@leonakita Joe Walsh played on the album , "All Alone in the End Zone " Don't think Joe ever toured with Jay . Jay played keyboards on Joe's live album .
Jay Ferguson later wrote the theme song to the US version of the TV show "The Office". He won awards for it. True story. Thunder Island was a top ten hit in the USA. Great song. I was 7 when it came out. Also a true story.
Im 60 an have super long hair....never cutting it. Is my way of telling the government to fuck off..............that theyre a bunch of sick cock suckers.
@TheWitchOvAgnesi Jay Ferguson later wrote the theme song to the US version of the TV show "The Office". He won awards for it. True story. Thunder Island was a top ten hit in the USA. Great song. I was 7 when it came out. Also a true story.
Ooh, Yeah, sha la la la, my lady In the sun with your hair undone can't you feel me calling your name from across the bay summer's day laughing and hiding, chasing love out on Thunder Island She was the color of the Indian summer and we shared the hours without number until one day when the sky turned dark and wind grew wild caught by the rain blinded by lightning we rode the storm out there on Thunder Island I held her close until the storm passed and we fell down laughing in the wet grass
FORTUNATELY,THE PLANET EARTH WASN'T SHOWN THE FIRST MUSIC VID BY MTV. THERE WERE CAMERAS IN THE CIVIL WAR IN 1865. MTV WAS A PLATFORM FOR MUSIC TO BE VIDIFIED.JUST SO YOU KNOW THT MTV ISN'T THE SOURCE OF ALL MUSIC VIDEOS YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT THE MONKEES OR LED ZEP OR ANY BAND PRE 1979 MTV. I WITNESSED MTVS BIRTH AT A BAR IN WISCONSIN, WAKE UP.
@KB4QAA , MTV didn't start video, they just started bringing it to the public. Before then, musicians were making videos as promotions for record companies and investors. Where do you think they got the videos to play when MTV started?
As far as I know, Jay Ferguson is not dead, but Randy California is. They were both in the group Spirit (Got A Line On You). Randy California drowned in Hawaii after a surfing accident.
@scubaKC He was trying to save his son from a riptide,which he did.He was in Jimi Hendrix's band and there was another guy named Randy in the band.He was from Texas,whereas the other Randy was from-you guessed it-California.Thus,Hendrix named them Randy Texas and Randy California.
@chrisz31974 "Death" reports happen prematurely. One of them, for example, Gordon Lightfoot who was born not far from here, upon hearing of his death openly announced that he was very much alive. I expected him to throw a "back from the dead" concert but it never happened. But I checked around after your comment and fortunately it seems that again somebody was pulling my leg. He does appear to be alive. That's great since I love his music.
@Capcoor Um - I heard a recording a year or so back from Neil Diamond. Now HE sound old and his voice was wavering. I guess die hard fans won't notice but at least some have founded great to present and/or retirement (other examples I've heard recently are Simon & Garfunkel and the Everly Brothers. Oh man. Thunder Island. I will always love this song.
@askmeicare Big hair, porno mustache like Gregg Rolie, but probably not able to fill out the tight pants the way Gregg was notorious for doing !!LOL !!
whenever I want to replay any year I go to Alaska Jims music charts on the net - pick out the year and week and cut and paste any song on a you tube search - 1978 - my senior year seems like yesterday
One hit wonder ? Hardly- Jay wasthe singer in Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne before he went solo. This was probably his biggest hit , but he was not a one hit wonder
One hit wonder ? Hardly- Jay was the singer in Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne before he went solo. This was probably his biggest hit , but he was not a one hit wonder
In '83 I got a job at the Griffith Observatory. Ran into a guy working there who introduced himself as Bob Webb. We talked about music and things and he mentioned "Thunder Island", and how he'd played guitar on that tune. I can't believe I didn't even get his autograph.
jay ferguson wrote the theme for "the office" for those who don't know. he won an emmy for it in 2007. its the piano piece intro to the american version of the office. i still love his spirit stuff the best
@victoriaindigo it was on his wiki page. i guess he stopped doing solo outings after his "white noise" album in 1983, then he went on to do soundtracks for film and television. he did the terminator 2 soundtrack, and nightmare on elm street 3 soundtrack as well.
