Rick Nelson - Summertime

[jbettar]

So this is where Sublime got the line 'Summertime and the livin's easy'

[jimmyhayers]

@jbettar No, this song had been sung by many people before this dude.

[jbettar]

@jimmyhayers No, this is where it came from originally dumbass! this IS where Sublime got it from, you r wrong, I am right, so shut the fuck up u weasely little moron!

[gonzocurt]

Nah, that second guitar riff that comes in is just a slight modification of Howlin' Wolf's Smokestack Lightning. 

[spacecowboy7580]

Why do people talk about Pink's hit..So What..being a rip off from this..it's nothing like it.

She goes..nanana nana nana nanana nana na

This is like na na na na na na na na nana nana

But seriously...listen to them both...you'll see there is a big difference.

[MrRonnieG]

@MB300TE ~ My only question to you is, "who cares?"

[MrRonnieG]

How much do you think that Rick's dad (Ozzie) influenced the production of his music, especially in the early days of Rick's career? For instance ~ in the recording "It's Up To You" there is some really great brass playing background. Considering Ozzie Nelson was a successful band leader (back in the day), I wonder. As a sidebar ~ Ozzie and Rick's mom (Harriet) first met while she was the featured singer in Ozzie Nelson's 40's band! Kind of interesting.

[RisingSon011]

black night is a long way from ho-o -o -o ome

[yourtubesteak]

We Ain't Got Nothin' Yet.

[MrMattRocker]

I never heard of this version of Summertime. I must say next to Janis Joplins version this is now my fav. Rockabilly version of it. Awsome.

[redbarron718]

This riff was stolen by The Specters/Status Quo, and then Blackmore.

[Loverockdog69]

Great band with big bollocks...lots of later bands were influenced. For what it's worth that Liverpool Five tune still is the best ripoff.Thanks to others who tipped me off about it. RIP Rick.

[KOOLEO329]

Just a reminder that before Deep Purple, Pink and the Blues Magoos ..it was the Liverpool Five on their tune " She's Mine" who borrowed the bass riff presented here by the fabulous Joe Osbourne. Usually the lead guitarist , James Burton, gets all the credit ...but not on this tune.....Joe was a master on the Bass guitar.However Johnny Rivers did copy James' intro here to use on his version of Chuck Berry's " Memphis". FYI that Liverpool Five tune is on Yu Tube and well worth checking out .

[tauroscorp]

Wow! With this song he was ahead of his time. He was definitely a true talent.

[AxlRoseACDC]

Who is Rick Nelson?? Ok he write cool riff, but the first you hear it from DP. So who is after this greatest band?

[anoukwakely]

@AxlRoseACDC Who's most succesful?

I thinkDeep purple :3

[brianpage100]

To be fair, Deep Purple couldn't have actually 'stolen' this riff considering it is a standard blues riff used in many different songs. I don't care much for Deep Purple, but they couldn't have 'stolen' it if it is that commonly used.

[n1GibsonGuitarist]

@brianpage100 he even said he stole it

[Roxsox221]

My research shows that the Liverpool Five's " She's Mine" in 1965 was the earliiest known "borrowing" of Joe Osborne's fabulous bass riff on this tune. Kudos to them for recognizing its potential.Deep Purple changed it up a bit and knocked it out of the ballpark.

[MB300TE]

For all who are IGNORANT. Rick Nelson never wrote this song or the bass riff borrowed by many such as Deep Purple's " Black Knight" , The Liverpool Five's " She's Mine" and Blues Magoos " Aint Seen Nothing Yet". Johnny Rivers completely lifted James Burton's guitar intro here and used it for his version of 'Memphis". That's the way it is...all those tunes are on You Tube...go check for yourselves.

[spacecowboy7580]

@MB300TE

For all who are ignorant....Deep Purple's hit which " borrowed " this bass riff..was called..Black Night..not

Black KNIGHT.

[Calipalli]

@spacecowboy7580 Maybe MB300 meant it for SirBasil who really should be knighted eh?

[spacecowboy7580]

@Calipalli

Do you practice talking shit or does it come naturally?

