@soopacrip Funny how no talents like yourself can't appreciate someone who can sing beautifully but have to bash them because they are gay. You must have some hidden guilt because you want a man to love you.
@inasez Funny how no talents like yourself can't appreciate someone who can sing beautifully but have to bash them because they are gay. You must have some hidden guilt because you want a man to love you.
@1destra Honey, please follow the entire thread before you jump into an argument. I was the one mocking soopacrip's homophobia. IF you want to be an ally to our community, then at least be an informed one.
@1destra Umm.. youre WELCOME. i acknowledge you made a sincere mistake and I accept that you sincerely apologize for your misdirected negativity. (Seriously, how hard is it, younger generation??).
@soopacrip youre the one who asked, closetcase! now go beat up some gayz before somebody finds out that you keep coming back to sam harris' youtube! your manhood is in question, bro!!!
what on earth were you thinking to wear that? I bet they were all so glad to get rid of the gay white boy from a black record label. Geez, only thing missing is a labia
Saw Sam live a few years ago in Kansas City. What a performance!!! Also saw him in the lead of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat twice, once in Dallas and once in Kansas City. He is an amazing performer. His Bridge Over Troubled Water is amazing too.
Aw dang. I remembered this from decades ago and thought I would relive how awesome Sam sang it. But I had just listened to Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole's version a few minutes before... and that can't be undone. Iz reached the deep inner heart of the song that everyone missed before him... Judy, Sam, everyone. Still, fun to see Sam. I was just 22 and thought he was amazing. Of course, I had a major crush on the bassist (Tbone) in the Hall and Oates band, too. I was such a dweeb. :)
Sam Harris is a very talented singer, but I think this wasn't one of his best performances.........I remember hearing him sing this song much better on Star Search.....Good Luck to u Sam......
After all these years, hearing him wail out that song STILL makes me wanna jump up and holla!! LOL!! GO baby boy! SHOW the "American Idol" generation how it's DONE!!! :)
I LOVE THE WAY HE SINGS THIS SONG, I SAW HIM ON STAR SEARCH, AND KNEW HE WAS GOING TO WIN... WHAT A GREAT VOICE... DON'T JUDGE HIS CLOTHING OR HIS SEXUAL PREFERANCE, WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO JUDGE...
Just watched the video titled "BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER, sung by Sam Harris, Live in Concert! " and Sam is 1,000,000,000 times better in that performance then he is in the this Motown video; because he's grown up, he's learned restraint and humility and his singing is all the better for it.
Poorly promoted album sales don't always signify how much talent a person has. This guy is loaded with talent and if you can't hear it, you're not listening.
God this is fucking awful music. The original song was pleasant and priceless... this is just butchered, annoying, and terrible in every way possible. It's like serving a nice dinner on a garbage can lid. No thanks!
I love Sam but they way he jerked his head at the end, his performance was not ALL THAT!!!! now, come on. It was allright, but it definately was not all of that.
@darkstar3x16 He was a major talent in the 80's. If this world was NOT so racist, the fact that he sings R&B would NOT matter. Thank GOD Robin Thick can JUST BE HIS TALENTED SELF in the 2K MILLENNIUM and not suffer the fate of Sam Harris.
@pinkydivAKA It wasn't racism, Sam overdoes it. He doesn't get where the runs come from in Black music. When you go grow up w/ it, it's VERY easy to hear the difference between someone that gets it and is Black music, versus someone that admires it and tries to imitate it. Aguilera has the same problem from time to time when she covers soul songs at awards show.
Sam has chops, he's passionate but he's too concerned w/ vocal acrobatics. His performances aren't organic. Thicke is genuine sincere
Thumbs up for your comment. But I would add... you don't have to be black to get it. Listen to IZ's interpretation and you can hear the heart 'n soul. When it comes from deep within, it doesn't require runs and vocal gymnastics. Black, white, brown, yellow or Martian purple... you either have it inside you or you're posing and imitating. Iz owns this song. RIP.
For all of you haters its no secret his early performances and career was LABELLE and PATTI LABELLE inspired. I'm sure Patti wouldn't like some of these comments about her admirers. SAM HARRIS you did GREAT!!!
For all of you haters its no secret his early performances and career was LABELLE and PATTI LABELLE inspired. I'm sure Patti wouldn't like some of these comments about her admirers. SAM HARRIS you did GREAT!!!
For all of you haters its no secret his early performances and career was LABELLE and PATTI LABELLE inspired. I'm sure Patti wouldn't like some of these comments about her admirers. SAM HARRIS you did GREAT!!!
For all of you haters its no secret his early performances and career was LABELLE and PATTI LABELLE inspired. I'm sure Patti wouldn't like some of these comments about her admirers. SAM HARRIS you did GREAT!!!