Got a chance to see them do this live at the Allen Theater in Cleveland in the 70's. Nazerth was on the bill too. 5 row center, something I'll never forget.
I hear this song quite often on a lot of AM radio stations, especially in North Dakota (KFYR Radio, Bismarck, ND) when I travel through that area. A fantastic tune!!
To the 9 people that don 't like this-ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? This is a fantasic feel great song,it's almost impossible not to sing along to this great song!!
This is rare. The only other "live" versions of this song that I have seen were lip-synced. Even though the record was tightly produced - to the point of maybe being "overproduced", they manage to do a credible version live. Thanks for posting.
What could be better than you and your girl on an island beach, summertime, wet and half dressed. Sun and surf. God, gimme that 24/7.. And lots of Sex Wax for the Boards..
I hear this song on the radio every so often..and boy do the memories come back for this 47 year old guy. I was still just a kid when it came out, but it was 'rockin' for my day. Just a simple old country boy, but songs like this could help me escape my small town mentality, even if just for 4 minutes...I was jammin'
Great tune, I remember when it first came out, This tune and Shakedown Cruise, Brings back TONS of memories for this beat to crap 46yr old demolition man, Thanks for shareing the cool video with us
I chose to remain anon, but I did play drums for Jay several times, actually 4, but he was a pretty cool dude back then. I tried for Spirit, but didn't get the gig. I got a line on you was the best spirit had to offer and what a helluva offer!!!!!
I was in an Applebee's in Dayton, Ohio a few years back. In walks Jay Ferguson. He bellies up to the bar and says, "Whiskey and water." I look at him, he smiles and says, "Bourbon is a man's drink." With that...I took my bloody marry and poured it over his head. It stained his neck scarf and he appeared shell shocked quite honestly.
Okay, that has to be the lamest "brush with greatness story" ever told.
I know Jay Ferguson and one thing is for sure, when he drinks Whiskey and Water it is for breakfast...not a Bloody Mary.. you big flaming pansy...or was it steroid rage?
@jamesha175 yes, like you are that much of a c*nt to write me and make a statement like that. Enjoy going to the bingo parlor this weekend you redneck!
@mrentertainment43 Big Ten--good schools--and still you are hanging in a lounge acting tough to an old 140# dude. Awesome, man. Life still owes you 14-minutes. Ohio State?
You're so cool but so out of your league. I'm bigger than you. PM me and I'll give you my face book page. I am 6'4" 250lbs. Marine. I eat punks like you regularly.
I got to meet Jay and the rest of Spirit at a concert at the Waikiki Shell back in about 1970..snuck in using a fake Teen Magazine photographer ID card...they thought it was a hoot...extremely nice, unpretentious group of guys.
Jay has great pedigree with Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne. However, I think this is nearly Jay's best. It's always been my favorite because of it's easy late-70s feel and the overall sound.
He plays this song in the Key of C but throws that DA twist in there?? As a guitar player it always seemed to me the Rolling Stones song "Start Me Up" works off a similar riff. Both songs start with a similar riff but take the rest in a different directions.
I hate to admit it, but this guy actually tears it up. (even though there is an interminable preamble attached to it) Usually I am loathe to peruse live musical numbers, but there is so much energy here, one cannot help but empathize... This song got my attention when I was about 13. good show!
Song brings back alot of memories for a guy that's 50 now and used to plow fields back then. I had a radio on my tractor, the neighbors could hear a mile away. Now I am a mortgage banker????? Damn, I wish I was back on that tractor!!!! Serious;y.
@jcs4bama Life was good back then that's for sure..everyday was a new begining..People were down to earth..cops were decent and us kids listen to our parents!!!...Even those rabbit ears on the tv made u swear..they worked after about an hour playing with them!!!!!!
