I was at this show too and I agree that it was a trainwreck. We ended up leaving early because it was just too difficult to sit through. Incoherent mumbling, staggering and swaying, hardly able to remember chords or lyrics.
A fan who had come all the way from indiana was on the other side of the fence and asked us if we'd get an autograph for him so we went into elliots tent and asked him and even though he was bummed about the show he was totally gracious and gave it to us and we handed it back over the fence to the fan. needless to say the guy was ecstatic. i think this was one of elliots last shows.
I was backstage at this show and was astounded to see that he had almost finished off a enormous bottle of whiskey before going on. he got onstage and trainwrecked thru the whole show with the exception of "thirteen" which I thought was interesting that the only song he could remember completely was the one he hadn't written. afterwards he came off stage and started crying. it was really sad. by a coincidence the wall where the figure 8 cover was shot was only about fifty yards from the stage.
I was at this show. Stunning, both good and bad. 'Thirteen' was the one song that stuck out, I'd never heard it before, but it always stayed with me, and it was years later when I dug up the setlist and rediscovered the song the Big Star way. Funny how a song's performance can stay with you.
Saw him full-band at the Granada Theater in Lawrence, KS 2000 and Everything Means Nothing To Me did the same thing. They're like tattoos.
This concert actually kind of closed a lot of doors in his career. On the other hand I think it was one of the things that realy made him realize he needed to get off drugs.
Glorifying being too drunk and high to finish your own songs is certainly not something Elliott intended to do. Some parts of this concert are awesome, but he's clearly frustrated by the way his substance abuse degraded his performance, rightfully or wrongly.
to some of you posters here: if you want some slick perfection, turn on MTV. if you want a real, gritty, honest portrait of humanity, watch/listen to Elliott Smith. so what if his live shows were sometimes on the brink of disaster? so was his life. so is my life.
you act like elliott was desperate or something, trust me your life probably isnt on the brink of disaster. Your just trying to sound all hard and tough but your not
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haha i went to this show...he was soo drunk...he tried to walk off the stage and some lady brought him back...he couldnt remember 90% of his songs hahahahdrunkyjunky
Hey all, calm it down. I was there, it was late...everybody had been drinking quite a bit....all day. He did just fine, and everyone was having a great time.
In my opinion, that was a man who loved music. While it may be sad for some to see him in what they consider to be a sorry state, the fact that he is playing and was still writing demonstrates his love for music and songwriting. That's what he should be remembered for most, in my view. He genuinely loved music, beyond the scope of a craft, job, or even just a creative outlet. He loved it even apart from those things.
We were all pretty drunk that day, and just so you know I had seen him play other times...even later than Sunset Junction...and he was fabulous. I doubt he wants anyone to feel sorry for him.
I was at this performance, and it was the most heartbreaking thing I've ever seen. Although this was among the best parts of the show, it's still hard for me to watch
he was struggling man. most of his live performances were amazing. and even then, i bet, if i were out in that crowd it would have been amazing still. he was probably just down at this particular performance and not in the best of spirits.
why is everyone freaking out? he wasnt that drunk, and he still did good. a ton of people get drunk before shows to take the edge off of performing for so many people.
I actually thought that was pretty amazing to watch, his voice was a bit out of tune in the first song but other than that I thought it was really raw and his voice on Lets Get Lost sounded really great
His music is so beautiful and full of emotion. Does anyone know what the name of the last song on this video is? I dont remember it.
lmbyn570 1 year ago
@lmbyn570 alameda
dara0000 1 year ago
Fuck the J45 he sounds crap because he needs his FG180 !!!!! his favourite guitar,.
spickspack 2 years ago
Keep in mind he got clean at least for a period after this. This wasn't the very end.
Valandilz0r 2 years ago
a J-45 never sounded, or looked so damn good.
whitestripebuzz 2 years ago
He sings like he is about to cry.
dondempezar 2 years ago 2
wow i've nevr seen him before with long hair
lol! he is adorable either way
rip<3
Lovegood44 3 years ago
I was at this show too and I agree that it was a trainwreck. We ended up leaving early because it was just too difficult to sit through. Incoherent mumbling, staggering and swaying, hardly able to remember chords or lyrics.
millbrookmusic 3 years ago
he looked really old and fucked up here.sad.
slicknicknirvana 3 years ago
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those braids are too much.... take this off youtube, don't tarnish elliott by immortalizing the braids
BoldOriginalFlavor 3 years ago
OMG!!!!!!!!!! Elliott had long hair?