@tudy59 i agree but, that,s why we wear clothers, drive nice caes have beautiful.houses ect,NOW YOU KNOW WHY,IF YOU DON.T,WELL WE ARE ALL EMULATORS,ARE YOU NOT,LETTTT.S LESTEN TO MUSIC, PS I KNOW, YOU KNOW,THEY AND HE KNOWS, PATTY LABELLE IS THE ONLY ONE TO MASTER THAT SOME WHERE OVER THE RAINBOW SONNNNG
@tudy59 i agree but, that,s why we wear clothers, drive nice cars have beautiful.houses ect,NOW YOU KNOW WHY,IF YOU DON.T,WELL WE ARE ALL EMULATORS,ARE YOU NOT,LETTTT.S LESTEN TO MUSIC, PS I KNOW, YOU KNOW,THEY AND HE KNOWS, PATTY LABELLE IS THE ONLY ONE TO MASTER THAT SOME WHERE OVER THE RAINBOW SONNNNG
It'd be nice if he didn't sing the same songs the same way over and over again. As much as he tries, he ain't no DIVA!!! Get something new and original and drop the holier than thou attitude Samantha.
man as much as I loves this guy's voice, and even having performed with him before, this particular performance is just too over the top. it's too all over the place. not to mention the outfit!
Sam still tours and has been VERY successful on Broadway and was featured in a television show with Broadway actress Kristin Chenoweth. Sam was singing here at the legendary Apollo Theater. Sam! Love the outfit. That takes alot of nerve to show up in PINK at the Apollo. LOL Magical, like always. I have seen Sam twice in concert. After each show he sells his CD's and signs autographs. Very nice man and VERY talented.
This is where I first heard Sam Harris along with my dad who loved his voice! I would have been 13 years old in '85 - even the men wore shoulder pads lol. Still an amazing voice x
I remember tuning into Star Search every week just to see what Sam Harris was going to perform that week. He was indeed the standard bearer for that show..."The Orginal American Idol"...I actually think he was ahead of his time and this country wasn't quite ready for a white male performer who sounded like our best black female singers...and Motown completely mishandeled his career...shame...he's a great talent.
You were my idol growing up and i still love your voice, I won a lip sync contest at school doing this song into i've heard it all before. Love ya Sam
Cannot believe all the stupid people thinking this was a great vocal performance and failed to see how campy this was. Talk about 'over the top' for 'over the rainbow'.
OMG this guy should be taken out back and shot for the cold blooded murder of a great classic song. This guy goes way beyond sucking, his over the top, ala" Patti Labelle rip-off" rendition of this song is like nails on a chalk board and gives me stomach pains to listen to. Add that to that ridiculous clown outfit he was wearing, the whole experience , left me nauseous, I'm sure Judy is turning in her grave after this massacre of her beloved song.
OMG this guy should be taken out back and shot for the cold blooded murder of a great classic song. This guy goes way beyond sucking, his over the top, ala" Patti Labelle rip-off" rendition of this song is like nails on a chalk board and gives me stomach pains to listen to. Add that to that ridiculous clown outfit he was wearing, the whole experience , left me nauseous, I'm sure Judy is turning in her grave after this massacre of her beloved song.
OMG this guy should be taken out back and shot for the cold blooded murder of a great classic song. This guy goes way beyond sucking, his over the top, ala" Patti Labelle rip-off" rendition of this song is like nails on a chalk board and gives me stomach pains to listen to. Add that to that ridiculous clown outfit he was wearing, the whole experience , left me nauseous, I'm sure Judy is turning in her grave after this massacre of her beloved song.
OMG this guy should be taken out back and shot for the cold blooded murder of a great classic song. This guy goes way beyond sucking, his over the top, ala" Patti Labelle rip-off" rendition of this song is like nails on a chalk board and gives me stomach pains to listen to. Add that to that ridiculous clown outfit he was wearing, the whole experience , left me nauseous, I'm sure Judy is turning in her grave after this massacre of her beloved song.
That was disgusting... I don't even know how else to respond. I'm a musician who's seen a lot in the past and appreciated/accepted a lot, but that... that was not only a bastardisation of a classic -- and I'm very lenient with "progressive" renditions -- but also a disgrace to musicianship.
right out of the Patti workbook.....bless his heart. He gave it a go but it looked like he almost shit on himself on that big note on the end of the song.
That's exactly the way Patti would have done it - and for a GUY to be able to do a creditable Patti LaBelle, in front of the Apollo audience, and not be dragged off...this vid just does not do him justice. I saw this live, and what you don't see is enough of the crowd reaction - he owned the tune.
"First of All" the majority of you poster are fucking idiots. Does anyone really understand how incredible his voice is? It's like a porsche runnin a race with a beetle. He is money; one of the best WHITE pure, male vocalists that has been born in quite some time. A complete rival to any negro that can carry a tune. He is a true artist.
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I have to agree, this is pretty horrible. It's not that he can't sing, it's just that he doesn't channel his talent to produce the best possible outcome. His singing is overwrought as well as over the top. I know this was a long time ago. Hopefully he's matured as an artist since he does have a good voice. For a rendition of this song by an artist who has the vocal chops, yet doesn't perform the song like she's having a seizure, see Eva Cassidy's version, the best ever.
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First OMG what is he wearing ? Faggy clown clothes. He sounds like a frustrated drag queen doing a very bad impression of Patti LaBelle's version of "Somewhere Over the rainbow". His voice makes me cringe and he destroy's perfectly good songs with his God awful over the top renditions of them. Reminds me of a drag queen trying to work the audience for tips. Really lousy shit.
