used to dig him at Here disco at Nth Sydney in '68---top act--great balls.---there was another guy (not a singer but very hip) called Wheelchair Jeff.....Jeff, you still around??
@BEATNIKCASS Yeah, he sure is! Was in my brothers Gearbox shop today(in Perth) getting his car fixed. Wish my brother had of called, would have shot down there to meet him! Best performer!
Until i saw a film clip of Jeff St John recently I never knew he was handicapped.What a remarkable singer he is.Its a pity I haven't seen him live.I wonder if he ever comes to Melbourne.If so ,when?
Use to do security for the Harmony German Club in Canberra in the 70.s (the in place in those days) and loved it wihen Jeff came to town - he was such fun on stage and really rocked it up on stage in his wheelchair - Loved his shows they were so rocky and the man has been known to have a drink afterwards - Terry Wilson
I remember going to a club in 1971 to see Jeff with his band 'Copperwine' however he had fallen out of his chair & could'nt perform so the support act, a little known band called Sherbert with Darryl Braithwaite sang all night. I got a free ticket to go back & see him on another night.....great days.
This video also featured a few years ago at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. They had an exhibition titled "Spinning Around. Fifty years of Festival Records".
I can remember seeing a 2JJ concert at Dawes Point around 1976. It was the first time I had seen Jeff St. John in concert. He was tipping his wheelchair back, and spinning it around. Later I remember Bob Hudson coming on stage carrying a baby, and telling us that this was "four day old Jessica St. John".
They had a radio interview with Jeff on WSFM not so long ago, and hearing his earlier music, and more recent efforts was great. He's still got a great singing voice.
Was it Rhubarbs or The Last Straw at Neutral Bay, Sunday nights about 1965 where they worked? Their covers of US blues numbers were songs radio didn't play, I thought it was their own music! That didn't spoil anything, just made it all so much better. Their playlist from that era would be interesting today. Way ahead of anyone else.
What a Gem. Jeff did a residency at the Centrefold Club in George St Sydney when I was DJ in 1976. Took me for a ride in his converted Ford and scared 10 years outta me. Spoke to him last year, he rides a trike-bike now. Best male voice I ever heard live.
Well, that's a coincident, someone sent me your vid. AND also I had just read your history of BH AND was putting on my music site Taylor Square 60s. I can put you in touch with Pete
and on top of all this, i get, tom terrific, how'd it go, im tom terrific, greatest hero ever, terrific is the name for me , because i'm so clever, anyone know the rest, that brings back a massive memory attack too.
sorry, it pays to read all the comments doesnt it, but i havc now, and i used to go to here ,too, didnt they open up a clothing bit, and call it "there" that ring s bell with me, now that you lot have completly jolted my aging memory banks, thanks for posting, and i go along with teach me how to fly, and bigtime operator too, thanks againg
i was in love with jeff, ohhhhh, still am after viewing this after, what,30rs, he is spina bifida i think, the story was he was in a motor bike accident i remember him telling somebody, that was a myth , revealing the truth, well can anybody tell me if thats right because i have been known to be wrong on the odd occasion, lol
Yes he does have spina bifida. He is still going, aged in his sixties, a grandfather and still in fine voice. Not bad for a bloke whose parents were told he wouldn't live past 25. A bona fide aussie legend. Check out his website; jeffery st john and the embers.
He looks like John Cale of Velvet Underground there, but he'd be playing the keyboard if he were. They say the Stupidity was supposed to be a dance. Like do the Twist or whatever......nobody dancing it on the video to my knowledge...
Man, thanks so much for posting this. Only wish we could have some more of his stuff on the 'tube: Big Time Operator, Cloud Nine, Teach Me How To Fly etc, etc. Great songs, great days.
Yes I remember Jeff Saint John use to go and see him play down at Coogee Beach at a Wine Bar of Beach St Sydney in 1972 great Vid Where is he now this is 2007.
Back in the early 1970's, Jeff St John used at this immense disco in Sydney near Broadway. This was when he was with The Id and Wendy Saddington used to perform there as well. Does anyone remember it? Used to go there a lot with friends to sit in the big black leather chairs and eat the "compulsory" revolting spaghetti meals they served with the booze. One night, we got there early and we were the only ones there with Jeff St John on stage! He's a legend!
Yes, Sebastians, that's it! That was such a great place. I used to go to "HERE" at North Sydney too. Remember that disco at North Sydney that used to have the Bongo Drums called the Bengal Curry Inn (I think?)....
the place at Broadway was called Johnathons. It had been the Broadway movie theatre and was turned into a nightclub.That was about '70 or '71, after the Id. I think it was Copperwine. The spaghetti wasn't as bad as the chicken in a basket!!
