Stevie Wonder Living For The City - Live in room sound

[EnlightenedRogue]

There's a musical interlude in the original "Carrie" when the gym teacher is making the girls do pushups and that synthisizer must've been used for it.

[emeraldomusik]

the instrumental interlude which is repeated several times at the end is one of the best musical ideas i have ever heard.

[donnie859donnie]

I SEE MRS WILLAMS THERE

[r4shied]

i need my ears in future.. just listening to it with low volume

[bennyfromthe72]

The reason why atomic speakers should exist.

[tomhbeatle1]

A VIDEO FOR ANNA - by Tom Hough / SPAR WLB-403

Copy & Paste,thanks

[supermarine67]

Just a great, deep groove...

[sjdinergrrl]

just enough

[snidelywhiplash]

Hot DAMN!

[ffejbboc]

Stevie is at the top of his game during this period. His band is insanely tight. Just golden. Great stuff.

[VoodooUprising]

thank you stevie,,,ghetto youth massive

[RayNDeere]

Is calling Stevie Wonder a genius not really giving him enough credit?

There has to be a word that can better describe what he has done for music.

[rotolo]

i love the mutron iii in the first shot, just got one its the best!

[PhillipIsAlive]

Genius. just genius

[eggboyuk]

Stevie. In the City.

[ufgtr1992]

Absolutely amazing! Just as good live as it is on record. Thank you Stevie.

[TheCptKid]

it's even better.

[xfunkster]

I like this video. Live performance that's not in a huge arena. Not that I begrudge Stevie for being able to do that. If anybody deserves such accolades, he does. I'm just noticing the intimate setting. A truly wonderful way to share live music.

[Jamfan100]

Michael Sembello on guitar/keys

[ClassicTVMan81]

The synthesizers (ARP, Moog, et al.) on the original version of this song were programmed by the duo known as TONTO - that is Malcolm Cecil and Bob Margouleff.

[mlagueux]

that's the truth right there.

[TheNewsoul2]

Ollie Brown is on drums (breakin ) and people need to stop blaming rap music when it is record industry execs made a business decision to promote commerical rap music because white kids bought and preferred the lil waynes, Snoop Doggs, Gucci Mane, 50 Cents over black artists in all genres of music young and old who didn't want to hear the next Stevies, Jimi, Arethas,Nina Simones, Sly Stones, James Browns and Princes. Whites and others love black sterotypes and cooning so stop whinning.

[theregsband]

I don't think people realize how great Stevie is. This is one of the greatest songs of all time! Check out our humble cover of this Stevie and tell us what you think : )

[jenny49095]

beautiful song!!! one of Michael Jackson's favourites!!! me too!!!

[MrSoulboy1]

i love m.j too they are both amazingly awesome!!

[DollyMat]

Fantastic song from Stevie and i see Denice Williams killing it' on the backing vocals.

[gaipontiff2]

Stevie is one of the Greatest of All Time, I could listen to his music all day long

[daust126]

my fav stevie song for sure! genius

[Cashelboy12]

nevermind the game and other gangster rappers who spread messeges of hate stevie was a true black musical icon

[hardtrip99]

What the fuck U say.. Gangsta rap is just a viewed on a reality..

[Cashelboy12]

ya its a terribly negative outlook and it promotes violence

[hardtrip99]

Promotes violence.. so now the violence is a product of rap, of wrong book... ooohh fo sho ... still livin in this conviction.. maybe someday you R one of them that burns book and Cd's that other guys and girls like you think to have the right to decide what the world can listen or earing ... c'mon man... the violence is insiede all of man.. and Rap and gangsta rap and other milion kind songs and booksjust descrve NOT promotes...

[PawtucketPatriot66]

Bottom line:

Stevie Wonder is THE shit.

"Gangsta" Rap is just shit.

[IloveAlexisBledel689]

Really wish artists of today were making good music like Stevie's... too bad with those ''50 cent'' shit or ''Puff Dudley'' or diddly or whatever the fuck he's called this month.

[xDiamondDoll702x]

lmfao@puff dudley

[unclegusyo]

Look around you

[robinhatch]

@PawtucketPatriot66 If you open up a history book you'd realize the genres aren't too far apart from each other (actually more similar than dissimilar), and this also applies to most genres.