@jcs4bama 50 huh, Damn i turn 50 this weekend. Yours was a tractor mine was a Shovel(term for log truck loader AKA yard rat) . Now i work for the Human Rights Commission doing computer work. Go figure. I would give it all up to go back in the woods/log yard to work with the good ole boys. not this politically correct shit that i have to swallow on a daily basis. I mean in the log yard everybody and everything was fair game. Now one cant fart without offending someone let alone drop dozen f bombs
Not much. One of those songs that has been ingrained in my head since I heard it on an oldies station driving home at 2 am. Some songs just hit you. This was one for me.
Thunder Island was literally the first music video I ever saw - back in 1978. Just Jay Ferguson dancing against a white screen - but I still want to do that dance whenever I hear this song. Brings back some great memories from the summer of 78. Thanks so much foe the post (I just wish someone would post the old video - I haven't seen in it nearly 30 years)
Man you could always tell good ol' Joe Walsh licks from a mile away! No wonder everyone in rock used to want to work with him. Even that Marx guy's one good song was that way from Joe's guitar!
Jay DID rock! Great catch stdeclan! He was in Spirit, one of the most talented least known bands to emerge from rock. Doc Sardonicus...good stuff!
And of course, thanks for posting this vid, I LOVE this tune!
Shakedown Cruise was Jay Ferguson?! Had no idea. I would always get embarrassed in my parent's car when that 'squeeze the sails, lick the decks' part came on. My dad said, 'what the HELL?'
what no Joe Walsh on guitar!??
leonakita 2 weeks ago
@leonakita Joe Walsh played on the album , "All Alone in the End Zone " Don't think Joe ever toured with Jay . Jay played keyboards on Joe's live album .
cuninglinguist 2 weeks ago
@cuninglinguist joe also played on Thunder island album, I recall, perhaps half the cuts. My point was, Joe's slide so much better!
leonakita 1 week ago
An absolute amazing and mystical song that brings me back to my small transistor radio under my pillow going to bed at age 12.
cryptonet007 3 weeks ago
Long live power pop! (meant in a kindliest manner)
thumbjamma 4 weeks ago
bring the thunder, Jay!!
09rockmusic 4 weeks ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Jay Ferguson later wrote the theme song to the US version of the TV show "The Office". He won awards for it. True story. Thunder Island was a top ten hit in the USA. Great song. I was 7 when it came out. Also a true story.
WhyTheHorseface 1 month ago
Im 60 an have super long hair....never cutting it. Is my way of telling the government to fuck off..............that theyre a bunch of sick cock suckers.
mechiefslapahobitch 1 month ago
Yet another song I thought was sung by someone else more famous.
TheWitchOvAgnesi 1 month ago
@TheWitchOvAgnesi Jay Ferguson later wrote the theme song to the US version of the TV show "The Office". He won awards for it. True story. Thunder Island was a top ten hit in the USA. Great song. I was 7 when it came out. Also a true story.
WhyTheHorseface 1 month ago
SFConifer 1 month ago
We need the words posted, never got them all!
Mrdepointer 1 month ago
I'm back in the 70's and loving it!!! Honey, where is my turnable?
Mrdepointer 1 month ago
ahhh the 70s, nobody shaved a thing! loved it
09rockmusic 2 months ago
FORTUNATELY,THE PLANET EARTH WASN'T SHOWN THE FIRST MUSIC VID BY MTV. THERE WERE CAMERAS IN THE CIVIL WAR IN 1865. MTV WAS A PLATFORM FOR MUSIC TO BE VIDIFIED.JUST SO YOU KNOW THT MTV ISN'T THE SOURCE OF ALL MUSIC VIDEOS YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT THE MONKEES OR LED ZEP OR ANY BAND PRE 1979 MTV. I WITNESSED MTVS BIRTH AT A BAR IN WISCONSIN, WAKE UP.
pursuee1 2 months ago
KFRC IN SAN FRAN WHEN I WAS A JUNIOR AT MSJHS. GOOD MEMS,WHY NO REAL VIDEO FOR THIS?
pursuee1 2 months ago in playlist YouTube Mix for Jay Ferguson
@pursuee1 No video because MTV hadn't been started yet in 1979!
