Richie Havens Sings "Here Comes the Sun"

[DonConstantinos]

the way he plays the chords O_o

[AcousticLoungeLizard]

OH, Lord - How I would LOVE to go to the place this man's soul goes to when he sings. It is why he had endured; it is why the Fates chose him, in particular, to start off THE Woodstock festival. There will never be another.... I have seen him 3-4 times, close and from a distance... nothing short of amazing. God bless him.

[tabber87]

Whenever I watch a video of a 60's artist I'm greeted by an inevitable barrage of comments made by old people criticizing kids for listening to today's shitty, overproduced pop music, as if they've completely forgotten about the Engelbert Humperdinks and Nancy Sinatras of their era. Every generation has terrible music, just like every generation has great music. It's your brand of elitism that poisoned the 60's ideal. Get over yourselves.

[kensbad1]

WOW richie is the man

[ivannagutina]

aren't those the most kindest eyes!!!! ;) much love, Richie Havens

[greatcornholio]

His beard migrated towards the music

[Pipposk88]

I love this man!!! Amazing way to sing a song..

[DetritusBB]

Getting old... not so bad thing, after all...

[squawzimoto]

thank you god for letting me watch this before i die..

[shedisek]

man look at his face light up when he starts playing. you can tell he loves what he does and isn't in it for the money.

[caregra]

132848 les gusta. A uno, UNO!! no le gusta, genial.

[tironi333]

the sun will not come for 1 mother fucker

[Jazzmodom]

@tironi333 nope, it wouldn't make sense in video.

[chris91195]

Dat Thumb.... lol

[supersonicultraforce]

amazing song, just wish i could find a version where its not live to hear how it sounds

[Tonlondong]

Wow didnt know he was still alive

[dgouveia99]

Very good video. Really enjoy it :) thanks

[jeancojon96]

His hand seems like a wild and beautiful snake:)

[Dayga]

When you're having one of those days where life is a bit difficult, just play this video and you'll feel restored with the joy of living!

[Dayga]

So expressive and beautiful it literally makes me weep with joy!

[RedWolf3487]

His voice is clearer now then it was in 1969.

[jonnysoze]

See Kids

That's what you call Talent ;-)

None of your boy band nonsense

[bullfrogg6]

@jonnysoze ABSOLUTELY !!!

[wkyboater]

His rendition has as much power as ever. Heard it first driving my Opel GT in 1971. Strong influence on active.

[AstonVillaLion1222]

he does more with his thumb than i could do with both my hands!

[LandonInFlorida]

Love Richie Havens, love this song, but it's kind of goofy to try and deconstruct his instrumental technique. He tunes to an open chord, uses his thumb to bar, then moves it up and down the neck to harmonize. His genius has nothing to do with his unusual and somewhat 'primitive' method of guitar playing.

[toenineUTUBE]

PASSION!

[zatoichiable]

He should have joined ZZ tops. Guild guitars are really durable.

[AGuyInAHat]

He's just like an African American Santa Clause, only instead of delivering toys, he delivers beatiful and harmonious peace to the soul.

[danMillstein]

108 Thousand hits!

[LiteGauge]

Wonderful artist - his choice of songs is perfect, he puts his own beautiful style into everything he plays.

[denisbasable]

Oh-My-God! fucking amazing!

[IndiaTravelFilms]

I have always appreciated Mr. Haven's version of this song.

[whpriol1]

Richie Havens.Best guitar player in rock history.

[djl41421]

As an aspiring musician (acoustic guitar/voice) I have tried to model my life after

Richey Havens why? because this troubadour isn't just a incedible musician, but he

is a gentle giant ,a man sent by God (not figuratively speaking), a humble intospec-

tive genius albeit icon (said for him as he wouldn't make that claim). Anyway, my

wife and I cried when he sang W.O.LD. at Harry Chapins Tribute at Radio City.

WOW! Gives me chills just thinking about it man.

[whpriol1]

What does he use to strum? Funny pick.

[Rush1013]

@whpriol1

Haha, that "funny pick" is his finger nails.

[SFVoice4Israel]

I love your music, Richie. Thank you.

[gustavoandrian]

AWESOME!!! Great music will last forever..

[319Genesis]

I so need his rings...

[bonesy55]

yea buddy...cool tune...you still have it after all these years.

[Klausdaplebe]

Totaly Amazing!!! Perfect!!!!!!!!!

[egemaster66]

effin great..i seen him play this on nashville now...ralph emery introduced him as RITCHIE VALENS BY MISTAKE...LMAO..when he got dunn playen this song they kinda joked about...it was classic ralph...