::HEART MELTING LIKE IT NEVER HAS BEFORE::
He was so great!
Eirelav111 3 years ago 2
A fan who had come all the way from indiana was on the other side of the fence and asked us if we'd get an autograph for him so we went into elliots tent and asked him and even though he was bummed about the show he was totally gracious and gave it to us and we handed it back over the fence to the fan. needless to say the guy was ecstatic. i think this was one of elliots last shows.
epicmeade 3 years ago 3
I was backstage at this show and was astounded to see that he had almost finished off a enormous bottle of whiskey before going on. he got onstage and trainwrecked thru the whole show with the exception of "thirteen" which I thought was interesting that the only song he could remember completely was the one he hadn't written. afterwards he came off stage and started crying. it was really sad. by a coincidence the wall where the figure 8 cover was shot was only about fifty yards from the stage.
epicmeade 3 years ago 9
lets get lost was rad
ginonix 3 years ago
I have such a wonderful relationship with your music. Wish I knew ya. RIP
krizzlesparkle 3 years ago 2
I was at this show. Stunning, both good and bad. 'Thirteen' was the one song that stuck out, I'd never heard it before, but it always stayed with me, and it was years later when I dug up the setlist and rediscovered the song the Big Star way. Funny how a song's performance can stay with you.
Saw him full-band at the Granada Theater in Lawrence, KS 2000 and Everything Means Nothing To Me did the same thing. They're like tattoos.
Sad.
midcoastal 3 years ago
This concert actually kind of closed a lot of doors in his career. On the other hand I think it was one of the things that realy made him realize he needed to get off drugs.
ShokyShrox 3 years ago
Rock out Elliott with braids! What a master of his craft.
jeo616 3 years ago
Glorifying being too drunk and high to finish your own songs is certainly not something Elliott intended to do. Some parts of this concert are awesome, but he's clearly frustrated by the way his substance abuse degraded his performance, rightfully or wrongly.
ICantAnswerYou 3 years ago
to some of you posters here: if you want some slick perfection, turn on MTV. if you want a real, gritty, honest portrait of humanity, watch/listen to Elliott Smith. so what if his live shows were sometimes on the brink of disaster? so was his life. so is my life.
tatelabianca 3 years ago 4
wow. i've listened to solely elliott smith for well over a year bro. don't make him out to be a self-pitying sucker, or speak for him.
XboxWiiSixty 3 years ago 5
fair enough. we're on the same team.
tatelabianca 3 years ago
you act like elliott was desperate or something, trust me your life probably isnt on the brink of disaster. Your just trying to sound all hard and tough but your not
mooninites755 3 years ago
okay
tatelabianca 3 years ago
I don't think you quite understand the difference between 'honest portrait of humanity' and 'self-pitying sucker'.
I don't think that's what tatelabianca meant at all.
moopuff 3 years ago
right, thanx
tatelabianca 3 years ago
I think what tatelabianca said is right on, why would you bash him?
mjm324 3 years ago
his smile at the end freaks me out
Stillillgal 4 years ago
why?
isolationeitheror 3 years ago
wow his bracelet is off in this
baker54480 4 years ago
He was doing heavy heavy drugs at this time. Very possibly drunk too, but a lot of that is the drugs.
DanWillett 4 years ago
So?
osgoode46 4 years ago
he sounds pretty good to me
downsidefx 4 years ago
He looks like Willie Nelson with the braids. :)
eiephants 4 years ago
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haha i went to this show...he was soo drunk...he tried to walk off the stage and some lady brought him back...he couldnt remember 90% of his songs hahahahdrunkyjunky
9jimmy24 4 years ago
this is the worst ive ever heard him play
he must have been wrecked during this show
brokenimages 4 years ago
you gotta admit though, even the worst for him is 1,000 times better than most
allmostuffie 4 years ago 17
cute hair!
