Happy the Man played at the business auditorium at VCU my sophmore year in college, I had purchased their first album cause a friend suggested it to me. They are one of those bands that sounds so good from the studio, and doesn't miss a lick Live! Unbelieveable Band! They are so tight. This music genre does not get the appretiation it deserves! I can still pull those albums out and get the same rush I got from them the first time!
this certainly was not written by anyone else..... this absolutely was written by either Kit or Stanley or Frank or Rick. this is totally Happy The Man's! No question!
yes there are a few bands out there they could open for for a wider appeal like maybe a Dave Matthews maybe some European progressives still out there doing there thing..thanks also wiggansdesign for the update-they do have a site i found with there management company
They reunited about 5 years ago for a moment with this new keyboard player but I eleive I heard the guitar player may have had a serious illness since. Hope he's well or it was just a rumor.
@wigginsdesign Stan Whitaker was indeed quite ill but seems to have battled it against serious odds. HTM is now definetely in the past but Stan & Frank have moved on to a new band called Oblivion Sun. Still the same quality HTM-like music. So far one album released and another in the pipeline.
I AM GONNA WRITE TO THERE MANAGEMENT TEAM IN VIRGINA..THESE GUYS COULD OPEN FOR" RUSH" MAN..I THINK PEOPLE WOULD APPRECIATE THEM..PLUS GIVE THEM NEW NATIONAL EXPOSURE THINK A 40 MINUTE SET OPENING FOR RUSH COULD WORK WELL.. WOULD BE GREAT FOR THEM-ESPECIALLY OPENING UP WITH THIS SONG..MAN PEOPLE WOULD BE LIKE WTF--THAT WHAT I AM GOING TO DO...
RON REPLIED TO ME---Hi Ron,(YEAH WOULDN'T YOU KNOW)
Thanks for the beautiful email and so nice to make your virtual acquaintance! Always great to meet a fellow drummer. Sounds like you are doing great things. Keep up the good work. Maybe our paths will cross in person one day!
But i just wanted to say that i appreciated the work you did on crafty hands and thank you for the joys that -that album brought to me-I wish you all the best in life and may your back get better and glad that your 'Journey' has been fruitful
they cracked like lighting and thunder-your style of play was dramatic and very passionate-and even back then i thought i would never see this band live-due to there obvious non commercial appeal-hen i heard the group was back together and read the stories of you and how you had a back injury...Hope you are doing ok!Like you venturing off- i got into modeling and acting and still play drums and enjoy it.
I remember this group".. when a friend told me -to listen to you- and said i would love and he said LOVE the drummer and i do believe this was your work (Crafty Hands)..since i have had a chance to read some history and see a few clips of the group...again the internet is great...You were the drummer that inspired me go out and buy a set of roto toms as well as play with a more dramatic style and [like you-i loved Tony Williams]..man they sounded so sweet and dramatic
I FOUND RON RIDDLE-wrote to him-Hello Ron...the internet is amazing i dont want to waste alot of your time but as a fellow drummer i would like to share this story-and i do hope the history is right! :O) (this is the short version)i was listening to some new todd rundgren (funny, how you also worked with some Bearsville artist)on u tube-when i slid down the list i saw a clip 'Happy The Man' and i was like, "wooooow!
this band is the shit man...those drums fucking crack like lightening-and this is probably not the best recording..but these guys are bad as a fuck...they are bad PERIOD! WHAT PASSION IN THEIR MUSIC AND THEY SEEM SO HUMBLE PUT THESE GUYS ON A TOUR WITH RUSH OR SOME OTHER PROGRESSIVE BAND THESE GUYS DESERVE THE BEST,,,THIS SONG IS SO DRAMATIC IT DRIVES MY HEART AND MY SOUL-THIS IS JUST A GREAT FUCKING CUT!!I HOPE THE BAND READS THIS LOVED U BACK IN 78 I DONT FORGET GOOD MUSIC HTM MAKES MEHAPPY!
Yes HTM was one of the greatest of the mid-70's Prog Bands ever. The name suits them because there music was so very uplifting and emotionally melodic not to mention ther quirky high energy technically advanced tunes. Think we were at the same show in GT. Yes said people don't know and appreciate these guys and this music genre as much as they should. To not know of music like this is a crime!!!
