clarence white

[songmaven22]

Best Black Guy doing the monkey during a Clarence White solo video ever!

[paqwa]

Clarence White's twangy guitar sound never appealed to me. McGuinn's Rickenbacker was magical, and still is, to this day. "Wheels On Fire" is a good song, but, the audio on the Dr Byrds & Mr Hyde album, on this song, was terrible.

[southrules]

@pdorn777 Cool, I can beleieve it. Mooney is a hilarious guy and that is a hilarious dance.

[superbeavo]

This is from "Playboy after dark" hosted by Hef himself.

[DanStar707]

That IS Gene on the drums. Camille Parsons

Before Skip.

[melnrine]

This looks to be early on what? Early 68?



[TheKenfig]

@melnrine No definitely not early 68. I would say this is at least very late in 68 or early to mid 69, as Hillman had left the group and was replaced by John York. Gene Parsons in the drummer

[pdorn777]

@TheKenfig September '68.

[TheKenfig]

@pdorn777 Fair enough ; can't argue with that

[pdorn777]

@TheKenfig What's strange about the timing (Sept. 28, 1968 is the exact day this was taped) was that Gene Parsons and John York had only been in the Byrds for less than a month, yet they both play so incredibly well and even York's vocal harmonies are superb. I suppose that's why McGuinn wanted highly professional session musicians to replace the volatile Gram Parsons and the temperamental Chris Hillman, brilliant as those two may have been.

[TheKenfig]

@pdorn777 Well, that's why I thought it might be late 68 or even early 69. As ou said though the line up did change very quickly at that time, with I think the September if I'm correct, release of the brilliant 'Sweetheart' showing Chris Hillman on the personnel of the sleeve and also Kevin Kelly wasn't it ?. Which means between the release of NBBs at the start of the year and then, that Michael Clarke had left as well

[thebeefdancer]

is this the byrds after skip and gene were fired

[bareknuckles2u]

@thebeefdancer Hey buddy, this the Dr Byrds lineup before Skip joined. Gene was part of that lineup and he is playing drums in this video.

[knk95775]

There is a cleaner video of this with the interview between Hef and McGuinn on youtube.com/watch?v=3eYN_LwgDS­k

[yongadog]

Why did I settle for a Squier '51? I mean it's a nice guitar, But I wished I got a Tele.

[HoGraz]

What is the name of this song?!

[cosiamunchien]

@HoGraz - 'You Ain't Goin' Nowhere' Bob Dylan cover.

[bareknuckles2u]

@HoGraz The name of the first song is "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere." The name of the second song is "This Wheel's On Fire." Both were written by Bob Dylan. The originals are both on the "Basement Tapes" album by Bob Dylan and the Band. The Byrds versions of these songs are on "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" and "Dr. Byrds, Mr. Hyde" respectively (both lead off tracks for each album).

[brimo109]

Clarence after Dark. RIP.

[davifade]

I'm pretty sure this is from "Playboy after Dark"... I've seen that black dude doing his thing to Deep Purple on the same show..

[mernst]

@5:15 CW rips it up big time

[ReluctantSpider]

That's some crazy hippie dancing going on there.

[eastgaryradio]

I get very emotional when this video ends....I wish it would never stop. Never again will television be so cool.

[ALEUTIANWIND]

@eastgaryradio i know the feeling,,

[anglicanbeachparty]

This is a thing of incredible beauty. Lifelong Byrds fan. I feel like Clarence and Jim/Roger were my guitar teachers, via all their great records.

[Garraliposker]

Wonderful! 

[januarysixteenth]

The dancing makes me roll my eyes big time.

[EighteesBaby]

@januarysixteenth

You should watch Grateful Dead on Playboy After Dark,when their roadies dosed the cast and crew of the show with LSD. That was some dancing, even Hugh Hefner was tripping balls,haha

[naxi55500555]

High  tune ..

[pdorn777]

Wish I'd had the chance to see this on live TV back in '68 but they sure as hell didn't carry Hef on the local networks in South Carolina.

[oldtones]

WOW GREAT

[brucebutt1]

great dancin,great bohemian spirit in song,best of all no talent show crap!

[pbuotte]

Clarence really brings on a steel guitar sound from a six string which evn overshadows McGuinns 12 string sound - whoooo!

Aint Goin Nowhere / Wheels on Fire are these really danceable in that freaky 60s way? haha

[anglicanbeachparty]

Awesome!

[mountainhopper]

What is the name of the first song on this video?.....Awesome stuff!!....