Yep, that is close to correct."Here" disco was his place in the 60s and , in the early 70's there was a GREAT place in Walker St North Sydney...The Bengal club ...where U could hear him and also a young RENEE GEYER.
Iused to see Jeff St John when I was a teenager in the sixties. He had a great voice doing songs such as Big Time Operator and Teach me how to fly. After the Id he formed a band known as Copperwine.
I saw Jeff doing Big Time Operator in Sydney when I was a kid. He used to pull wheelies in his wheel chair - up and down the stage. He used to go nuts - sensational
Yep. This is Kurt Cobain on guitar! He discovered time travel! FAR OUT MANNNN
MateoTejanoCubano 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Perfectly recorded at the same time R&B rock and roll faltered upon the
end of the British Invasion. As an outsider of this music scene, who knows
that 66' signaled the presence of Psychedelia, and this Favourites were trying
to emulate "Stupidity" US party garage/R&B early60's than the trend of the day. They're still british though
118beatboy 4 months ago
Comment removed
118beatboy 4 months ago
Listen up people, the original song "doin' the Stupidity" was from a Baltimore group named the "Van Dykes" but I gotta admit, I like this version.
Jinxbo 7 months ago
used to dig him at Here disco at Nth Sydney in '68---top act--great balls.---there was another guy (not a singer but very hip) called Wheelchair Jeff.....Jeff, you still around??
BEATNIKCASS 10 months ago 2
@BEATNIKCASS Yeah, he sure is! Was in my brothers Gearbox shop today(in Perth) getting his car fixed. Wish my brother had of called, would have shot down there to meet him! Best performer!
flynnyboy100 10 months ago 2
Excelente vídeo.
asoares16 10 months ago
Until i saw a film clip of Jeff St John recently I never knew he was handicapped.What a remarkable singer he is.Its a pity I haven't seen him live.I wonder if he ever comes to Melbourne.If so ,when?
y0utubemetube 11 months ago 3
Que estilo! que gran canción!
Mods Mods!
THCSOUNDS1 1 year ago
Kurt Cobain, Mental Teleprosy and Brian Wilson on guitars. DO the Stupity!
MentalTeleprosy 1 year ago
Everyone now! All together! hahaha
MentalTeleprosy 1 year ago
Originally The ID featuring Jeff St John. Big Time Operator recorded in 67 on a 3 track (broken 4 track). Love it.
Amazing singer. Amazing band.
noelectricmonk 1 year ago 2
This should be the "Theme Song" of the US Govt !!!
OlymPigs2010 1 year ago
Use to do security for the Harmony German Club in Canberra in the 70.s (the in place in those days) and loved it wihen Jeff came to town - he was such fun on stage and really rocked it up on stage in his wheelchair - Loved his shows they were so rocky and the man has been known to have a drink afterwards - Terry Wilson
sigs500 1 year ago 5
This bands song "Watch Out" is my favourite rock song of all time and I've been listening since 1963!!!!
debiedog1 1 year ago 2
this is freaking good music, so enjoy it!!!
okojama 1 year ago 8
Comment removed
THCSOUNDS1 2 years ago
genial!!
ke estilo el de este tio
su manera de cantar komo lo ase
ooo seee macnifika rola!!
MODS
THCSOUNDS1 2 years ago
What happend with his legs? Is it a birth defect? Just interested to know, not trying to be rude. Couldn't find info around the net.
KoivuTheHab 2 years ago
Comment removed
caz4777 2 years ago
Why was the answer removed?
KoivuTheHab 2 years ago
Comment removed
caz4777 2 years ago
The man was born with Spina Bifida. Basically his spine didn't form properly.
In its more severe form, people with it can have difficulties with posture and walking. It tends to run in families.
He has gone from calipers to crutches, to using a wheelchair. He has become well known for doing wheelstands and spins on stage when performing.
He's quite something to see and hear. He has a powerful voice, and a vocal range of four octaves. He's still making music today.
caz4777 2 years ago 21
I remember going to a club in 1971 to see Jeff with his band 'Copperwine' however he had fallen out of his chair & could'nt perform so the support act, a little known band called Sherbert with Darryl Braithwaite sang all night. I got a free ticket to go back & see him on another night.....great days.
porksword8 1 year ago 6
@porksword8 Agreed.
caz4777 1 year ago 5
no to take anything away from Jeff St john
why do people still call the band jeff st john and the ID
when ther correct way is
the ID Featuring Jeff St John
BuNtEr1967 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Good song. Pity it's mimed; and badly at that. Hey drummer boy! Could you at least TRY and do the tom-tom roll at the beginning?
dicksatan 2 years ago
This video also featured a few years ago at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. They had an exhibition titled "Spinning Around. Fifty years of Festival Records".
caz4777 2 years ago 2
I can remember seeing a 2JJ concert at Dawes Point around 1976. It was the first time I had seen Jeff St. John in concert. He was tipping his wheelchair back, and spinning it around. Later I remember Bob Hudson coming on stage carrying a baby, and telling us that this was "four day old Jessica St. John".