Yes HTM was one of the greatest of the mid-70's Prog Bands ever. The name suits them because there music was so very uplifting and emotionally melodic not to mention ther quirky high energy technically advanced tunes. Think we were at the same show in GT. Yes said people don't know and appreciate these guys and this music genre as much as they should. To not know of music like this is a crime!!!
Perhaps the most unknown of all the prog bands - great produciton, ideas, singing, solos - right up there. Crafty hands is one of the finest prog albums around, pity more people dont know about them.
Hey, great stuff....as I'm a great prog rock-fan I guess this band is a must-know band? But I must admit that this is first time I've heard them - but bloody hell - This is real Prog Rock!! alwaysladyrae.....great to read your story :-)
Ahhh yes...lazy Sunday afternoons at The Elbow Room in Harrisonburg. Or, catching the band at the CD or the keggers on Halloween...! I saw Genesis at Merriweather Post (The Duke tour) and the music on the PA prior to the band coming on was the as yet to be realeased Crafty Hands. Anyone who knows this band and got to see them live (in the day) with either Mike or Coco on drums can consider themselves in a very elite club (which is BTW the same club that got to see The Lamb live...eh?
I have searched everywhere for this song and just thought to pop onto you tube to look! WHAT A GAS as we would say back in the day!!! A good friend of mine back then, Wille Davis, hooked me onto HTM as well as The Grateful Dead, I miss him and the music! Got to see them live in GT back in the 70's, and even tho the drink prices were outrageous (no wonder there was no cover charge lol) it was well worth every penny spent! I LOVE THIS GROUP!!! They sound wonderful live !!! Thank U for sharing!
LOL yes we were! I stayed late at work ( worked for Xerox on N Ft Myer Drive in Rosslyn) then met my best friend at the grotto and then when went over!! I wasn't missing that show for the world......after lol oh boy we ran up and down the old "exorcist"steps singing wind up doll days by HTM and flowers and beads by iron butterfly!! EGADS those were the days!!!!
I used to do repairs on their PRS equipment back in the day. I was Paul's apprentice and worked in the studio with these guys. It's great to find these old videos!
Sorry to hear that about Stan but happy he's better. Glads you like the video. I'm from DC in the Seventies, Georgetown Univ's WGTB radio would play their music. Saw them in a GT club in 77
The original keyboard player was Kit Watkins (back in the 70's). The keyboard player you see here is David Rosenthal who is amazing and famous for playing with everybody including Billy Joel. I understand he was such a fan that he took time out of his career to play with these guys.
I absolutely love you Happy the Man! Please check out my band "Metaphor for Everything." We're not prog exactly, but we're intelligent rock and it would be my dream to open for you. Check out my youtube videos, "Jaco Sunrise" and "Hero Unmasked" and let me know what you think.
I find it sad that corporate(U.S.A.)has manipulated the exposure & appreciation of music for so long. And the stale cliche' "They had to be on some heavy duty drugs to think that up"!, tells me how easily people are misguided. Though everyone is entitled to their options, one thing is for sure, We will be enjoying what the masses never will. Thank you Happy the Man for the great music! Think free.
I absolutely agree. Ron Riddle is a killer drummer, Kit Watkins an absolute virtuoso pianist. All-around outstanding musicians and talent. If you like prog, you must have HTM. Thanx for all the Heineken!
Yes they are, along with Gentle Giant, PFM, Genesis, ELP, UK, King Crimson, Van Der Graaf, and Amy Winehouse...........Oopps!! Only kidding on the last! Remember hearing them on a jazz station in Reno in 1977 first time, and "Starborne".
Just went to OBLIVION SUN myspace page. Listening to samples now of what became of the music Stanley Whitaker & Frank Wyatt wrote and decided to release under the name. Maintaining HTM became to complicated with member schedules. OS is great but different with elements of HTM's style still clearly evident
Oblivion Sun is the new band. Frank Wyatt, Stan Whitaker with a great drummer, bassist and keysman. Check the tunes out on the myspace site. They do some HTM when they play live.