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OMG What the hell is this guy wearing? Talk about Send in the clowns. Where is he now, hopefully tucked away never to be seen or heard from again. A one trick pony. That got old real fast.
well, waynegreer72...way to be a creep. LOL... Sam is actually out there still performing...his voice is even better now than it used to be. what do YOU do for a living...are you happy in your life or do you just cruise youtube being a turd? jeez.
Good ole Sam paved the way for today's "idols"...this is what I remember...my friends all wanted me to rty out for Star Search and I didn't have the guts...wish I would have listened now, but at least I can go to You Tube and share the memories of these awesome times!!
i love it when they played this song on a beavis and butthead episode, and beavis almost had a seizure because butthead had the remote control and wouldn't change it, hahahaha
Who gives a damn if he's gay, idiot? He wasn't asked to suck anyone's dick, he was asked to sing. And sing he did. Sam was and probably still is one hell of a performer. I'm not gay, but you dumb ass homophobic, self-righteous assholes need to get a life.
I taped this performance that night, and literally wore out the tape over the years. I am thrilled that it has been posted. This is my very favorite Sam performance.
Gay or not, what a voice and in some ways I liked this presentation better than the original on Star Search. Such a stong voice, even today. Never heard a male singer with such inflections as on this song by Sam. Chilling.
I will always wonder how everyone must have felt allowing Sam Harris to sing, on the same stage, the song that made Patti LaBelle an legend. Would have been awsome had they performed this together, but then again Patti had so dominated this special, that it wasn't necessary.
don't get me wrong, i love Sam, always have, but, if you didn't know he was gay before he walked on stage...you certainly did the moment he walked on...that outfit..just doesn't get any gay-er.
I was 4 yrs old when he did this performance! I have looked for this video for ever! After my grandmother passed away, we lost this video and have been looking for Performances from Motown returns to the apollp since. Every year @ christmas we play A Motown Merry X-mas and its great! This was a memorable performance by the great Sam Harris!
While I admire Sam's voice, energy and desire to express himself the way he wants (at least how he did in the 1980s when this was likely shot)this performance makes me strangley uncomfortable. It is SO overdone - from the costuming (can you say Judy Garland pink!) to the almost parody-inviting vocal gymnastics complete with quasi-Judy mannerisms. I wish people would take such artist-centric pieces as this and re-invent them. Judy was Judy. Sam should be Sam (he seems closer today)
Awesome and BRAVE (the outfit)! Good surprises come in 'strange' packages. Guess i need ot look up a few of his albums and see if there is a Christmas album.
I saw the original performance and was blow away. Am so glad to have the chance to play it over and over again. Sam, you're incredible and give me chills each and every time I hear your version of this song. Judy would give you a standing ovation!
LOL...this video takes me back to that very night this was on television...I was washing dishes after dinner. Sam started singing and I was like, "Who is that?" It's hard to believe that such a BIG voice came out of a skinny kid from Sand Springs, OK...right up the road from where I grew up. Simply Amazing Sam!
The day I saw Sam sing on star search was the day I fell in love with him! This song still gives me chills no matter how many times I hear it and now on Youtube have the pleasure of watching it as many times as I like lol Thanks for posting this!
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@soopacrip Funny how no talents like yourself can't appreciate someone who can sing beautifully but have to bash them because they are gay. You must have some hidden guilt because you want a man to love you.
1destra 4 weeks ago
A Patti Labelle wannabe. Not then, not now, not ever...there's only Patti.
buzzcut101 2 months ago
@soopacrip eat shit? now THAT sounds like some freaky gay ish if i ever heard any! Lol
inasez 5 months ago
@inasez Funny how no talents like yourself can't appreciate someone who can sing beautifully but have to bash them because they are gay. You must have some hidden guilt because you want a man to love you.
1destra 1 month ago
@1destra Honey, please follow the entire thread before you jump into an argument. I was the one mocking soopacrip's homophobia. IF you want to be an ally to our community, then at least be an informed one.
inasez 4 weeks ago
@inasez Well didn't need a reply if it was directed to the wrong person so don't be silly.
1destra 4 weeks ago
@1destra Umm.. youre WELCOME. i acknowledge you made a sincere mistake and I accept that you sincerely apologize for your misdirected negativity. (Seriously, how hard is it, younger generation??).
inasez 3 weeks ago
@soopacrip youre the one who asked, closetcase! now go beat up some gayz before somebody finds out that you keep coming back to sam harris' youtube! your manhood is in question, bro!!!
inasez 5 months ago
@soopacrip he's a big broadway star now and married to his bf. sorry to break your heart, dude!! we all know you had quite the crush!
inasez 5 months ago
he did his best version of patti's incomparable version; too much "pink' though, if u know what i mean.
stillwill2215 5 months ago
Oh man, I remember following him on Star Search!! MEMORIESSSSSSSS.
espinlk 6 months ago
WOW he did a great job..