[KOOLEO329]

@spacecowboy7580 Kool it Spaceman. Time to lighten up and enjoy this tune by Rick Knelson. Asany musician will tell ya...Praktice makes perfekt....but maybe all except you are iknorant.

[spacecowboy7580]

@KOOLEO329

You've answered my question...it comes naturally.

[MrRonnieG]

It's rare to have 2 different stringed instruments playing "on top" of a recording. This is a fantastic performance ~ geeeez, how can you not love it???

[MrRonnieG]

Listen ~ this is one outstanding bass in the background.

[RUSAlekssizov]

Glover said all oh them were drunk when Blackmore played this riff first time. Blacmore was against using this riff in Black Night.

[MICHAELDEVINE100]

this is a moment of truth for a DP Fan..... it sucks.....I hope it was just a homage thing....

[MICHAELDEVINE100]

this is a moment of truth for a DP Fan..... it sucks.....

[shearn666]

I know that pilfering ideas was pretty commonplace back in the day, but as a lifelong Deep Purple fan I confess to finding this somewhat confronting....lol...

[DCHurlford1]

@shearn666 They also....em acquired the melody for their rock epic Child In Time from a song called Bombay Calling by an obscure San Francisco proggy outift called It's A Beautiful Day. Just thought id cheer you up even more, ha ha. Nah seriously though we'll let the mighty Purple off, an absolute class band with such a colourful career. Been a fan myself since about '83 when i heard Woman From Tokyo on my big brothers 24 Carat Purple vinyl album. Caught them live in '96 and '98.

[shearn666]

@DCHurlford1 I get the impression the whole "My Sweet Lord" / "(S)He's So Fine" thing in about 1970 (??) was a bit of a game-changer with regard to this stuff.... It was a BIG deal at the time (and yes, I am THAT old ;-)

24 Carat Purple eh? That takes me back....lol

[DCHurlford1]

@shearn666 Cheers for the reply, yeah your right. I may be wrong but i think Harrison had to hand over most of the royalties from the single and some from the album All Things Must Pass. Bit of a bummer for him to say the least what with the single and album being big sellers and his first solo output since The Beatles break up. 24 Carat was a superb document of the early 70's MK2 era even though it only had 8 tracks. I've still got the vinyl but it's obsolete now as i listen to the cd albums.

[PaulXPZ]

damn u guys are right that riff is the same as Purple's... but as for the stolen part.. i think Ritchie just wanted to pay homage to Ricky...

[Guaguanco11]

This is the most covered song in history! It has been playued in so many different styles.

[sofine1980]

Just asking;whe're the Yardbirds? I assume that's James Burton playing pre '66 acid guitar. Ahead of everyone. Heard he used banjo strings.

[Katsem]

just shows what a naturally good voice Rick Nelson had. who would think he could pull off this song so well.

[fraserlr]

His was the first rendition of this song I ever heard...I had this album!!!!

[thecr8tor]

Black night is a long way from home!!

[SunnBurn]

When I think of "Summertime," I think of Sam Cooks's classic version. When I hear the bassline here, I think of the Blue Magoos "Nothing Yet." Interesting to hear each artist bringing something new into the mix and continuing build on that which is already good.

Great song. Great bass.

[SpryPunk]

Pink also stole this riff, probably from Deep Purple, the circle continues.

[DCHurlford1]

I've never heard any of his stuff ebefore. I like this, it's a catchy little number. Wonder if Ricky got any royalties from Purple's biggest UK Hit Black Night before he died (probably not!) Cheers for posting.

[SirBasildeBrush]

@DCHurlford1 Pleased to help out with the new experiences. Enjoy!

[DCHurlford1]

@SirBasildeBrush Thanks again, I'll make a point of checking out some more of his back catalogue on here and the free Spotify service i have on my pc.

(David.)

[DCHurlford1]

@SirBasildeBrush Me again. Recently purchased one of his many hits cd's, titled 25 Greatest Hits (released by EMI in 1998) which also includes this song. Focuses on his late 50's/ early 60's stuff. Good sound quality as well.

David.