They had a radio interview with Jeff on WSFM not so long ago, and hearing his earlier music, and more recent efforts was great. He's still got a great singing voice.
caz4777 2 years ago 4
hey i was there too!! thanks for remembering
soulsong4ever 2 years ago
Was it Rhubarbs or The Last Straw at Neutral Bay, Sunday nights about 1965 where they worked? Their covers of US blues numbers were songs radio didn't play, I thought it was their own music! That didn't spoil anything, just made it all so much better. Their playlist from that era would be interesting today. Way ahead of anyone else.
usfansw 2 years ago 2
What a Gem. Jeff did a residency at the Centrefold Club in George St Sydney when I was DJ in 1976. Took me for a ride in his converted Ford and scared 10 years outta me. Spoke to him last year, he rides a trike-bike now. Best male voice I ever heard live.
perthtones 2 years ago 14
Is that Peter Anson on lead guitar?
beachblues 2 years ago
yep
lynettekomidar 2 years ago
Thanks lynette!
It's a bloody long time since I've seen Pete playing anything anywhere, or even spoken to him.
beachblues 2 years ago
Well, that's a coincident, someone sent me your vid. AND also I had just read your history of BH AND was putting on my music site Taylor Square 60s. I can put you in touch with Pete
lynettekomidar 2 years ago
That'd be good mate!
Last time I saw him was at least 13-14 years back (maybe more) when he was living with Terry Hennessy, another old Balmain mate, in Gladesville.
beachblues 2 years ago
Comment removed
garry57 2 years ago
Clip is from the 1966 ABC series "Be Our Guest", featuring Lorraine Bayly & Jacki Weaver...
Conniptions886 2 years ago
dig it! * * * * *
acerb45666555 2 years ago
sundays at the middle ferntree gully
dankrug 2 years ago
gooo Pete
lynettekomidar 3 years ago
and on top of all this, i get, tom terrific, how'd it go, im tom terrific, greatest hero ever, terrific is the name for me , because i'm so clever, anyone know the rest, that brings back a massive memory attack too.
goddamnit666666 3 years ago
sorry, it pays to read all the comments doesnt it, but i havc now, and i used to go to here ,too, didnt they open up a clothing bit, and call it "there" that ring s bell with me, now that you lot have completly jolted my aging memory banks, thanks for posting, and i go along with teach me how to fly, and bigtime operator too, thanks againg
goddamnit666666 3 years ago
i was in love with jeff, ohhhhh, still am after viewing this after, what,30rs, he is spina bifida i think, the story was he was in a motor bike accident i remember him telling somebody, that was a myth , revealing the truth, well can anybody tell me if thats right because i have been known to be wrong on the odd occasion, lol
goddamnit666666 3 years ago 2
Yes he does have spina bifida. He is still going, aged in his sixties, a grandfather and still in fine voice. Not bad for a bloke whose parents were told he wouldn't live past 25. A bona fide aussie legend. Check out his website; jeffery st john and the embers.
handsheadandheart 2 years ago 3
thanks for the reply hands, much appriciated
herself666 2 years ago
What an awesome song, and clip! Thanks so much for the post!
SiMoFkr 3 years ago 2
This guy was the real deal...and still is
kevinherbert 3 years ago 2
Airports were a lot cooler in those days!
So were pop groups!
wangdangdoddle 3 years ago
Yeah come on somebody, please put "Big time operator" on here if you've got it!!!
rsymillr 3 years ago
That is so fuckin' cool, skinny legs an' all,
fact is they rock !!! I remember the Graham Bond Orginisation used to play a great version too...
therealgaryhill 3 years ago
Fact is, he had a lotta operations on em.
The drummer looks like he gotta sneeze at around 1:56 of the video ......
guppypartz 3 years ago
Hey I just spotted something. His legs. Very thin. DIdn't see that before.