KB4QAA 2 months ago
@KB4QAA , MTV didn't start video, they just started bringing it to the public. Before then, musicians were making videos as promotions for record companies and investors. Where do you think they got the videos to play when MTV started?
csvanhouten 2 months ago
brings me back to those killer summers in the 70s....
TheMackd08 2 months ago
This is good music! It will never go out of style :)
flotilla1 2 months ago
In the sun with your hair undone...
HangDogLow 3 months ago
Jay Ferguson's latest project is NCIS L.A. He produces all the music on that show.
jonmichaelkelly64 3 months ago
i remember this tune good memories.....
jammergirl88 3 months ago 3
In recent years, Jay Ferguson is best known for writing the theme song to The Office.
NewShimmer 4 months ago
How can someone hate Jay Ferguson? Get a grip, its the 70's....
charleswhitman23 4 months ago
LOL!! that towel move @1:05.
WeirdMystery2012 5 months ago in playlist 1978
I Rock The Porn Stache
rachel7274 5 months ago
Another young hopeful,who tried the FM friendly coke route,and went nowhere fast.
You can't obviously get better than Spirit.
PAULLONDEN 6 months ago
gettin your ass banged out on THUNDA island hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
JRBUDS 6 months ago
pole smokenest shat evaaaaaa. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
JRBUDS 6 months ago
Towel magic - yikes I could have gone my whole life never seeing this - alas - one of my favorite songs in the 70s
templars83 7 months ago
ahhh Pop music as it was meant to be... hooks abound and it was..oh ya FUN!!
khwalt2 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Jay Fergusen was the driving force behind Spirit. The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus is a rock classic.
Zorro007ism 8 months ago
Jay Fergusen was the driving force behind Spirit. The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus is a rock classic.
Zorro007ism 8 months ago
Nothing better than makin' love w your woman in the thundrering rain on an island! He captured the moment so perfectly!
integrity6969 8 months ago
As far as I know, Jay Ferguson is not dead, but Randy California is. They were both in the group Spirit (Got A Line On You). Randy California drowned in Hawaii after a surfing accident.
scubaKC 8 months ago
@scubaKC He was trying to save his son from a riptide,which he did.He was in Jimi Hendrix's band and there was another guy named Randy in the band.He was from Texas,whereas the other Randy was from-you guessed it-California.Thus,Hendrix named them Randy Texas and Randy California.
Capcoor 5 months ago
Never saw him before. I'm a little surprised. I love this song, did long before I really understood what this song was saying. May he rest in peace.
UglySean 10 months ago
@UglySean I don't think he's dead
chrisz31974 9 months ago
@chrisz31974 "Death" reports happen prematurely. One of them, for example, Gordon Lightfoot who was born not far from here, upon hearing of his death openly announced that he was very much alive. I expected him to throw a "back from the dead" concert but it never happened. But I checked around after your comment and fortunately it seems that again somebody was pulling my leg. He does appear to be alive. That's great since I love his music.
UglySean 9 months ago
@UglySean I saw him in concert last year.Sounded great.Not sounded great for 73-sounded great.
Capcoor 7 months ago
@Capcoor Um - I heard a recording a year or so back from Neil Diamond. Now HE sound old and his voice was wavering. I guess die hard fans won't notice but at least some have founded great to present and/or retirement (other examples I've heard recently are Simon & Garfunkel and the Everly Brothers. Oh man. Thunder Island. I will always love this song.
UglySean 5 months ago
The first time that I ever heard this song, I was 14 years old, "young, dumb. and full of com!!!"
SuperScottbrady 10 months ago
was this song about canada or michigan
impellernut 10 months ago
This is such a feel good song.
Ahhh, Sweet Sunshine.
cvjucla3 10 months ago
sort of looks like Greg Rolie here...
askmeicare 11 months ago
@askmeicare Actually kind of does.. big hair and porno mustache !!
HMACDONALD69 10 months ago
@askmeicare Big hair, porno mustache like Gregg Rolie, but probably not able to fill out the tight pants the way Gregg was notorious for doing !!LOL !!