[avalanchesoul]

man, he is OG!

[crcausey]

Richie was known to use an "Open D" tuning. That's why he can barre the way he does. Oh, his whole being is just peaceful. I just love that man every time he walks to a stage, picks up a guitar or opens his mouth. And btw - you can play a standard tuning, an open tuning, a dropped D or double dropped D or a dobro or a resonator. learn how to play one, learn to play them all, they have their own voice, thery have related fingerings. He just chooses to play that way. Its a signature!

[adamthegirl]

he's beautiful, in every way.

[baliscotsurf]

@adamthegirl i see GOD in his eyes and hear God when he plays

[rafinhacomparini]

see how he plays guitar!!!

[rafinhacomparini]

see how he play guitar!!!

[all4musica]

Beautiful!!! I just Love the way he plays and sings that song~~~:)

[FuckingStanz]

wow, how does he do that 

[19rusty66]

is this standard tuning?

[MegaHaterHunter]

Awesome!!! so much soul. The tuning is actually a slack key tuning most likely an open G tuning commonly used by guitarist in the south pacific mainly the hawaiian islands. They called it the "Taro Patch" tuning. Check out legends like Gabby Pahinui, Ledward Ka'apana, Peter moon, and Barry Flanagan. Richie Havens is da man!!!

[ckyfanrick]

this is the only video with over 45000 views that i have seen with no dislikes, im joyed

[19Gui86]

@ckyfanrick

thats amazing.. my guess is that, this is kind of a rare song, and people that come here searched for it because they liked it to begin with

[doceigen]

@ckyfanrick There are now 2 thumbs downs... those two then left their computers and went out to find and castrate their neighbor's pets... contrarianism meets YouTube trolls... hand in hand they skip.

[MrLemmy2000]

wow the he only plays with a thumb

[Nianticbay]

I just found this and the other postings tonight. Thank you posting them . He is my all time favorite. None better than Richie....

[yobobbyc37]

I HAD THE LUCKY BREAK TO INTERVIEW RICHIE. YOU FELT LIKE YOU KNEW HIM FOR YEARS!

[brothertee1017]

I always wondered how does he play and make chords with just his thumb and finger. He must tune his guitar different.

[IamNowJMAN]

@brothertee1017 It's an open tuning. Open G or Open D maybe.

[brelfan]

He has a great warmth.

[Georgelogan]

@brelfan richie havens is what morgan freeman would be if freeman learned guitar 

[brelfan]

@Georgelogan Good point.

[hellfire584]

every time i hear him play i get goosebumps

[hah13]

I used to see him play for the crowds in Washington Square Park for free

[maxedwolf]

This is so good, its just a man and his guitar. This song is really powerful, just shut your eyes and let it be alright. Richie Havens is the man!!

[torkerbmx]

blows me away every time , people like this are channeling God

[60koky]

Como lo vea mi amigo Carlos Coronado seguro lo intenta. No hace falta poner acordes, se hace solo con un dedo.

[zulibert]

This was the song that introduced me into music-by the beatles-took three quartersof it on my tape in 69-missed the beginning-but was like paralysed.

and music began to take place in my live.later on richie heavens.

[dourtan]

He obviously GAVE lots of love!

[dourtan]

Richie,you make me smile, you make me cry! Carry on with you bad and beautiful self-long life.

[sgtdarkness1]

It's like the 9th fret trick. Great for strumming but Richie is much more that strumming. He's a magic man with his vocals and spirit.

[rosesredvioletsblue]

thank you!  excellent.

[Abrohill]

Cada vez que escucho esta cancion cantada por Richie Havens quedo con mis ojos llenos de lágrimas.

[im4out]

amazzzzing...

[nick101363]

anybody have tabs for this? I've searched everwhere.

[Monsung]

<3 LOVE HIM !! :)

[foomen]

i have no words for it, he is great and amazing man.

[RhythmForRevival]

mooi

[plezhurhouse]

Absolutely Love Him! A fan from waaaay back in the seventies too--He IS a God on the guitar-you're all right! Great memories!

[tfe423]

The first time I ever saw a cover I liked better than the original . WOW

[SuperWillham]

Waaaaaaaaaaw what a sound eh! only Richie could do it and your rite Ive never seen anyone else play a guitar the style he does , and probably never will. Hes what the world should be about.

[scladyusa]

What a legend he is!!! Still sounding great after all these years. I love him !!!

[Dulce22261]

PERFECTION!

[1Ebird]

what passion!

[svevendwarves70]

WORD!!!