[mgssol90]

@mountainhopper

"You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" by Bob Dylan

[thedps1998]

Go Clarence, go! Holy smoke!

[0tofu0]

Great video, just bad camera angles

[pdorn777]

This is a great video, but the editors and cameramen obviously did not know what they were dealing with (lead guitar genius) when it came to Clarence White. Hardly any shots of his hands on the solos, particularly the solo on "Wheels of Fire". Even so, its STILL a great video.

[j3rmz0r]

Why is this only tagged Clarence White? I think anyone lookin for the byrds should be able to find this. I've been hunting for good videos from this era of the byrds, but i only found this on accident while looking at Clarence videos...

[Maguirearch]

Around 1:20 I see Anne Widdecombe Dancin' in Red !

[fiveslots]

love all line ups of the byrds , john york and mcguinn harmonise great, more previlant here than ballad of easy rider, wish john woud have stayed, but i like skip, im confused, have to go .

[midmodgal]

@fiveslots I agree. Byrds are really peaking at this point, Jim's in charge, Clarence- a major talent and John York has the looks! This is an excellent post.

[songmaven22]

@fiveslots

[woody409]

me too i loved this line up of the byrds,,saw them live in 1970/music hall in cleveland ohio..and...elton john opened for them!! (as it should have been) they smoked elton good they did...

[BlindTom61]

Actually Gene Parsons invneted the Bender. Clarence played the holy snot out of it...

[del8budd]

I thought that it was invented by White and Parsons. Probably only Parsons can tell the real story.

I know Parsons is making them these days??

[BlindTom61]

Gene has been making them for 30 years at least and they are beautifully crafted. The two may have discussed the concept, but Gene is a high-level machinist as well as a hell of a musician. You should contact him if you want one.

Tq

[del8budd]

I have a copy of The Byrds (Untitled) that I bought in 1970. Inside the cover it says "it's something he (Clarence) and Gene Parsons invented".

I also have a copy of Gene's "Kindling" bought in 1974. Clarence plays on this.

As you say Gene is a hell of a musician.

[BlindTom61]

I don't believe that is Clarence on "Kindling." That's Gene on the stringbender and he tunes to open G. Do you actually see Clarence listed as a musician? :- )

Tq

[del8budd]

Yes, Clarence is listed. I am not back home until the weekend but will post some of the listing.

[andrewt248]

Invented by Parsons, made famous by White.

[gdosic]

The Byrds - 1968-"Sweetheart Of The Rodeo"-is awesome album!!!

C.White invented the B-Bender device. This device raises the b (second) string of the guitar a whole step by the use of pulleys and levers attached to the upper strap knob and the second string on the guitar. It is activated by pushing down on the neck, and produces a "pedal steel" type sound. White play 1954 Fender Telecaster with the prototype B-Bender.

[pdorn777]

Better make that September '68....

[pdorn777]

This was on Hef's PAD (Playboy After Dark) TV show, early '68.

[timjmoran]

I'm guessin' from all the "groovey" dancers and surrealistic set, this may have been the old Playboy/Hugh Hefner

show??Cool Clarence White Solo! Man.. for a guy who pretty came out of the Bluegrass world, he sure turned into an AWEsome electric player, didn't he? Some people knock this later version of the Byrds..but I think they were great!!

[MartinGuitarLover1]

Great Great song!!!!!

[vampyros1]

What a groovy psychedelic solo in the second song by Clarence-

[dickass1234]

this is great

[chiozzafab]

The original b string bender, very clever.

[JannoKlufs]

Here they still look like the clean cut American version of Beatles... and then the hair just growed and growed :)

Great find... I love it!

[bandcouver]

Wonderful songs but bad camera work. hahaha...Clarence is doing the solos and the camera's still on Roger. hahaha...I guess they didn't plan the placement of the cameras very well and were in danger of running into the dancers when they tried to make adjustaments. hahahaha

[crosbystillsnash68]

LOL look at the black dudes in the crowd groovin down to dylan songs

[IsaacBickerstaffEsq]

@crosbystillsnash68 Black dudes be down with Dylan because he introduced them to rap. Dylan got it from Woody who called it "Talkin' Blues."

[gyabki]

valuable video!

thanks for posting!!

[Byrds1967]

I love the Byrds. Roger, Gene, Clarence, and John all rock here!

[zerominusminus]

It's really a testament to how great of a guitarist Clarence White was when, all of the musicians who talk about him, say he was phenomenal. This is incredible, so powerful, yet so much different than his stuff with the Kentucky Colnels. No one less than Jimi Hendrix commented how good he was. Thanks for the GREAT post.