[pcburgh01]

I would love to see a rap artist write out a sheet of blank bars and arrange music without a switchboard/dial/lever or synthesizer that makes music for the artist. crappers do not create music - they write lyrics and push buttons to make a beat and overlay it with synthesized and prerecorded sounds. In all fairness though, I realize there are some that actually know music aka The Roots. I am refering to the 50 cent type

[JackMomma78]

That dude with the guitar strapped around him palying the syntheseizer solos rules!

He looks like he smoked about a quarter oz. of kine bud right before going on.

Anyone know his name? Do tell if any of you know!

[TheElPajero]

Really groovy goin' here! It would also be cool to know the make/name of the synthesizer.

[JackMomma78]

I agree. It looks like one of those toy syntheseizers that you'd buy for a beginner. It's definitely not a mini Moog, but does have it's own unique sound just like the Moog.

[samuelruncorn78]

I believe the synths here are ARPs

[TheElPajero]

Thanks for the info.

[mcallen8204]

His name is Michael Sembello. He's the guy who sang "Maniac" on the Flashdance Soundtrack. He was in Stevie's Band when he was a teenager. He's probably about 17, 18 in this video.

[RayNDeere]

Birthday is listed as 17 April 1954, so 19 is about right. Looks about 30 with that mustache

[09smoothcriminal]

he was born in May 13 1950, so he is around 23 here

[mrmartinmartin]

I listened to it loud and now my ears hurt, feel like they are bleeding... but its a good feeling.

[d0ublestr0ker0ll]

Oh my god, that has to be the funniest quote in Stevie Wonder video history.

Good show!

Easily one of the best videos on this freaking internet.

[snidelywhiplash]

I followed the "listen loudly" instructions. My windows were vibrating. That loud enough? : )

[carminenap1969]

il più grande di tutti i tempi

[FedeVox83]

favoloso, favoloso, favoloso...oddio, non riesco a dire altroooo!!!

[videosupremejudge]

We need more real talent in music. Someone just needs to filter out all of the shite n leave the world with real music. Thats what everyone needs really.

[luvoldstuf]

blacks need to put down the beat box and pick up instruments again. it don't get much better than this.

[thegirl44]

I don't know that that advice should be limited to one race, it seems that almost all modern musicians, and I use the term loosely, should heed it.

[h4ppydriver]

@thegirl44 inspired on a race, applicable to a whole "civilization"

he is even more clear in higher ground

<3 Mr. Wonder

[Back0Pack]

Ive been trying to think where I heard this song.

Tupac's documentary called 'Ressurection' When they are beginning the segment where they talk about his childhood. That was bothering me for a long time

[Back0Pack]

All I can say is wow. I wish I grew up in this era.

[chewiefrancisco]

I did grow up in this era!!! LOVE IT!!!!

[msstevie1951]

Remember Little Stevie Wonder "Fingertips pt 1 & 2 Everybody say yeah! loved that kid then But Really Love this Man now!!! A real Wonder to behold!!! Thanks for posting this oldie but goodie and it's still true, we still earn just enough for the city!

[raylu126]

Dudes bangin' the skins like a white woman!

[jbones61]

Why BITCH, just enjoy. Life is too short. Did you see OTIS REDDING in person. I Did 1966 in Houston, Texas and I have all of those memories.

Jimmy Alexander class of 1942

[ALLACES1point0]

I wish i was could have sean Otis redding I was born in the 90's

[MrEggcake]

Wonderful.

[flickdatbean]

Absolutely amazing

[splitenzfreak1980]

And yes I've quickly realised Stevie ain't playing the Moog, that white dude is. Oh well, still good!

[synthpro]

I don,t believe that is a moog. I think it is an ARP. It may be an ARP 2600.

[splitenzfreak1980]

I'll take your word for it! I know sweet fuck-all about keyboards! Anyway, whatever it is I love the sound.

[splitenzfreak1980]

Stevie is the epitome of cool in his clothes, and he's making that Moog talk. FUNKYYY!!!

[Oscarell]

Fantastic!

[roseybudd]

I love this ... :)

[gunsanddrugs]

sound is put through a mixer of sorts here, its not a small room either, its a full on cinema, and hopefully a sold out crowd, while hes on stage with a set looking like a small room, as many other greats have played as well..! but.. as for the quality of the backing singers etc, more quality here than any band etc today, these guys really had to work as well back then and most of the time for peanuts! i am always in awe when i see these guys perform!