[Powerplay4545]

The most exquisite voice.

[MrGuitartim]

Peace and love still lives. Hippie dream lives in Austin.

[martytrashpunk]

rock`n`roll at its best

[tfe423]

A true musical gem. Talent is not the word . It's something beyond

[eimead]

i can't begin to understand his style of playing guitar, but it's amazing... best thumb in the world i'd wager.

[hurlockbros]

its simple actually. he uses open tunings

[mjconnollyIII]

@eimead HEY BRO, DON'T YA KNOW BY NOW THERE IS ONLY ONE RICHIE HAVENS, NONE BEFORE HIM, NONE TO COME AFTER..! IF RICHIE HAVENS IS NOT A GOD HE IS ON MORE THAN GOOD TERMS WITH THE ONE THAT IS AND I'M TALKING JESUS BABY, THE I AM THAT I AM , I AM THE DUDE BABY, THAT ONE..!

[joealanouf]

@eimead open tooning

[MrStrangeSensation]

@joealanouf

Yes indeed. Anyone wondering what the hell he's doing with his thumb, go search for "Open Tuning" on Wikipedia. Lots of blues and folk guys use it.

And I'll just go ahead and agree that this guy is a god amongst men. I love him to death.

[runescapestoner]

@eimead he has his guitar in an open d tuning,which it making the e strings d,the b into a,and g into f sharp. its strange,but its not bad. I just started using it yesterday,and its not that bad after awhile.

[eimead]

@runescapestoner not what I meant... it's his thumb over the top style that's incredibly unique. I'm well versed on open tunings.

[davencarp1991]

@eimead It's actually pretty simple. It's really hard to do but It makes it a lot easier once you get it down. you can learn how to do it off his website

[InnerIDesigns]

@eimead ... You have me laughing out loud & heartily at your thumb comment.

:)

Slainte'

[Carthsting]

@eimead Its easy, play like if you have invisible mediator in your hand.Strumming is merely impulsive, special tuning allows simply baring minor and major chords without really thinking about it.

Other thing is, you cant really play normal guitar afterwards if you master that way.

[markdaviau]

@eimead He plays in an open tuning, allowing him to barre chords with his thumb. If that helps you.

[sandinmyears1]

@markdaviau - Sort of like an open G on a 5-string banjo.



[TavicoMilliet]

@eimead The guitar is tuned in the right chords, that's why he plays like that, I believe

[dixxjamm]

@eimead It made me curious too, it must be some sort of open tunning, probably D, but I'm not sure. In any case he probably chose this thumb system because he really has an impressive thumb, and he relies on some very vigurous strumming in his playing, so probably in his own style it's more confortable for him than barres with his point finger. You should check Joni Mitchell for even more curious tunnings and unorthodox guitar playing.

[LiteGauge]

@dixxjamm Pretty sure it's Open D. Think there's two reasons for the tumb. Firstly as you say it's a really impressive thumb. He must have enormous hands because he can flatten his thumb either across the fretboard or partially. The second is that he wants to keep the top strings open sometimes. He plays a G chord as 555555 or 555500 (Gsus?). Other variations that he's using: Gmaj7: 555554 (index playing top), A7(?): 777755 and I think A7: 777775. Em shape is 222122. All chords are movable.

[alberi]

So super!!

[gypsyalaska]

Wow, can't 'cha just feel it. This man has Class!!

[mskempnich]

Richie has as ever the sun the love in his song inhis eyes. Shine on Mr. Havens!!:>) KHIM

[meemeesiko57]

He was the first one to play and Woodstock and Hendrix was the last.

Starting with the best and ending with the best.

Everything in between must have been absolutely amazing.

[dcr8888]

With the sun and the rain and the mud, it was still the best. Unforgetable. I am happy to have had the opportunity to have been there. A high light of my life. Peace!

[Lolaxas]

Wow, envy.

[olen3105]

@meemeesiko57 Well, I was there for the entire saturday show 1pm thru after 10am sunday morning...The Who, Sly, Janice Joblin, Jefferson Airplane, etc. Yep, quite a good show. The only problem was when someone on stage said, "Watch out for the brown acid"...prompting my buddy and I, who had just swallowed some, to say, "Now they tell us". But, it was pretty hard to have a "bum trip" in the atmosphere of the festival and all was well 'cept for the problem of getting in food/water thru the mob.

[Krazymusicvids]

i saw him in concert best ever!

[TheCon2007]

this makes me so happy

[vdbennett317]

Richie, you still rock.. amazing, you are amazing.

[Folkhippie]

He is a sage....