The Limeliters (1963)

[Kilkieran1]

I just think they were fantastic saw them many times at thei London concerts .In my youth Brilliiant

[George4943]

Wonderful memories. I remember sneaking into a theater to see them in 1963 in Madison.

[jackpark7927]

Alex Hassilev (banjo) had a bit part in the movie comedy, "The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming."

[boblara29]

What great memories. Thanks for this version of Wabash Cannonball. My favorite.

[tampere29]

Thank you very much for posting. Like everyone else I think these guys were the greatest. Listened to by the whole family in the early 60's.

[rwb010109]

Just classic..RWB

[7levelGI]

I don't know how humble my opinion is....LOL ... BUT, I used to hang out back theny in a pizza parlor (which shall remain nameless....( but was called the same thing that happens during an earthquake). And listen to these guys.

We all would have a double hander special and our prefered libation and paaaartay down man. Those were the days ....Loved 'em

[mrwolfhound]

Original Limeliter videos are almost impossible to find.  This one is a real gem with the young (& clean shaven!) Lou, Alex and Glenn... thanks a lot for posting!!

[suzifar1]

52topper, did you mean the Golden Vanity?

"There was a lofty ship and she sailed on the sea

and the name of that ship it was the Golden Vanity.

and she feared she would be taken by a Turkish enemy

as she sailed on the lowland, lowland low,

she sailed on the lowland sea....."

[suzifar1]

I agree the Limeliters were the best! I searched for the Curimao song for years before learning how to spell it. Sing Out was an awesome album - every song a winner. Our Men In San Francisco was equally great. Thank you so much for sharing this!

[stardrive9]

Thank you for sharing...Stephany Yarbrough

[JOYOUSONEX]

God, I love these guys. Had honor to meet them in cleveland many years ago. And have met Glen Yarbrough thru a friend several times in Texas a few years ago. What a voice. What a great folk group they were. Lou G. died way too young. Thanks for posting. Hope you have more. Chuck

[kittyprydekissme]

Has anyone heard a song called Until We Get It right, about reincarnation. I heard it once many years ago, and I was told it was by these guys, but I can't find it anywhere.

[houserehab]

Like the Kingston Trio, the Limelighters were more about "World Music" than about America's more-traditional "heartland" music, I think.

[BigLongJohnny007]

Great group. I have always loved them.

"The Whistling Gypsy" and "The Time of Man" are incomparable, nothing like it being made today.

Scott Lewis

Chamblee, Ga.

[Thorwald88]

@BigLongJohnny007 Great post. I just wrote at another video that I thought the Limeliters version of "The Whistling Gypsy' was the best, far better than that of the Highwaymen. I also love Alex's rendition of Vicki Duggan.

[mpeindms]

Some time ago, probably 1963, I went to Manhattan's Town Hall, basically to see/hear Jackie Mason. He was horrible; well below my expectations. But the hit of MY evening was The Limelighters, on the same stage either just before or after. I loved them and enjoyed their music for years. But, time goes on. I was looking for their version of Rumania, Rumania (one of their best - among so many others) and was disappointed not to find it on YouTube. But this and other Limelighters' was great.

[52topper]

I have admired the Limelighters for years! One of my most treasured records (yes I said records) is "Sing Out". I enjoy all the songs on that album, but my favorite is "Golden Bell". Does anyone have the lyrics to that song?

[bobbygoode]

Lovely video. I was more of a KT fan, but loved these guys.

[librarybob1958]

The original Limeliters (l-r, Alex Hassilev, the late Lou Gottlieb, Glenn Yarbrough) were the absolute best. I remember seeing them for the first time at Wolf Trap in Vienne, Va., in the summer of 1976. The place was packed, six encores, NOBODY wanted it to end.

But that's the magic the Limeliters had!

[freeheretic111]

One of many great groups that laid the foundations for rock and roll.

[sparky47a]

Brilliant song! Thanks for posting.

[gotch09]

Isn't that Glenn Yarbourgh on the right?

[GoodOldGar]

@gotch09 That's definitely Glenn, with Alex Hassilev on the left, and Lou Gottlieb in the center - the original Limeliters.

[gratefulDeadHead1234]

journeyman3 is very, very correct. So . .. fun

[gotch09]

Oh no, this is giving me flashbacks. I remember them and I remember Hootenanny. I remember 1963. I'm not sure if President Kennedy was alive or not. But this is where I began to understand American folk music. Are any of them still alive. I know it was almost 50 years ago.

[radiotubes]

crisp love it. Very entertaining and educational at the same time.Loads of talent.

[njmhm]

Does anyone have "Vicki Turn Your Back On Me?" I must have played that old LP till the grooves were gone!

[e1hajjaj]

I have this on one of their albums, a family heirloom as it were, and have enjoyed it since I was a child. One of my all time favorites. Does anybody have the lyrics to Curima (the second song)? I have searched for years, and even contacted the new Limeliters web site without luck. Thanks for posting this. Wonderful!

[chawley650]

This is an excellent recording - where on Earth did you *find* this??

Thank you very much for sharing it!

[onewithjoy]

Wonderful memories- I have never heard their equal!

[journeyman3]

The Limeliters were, in my humble opinion, the absolute best, tightest, most FUN group of their time. Thank you SOOOO much for posting this (and if you have any more, please share!).

[niflap]

Lou never did switch to an electric base did he. No school like the old school.

[hourlynewscaster]

I first discovered these guys in the early '60s. I HAD to have the album. I played the hell out of it during one summer. These guys were, as bblaylk noted, amazing. They have a way to harness the velocity of the song without shouting. And, Glenn Yarbrough's voice was nothing short of angelic. By the way, he just turned 80! Time flies. Dennis

[niflap]

@hourlynewscaster If you visited the North coast of Brazil, I wonder if you'd still hear fishermen doing this song. Some cultural traditions can be pretty timeless.

[Highland804]

I forgot to mention...they bought it way back in the 1960's!

[Highland804]

My parents bought a Limeliters album, and I listened to it until it was worn out! Love this. Thank you!

[bblaylk]

It's no wonder at all that they reached the heights they did; nobody was tighter or more polished than these boys! First class. Thanks very much for posting this! And please, folks, post anything from the original Limeliters that you find...it gets no better!

[stu63]

This is just great. Thank you.

[Winfield8226]

Where in the world did you get this? these guys were lightning in a bottle vocally. Nobody sounded anything like them. They were a class act, very entertaining and great fun. I must have seen them 25 times.

[sharpclay]

Amazing footage.....Many thanks from Florida!