[SirBasildeBrush]

@DCHurlford1 Sounds like you hit gold with your CD. His recordings are always the best quality sound.

[DCHurlford1]

@SirBasildeBrush Yeah i got it for under a fiver.

[ThePruttmaster]

@DCHurlford1 just heard an interview with richie blackmore saying poor nelson got nothing for it

[DCHurlford1]

@ThePruttmaster The words Blue and Murder spring to mind, ha ha. Yeah the five members of the MK2 lineup probably saw all the dosh (i think most of their songs back then were credited to them all). In another way i suppose it showed Ricky had crossover appeal, from Pop to Hard Rock!?

[Eldryzif]

Black night, is not right, I don't feel so bright. \o/

[kaxxaharra]

Wow! ... Sounds sooooo much like "We ain't got nothing yet" by the Blues Magoos.

Perhaps Too much? Check that out on utube.

[KOOLEO329]

@kaxxaharra The Magoos ripped it off "She's Mine" by the Liverpool Five...but both borrowed Joe Osborne's Bass riff on Ricks Record.

[TheIWDMONSTER]

Rithchie Blackmore used the riff (0:03) in "Black Night".

[OlymPigs2010]

Great "Vocal" Ricky Baby!!!

[elvissavik]

Polskich użytkowników YT, poszukujących więcej wiedzy o „Summertime”, zapraszam: cogra.pl/index.php/graall/wyso­ka-bawelna/

[Thearl]

Thanks for the post.

[SIRinLTHR]

It's also Let's Lynch the Landlord by the Dead Kennedys.

[frizzlefrap]

adolfe hitler was the originator of this riff ..... one helluva rockin roller .... eva played bongos on the side!

[SirBasildeBrush]

@frizzlefrap I thought it was goebbels who accompanied on the bongos. Great propaganda!

[kidjukebox]

I was just going thru my iTunes library and I when I played this I immediately reconized the opening 'riff'' from the Blues Magoos' "We Ain't Got Nothin' Yet" released in 1967. I wonder now who first developed the riff in the first place. My vote goes to the Blues Magoos' version.

[fleshpile]

Gene Vincent also does a great version of this song.

[RedBryn]

Another example of the 'eternal riff'.......Blue Magoos & Deep Purple just carried the riff on.......the classic Bo Diddley riff's been repeated by even more artists.......same goes for a lot of the classic reggae rhythms like 'Slen-teng', etc.

It's not plagiarism per se, as there's only so far you can take R&B rhythms & riffs until you end up repeating them - the genre simply has it's limitations.

Top tune.

[Oddsman57]

@RedBryn You and others have overlooked the Liverpool Five's tune " She's Mine", recorded months before the Blues Magoos and long before Deep Purple borrowe Joe Osborne's gret bass riff . It's on You Tube and well worth checking out for neat guitar work too by KenNy Cox.

[Wacokid48]

was huge Ricky fan but actually never heard this until now.

Blues Magoos --you have some splaining to do ?

[VitalSigns1]

Wow. Deep Purple totally plagiarized this song and made it into Black Night. That sucks. I always thought they wrote Black Night.

[nauort23]

This is one groovy take on Summertime--especially for 1962! Further proof of this man's genius. Thanks for posting.

[SirBasildeBrush]

My pleasure, glad you liked it.

[DCHurlford1]

@nauort23 Yes indeed, it sounds really fresh for a recording that's fast approaching it's 50th birthday.

[gillan5]

Deep Purple took the riff, added a chorus and made a HUGE hit out of it. They do not hide the fact that they stole it.

[MrRonnieG]

James Kirkland on bass and James Burton on lead gutiar starting playing behind Ricky in 1958 and both were very good. Burton went on to back Elvis Presley (after leaving Ricky in '67) from 1969 thru 1977 when the King died. Burton is in every Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame from Ohio to Louisana and is still going strong with a charity foundation that he is involved with. Burton will join Eric Clapton this June (in Chicago) for Clapton's Crossroads Gutiar Festival.