Boy, that guy really "nails" Kit watkins solo's. All those guys are so good. Hope more people hear and see this stuff. It's so damn filling to hear this when compared to most of what is offered
Don't forget Stan Whitaker! He plays solo (Actually, duet, with his wife, LeAnne) in my area all the time and he's actually a good friend. He's been giving me guitar tips!
HTM came along a few years too late in the 70's to capture the audience they deserved. When the original recording of this track came out in 1978, Genesis was already recording "Follow You, Follow Me" and heading for the stadiums. Gentle Giant was about to call it a "Day". Do yourself a favor and pick up "Crafty Hands" from this one of the most under rated bands ever.
Rick used to let me play his PRS Bass. INCREDIBLE. I'd go to the band's Reston home on Saturdays, go to the basement band room, and ogle over their entire equipment setup there in the basement. Kit had a stadium of 10-15 keyboards....Stanley's double neck was in its stand....Coco's drums were a mini-stadium....and Rick's bass through a Bose 802 and 18" folded horn enclosure was nirvana.
GREAT VIDEO. My brother told me of this, and I cringed as I couldn't make it to The State Theater. We took bass lessons from Rick in 1978 and 1979. I am just so sorry the market didn't catch on to HTM. Seeing and hearing this takes me back to yesteryear, listening to them with headphones, floating off into soundscapes....
If only that Peter Gabriel thing would have worked out… Bummer.
scharlesdecker 1 month ago
Ha @scharlesdecker, I remind my younger brother, Stan, that every chance I can! Ken
SoftwareManiacLSM 1 month ago
Happy the Man played at the business auditorium at VCU my sophmore year in college, I had purchased their first album cause a friend suggested it to me. They are one of those bands that sounds so good from the studio, and doesn't miss a lick Live! Unbelieveable Band! They are so tight. This music genre does not get the appretiation it deserves! I can still pull those albums out and get the same rush I got from them the first time!
streetworm21 4 months ago
Greg Hawkes from The Cars wrote this song. He loves prog and space music, and said Kraftwerk was his favorite band.
Thetaloops 6 months ago
@Thetaloops
this certainly was not written by anyone else..... this absolutely was written by either Kit or Stanley or Frank or Rick. this is totally Happy The Man's! No question!
JoyceFunston 4 months ago
yes there are a few bands out there they could open for for a wider appeal like maybe a Dave Matthews maybe some European progressives still out there doing there thing..thanks also wiggansdesign for the update-they do have a site i found with there management company
TheTayedrums 10 months ago
They reunited about 5 years ago for a moment with this new keyboard player but I eleive I heard the guitar player may have had a serious illness since. Hope he's well or it was just a rumor.
wigginsdesign 10 months ago
@wigginsdesign Stan Whitaker was indeed quite ill but seems to have battled it against serious odds. HTM is now definetely in the past but Stan & Frank have moved on to a new band called Oblivion Sun. Still the same quality HTM-like music. So far one album released and another in the pipeline.
ChrisEchoes 3 months ago
I AM GONNA WRITE TO THERE MANAGEMENT TEAM IN VIRGINA..THESE GUYS COULD OPEN FOR" RUSH" MAN..I THINK PEOPLE WOULD APPRECIATE THEM..PLUS GIVE THEM NEW NATIONAL EXPOSURE THINK A 40 MINUTE SET OPENING FOR RUSH COULD WORK WELL.. WOULD BE GREAT FOR THEM-ESPECIALLY OPENING UP WITH THIS SONG..MAN PEOPLE WOULD BE LIKE WTF--THAT WHAT I AM GOING TO DO...
TheTayedrums 10 months ago
RON REPLIED TO ME---Hi Ron,(YEAH WOULDN'T YOU KNOW)
Thanks for the beautiful email and so nice to make your virtual acquaintance! Always great to meet a fellow drummer. Sounds like you are doing great things. Keep up the good work. Maybe our paths will cross in person one day!