after7pm 6 months ago
Love the 80's and Star Search, many celebs were spawned. Harris, O'Donnell, Simbad.
randigrogan 6 months ago
what on earth were you thinking to wear that? I bet they were all so glad to get rid of the gay white boy from a black record label. Geez, only thing missing is a labia
eckankar 6 months ago
He has a huge set of balls to wear that at the Apollo. Wow. Sounding good sammy. But nothing beats your star search over the rainbow@@@
tomcamp6023 6 months ago
This guy introduced me to the concept of "over the top" He's clearly very talented, but as they say, a bit too much.
chaplinfan48 7 months ago
Too histrionic Sam, but love those brooches.
londonboy59 7 months ago
Saw Sam live a few years ago in Kansas City. What a performance!!! Also saw him in the lead of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat twice, once in Dallas and once in Kansas City. He is an amazing performer. His Bridge Over Troubled Water is amazing too.
lanningtml 8 months ago
Aw dang. I remembered this from decades ago and thought I would relive how awesome Sam sang it. But I had just listened to Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole's version a few minutes before... and that can't be undone. Iz reached the deep inner heart of the song that everyone missed before him... Judy, Sam, everyone. Still, fun to see Sam. I was just 22 and thought he was amazing. Of course, I had a major crush on the bassist (Tbone) in the Hall and Oates band, too. I was such a dweeb. :)
dogbitez 9 months ago
Sam Harris is a very talented singer, but I think this wasn't one of his best performances.........I remember hearing him sing this song much better on Star Search.....Good Luck to u Sam......
Tobiasdasinger2010 9 months ago
After all these years, hearing him wail out that song STILL makes me wanna jump up and holla!! LOL!! GO baby boy! SHOW the "American Idol" generation how it's DONE!!! :)
uncleelroy2 10 months ago 2
He needs control, but good sound; he did pattis version
mylenh 10 months ago
I LOVE THE WAY HE SINGS THIS SONG, I SAW HIM ON STAR SEARCH, AND KNEW HE WAS GOING TO WIN... WHAT A GREAT VOICE... DON'T JUDGE HIS CLOTHING OR HIS SEXUAL PREFERANCE, WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO JUDGE...
ChristyLove816 1 year ago
I like the way he closes this Over the rainbow performance. He seemed much more genuine on the end of that.
valarierenee 1 year ago
Just watched the video titled "BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER, sung by Sam Harris, Live in Concert! " and Sam is 1,000,000,000 times better in that performance then he is in the this Motown video; because he's grown up, he's learned restraint and humility and his singing is all the better for it.
valarierenee 1 year ago
Poorly promoted album sales don't always signify how much talent a person has. This guy is loaded with talent and if you can't hear it, you're not listening.
DONGOE 1 year ago
god damn this guy SUCKS...I remember this bum and thought ...he'll NEVER be a star and I was right...PURE CRAP
mjw9363 1 year ago
God this is fucking awful music. The original song was pleasant and priceless... this is just butchered, annoying, and terrible in every way possible. It's like serving a nice dinner on a garbage can lid. No thanks!
coil311 1 year ago
yeah hes flat a little go record a better version
goodatquiting 1 year ago
and at 1:28 sam is seriously off key. And he jerks his head like he just delivered a flawless performance, oh miss thang, please.
determination9995757 1 year ago
I love Sam but they way he jerked his head at the end, his performance was not ALL THAT!!!! now, come on. It was allright, but it definately was not all of that.
determination9995757 1 year ago
I remember this guy. I can't believe nobody realized he was gay back then.
cleolicious 1 year ago
I'm only only here because I heard this on Beavis and butthead lol he's so over dramatic is he gay?
darkstar3x16 1 year ago
@darkstar3x16 Is he Gay?...please ...a blind , deaf man in South East Asia knows this queen is Gay...(I can say that cause I'm gay..lol)
tedi566 1 year ago
@darkstar3x16 He was a major talent in the 80's. If this world was NOT so racist, the fact that he sings R&B would NOT matter. Thank GOD Robin Thick can JUST BE HIS TALENTED SELF in the 2K MILLENNIUM and not suffer the fate of Sam Harris.
pinkydivAKA 1 year ago
@pinkydivAKA Major talent??? He hit like #50 with this song and NEVER had another charting song.....get real man
mjw9363 1 year ago
@pinkydivAKA It wasn't racism, Sam overdoes it. He doesn't get where the runs come from in Black music. When you go grow up w/ it, it's VERY easy to hear the difference between someone that gets it and is Black music, versus someone that admires it and tries to imitate it. Aguilera has the same problem from time to time when she covers soul songs at awards show.
Sam has chops, he's passionate but he's too concerned w/ vocal acrobatics. His performances aren't organic. Thicke is genuine sincere
valarierenee 1 year ago
@valarierenee
Thumbs up for your comment. But I would add... you don't have to be black to get it. Listen to IZ's interpretation and you can hear the heart 'n soul. When it comes from deep within, it doesn't require runs and vocal gymnastics. Black, white, brown, yellow or Martian purple... you either have it inside you or you're posing and imitating. Iz owns this song. RIP.
dogbitez 9 months ago
@dogbitez
I would argue that it's damn near impossible to get it if you didn't grow up in/with it.
valarierenee 9 months ago
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For all of you haters its no secret his early performances and career was LABELLE and PATTI LABELLE inspired. I'm sure Patti wouldn't like some of these comments about her admirers. SAM HARRIS you did GREAT!!!