[t40onbass]

By this point James Kirkland was replaced by Louisiana bassist Joe Osborn. Osborn was one of Musicians Local 47 in Los Angeles a/k/a "The Wrecking Crew". He went on to become one of the most recorded bass players in pop music

[MrRonnieG]

Kirkland banging out the bass and Burton on lead gutiar with his Fender Telecaster made Ricky's music that much better.

[hendrixzilla]

Best version of "Summertime" is by Billy Stewart.

[VertmanTVS]

Great song by Rick.

[Thearl]

Thanks for the post!

[MusicHawk5]

Rick Nelson, His music will be played ,

Forever, One of Rock Music's Legends!

[jordan10la]

Originally heard The Zombies cover. I prefer that version. I'm a huge Zombies fan though

[SirBasildeBrush]

I'm also a big Zombies fan, they do a great version.

[bumperstickerguy]

Have you ever noticed how much "Hello Mary Lou" sounds like "Lookin' Out My Backdoor" by Creedence?

[Roxsox221]

Fantastic version of the old standard done by a great band. Most comments below seem to be unaware of the 'borrowing" that goes on among musicians. Johnny Rivers " borrowed Jimmy Burton's intro on this tune for his opening of " Memphis". The Liverpool Five were the first to borrow Joe Osborne's fantastic bass line for their tune " She's Mine" that then got borrowed by the Blues Magoos and later by D. Purple. Go listen on You Tube to them all and learn.The LP5 are my mother's favorite band.

[SirBasildeBrush]

Interesing pop history lesson. Thanks.

[szabolcsbabolcs]

Actually the vocal tune much better on this song, better than DP version.

[esusolinas]

Ritchie has admitted that the black night riff is from this song. As AERIANCE said it was a moment that they were all drunk when they wrote the song. Their record company had asked them for a promotional single which they didnt like as a concept so they gave this one as a prank. Eventually it became a huge success

[BeachBoysGuy1]

"Summertime" was written for

'Porgy and Bess' 1950's musical lol

[lucasguitarrist]

Holy fuck... Deep Purple just stole this song!!!!

No one caught them red handed at that moment??

[trumasterdawg]

Yes & no. Deep Purple probably copied the riff from The Blues Magoos with their track We Ain't Got Nothing Yet. Who copied it from Rick Nelson.

[fivestring]

There is a post on youtube where he explains where different ideas and riffs came from... he actually laughs and says "no.. really, that's where the riff came from". it's an interesting interview if you can find it, except Candice explaining about her witch collection. :-)

[edimka]

You are wrong ,it's sounds different !!

[mixalis6890]

@lucasguitarrist actually Blackmore has admitted it in one interview! I can't find the link right now..

[DCHurlford1]

@mixalis6890 Ha ha yeah Roger Glover also talked about it in the Rock Family Trees docu from '95.  (RG) - That's a good riff Ritchie let's use that. (RB) - Nah we can't use that that's Ricky Nelson's Summertime. (RG) - Well I've never heard of it.....Fuck it let's do it!!!!

[Efrasnel]

@DCHurlford1 : Great to see that I'm not the only one who enjoyed that show.

[DCHurlford1]

@Efrasnel Yes it was rather good. Another funny segment was when Gillan was reminising about his year long stint in Sabbath. Lifesize Stonehenge stage set and demonic dwarves with sneakers, ha ha. Yeah not many bands have had as colourful a career as Purple. Cheers.

(David.)

[five5x]

@lucasguitarrist If you like that one, check out sumblime's what i got and the beatles lady madonna

[mistersusan1471]

@lucasguitarrist yeah but deep purple are possibly the coolest band ever so no one cares about the true creators.

[stickflixs]

@lucasguitarrist And The Blues Magoos, ("we ain't got nothing yet")

[KIDAmnesiacBends]

@lucasguitarrist

listen to The Blues Magoos song "We Ain't Got Nothing Yet".....deep purple could have ripped them off too

[gvalan79]

@lucasguitarrist Blues Magoos stole it first

[BooneBright]

@lucasguitarrist Same thing with lots of Led Zeppelin that were "tributes" to american blues songs. Think the english created anything? No, they just dug our american stuff !! Where do you think the Beatles and Rolling Stones got their name from??