Best,
Ron Riddle
Composer for Film
wwwronriddlecom
TheTayedrums 10 months ago
But i just wanted to say that i appreciated the work you did on crafty hands and thank you for the joys that -that album brought to me-I wish you all the best in life and may your back get better and glad that your 'Journey' has been fruitful
God bless
PEACE
TheTayedrums 10 months ago
they cracked like lighting and thunder-your style of play was dramatic and very passionate-and even back then i thought i would never see this band live-due to there obvious non commercial appeal-hen i heard the group was back together and read the stories of you and how you had a back injury...Hope you are doing ok!Like you venturing off- i got into modeling and acting and still play drums and enjoy it.
TheTayedrums 10 months ago
I remember this group".. when a friend told me -to listen to you- and said i would love and he said LOVE the drummer and i do believe this was your work (Crafty Hands)..since i have had a chance to read some history and see a few clips of the group...again the internet is great...You were the drummer that inspired me go out and buy a set of roto toms as well as play with a more dramatic style and [like you-i loved Tony Williams]..man they sounded so sweet and dramatic
TheTayedrums 10 months ago
I FOUND RON RIDDLE-wrote to him-Hello Ron...the internet is amazing i dont want to waste alot of your time but as a fellow drummer i would like to share this story-and i do hope the history is right! :O) (this is the short version)i was listening to some new todd rundgren (funny, how you also worked with some Bearsville artist)on u tube-when i slid down the list i saw a clip 'Happy The Man' and i was like, "wooooow!
TheTayedrums 10 months ago
this band is the shit man...those drums fucking crack like lightening-and this is probably not the best recording..but these guys are bad as a fuck...they are bad PERIOD! WHAT PASSION IN THEIR MUSIC AND THEY SEEM SO HUMBLE PUT THESE GUYS ON A TOUR WITH RUSH OR SOME OTHER PROGRESSIVE BAND THESE GUYS DESERVE THE BEST,,,THIS SONG IS SO DRAMATIC IT DRIVES MY HEART AND MY SOUL-THIS IS JUST A GREAT FUCKING CUT!!I HOPE THE BAND READS THIS LOVED U BACK IN 78 I DONT FORGET GOOD MUSIC HTM MAKES MEHAPPY!
TheTayedrums 11 months ago 5
@TheTayedrums
Love your passion for these guys. I feel the same!!
wigginsdesign 10 months ago
@TheTayedrums you are so right!!!
overthemoon920 10 months ago
@TheTayedrums you are so right, they are magnificent and very understated and they are geniuses at their craft
overthemoon920 10 months ago
temazoooo
albovial 1 year ago
Yes HTM was one of the greatest of the mid-70's Prog Bands ever. The name suits them because there music was so very uplifting and emotionally melodic not to mention ther quirky high energy technically advanced tunes. Think we were at the same show in GT. Yes said people don't know and appreciate these guys and this music genre as much as they should. To not know of music like this is a crime!!!
wigginsdesign 1 year ago
Yes HTM was one of the greatest of the mid-70's Prog Bands ever. The name suits them because there music was so very uplifting and emotionally melodic not to mention ther quirky high energy technically advanced tunes. Think we were at the same show in GT. Yes said people don't know and appreciate these guys and this music genre as much as they should. To not know of music like this is a crime!!!
wigginsdesign 1 year ago 2
Perhaps the most unknown of all the prog bands - great produciton, ideas, singing, solos - right up there. Crafty hands is one of the finest prog albums around, pity more people dont know about them.
drwugong 1 year ago
My brother-in-law on guitar... So classy and rocking... Damn!
Tapgabsacco 1 year ago
best rock tune in 11 ever... still danceable.
2+4+2+3 (taka takadimi taka takita)
Kbosh 1 year ago
Calm down ,you guys are getting too complex.People will only think you're good if you're some bimbo playing the "Beat It" solo.
rematpac 1 year ago
Horrible recording & does not do justice to how good these guys are. I was there!
tomy2na 1 year ago
Best drums ever!!!!
Inthescissor 1 year ago
Hey, great stuff....as I'm a great prog rock-fan I guess this band is a must-know band? But I must admit that this is first time I've heard them - but bloody hell - This is real Prog Rock!! alwaysladyrae.....great to read your story :-)
gloggolyt 1 year ago
Stanley Whitaker's such a rock star!