MsPattiPattiTV 1 year ago
For all of you haters its no secret his early performances and career was LABELLE and PATTI LABELLE inspired. I'm sure Patti wouldn't like some of these comments about her admirers. SAM HARRIS you did GREAT!!!
MsPattiPattiTV 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
For all of you haters its no secret his early performances and career was LABELLE and PATTI LABELLE inspired. I'm sure Patti wouldn't like some of these comments about her admirers. SAM HARRIS you did GREAT!!!
MsPattiPattiTV 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
For all of you haters its no secret his early performances and career was LABELLE and PATTI LABELLE inspired. I'm sure Patti wouldn't like some of these comments about her admirers. SAM HARRIS you did GREAT!!!
MsPattiPattiTV 1 year ago
Comment removed
MsPattiPattiTV 1 year ago
I think I'm mad at that whole outfit. Its a good thing he can really sing. Or we wouldn't be friends anymore. But it was the 80s.
chacha29 1 year ago
Such over dramatic CRAP.
McCall72 1 year ago
Dumb ass! YOU ARE NO PATTI LABELLE!!! That was a kareoke performance. Sorry. You lack Pattis vpice & stage presence !!! L O S E R ! ! !
tudy59 1 year ago
@tudy59 i agree but, that,s why we wear clothers, drive nice caes have beautiful.houses ect,NOW YOU KNOW WHY,IF YOU DON.T,WELL WE ARE ALL EMULATORS,ARE YOU NOT,LETTTT.S LESTEN TO MUSIC, PS I KNOW, YOU KNOW,THEY AND HE KNOWS, PATTY LABELLE IS THE ONLY ONE TO MASTER THAT SOME WHERE OVER THE RAINBOW SONNNNG
guiana1000 1 year ago
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@tudy59 i agree but, that,s why we wear clothers, drive nice cars have beautiful.houses ect,NOW YOU KNOW WHY,IF YOU DON.T,WELL WE ARE ALL EMULATORS,ARE YOU NOT,LETTTT.S LESTEN TO MUSIC, PS I KNOW, YOU KNOW,THEY AND HE KNOWS, PATTY LABELLE IS THE ONLY ONE TO MASTER THAT SOME WHERE OVER THE RAINBOW SONNNNG
guiana1000 1 year ago
Comment removed
oideyasu1000 1 year ago
I think i just had a spiritual thing haha
nbody does it better t date !!!!!!!!!!!
17forthewin 1 year ago
@17forthewin I THINK I KNOW, BUT WHERE ARE YOU GOING
guiana1000 1 year ago
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Beavis would be violently spitting his soda out to this
GrizeldaGrundle 1 year ago
Beavis would be violently spitting his soda out to this
GrizeldaGrundle 1 year ago 3
@GrizeldaGrundle I know I did!
Plasticsoul 7 months ago
that pink color hurts my eyes!
ScienceReasonBelief 1 year ago
It'd be nice if he didn't sing the same songs the same way over and over again. As much as he tries, he ain't no DIVA!!! Get something new and original and drop the holier than thou attitude Samantha.
prspad 1 year ago
it's like when God was giving out butt cracks, this guy got in line twice.
marcometer 1 year ago
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untalented fag.
Meskiagkasher 1 year ago
man as much as I loves this guy's voice, and even having performed with him before, this particular performance is just too over the top. it's too all over the place. not to mention the outfit!
goo83 1 year ago
Sam still tours and has been VERY successful on Broadway and was featured in a television show with Broadway actress Kristin Chenoweth. Sam was singing here at the legendary Apollo Theater. Sam! Love the outfit. That takes alot of nerve to show up in PINK at the Apollo. LOL Magical, like always. I have seen Sam twice in concert. After each show he sells his CD's and signs autographs. Very nice man and VERY talented.
luvsjenholliday 1 year ago
Its a shame he didn't reach the top. I always liked hearing him sing. But as the saying go, it depend on who's backing you and who all you know.
MegaDianal 1 year ago
@MegaDianal It has more to do with his attitude and his whiny youtube/myspace rants than anything.
prspad 1 year ago
This is where I first heard Sam Harris along with my dad who loved his voice! I would have been 13 years old in '85 - even the men wore shoulder pads lol. Still an amazing voice x
judsy118 1 year ago
Great voice!
klg1956 1 year ago
He dresses like a SUPERDIVA!! LOL
ironman84ish 1 year ago
@ironman84ish He is a SUPERDIVA...in all ways. Look up his MySpace videoes and you'll see what a whiny ignorant DIVA he is.
prspad 1 year ago
Great job...but, no, my friend, he is NOT better than Judy Garland!!!!!!!
patricklr5150 1 year ago
I remember tuning into Star Search every week just to see what Sam Harris was going to perform that week. He was indeed the standard bearer for that show..."The Orginal American Idol"...I actually think he was ahead of his time and this country wasn't quite ready for a white male performer who sounded like our best black female singers...and Motown completely mishandeled his career...shame...he's a great talent.
carltonhallvideos 1 year ago
You were my idol growing up and i still love your voice, I won a lip sync contest at school doing this song into i've heard it all before. Love ya Sam
badbradsc 1 year ago
OMG! What a amazing voice!