[hehhee1000]

@lucasguitarrist They borrowed it and they admit it.

[WWAAK]

im a little appalled, and i LOVE deep purple. :(

[NameCC8687]

Weird song! Did Deep Purple get sued for ripping it off? I never knew what a complete lift DP's riff was.

[Aeriance]

DP wrote the song in a drunken session that they thought was just a muck about that would never go anywhere. It wasn't their original intention to rip it off lol

[TMSgal]

I miss Ricky but he left us a fine legacy often copied but never bettered. Although I have to admit that the Liverpool Five's " She's Mine" on You Tube gones close as noted by others here

[libmike123]

also listen and hear jimmy page ripping it off for led zep

[iamtheeggman100]

??? when??

[ki8arwdos]

wow that's the song which Ritchie Blackmore stole to make Black Night

[Thearl]

Thanks for the post.

[ENS64]

Always luved Rick Nelson and this version of an old standard. Checking out the comments below I must say that the Liverpool Five's rearrangement for their song " She's Mine" is a whole lot better than other  variations by the Blues Magoos and Deep Purple.RIP Rick.

[Oddsman57]

I agree. I just came over here to this channel  from You Tube's "Nuggets from the Liverpool Five( Part 1)" where i heard "She's Mine " . It is the first of three tunes by these often overlooked English rockers that I have only recently discovered

[Thearl]

From Album Seven.

[garybrown57]

the riff is alas all thats good about this song from rick i think it was a wrong choice of song for this guy

[TheHolyLegend]

its same riff in the deep purple's black night!!?!?

[metrotv]

Yes it is, original Deep Purple bassist introduced it to Richie Blackmore.

[TheHolyLegend]

ok dude

[oceanbound222]

awesome !!!!!!!!!!

[rwm1]

That's wild the bass riff is Blues Magoos We Ain't Got Nothing Yet. Never heard this version.

[thetum]

blues magoos ripped off the riff from this song

[gk10002000]

gee. check out the smooth drumming with the fills. guy never stops. fantastic. I still do like the blues magoos and the spectres ripoff of the bass line, but this is a cool song

[polinidream45]

richie blackmoore just sunk to a new low

[JPPatrol]

Black Night its a...long way from home

[NickRatnieks]

Regarding Johnny Rivers, Joe Osborn- who played the bass on this track for Rick worked for Rivers, so he may have played the bass on Memphis as well. I would take a look at the credits for that, but I don't quite know where the record is at present, and I don't want to have to look for it right now!

[rbx937385]

I'd like to say had Rick didn't get stigmatized as a Teenage Idol, And, Had to listen to his Dad Ozzie Big Band Leader, Rick would've been Evil in 60's. In a Great Way!

I think that would've happened also to Elvis, It was Tom Parker that kept him Locked up in his Career. Great Song, And, I thought the original riff was by The Blues Magoos, They still did an Awesome job too.

[DeeGVero]

Comment on Blues Magoos and Deep Purple stealing this riff...well, Janis did a version of the song too. In the olden times, you know, in the 50s 60s and prior, people were more into making a sound and not so litigious like now - you know, everyone suing everybody over everything to make an easy buck. Life was more pure back then. I love this music, it reminds me of when people were decent and good to one another. Peace and love to all who read this :) Dee

[MB300TE]

You need to also check out "She's Mine" on You Tube's "Nuggets from the Liverpool Five (Part 2)" . Recorded in early 1966 by this English band that emigrated to the US. It's another fantastic variation on Joe Osborne's great bass riff.

[SirBasildeBrush]

I did. Interesting, I see what you mean.

[Efrasnel]

@DeeGVero : And Jon Lord was very open about it - and about Child in time...

[maregee]

ok, love ricky, grew up with him...always said you couldn't kill this song...but i was wrong...sorry

[hollies65]

Heh...you're nuts. Dose it sound like every other version you've heard? No. It sounds menacing and dangerous. Stick to the Vogues. Ricky had the nerve to venture out of the box! 5 stars.