HumanDeathDance 4 years ago
Hey all, calm it down. I was there, it was late...everybody had been drinking quite a bit....all day. He did just fine, and everyone was having a great time.
laneygreen 4 years ago
makes me sad just a bit, but not so much b/ he must have been a bit happy b/ he was doing what he loved. music was his salvation.
MeowPurple 4 years ago
In my opinion, that was a man who loved music. While it may be sad for some to see him in what they consider to be a sorry state, the fact that he is playing and was still writing demonstrates his love for music and songwriting. That's what he should be remembered for most, in my view. He genuinely loved music, beyond the scope of a craft, job, or even just a creative outlet. He loved it even apart from those things.
Vamphaery 4 years ago 2
Thirteen by bigstar
benjomatico 4 years ago
What was that first song he performs? It sounds familiar.
fingerminger 4 years ago
i can't watch his last performances, its painful to watch someone so sensitive really struggling, its real sad...
goerfton77 4 years ago
i know what you mean. its really sad to see him struggle like that. it is hard to watch.
supradude7891 4 years ago
We were all pretty drunk that day, and just so you know I had seen him play other times...even later than Sunset Junction...and he was fabulous. I doubt he wants anyone to feel sorry for him.
laneygreen 4 years ago 2
fair enough...
goerfton77 4 years ago
is there an unedited version of this?? I would be very interested in it if there is.
Tayl0NP 4 years ago
It's just sad watching this really.. he deserved so much more. Rest in peace elliott <3
patatmetkip 4 years ago
I was at this performance, and it was the most heartbreaking thing I've ever seen. Although this was among the best parts of the show, it's still hard for me to watch
godscomic 4 years ago
stupid assholes his hair is awsome cause it's on his head
redrock505 4 years ago 4
wow... it's realy bad preformance
the worst i'v seen from him
but he still the best musician ever
Stillillgal 4 years ago
I really like Elliott but this performance is crap.
logwind 4 years ago
he was struggling man. most of his live performances were amazing. and even then, i bet, if i were out in that crowd it would have been amazing still. he was probably just down at this particular performance and not in the best of spirits.
supradude7891 4 years ago
never seen this before and it has made me cry......
a lot
plexusnexus 4 years ago
he's not drunk. he is totally fucked up though.
gorgeous anyways
HowToTakeAFall 4 years ago
why is everyone freaking out? he wasnt that drunk, and he still did good. a ton of people get drunk before shows to take the edge off of performing for so many people.
not as big of a deal make it.
anyways.
alameda<3
toxicXwonderland 4 years ago
i agree completely,
but remember how he was,
you could tell h was a little worse that night
tylerjamesnicholson 4 years ago
god, i hate seeing him so drunk.
it reminds me of how unhappy he was.
D: but he was an amazing man
tylerjamesnicholson 4 years ago
really fucking sad
brooklynpizza 4 years ago
If anyone has the link to the full concert or the full concert please message me.
Beautiful Video.
midnight260 4 years ago
fuck!!! is all i can say
tomwdelh 4 years ago
Poor Elliott. I hate his hair.
but i love him!
mzthisuseristaken 4 years ago
LOL!
well, it was really really long at that point
tylerjamesnicholson 4 years ago
your fuckin stupid, his hair was fuckin sweet here
jupis20 4 years ago
wow this is sad. he's so trashed >:
kimthestrange 4 years ago
La déchéance d'un génie...thank you.
saez001 4 years ago
thank you for putting this video up. I was there that night. it was sad to see him get worse as the show went on.
midcoastal 4 years ago
i like his hats.
musicalchains 4 years ago
wow he really resemble Willie Nelson in this video. a great performace from great songwriter and musician.
love you always Elliott
stcintown 5 years ago
I actually thought that was pretty amazing to watch, his voice was a bit out of tune in the first song but other than that I thought it was really raw and his voice on Lets Get Lost sounded really great
looking2hard 5 years ago
poor guy
charlesrainbuckets 5 years ago
why put this up??
its when he was at his worst point.
HotRats86 5 years ago
Why post a negative comment?
moopuff 5 years ago 2
what's the date?
satchelgreen 5 years ago
August 2001
gustadylan 5 years ago