"everybody around the world' ... so they got all the those cities and distances, cuz around the world and that. Smart idea...
guppypartz 3 years ago
He looks like John Cale of Velvet Underground there, but he'd be playing the keyboard if he were. They say the Stupidity was supposed to be a dance. Like do the Twist or whatever......nobody dancing it on the video to my knowledge...
guppypartz 3 years ago
me too rooforce
FUBB807 3 years ago
Man, thanks so much for posting this. Only wish we could have some more of his stuff on the 'tube: Big Time Operator, Cloud Nine, Teach Me How To Fly etc, etc. Great songs, great days.
RooForce 4 years ago
Yes I remember Jeff Saint John use to go and see him play down at Coogee Beach at a Wine Bar of Beach St Sydney in 1972 great Vid Where is he now this is 2007.
howlinblues 4 years ago
I heard a couple of years back that he was touring country NSW playing at clubs.
I saw him live in the '70's too - an energetic stage act replete with wheelstands!
chrisb1953 4 years ago
Back in the early 1970's, Jeff St John used at this immense disco in Sydney near Broadway. This was when he was with The Id and Wendy Saddington used to perform there as well. Does anyone remember it? Used to go there a lot with friends to sit in the big black leather chairs and eat the "compulsory" revolting spaghetti meals they served with the booze. One night, we got there early and we were the only ones there with Jeff St John on stage! He's a legend!
Kathy0851 4 years ago 2
was it rhubarbs?? or Sabastians---i saw him a lot at "HERE" IN N.Sydney too--those were the days....
BEATNIKCASS 4 years ago
Hi Beatnikcass
Yes, Sebastians, that's it! That was such a great place. I used to go to "HERE" at North Sydney too. Remember that disco at North Sydney that used to have the Bongo Drums called the Bengal Curry Inn (I think?)....
Kathy0851 4 years ago
the place at Broadway was called Johnathons. It had been the Broadway movie theatre and was turned into a nightclub.That was about '70 or '71, after the Id. I think it was Copperwine. The spaghetti wasn't as bad as the chicken in a basket!!
garry57 4 years ago
cool video this song was ok but has anyone got his big hit he had with Big Time Operator love to see it on video as i only have it on a 45 single!!
keithhutt 4 years ago
Yep, that is close to correct."Here" disco was his place in the 60s and , in the early 70's there was a GREAT place in Walker St North Sydney...The Bengal club ...where U could hear him and also a young RENEE GEYER.
martindemo 4 years ago
anybody gota clip of "teach me how to fly" by jeff st john. i would appreciate seeing it again. cheers
otg2007 4 years ago
man, ya shouda seen him on stage, either on his crutches or in his wheelchar, UNBELEIVABLE
gazmate31 4 years ago 4
I have not heard this on Juke Box Saturday night ??
GenericGene 4 years ago
Magic vocalist - great band!
tiptoncathcart 4 years ago
oh yeah and you can find his new website by googling his name..
Annie1962 4 years ago
wow thanks for this!!! His daughter came to my place last night and we did a search for her dad. She was rapt to see this...
Annie1962 4 years ago
I'm glad to hear about Jessica. What ever happened to Pamela.Jeff isn't with her anymore. I thought that theirs was a wonderful love story.
adamwest3121 3 years ago
Comment removed
caz4777 2 years ago
Could someone please tell me where I can get the words to Big Time Operator, by Jeff St John and The Copperwine. Thankyou
Chrissy- (an oldie but a goodie)
rikanarn 4 years ago
amazing video, jeff looks like sterling morrison.
sunra67 4 years ago
this is a Solomon Burke song
TDKIII 4 years ago
Iused to see Jeff St John when I was a teenager in the sixties. He had a great voice doing songs such as Big Time Operator and Teach me how to fly. After the Id he formed a band known as Copperwine.
pebblesfarr 4 years ago
all i know, jeff as a awesome voice.
eyupmeducks 4 years ago
I saw Jeff doing Big Time Operator in Sydney when I was a kid. He used to pull wheelies in his wheel chair - up and down the stage. He used to go nuts - sensational
HURLEYP 4 years ago 2
Yeah Jeff was an inspiration...will never forget his version of "Teach Me how to fly"
henrymc 4 years ago 2
Shit yeah.....I'd forgotten about that one....another excellent vehicle for him and the Id!
HURLEYP 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
the singer needs that stool because his skinny legs wont hold him up
redrocketred 5 years ago
Jeff St John was born with spina bifida and has shown remarkable strength to work with this condition and establish a successful career in music.
dellouisa 4 years ago 2
thanks a lot for completely ruining my joke
redrocketred 4 years ago
I'm glad it was ruined you fucking idiot!
beachblues 2 years ago 6