Oh yeah, even though the dancing is pretty funny today, the girls are still pretty nice to watch.

[pantherpawed]

In the afterlife we'll all be freak dancing to the Byrds singing Dylan in Heff's mansion.

[midmodgal]

@pantherpawed Probably my favorite YT comment so far ! :D

[notbendable]

Man... Clarence. - Nobody picks like him on flat-top... and nobody picks like him on electric.

[kungfufarting]

And they say white folk cant dance.

[Discfiend69]

The Byrds at the Playboy mansion...

[smitty54017]

God I love that B-Bender Tele!

[twaang]

100% sure that's Gene Parsons on drums.

[wisergeorge]

You are right my friend.

[JonEricMusic]

This was an amazing video!

Thank you for posting-

VERY inspirational.

Banjoistically yours,

Jon Eric

[Snotra]

Holy Bob Dylan Batman!!!

[ggeers1030]

What's with the Soul Train dancers

[PhukIT1865]

Clarence White and Jerry Garcia...wonder if those guys influenced each other...they sound so similar

[whitehackle1]

It was probably more Clarence influencing Jerry. They were friends or at least associates (probably through Sandy Rothman) - Jerry can be heard introducing them on recordings of the Colonels run at the Cabale in Berkeley in April 1964. Jerry said of Scotty Stoneman, who played with the Colonels during 1965 - "I got my improvisational approach from Scotty Stoneman, the fiddle player, who is the guy who first set me on fire. Where I stood there and don't remember breathing."

[timmytwang]

this tops my list of "best things I've seen on YouTube. Thank you so much for posting this. More, please.

[andybhoy1203]

Who's on the drums? Is it Kelly

[THEKINKS08]

yes, Kevin Kelley, he left soon after this

[THEKINKS08]

well, looking very well,possibly Gene Parson, but not for sure! i know that Kelley left soon after Notorious Byrd Brothers, in the early 68. maybe this is from late '68, hard to say

[TallAlex78]

this is just about as good as it gets, great up

[stingray1964]

I'm confused...??? McQuinn played with Clarence White before the Byrds??

[1973pe]

what are you talking about

this are the Byrds with John York on bass

[stingray1964]

So this is after Crosby and everyone else was either kicked out or left ?? The short hair threw me off I guess..they sound F-n great!

[timjmoran]

This is actually the latter-day Byrds, after

all the other guys left.Post-Gram Parsons,

I'm guessin,' not too long after Sweetheart of the Rodeo.Clarence White was truly a genius of Country-rock Guitar, SO innovative

with the tele-B-Bender combo.So tragic how

early he went.

[blindowl]

I believe this is from the Hugh Hefner show Playboy After Dark that was on in the 60's. He had the Grateful Dead and Deep Purple, among others on as well.

[missystu]

I THINK Playboy After Dark was the 70's. Could be wrong.

[deadflo]

I think it is the playboy show, I'm pretty sure Barbie Benton is in the front .

Great video, Clarence sure rocks out!!

[PhukIT1865]

yeah about 3:36...is she wearing underwear? haha

[smitty54017]

Dig the hippies groovin' to country music. LOL

[missystu]

Hippies were HUGE into counry/bluegrass i.e., Rocky Racoon, Dead Skunk, Uneasy Rider, Amy, Martha My Dear, Act Naturally, etc.

[sandflyfever]

this is amazing - what are the songs called?

[smitty54017]

It's "You ain't goin' nowhere" written by Bob Dylan.

[TQ120]

in answer to sandy flyfever. 2nd song is "Wheels On Fire. "

[axewulf]

Second song WHEELS ON FIRE see smitty for first

[ari1234a]

Oh, Clarence without the beard.

Go Clarence.

And the dancing is GROOVY.

[NashvilleTown]

A lot of people talk about Clarence's acoustic guitar playing and rightfully so, but I have ALWAYS been more partial to his electric guitar work. James Burton and Jimi Hendrix BOTH went to see Clarence and STEAL licks whenever they could. I saw James Burton on an Elvis special and James told Elvis that the guitar player he should have hired was Clarence White NOT him "James"!

[AbsurdBrane]

I believe that Clarence's B-bender was actually designed by Gene Parsons. The back is a routed out section with mechanical linkage that connected to a steel guitar bridge installed on the Fender Tele.

(serial number 390918). And yes, it was lately and may still be owned by Marty Stuart.