GBJPhotoWorks 1 year ago
has anyone posted "I forgot To Push It"?
bonneman66 2 years ago
It would be cool to find "wind up doll" from the same "Crafty Hands" album
tamtoyota 2 years ago
cut the intro tuning stuff and start the tune
!!
mbnurse11 2 years ago
Ahhh yes...lazy Sunday afternoons at The Elbow Room in Harrisonburg. Or, catching the band at the CD or the keggers on Halloween...! I saw Genesis at Merriweather Post (The Duke tour) and the music on the PA prior to the band coming on was the as yet to be realeased Crafty Hands. Anyone who knows this band and got to see them live (in the day) with either Mike or Coco on drums can consider themselves in a very elite club (which is BTW the same club that got to see The Lamb live...eh?
repercush 2 years ago
I have searched everywhere for this song and just thought to pop onto you tube to look! WHAT A GAS as we would say back in the day!!! A good friend of mine back then, Wille Davis, hooked me onto HTM as well as The Grateful Dead, I miss him and the music! Got to see them live in GT back in the 70's, and even tho the drink prices were outrageous (no wonder there was no cover charge lol) it was well worth every penny spent! I LOVE THIS GROUP!!! They sound wonderful live !!! Thank U for sharing!
alwaysladyrae 2 years ago
So we were both at the GT show!!!!!!
wigginsdesign 2 years ago
LOL yes we were! I stayed late at work ( worked for Xerox on N Ft Myer Drive in Rosslyn) then met my best friend at the grotto and then when went over!! I wasn't missing that show for the world......after lol oh boy we ran up and down the old "exorcist"steps singing wind up doll days by HTM and flowers and beads by iron butterfly!! EGADS those were the days!!!!
alwaysladyrae 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Nice try. Keep it up check out esteembpo + com for social media marketing. weerr
umayanarosy 2 years ago
I was here and it was a great time! I never ever thought I would get to see them again but see for yourself!
rowroy 2 years ago
I love it! Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe at the beginning! Pan saves Daphnis from the Pirates!
VladtheEmailer 2 years ago
I used to do repairs on their PRS equipment back in the day. I was Paul's apprentice and worked in the studio with these guys. It's great to find these old videos!
lowfreakwency 3 years ago
All time favorite band...
Always has been.
Probably always will be.
We got to perform this song and dedicated to Stanley Whitaker at a gig in San Fernando Valley years ago, a definite highlight in my life.
Stan is recovering well from radiation therapy right now, and in remission!!!
Go Stan!!! Go!!!
More HTM!!! ;-)
PeacelandMusic 3 years ago
Sorry to hear that about Stan but happy he's better. Glads you like the video. I'm from DC in the Seventies, Georgetown Univ's WGTB radio would play their music. Saw them in a GT club in 77
wigginsdesign 3 years ago
The original keyboard player was Kit Watkins (back in the 70's). The keyboard player you see here is David Rosenthal who is amazing and famous for playing with everybody including Billy Joel. I understand he was such a fan that he took time out of his career to play with these guys.
chizmo7 3 years ago
SO KICK-ASS!!!!!
HELL YEAH!!!!!!
drunksingsheep 3 years ago
wow!
i like this band.
fantastic!
from japan
melloblue2 3 years ago
not bad...ravel
andrespereyda 3 years ago
I absolutely love you Happy the Man! Please check out my band "Metaphor for Everything." We're not prog exactly, but we're intelligent rock and it would be my dream to open for you. Check out my youtube videos, "Jaco Sunrise" and "Hero Unmasked" and let me know what you think.
meta4foreverything 3 years ago
Thanks will do. BTW check out my motion graphics especially my MONTAGE tribute to the ART of Roger Dean (cover artist for YES)
wigginsdesign 3 years ago
I find it sad that corporate(U.S.A.)has manipulated the exposure & appreciation of music for so long. And the stale cliche' "They had to be on some heavy duty drugs to think that up"!, tells me how easily people are misguided. Though everyone is entitled to their options, one thing is for sure, We will be enjoying what the masses never will. Thank you Happy the Man for the great music! Think free.
brassabacus57 3 years ago
Can I book this band for a wedding?