[guitarjackgates]

breath taking

[sentret]

beside from the fact that this is an awesome song,the sound quality is so real.

thanks for uploading this junhope1970!!

[Quietus5]

The music being created today does not have depth like it did back then. Back then, there was a true oppression. Now, it's our fault that many of our people have not progressed. We not look at others; we must look in the mirror. We will be the root our own destruction if we do not improve our inner being. If not we disrespect those before us.

[livingthruchemistry]

People like you make me laugh.

[ih8stuff3]

I see the struggle of honest, hard-working black people back when it meant a damn...and then I see today's "thug" morons living for what? A self-defeating, endless spiral of destruction. Even caveats from Chris Rock, Bill Cosby and Larry Elder... When will today's black man learn that he has a legacy of hard fucking work that ENABLES him to be wrecklessly devoid of care? And when will he take up the fight for himself in THIS day? Why continue to propagate a style of ignorance and foolishness?

[wasteyelo1]

CHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

[frank47hammer]

Stevie at the top of his game...Yeah

[atvfreelife]

i had a dream last night. the band was playing. stevie was on keys. charles mingus whaled away his bass. james brown was kicking donald fegan in the shins. the pointer sisters schooled woody allen in ping-pong. forty love. and then, just as i was adapting to the chaos, sting rode in on a harley davidson and challenged steve winwood and miles davis to a shootout at high noon. miles refused- he ran behind wayne shorter- who ran behind woody allen- who just ran until he got to the letterman show...

[RADICALIfNecessary]

Who is that on the Electric Keyboard...he doesn't seem to be enjoying the genius of this Legend named Stevie Wonder.

Smile muthafucka, you're jammin with a Legend of music.

[Soul74]

Its Michael Sambello (spelling?) he's a guitarist so maybe he's unhappy he had to play synth.

[Tinymoezzy]

haha yea well put

[dtegg91]

Probably drugs.

[rityrocks]

Mmmmn. Maybe he is nervous or that is his concentration face...

[DannyDesperate]

What is all this crap about being blind! Music is about the ears. It is over use of the eyes that kills musicicans - too many guitarists rely on fretmarkers etc to know that a note is a Bb instead of feeling Bb. Result = music free automotons.

Stevie knows where the Bb is, unlike players who use the eyes to confirm. It is in that moment of uncertainty the music is lost. Stevie's keys are hard wired to his brain.

BTW - this IS A TOP PERFORMANCE of a GENIUS SONG.

[RADICALIfNecessary]

EXACTLY

[13042125]

Leave him he is a musician for petes sake

[OldskoolOwl]

Fanfookintastic !

[getyourkicks]

i think that is deneice williams in the background the red head}...i know she sung with him before she was a soloest...

[PelicanGuy]

Yes, that is Deneice.

[Ackamoracca]

is the reason stevie isn't playing the lead synthesizer part because of his blindness?

[Kingsnake1]

that doesn't make any sense...

[Ackamoracca]

well I mean like since he's blind, maybe the extra second it takes to orientate his hand on the keyboard is just enough too long.

[Kingsnake1]

i doubt it... he's been playing the keys since he was a kid. i don't think it'd make a difference. it's just not a main part of the song... stevie is busy playing the rhythm the whole time...

[Ackamoracca]

oh ok

[eyecorona]

his blindness hasnt hindered him in any way at all...the man plays about 6 instruments brilliantly

[Ackamoracca]

I know I know

[kenytco68]

As good as 70s funk ever got... and it got dayum good! Thank you Stevie for showing us the way!

[luvoftorah]

Who is this drummer, he play's Stevie's parts well, what a groove!! May jaw hit the floor!!

[sparks199]

The drummer is Ray Parker, he was also in the Ghostbusters movie

[luvoftorah]

Amazing music! Stevie was/is a genius! These chords are just incredible. I love playing drums to this one.

[bubblestickboy]

stevie wonder is god in the form of a black blind man

[RayNDeere]

Other than Stevie, Sembello and Wonderlove (the backup singers), who makes up the rest of the band in this clip?

[bresmith]

I dont know who he is but the drummer is cool as fuck!

[sparks199]

The drummer is Ray Parker, who is also an actor, Ghosbusters

[Soul74]

Ray Parker is a guitarist and he did the SOUNDTRACK to Ghostbusters.

[lavender880]

Nathan Watts on bass, one of the back up singers is most probably Deniece Williams.