[Mikemaniax]

You would've thought that by now they would've dropped the whole matching suit thing. I mean it was 1968, even The Beatles stopped it after they stopped touring in 1966.

[tfmuch]

McGuinn never really got over Peter, Paul and Mary, you know.

[axewulf]

Try Eight Miles High he never got over John Coltrane, Bach, and Segovia maybe

[jnf91]

The guitar Clarence is playing in this video is, in fact, the very same guitar that Marty Stuart owns and plays on occasion.

[sophiesage]

The hilarious thing is these people trying to Disco dance to this tune!!

[kevink82]

Thanks for posting this vid...now I am late for work!

[BILLPERKS5]

TO gloryhandgreaseband: From: BILLPERKS5 --- Thanks Muchly for the Narrative & Bkrnd. on the Clarence White Telecaster. A "b bender" eh? Phonominal! Do you recall anyone else in the business today thats' usin' a Similar device or Instrument? Also, an ADDED THANX to Mattolesh on the Imfo. on Clarence Whites' demise. Ya' Hate to LOSE the Really TALENTED Ones!!

[eleetex]

Ricky Scaggs, Albert Lee, Jimmy Olander (lead player in Diamond Rio) to name a few. But I haven't heard a guitar player recording in Nashville, L.A., New York or ANYWHERE that would make me think "Yeah, this guy's REALLY been listening to Clarence".

[TurgeonFan77132]

I think Marty Stuart also plays one and if I'm not mistaken, he may have given one of his "B Benders" to Marty. Mike Campbell of Tom Petty's Heartbreaks is also using one as of late for Petty's reunion of his first band, Mudcrutch.

[mattolesh]

Clarence white was hit by a drunk driver loading up his gear in his car after a show. It is really sad. I wish that i could have seen him play or met him before his passing.

[BILLPERKS5]

OKAY... Someone NEEDS to Come FORWARD and ADDRESS this Issue of Clarence Whites' THICK - Bodied TELECASTER Guitar! I Imagine that People Everywhere have been a Wonderin' about it.. For some time NOW! By the way, what did we ,as a Public, Lose Mr. Clarence White To? If you don't mind addressing the Question? The Gentleman was a Real "Gifted" Musician & Guitarist!!

[gloryhandgreaseband]

Clarence had modded his TELE with what became known as the b bender. It enabled him to bend the b, or 2nd, string further and while bending other notes manually to better emulate the sound of a steel guitar.This required(requires) a LOT of routing in the back of a guitar, so he put a cap on it to conceal the work. Hence the unusual thickness.Marty Stuart has claimed that when he got the guitar, he removed the cap to look inside and found a sheet of acid!(LSD).

[deadflo]

Ha, That acid story is hilarious, wonder if Marty found out if it was any good. Boy Clarence sure does sound like a steel guitar on the first song for sure!

[plyg]

is this a song by bob dylan?

[imabookie3]

Yes both of them

[philharveyjr]

The Byrds were good, but J.D. Maness made the "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" album with his incredible steel playing!

[NickRatnieks]

I think Marty sees himself as the "custodian" of the guitar known as "Clarence".In Guitar Player magazine's "Vintage Gallery" in 1994 he said "I don't feel like I bought the guitar, I just bought the rights to borrow it".

[munit1954]

He didn't buy the rights to it. He bought another telecaster from Clarence's wife, and then asked to borrow the famous one to record. Julia reluctantly said yes and let Marty borrow it. Unfortuantely Julia White was killed shortly after that. Marty is a weasel. He should give the guitar back to it's rightful owner, Michelle White.

[NickRatnieks]

That's not good is it? My cousin did a similar thing- lent an item then found he had lost title to it.You need to get a letter done, but it's easy to be wise after the event.

[Dukegrievousangel]

Wasn't Clarence married to Suzie?

[munit1954]

I think her first name was Julia. And either her middle or nickname was Susie

[dlanodrelda]

Who are the other Byrds in this?

[MakkariRevival]

Roger McGuinn (quitar), Clarence White (guitar), John York (bass), Gene Parsons (drums).

[barnyardstory]

I wish I could dance like that.

[SCORPIUSMANWOOD]

Check out the sparkling wiggles doing the porch monkee stomp to a country song. It's funkalicious.

[unzari55]

What?

[fightinirishslayer]

The Best Byrds live ever.

No Crosby harmony but these guys could play and McGuinn was finally the focal point.

Clarence's fuzztone guitar on This Wheel's is incredible. McGuinn at his prime. Too bad this is the ONLY clip on You Tube with this great version of the Byrds, circa 1968-1969 (McGuinn, White Parsons and York).