Chocolatensexy 1 year ago
Adam Lambert= the wanna-be Sam Harris!
ICONCRUSHER 1 year ago
nice outfit
phildirt3 1 year ago
Nice perm there, Smokie!
FredericaBimble 1 year ago
Still terrific !
pepperytime 1 year ago
Cannot believe all the stupid people thinking this was a great vocal performance and failed to see how campy this was. Talk about 'over the top' for 'over the rainbow'.
VIEWTUBE00000 1 year ago
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Since when do epileptic seizures pass for entertainment?
jimyjam99 1 year ago
Since when do epileptic seizures pass for entertainment?
jimyjam99 1 year ago
Sure, he has a decent voice, but he over does it.
Too much slow and slurring scatting is involved in his performance.
DrFuckingPepper 1 year ago
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OMG this guy should be taken out back and shot for the cold blooded murder of a great classic song. This guy goes way beyond sucking, his over the top, ala" Patti Labelle rip-off" rendition of this song is like nails on a chalk board and gives me stomach pains to listen to. Add that to that ridiculous clown outfit he was wearing, the whole experience , left me nauseous, I'm sure Judy is turning in her grave after this massacre of her beloved song.
waynegreer72 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
OMG this guy should be taken out back and shot for the cold blooded murder of a great classic song. This guy goes way beyond sucking, his over the top, ala" Patti Labelle rip-off" rendition of this song is like nails on a chalk board and gives me stomach pains to listen to. Add that to that ridiculous clown outfit he was wearing, the whole experience , left me nauseous, I'm sure Judy is turning in her grave after this massacre of her beloved song.
waynegreer72 1 year ago
OMG this guy should be taken out back and shot for the cold blooded murder of a great classic song. This guy goes way beyond sucking, his over the top, ala" Patti Labelle rip-off" rendition of this song is like nails on a chalk board and gives me stomach pains to listen to. Add that to that ridiculous clown outfit he was wearing, the whole experience , left me nauseous, I'm sure Judy is turning in her grave after this massacre of her beloved song.
waynegreer72 1 year ago
OMG this guy should be taken out back and shot for the cold blooded murder of a great classic song. This guy goes way beyond sucking, his over the top, ala" Patti Labelle rip-off" rendition of this song is like nails on a chalk board and gives me stomach pains to listen to. Add that to that ridiculous clown outfit he was wearing, the whole experience , left me nauseous, I'm sure Judy is turning in her grave after this massacre of her beloved song.
waynegreer72 1 year ago
Awesome. All you haters should get a life.
BrightStar627 1 year ago
That was disgusting... I don't even know how else to respond. I'm a musician who's seen a lot in the past and appreciated/accepted a lot, but that... that was not only a bastardisation of a classic -- and I'm very lenient with "progressive" renditions -- but also a disgrace to musicianship.
zzmondhellesee81 1 year ago
My mom loved him. I think he sounds comical.
klmholand 1 year ago
the best vocal on this song since judy garland sam you are amazing love ya wish you and liza would do something together
ajgroelant 2 years ago
right out of the Patti workbook.....bless his heart. He gave it a go but it looked like he almost shit on himself on that big note on the end of the song.
MisterCrazyLegs 2 years ago 3
That's exactly the way Patti would have done it - and for a GUY to be able to do a creditable Patti LaBelle, in front of the Apollo audience, and not be dragged off...this vid just does not do him justice. I saw this live, and what you don't see is enough of the crowd reaction - he owned the tune.
suhuso59 2 years ago
wow he was one of the greats off of start search
dictionary40 2 years ago
they really should play this at gitmo.
sutcliffe62x 2 years ago
AAAAuUUUGGHHHH!!!!
chaplinfan48 2 years ago
is he tryin to be patti la belle of some sort?
van121988 2 years ago
omg....my friend sent me this link and when i see her ima slap the SHIT out of her crazy ass....
willwilliams85 2 years ago
"First of All" the majority of you poster are fucking idiots. Does anyone really understand how incredible his voice is? It's like a porsche runnin a race with a beetle. He is money; one of the best WHITE pure, male vocalists that has been born in quite some time. A complete rival to any negro that can carry a tune. He is a true artist.