[SirBasildeBrush]

I remember the first time I heard this. Had to go round to a student house to use their record player. A wild bunch, very much into the music of the time (1980). Expecting it to be jeered, instead they all went quiet when they heard that thumping (stereo) bass line at the start of the song (also the first track on the album), and listened to the whole song. Respect!

[hollies65]

We should add...aside from the songs mentioned, Johnny Rivers nicked the intro to his top ten hit 'Memphis' form this songs distinctive riff.

[maregee]

Hey, I'm a Ricky fan and entitled to my opinion! *LOL*

[gk10002000]

cool . i saw a reference to this from the blue's magoos and their song we aint got nothing yet. i still like the smooth vocals of this era. one could actually hear the details and subtle inflections of people's voices.

[SirBasildeBrush]

Interesting. Showing my ignorance, I'd never heard of Blues Magoos, had to Wiki them.

[ThealmightyThintendo]

but hey, its ALL still better than the crap guys my age (20's) write, metal nowadays is horrible, I don't claim it.

[ThealmightyThintendo]

so deep purple had to come up with another song for the single, they couldn't come up with anything so they went and got drunk... and "loosely" based the riff on ricky nelson's summertime funny thing is there's a band called "blues magoos" that I heard for the first time today who stole the riff too, wow... now if u'll excuse me I'm gonna go listen to kid rock's sweet home alabama/werewolfs in london... I mean all summer long. (i hate that guy.)

[thedddemon]

wow Black Night is in the same scale too!

[VoodooChildsReturn]

Wow, Blackmore DID steal this riff... But both tunes are awesome. I may have to buy this disc. Outside opening riff, they are two different tunes. But Ricky came up with that awesome riff!!!

[stempaapia]

ritchie blackmore stole the bass riff for lack might.. really cool

[WoodyWeedPecker]

Nice song.. I listen to it because in an interview Ritchie Blackmore told that he had stole the riff for Black Night..

Real nice...

[SirBasildeBrush]

Thanks. That I never knew, just thought it was a coincidence...

[02CBUCK]

I can see where Deep Purple got "Black Knight" from now...

[SirBasildeBrush]

Indeed. I used to play this on my bass back around 1980, and my mates would say the same thing.

[02CBUCK]

That "the rock n' roll way:" cover it in fuzz, and hope nobody notices! :D

[grandprix63]

Cool version. I like Sam Cooke's version from '60-62 as well. But I ain't gonna upload it. Too many Sam Cooke uploaders have been closed due to copyright infringements.

Other artists to avoid is Johnny & the Hurricanes and Fats Domino. I've had some vids by them revoked myself.

One can find uploads by these artists, but they are often newer than 3-4 months.

I had this matter up with "thunderbird1958" a half a year ago or so. He warned me for some other artists. He has been taken down now

[SirBasildeBrush]

Thanks GP. I'm a bit of an innocent with all this, as you can tell by the quality of my videos. I was wondering why everybody only seems to have posts within the last year or two...I was a big TB58 fan.

[bnapoleonc123]

It's strange, cause these guys are not as household as they used to be, except maybe Fats Domino. You would think they would be happy to have their music exposed to a new generation. Oh well, I guess they have thier reasons.

[grandprix63]

It's the owners of the music who has the reasons. Not very often the artists who ownes it, though.

But I see your point, people can buy a record of an artist after they had a preview of the song here. Or even better, give me a dollar for every view of my videos and I'll gladely send 50% to the artist.

[bnapoleonc123]

Thats true. But you would think that they would rather have people find it on youtube, then maybe go and seek out the album. Now I am a big blues rock fan, not so much the fifties granted, but i had never heard of some of these guys. If not for youtube, i would never have known, and I probably have a better knowledge of musical history than many of my peers, so I would hate to think how many people are big deprived of good music like this because of the owners. Thanks for posting the video!

[SirBasildeBrush]

Like you, I've discovered many artists and songs on YT I wouldn't otherwise know. I've also bought CDs I wouldn't otherwise have, so I think the music publishers are doing okay out of me...

[bnapoleonc123]

me too, especially the ones that publish Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, L:ed Zeppelin and Eric Clapton lol.

[SirBasildeBrush]

You'd be the richest man in Sweden!