CCDELOREAN 3 years ago
No. They do not exist anymore.
naga3717 3 years ago
Best Prog rock band ever, Great fan of them since the '70s - Greetings from Holland
jaapbaart 4 years ago
Hello Holland!
I absolutely agree. Ron Riddle is a killer drummer, Kit Watkins an absolute virtuoso pianist. All-around outstanding musicians and talent. If you like prog, you must have HTM. Thanx for all the Heineken!
1onebastard 3 years ago
this is cool--i used to know Stan and his pre-HTM bands back in high school. he just gets better with age...
ronjacobs 4 years ago
happy the man, maby the best art rock band ever.
delas888 4 years ago
Yes they are, along with Gentle Giant, PFM, Genesis, ELP, UK, King Crimson, Van Der Graaf, and Amy Winehouse...........Oopps!! Only kidding on the last! Remember hearing them on a jazz station in Reno in 1977 first time, and "Starborne".
Thetaloops 4 years ago
Just went to OBLIVION SUN myspace page. Listening to samples now of what became of the music Stanley Whitaker & Frank Wyatt wrote and decided to release under the name. Maintaining HTM became to complicated with member schedules. OS is great but different with elements of HTM's style still clearly evident
wigginsdesign 4 years ago
Oblivion Sun is the new band. Frank Wyatt, Stan Whitaker with a great drummer, bassist and keysman. Check the tunes out on the myspace site. They do some HTM when they play live.
prosoloist 4 years ago
Come on guys give us a DVD Pleeeeze
ze1054 4 years ago
So great to see HTM on youtube - what an awesome band!!
tyjochay 4 years ago
Hope you saw the 'Knee Bitten Nymphs' video as well.
There recent album was great! I wish more people would find and apreciate this music and get out of the 'Matrix' mentality.
wigginsdesign 4 years ago
Boy, that guy really "nails" Kit watkins solo's. All those guys are so good. Hope more people hear and see this stuff. It's so damn filling to hear this when compared to most of what is offered
ppaul3 4 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Visit HAVETHISFLING dot COM for fun singles looking for flings
arlinesweetsingle 4 years ago
God! Amazing stuff. This Kit Watkins, David Sancious and Mike Mainieri all changed my perceptions of music and composing forever. Classic fusion!
Jazzrockfusion 5 years ago
Don't forget Stan Whitaker! He plays solo (Actually, duet, with his wife, LeAnne) in my area all the time and he's actually a good friend. He's been giving me guitar tips!
cowchpotato258 4 years ago
HTM came along a few years too late in the 70's to capture the audience they deserved. When the original recording of this track came out in 1978, Genesis was already recording "Follow You, Follow Me" and heading for the stadiums. Gentle Giant was about to call it a "Day". Do yourself a favor and pick up "Crafty Hands" from this one of the most under rated bands ever.
dharr0 5 years ago
The world's most underrated prog band!
Gordyal 5 years ago
That's absolutely true. HM are up there with the top 10 progbands of all time yet still underrated and obscure amongst many progfans
wigginsdesign 5 years ago
Rick used to let me play his PRS Bass. INCREDIBLE. I'd go to the band's Reston home on Saturdays, go to the basement band room, and ogle over their entire equipment setup there in the basement. Kit had a stadium of 10-15 keyboards....Stanley's double neck was in its stand....Coco's drums were a mini-stadium....and Rick's bass through a Bose 802 and 18" folded horn enclosure was nirvana.
leesystems 5 years ago
GREAT VIDEO. My brother told me of this, and I cringed as I couldn't make it to The State Theater. We took bass lessons from Rick in 1978 and 1979. I am just so sorry the market didn't catch on to HTM. Seeing and hearing this takes me back to yesteryear, listening to them with headphones, floating off into soundscapes....
leesystems 5 years ago
This was filmed at the State Theater in Falls Church, Va. August 29, 2002.
klukkluk 5 years ago
It used to be on their Website www.happytheman.com. I haven't a clue about DVD's. Wish i knew the local of this and Kneebitten Nymphs
wigginsdesign 5 years ago
Will this be on a DVD of Happy The Man in the future?
I hope so! Thanks again!
klukkluk 5 years ago
Amazing performance by a great band! Where was this shot?
SundownerDrifting 5 years ago