AchromaticAdulation 2 years ago 2
you people need to spell better
grant4479 2 years ago 2
man i witness this as a git and back then tis was that fire
smurfigee 2 years ago
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I have to agree, this is pretty horrible. It's not that he can't sing, it's just that he doesn't channel his talent to produce the best possible outcome. His singing is overwrought as well as over the top. I know this was a long time ago. Hopefully he's matured as an artist since he does have a good voice. For a rendition of this song by an artist who has the vocal chops, yet doesn't perform the song like she's having a seizure, see Eva Cassidy's version, the best ever.
novajoe65 2 years ago
That's God awful.
cleverclogs70 2 years ago
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First OMG what is he wearing ? Faggy clown clothes. He sounds like a frustrated drag queen doing a very bad impression of Patti LaBelle's version of "Somewhere Over the rainbow". His voice makes me cringe and he destroy's perfectly good songs with his God awful over the top renditions of them. Reminds me of a drag queen trying to work the audience for tips. Really lousy shit.
waynegreer72 2 years ago
Great to see this old clip - Sam is still great and performing. Good for him and all the haters can just go........
vallartaisheaven 2 years ago
kill me!!!!:D
ur25lipca 2 years ago
Comment removed
cricket34 2 years ago
@cricket34 He and his partner danny are very happy with their son cooper
mmb1998 2 years ago
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OMG What the hell is this guy wearing? Talk about Send in the clowns. Where is he now, hopefully tucked away never to be seen or heard from again. A one trick pony. That got old real fast.
waynegreer72 2 years ago
well, waynegreer72...way to be a creep. LOL... Sam is actually out there still performing...his voice is even better now than it used to be. what do YOU do for a living...are you happy in your life or do you just cruise youtube being a turd? jeez.
nessamaine 2 years ago 2
You might want to remember when this was and he is far from tucked away. Check out his channel and you can see that.
KissHope 2 years ago
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He is one of the most cheeziest CAMPIEST 'performers' from the 80's .Gag me with a spoon!
VIEWTUBE00000 2 years ago
He's one of the greats. Check out all his videos and vlogs. The guy is an all around major entertainer. Singular.
grillgirll 2 years ago 4
he kind of looks like george michael.
manolapix 2 years ago 3
Everybody in the '80s looked like George Michael.
jimfrogchicago 2 years ago 10
@jimfrogchicago hahahahahhahahaaa awesome.
ccm800 1 year ago
@jimfrogchicago LOL
amdnovello 1 year ago
@jimfrogchicago No,.Boy George....
techslam 8 months ago
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Holy crap!.............I just realized he's trying to copy Patti Labelle.........listen bro, NO ONE COPIES PATTI LABELLE !!
donpazer 2 years ago
The only fuckin crap is you, stupid. Sam don't need to copy anybody, he has enough talent for give and more.
Example, he" turns down" in a big ovation the house of the black music. The Apollo theatre.
He's gay, and what, what a matter to you?. Sam is a good man helping people with AIDS and you, what about you?
You better shut up, silly, you are envy of him, you only are a fuckin loser !!!!!
Abbot63 2 years ago
It doesnt matter where he singing at...all that matters is the audience
mylenh 2 years ago 2
ATLEAST if he go do it...he needs to stop sounding so animated...he trying to hard..he has a good voice he needs to use his natural voice
mylenh 2 years ago
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Hmmmmm......I wonder if he's gay?? I just can't figure it out! (LOL)
donpazer 2 years ago
Gay or straight....does it matter? He is a world class performer. His sexual preference makes no difference whatsover to his God given talent.
stewartmac1 2 years ago
SHUT UPP! SHUT UPP!!!!
BookerDayton 2 years ago
He makes me gag!
joesafari 2 years ago
bet you can sing??? anyone can sing better then that!
no offense to ppl who actually like that..
vintagechick1 2 years ago
Envy of him, I'm sure of that !!!!!!!!
Abbot63 2 years ago
is this guy famous? reeeally?
vintagechick1 2 years ago
"It's like when God was passing out buttcracks, this guy got in line twice"
spczmb 2 years ago
Good ole Sam paved the way for today's "idols"...this is what I remember...my friends all wanted me to rty out for Star Search and I didn't have the guts...wish I would have listened now, but at least I can go to You Tube and share the memories of these awesome times!!
Tinalynn1 2 years ago
This morning is very special for me, I'm very happy because the magic of YouTube.
I was a teenager whe I saw on T.V this amazing performance of one white cute guy singing like a black, the male version of Patti LaBelle.
His name: Sam Harris.
After almost 30 years, I discovered again this treasure, bring back to me a great memories.
Personally, Sam is the greatest male voice all time.
Thank you very much for posting that treasure.
Abbot63 2 years ago 3
I remember this. He peformed it first as a contestant on Star Search.
HowieP 2 years ago
what happened to this guy???? He had a voice. He didn't make it?
jlmroundlake 2 years ago
i love it when they played this song on a beavis and butthead episode, and beavis almost had a seizure because butthead had the remote control and wouldn't change it, hahahaha
otishendryx 2 years ago
Geeeezus Khrist that is something else. huhhhh
lisalouNZ 2 years ago
Tha's Sam the man. Man, he was and still is a powerhouse singer.
robertantonnyc 3 years ago 2
Her reminds me of Von Smith
singers333 3 years ago
He reminds me of "Vince Boone" from "Malcolm in the Middle".
veelalynne 3 years ago
he rocks ! you go gay boy, you have a wonderful voice and you look great for your age !