[NickRatnieks]

Marty Stuart owns Clarence's Telecaster now- he use it a lot- it's on the odd album cover.

[Mowac]

Marty Stewart was also given Don Rich's silver metal-flake telecaster by Buck Owens.

[munit1954]

Not quite sure that Marty Stuart "owns" the b-bender telecaster

[Hankray2]

Clarance has always been my favorite. Roger has also been a favorite of mine.

[runninshort]

This shows the earliest beginnings of the Byrds as a great performing band coming together.

Jim/Roger was starting to relax, since he had no more personality clashes to weather and he had an undisputed master of his instrument who was as supportive as he was brilliant a lead player.

I'm glad for any footage we have of Clarence.

[Stacela]

I'd like a copy of this to download also.

[Stacela]

What's the name of the last song?

[plyg]

you ain,t going no where.

[Stacela]

That's the first song; what's the name of the second one?

[kingodd]

this wheels on fire

[teknikov]

This is definitely the last great Byrds lineup. John York's bass and singing really add character that was lost totally when Mr Hippy Skip Battlin arrived with his comedy songs and limp string slapping. "Ballad of Easy Rider" is surely the last genuinely concise Byrds record...

[Midnightman3741]

I personally love Skip Battin, probably my favorite bassist. John York is great too. I just don't see how you can't like Skip.

[hoctor]

IT really IS a wonderful performance but the weekend swingers on Playboy After Dark just about smother it. I saw them at the Fillmore, NYC right at this time with Procul Harem and they were out***ragous. Thanks Bob for the material

[roselovr2004]

You Ain't Goin' Nowhere and This Wheel's On Fire

both by Bob Dylan; wonderful performance by The Byrds.

Thanks for putting this up! It's awesome, and there I go, using that over-used word again, haha.

[winstonegg]

love this. absolutely love this. for some reason reminds me of altamont before all hell broke lose.. must be the dancers? roger & clarence in their prime i think.

[beatlebobb]

Wow Thanx so much..I used to see these guys in the late 60s early 70s? and I really never thought I would get a chance to see them again!! Clarence had a goatee and more of a rock look by then as did Gene Parsons (drummer)They seem to be fresh out of Bakersfield in this clip (Nashville West)

[ronfrankl]

I think you mean that you used to see Nashville West, but this is the Byrds, after NW broke up and Clarence and Gene joined the Byrds (late '68). Great clip from Playboy After Dark.

[rockon18]

That's the great John York on bass and high harmony vocals alongside Clarence.

[roberrc]

I don't know what's more shocking, clarence playing or crowd dancing that way.

six stars!!!!

[relictele]

Clarence is the king....I swear the bloke in the vest/yellow shirt doing the funky dancing is the same guy that was a dancer/extra on "Laugh-In" during the "cocktail party" segment.

[Byrdfan]

Great stuff...

[AndyTweezer]

It's too bad every time Clarence kicks in a solo they show a closeup of McGuinn... or the bassist York..

[AndyTweezer]

No wonder Clarence was among Jimi's favourite guitarists, if you've got access to more Clarence's performances, get them out there, please!!!!

[tomney1]

Loved your comment about Jimi being a Clarence White fan- they both play like they've been given a good kick up the arse by the man upstairs (as opposed to touched)- like a conduit to heaven; just a glimpse of His face. I would love your comment to be true. Can you please post where you read this from.

[SteveAudio]

I only saw Clarence live 1 time, but was heavily influenced by him. I actually had a B-string bender on my Les Paul back in '71-'72.

Can I please get a copy of this, to download?\

Thanks, Steve

[RandyCasey]

Clarence rules

[pount76]

Clarence with his "B-bender"-tele built by Gene Parsons. A great player. Only recently is he getting the credit he's due! Thanks for sharing this clip!!

[fitnann]

Clarence is awesome

[bowlvillage65]

Tis is The Byrds on Playboy After Dark. Cool clip!

[dagetage]

Thanks for sharing this footage, grievousangel26

Powerful plying by the Whitemeister

[jgwalker]

Submitter----thank you so much! I'll never forget the amazing sound of Clarence and his Telecaster......was lucky enough to see him play live four times. Please post more if you have 'em.

[dbailey62]

Amazing stuff. First time I've seen the John York era Byrds on video .... and of course, Clarence is awesome!

[slightlyperturbedmax]

What year is this from?

[grievousangel26]

1968

[rjonnz]

scary