[daveyfuego]

wicked. anyone know where i can find 'I Can See The Sun In Late December' from this gig? Roberta Flack recorded it but I'm sure I can remember seeing Stevie doing it in this show?? (on VH1..i wasn't there sadly..)

[elton1111]

The "white guy" is Michael Sembello, who did the song "Maniac" in the '80's.

Stevie did the "famous chords" on the recording of the album, but Sembello took over for the live performance. (Stevie often did his own drumming too).

[JJJZANESVILLE2]

I actually met Stevie in New Orleans in 1977. I only shook his hand and told him I loved him. It was at a hotel where he was checking in. I love him. I love his music, forever.

[JJJZANESVILLE2]

So it is a white guy who plays those famous chords? I don't know what to say, people. I love stevie.

[garzaeduardo]

hat chew talking bout willis?what famous chords???

[RayNDeere]

1:09 to 1:23 is the famous chords that are being referred to. Stevie played them on the album (along with drums, bass and all keyboards), but Michael Sembello played them on the synth in this performance.

[lavender880]

RayNDeere...and FYI, Michael Sembello later went on to win the Grammy for his mega hit, " Maniac " in 1983!

[madman3]

These kids now can learn a lesson or 2 from watching this...no pointless formation dance routines, just real musicianship.

[IsrealFloresto]

1:23 is like the best scream i've ever heard

i'm now haunted for life by the brilliance of stevie wonder

the ecohs of this performance is the cause for my diagnosis of severe schizophrenia

[marcusparks]

My favorite song of all time....any genre!!

[sexyneck]

Wow.. Didn't know Orange existed back then.. (1:06 you can see the amp).

[RayNDeere]

Beat Club (Musik Laden) was known for using Orange amps. Have seen them in performances from Canned Heat, Black Sabbath and (i think), James Gang.

[starwarsnerd79]

I love when VH1 Soul would play this clip - and Superstition. Stevie Wonder is THE quintessential live performer! Effin' amazing!

[manb4war]

...to find a job is like a haystack neeeedle, cuz where he lives they don't use colored people!!!!

Wooooo, that's fire...I wish I had been there!!!

[skoonz]

Your an audio engineer... apart from the reverb, how do you get the sound so clean? please tell me coz Im studying engineering..

[padmopaddy]

damn damn cool sound 4 in the room.

[adater]

FUCK ME! What a great performance

[ZepBeat]

adater: LOL. No shit.

[daddylong25]

LIVING JUST ENOUGH TO PUT GAS IN MY CAR

[kralle7611]

soooo full of the most epic win.

[SabuPtolemy]

This must be from German TV - I recognize the 'Musik Laden' logo in the background. Stevie was total church back in those days. Genius!

[ZepBeat]

What can anyone say about Stevie? He is one of the greatest singers/musicians/songwriters of all time, and has influenced so many artists. He has so many brilliant songs to his credit (pre-1980s), but if I had to choose one as my favorite, this is it, siply the coolest.

[deedledum21]

Brilliant...

[valleygirlhepkat]

This is by far the best version I have seen of this song..I love it..! What music and what style!

[SoulTooSoul]

This is Stevie Wonder at his zenith. He had some incredible musicians and singers. Ollie Brown was playing the drums. Young Ray Parker Jr. was picking the guitar. Do you recognize Deniece Williams beating the devil out of that tamborine? Stevie was lava hot.

[talktalk2]

Love seeing the younger Stevie in this...this is my favorite Stevie song...I love everyone's look in this...I caught his concert here in Houston on Dec. 4...AWESOME...noticed mix of younger/older crowd at the concert...is the redhead in this video Deniece (not sure of spelling) Williams?

[KevyNova]

I've been listening to Stevie my whole life (34 years) and everytime I hear him, I am still blown away by how talented he is. Stevie is proof that there is a God....

[rassledassle82]

He is AWESOME!!!And did you know he has a great sense of humor - I am young and just gettin hip to the old episodes of SNL, and he was on there with Eddie Murphy doing a spoof of himself - it was HILARIOUS!

[Jet166]

This is just...I don't know, you can't put into words how good this is. Musicians today should hang their heads at the crap they put out when compared to this.

[IsrealFloresto]

yYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS­S god bless u

[devenking]

Stevie does kick some major ass

[bigworm712293]

this kicks so much ass

[orugasaki]

stevie is the greatest of all time...i won't hear otherwise