TWISTEDRANE 3 years ago
OH my god I needed this laugh so bad..holy crap I cant hold it together
ahaha
boodastanker 3 years ago
Don't be all hating.....bet you can't sing!
CarolinaCABoy 3 years ago
Who gives a damn if he's gay, idiot? He wasn't asked to suck anyone's dick, he was asked to sing. And sing he did. Sam was and probably still is one hell of a performer. I'm not gay, but you dumb ass homophobic, self-righteous assholes need to get a life.
1TubeBaby 3 years ago 3
I taped this performance that night, and literally wore out the tape over the years. I am thrilled that it has been posted. This is my very favorite Sam performance.
laley1285 3 years ago 2
who gives a sh!t about his sexuality, this guy has a stunning vocal range & has been admired since the early 80's
lufc58 3 years ago 2
THIS GUY BLOWS HE IS A DISGRACE TO THE NAME SAM HARRIS
The real Sam Harris poops on this foolskie
Euclid420 3 years ago
why do you have to be so rude?
TWISTEDRANE 3 years ago
Gay or not, what a voice and in some ways I liked this presentation better than the original on Star Search. Such a stong voice, even today. Never heard a male singer with such inflections as on this song by Sam. Chilling.
harleevet 3 years ago
Spectacular! Magnificent!!
chevychase 3 years ago
Who the heck cares if the Man is gay or not - he has got one hell of a voice - and what a range!
Shadiamond 3 years ago
I must say however, the Brotha was Bad. His version is defineately one of the best.
foreverlarge 3 years ago
I will always wonder how everyone must have felt allowing Sam Harris to sing, on the same stage, the song that made Patti LaBelle an legend. Would have been awsome had they performed this together, but then again Patti had so dominated this special, that it wasn't necessary.
foreverlarge 3 years ago
don't get me wrong, i love Sam, always have, but, if you didn't know he was gay before he walked on stage...you certainly did the moment he walked on...that outfit..just doesn't get any gay-er.
Huntinbear 3 years ago
Sam that was Awesome...!
I got to see Sam Harris awhile back at the TCC Auditorium in Tulsa and Sam blew em away there too...!
He's an amazing entertainer and great guy too.
Best wishes
Jerry
JerrysTube 3 years ago
omg i've never laughed so hard in my life. That was so priceless. WHAT A TOOL HAHAHA!!
coleandgrant3 3 years ago
I was 4 yrs old when he did this performance! I have looked for this video for ever! After my grandmother passed away, we lost this video and have been looking for Performances from Motown returns to the apollp since. Every year @ christmas we play A Motown Merry X-mas and its great! This was a memorable performance by the great Sam Harris!
miha2581 3 years ago
While I admire Sam's voice, energy and desire to express himself the way he wants (at least how he did in the 1980s when this was likely shot)this performance makes me strangley uncomfortable. It is SO overdone - from the costuming (can you say Judy Garland pink!) to the almost parody-inviting vocal gymnastics complete with quasi-Judy mannerisms. I wish people would take such artist-centric pieces as this and re-invent them. Judy was Judy. Sam should be Sam (he seems closer today)
Billcoxyz 3 years ago
lol i watch this video just so i can laugh my ass off.
coleandgrant3 3 years ago
Awesome and BRAVE (the outfit)! Good surprises come in 'strange' packages. Guess i need ot look up a few of his albums and see if there is a Christmas album.
warrengonline 3 years ago
There is only one word for Sam and that word is AWESOME!!!
marimootwo 3 years ago
I saw the original performance and was blow away. Am so glad to have the chance to play it over and over again. Sam, you're incredible and give me chills each and every time I hear your version of this song. Judy would give you a standing ovation!
maxblddd 3 years ago
This is my favorite performance of this song by Harris on MOTOWN RETURNS TO THE APOLLO. So dramatic. Thanks.
paul51 3 years ago
Does anyone know how to reach Mr. Harris or his agent?
RenoEmperor25 3 years ago
that's our sammy! older and wiser now, in 2008 but looking and sounding BETTER than ever.
VLPRESL 3 years ago
hahahahahaha
fritiofkonkas 3 years ago
Never saw this performance, thanks for sharing. Amazing voice, that Sam. Love the Rufus Wainwright brooches. :)
sign543 3 years ago
beautiful voice
barbaglia 3 years ago
Damn Sam ... that outfit .. what were you thinking ???
MasterMark123 3 years ago
LOL...this video takes me back to that very night this was on television...I was washing dishes after dinner. Sam started singing and I was like, "Who is that?" It's hard to believe that such a BIG voice came out of a skinny kid from Sand Springs, OK...right up the road from where I grew up. Simply Amazing Sam!
bnsjt 3 years ago
Damn Sam! -- Great voice!
Knocking4agoodtime 3 years ago 2
The day I saw Sam sing on star search was the day I fell in love with him! This song still gives me chills no matter how many times I hear it and now on Youtube have the pleasure of watching it as many times as I like lol Thanks for posting this!
Pippilly 3 years ago
what a wonderful voice, i to think his is awsome !
TWISTEDRANE 3 years ago