[blinko656]

Im glad I ain't the only one that dresses up for his wife in a Batman suit. A couple of VO's and some Advil and Im there. LMAO

Mike

class of 67

[rslitman]

I remember seeing you and Dick do "Thou Shalt Not Steal" on one of the first "Shindig" shows in fall 1964. As a 12-year-old girl, I liked your hairdo a lot. I see that you have a performance of that song from "Ready Steady Go" posted. Any chance of being able to post your "Shindig" performance of it? Thanks for the memories!

[nerdelicious5]

cool video!

[Koach127]

Dee Dee, are you and Dick the only ones who remade this song apart from Klaus Nomi?

[dickanddeedee]

We never recorded this song, only sang it this one time for the Shindig final show. It's a great song and no one could sound better on it that the original singer, Lou Christie.

Dee Dee

[blinko656]

You are a class act Dee Dee. You give a compliment where it's due.

Mike the Firemen from Sacramento

[jimrodman]

yeah you're a class act...Lou Christie was cool.

[Thadmotor1044]

@dickanddeedee LOVE YOU DEEDEE , mountain high was so great and ive been sharing it with all my fb friends . it is now the unofficial song for puppy , the pup that was recently rescued .

[pziebold]

@dickanddeedee good cover

[jolivia]

at the time, Batman was just about as big as the Beatles--great clip!

[marvtu]

Don't forget to credit the Blossoms at the background

[dickanddeedee]

The Blossoms were fantastic backup singers and especially in Darlene Love's case, powerful talents on their own. In the Lightening Strikes video they are, from left to right, Fanita James, Darlene Love and Jeanie King. I wrote a long tribute to them on my blog (YouTube doesn't allow posting blog or website addresses).

Dee Dee Phelps

[ffa14]

LOL!-This is completely zany.Thanks.I've never laughed so much in ages.

[tomovox]

When I first saw this, it blew my socks right off and whatever hair I had left was blown right off as well! I came to know of Dick and Dee Dee by watching these Shindig! clips, and now they've been added to the list of performers I really enjoy. I love the musical arrangement of this version and Dick and Dee Dee are just fantastic- look like they're having such a great time!

[tapthat12]

one of my favorite songs from the 60s. great video. thanks for posting

[kenedwards88]

also, dee dee - if your reading - i'm ordering your book, "vinyl highway," TODAY! all dick & dee dee fans (or 60's rock & roll fans for that matter) should consider checking out mrs. dee dee phelps fasinating memoir which chronicles her amazing life and dick & dee dee's remarkable, peculiar and sometimes frightening journey through rock & roll history!

[kenedwards88]

1st of all - i don't believe batman had the ability to fly! 2nd - this must have been like being asked to make one's own noose! poor dick&deedee - asked to portray characters that were bringing a great gig (shindig) to an end! batman took shindig's spot in the abc lineup from what i understand.

[everich69]

LOL! I remember watching this when I was 5 years old with my older brother (by 10 yrs) and 2 older sisters (by 8 & 9 yrs) --- I asked them if they remembered watching this LONG TIME AGO and if Lou Christie was BATMAN. Of course they don't...I have to send this to them! THANK YOU FOR GREAT VIDEO ARCHIVES (& helping me prove to them I'm NOT losing it!) : )

[7NTM61Ic]

This is actually quite a good version, though of course the Lou Christie recording rules. The cider house rules too. ;-) /// Do you mean to say this is not lip-synched?!

[glamourpho]

need to remember tho,lou christie which i loved had the wall of sound to help him when he recorded such songs.dick could have done as good a job easily. no doubt.

i love mountain high. after all these yrs i still get goosebumps.

werent yall friends way back in jr high?

[ivycompton]

Very interesting backstory on this. Thanks, DeeDee, for commenting here! Really appreciated. "The Mountain's High" remains one of the greatest, most soulful songs ever in my opinion. You & Dick's voices together made magic!

[dickanddeedee]

We appreciate the positive feedback. More videos are available on the Dick and Dee Dee website.

Dee Dee

[kenedwards88]

more positive feedback!

[kenedwards88]

dee dee, thank you for your response to my question i posted at the site of you dick clark interview video. i hope everyone checks it out also! ken

[bobdwilliams]

what wonderful times, thanks for posting this dickanddeedee! I love you guys

[Shlongy]

I'll take the Lou Christie version, thanks.

[dickanddeedee]

No one could ever sing this song like Lou Christie, one of the great all time talents and a great friend. We did this song on Shindig in honor of Lou and by request of the producers of the show. Dick and Dee Dee never released this song as a record because no one could ever sound as great on Lightening Strikes as Lou Christi. (Lou, your fans are quick to defend!!)

Dee Dee Phelps (Dick and Dee Dee0

[Stemolandmar]

Saw you signaling the "hoisters" to hoist Dick up in the air! LOL! That's good stuff. God I miss those days. Thanks for the memories DeeDee! You guys were the best!!

[dickanddeedee]

Thanks for your great comments. You might want to check out the Dick and Dee Dee website for some more great vintage videos.

Dee Dee

[altfactor]

FYI: "Batman" was created by Bob Kane.

Also: The TV version of "Batman" would premiere on January 12th, 1966, just days after this episode of "Shindig" (one of the last episodes if not the very last episode) was broadcast. ABC heavily hyped "Batman" in the days prior to it's debut, often running promos or on-air mentions three or four times an hour!

[dickanddeedee]

You're right! This was the last episode of Shindig to air. Dick was upset because the mask covered his face and he never knew when the show producers were going to hoist him into the air...I believe that was why he acted "overly dramatic." The back up singers are The Blossoms. Thanks for posting a response.

Dee Dee Phelps (Dick and Dee Dee)

[dickanddeedee]

You're absolutely right about the timing of the "Batman" show. When Shindig left the air (Alas!), Batman aired on the same network days afterward. Regarding who created Batman, I'll leave it to you to give people the correct information, which you've done. Thanks for that.

[iamogod]

did stan lee steal the idea for his comics?

let me know<LO

[dickanddeedee]

This clip of Lightening Strikes, sung by Dick and Dee Dee, was created to promote the new tv version of "Batman," which would replace Shindig in the line up. Stan Lee created the idea for his comics many years before.

Dee Dee Phelps

[hiker99]

Baman comics started around 1939 by DC comics. Stan Lee was with Marvel comics

[ScanMan]

I did not know that Batman Could sing :o)!! Thanks for posting the song!!!

[dickanddeedee]

I doubt if Batman can sign, but Dick St. John (of Dick and Dee Dee) managed to sing his way through Lightening Strikes, while flying wildly back and forth over the tv set of Shindig. It was the last Shindig show ever to air. Thanks for the comment.

Dee Dee Phelps