HMACDONALD69 7 months ago
Great album. Little mentioned fact is that Joe Walsh plays lead guitar on the studio version of this song, and a few others on that album.
tonyplaysbass 11 months ago
Always loved Jay's voice.. Love this song...
NDN777 11 months ago
whenever I want to replay any year I go to Alaska Jims music charts on the net - pick out the year and week and cut and paste any song on a you tube search - 1978 - my senior year seems like yesterday
majesticteam12 1 year ago
He's still making some good music... .He wrote and performs the theme music to "The Office"
BiBo24 1 year ago
I was only 6 when this came out, but I ohh so love it! Memories!
lams1013 1 year ago
I wish more people would rock Jay's mustache/hairstyle combo.
zerodelorean 1 year ago
Always liked this song, though kind of pop. Hard to believe he was in Spirit after hearing this though.
daven58100 1 year ago
Ferguson was not afraid to rock the porn mustache
MultiNickDanger 1 year ago 29
I love this song still.
duvexy 1 year ago
"In the sun with her dress undun"!
MrJuanjv 1 year ago 2
Comment removed
joeseppi88 1 year ago
One hit wonder.
ziggy471961 1 year ago
@ziggy471961
One hit wonder ? Hardly- Jay wasthe singer in Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne before he went solo. This was probably his biggest hit , but he was not a one hit wonder
DEMOWAGON 1 year ago
@ziggy471961
One hit wonder ? Hardly- Jay was the singer in Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne before he went solo. This was probably his biggest hit , but he was not a one hit wonder
DEMOWAGON 1 year ago
@DEMOWAGON i was just about to go off on the ziggy guy myself, but you did a good job of it yourself!! thanks
bluestate69 1 year ago
In '83 I got a job at the Griffith Observatory. Ran into a guy working there who introduced himself as Bob Webb. We talked about music and things and he mentioned "Thunder Island", and how he'd played guitar on that tune. I can't believe I didn't even get his autograph.
osterpicado 1 year ago
jay ferguson wrote the theme for "the office" for those who don't know. he won an emmy for it in 2007. its the piano piece intro to the american version of the office. i still love his spirit stuff the best
bluestate69 1 year ago
@bluestate69 Wow I had no idea he wrote The Office theme!
victoriaindigo 1 year ago
@victoriaindigo it was on his wiki page. i guess he stopped doing solo outings after his "white noise" album in 1983, then he went on to do soundtracks for film and television. he did the terminator 2 soundtrack, and nightmare on elm street 3 soundtrack as well.
bluestate69 1 year ago
detroit city, michigan, usa?? just say shithole, michigan, we'll all get the picture
ultrakool 1 year ago
@ultrakool Watch it Ultra!
LodoGrdzak 1 year ago
@LodoGrdzak i've been there. am i wrong? not. too bad, so sad
ultrakool 1 year ago
thunder pants
swankrecords 1 year ago
Wow!
GoddessMoney 1 year ago
One of my favorite songs of the entire 1970's !!! This is "real" songwriting and playing.
ProudConfederateSon 1 year ago
Memories of high school, and great memories they are. I saw Jay when he was with Jo Jo Gunn in 1974. The 70's RULED !!!!
racer500gp 1 year ago
At 4:00 you're gonna want that cowbell
kel9591 1 year ago
Got a chance to see them do this live at the Allen Theater in Cleveland in the 70's. Nazerth was on the bill too. 5 row center, something I'll never forget.
MadisonCutlass44057 1 year ago 2
It nice song..
good legs jay's 4:51
pelitobros 1 year ago
Such a forceful honesty in the performance of this song...the guitar intro on the album/cd is one of the most enticing songs out there....
SFConifer 1 year ago
Oh fuk me to go back here again...
mesmursur 1 year ago
I hear this song quite often on a lot of AM radio stations, especially in North Dakota (KFYR Radio, Bismarck, ND) when I travel through that area. A fantastic tune!!
cabowaboh 1 year ago
To the 9 people that don 't like this-ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? This is a fantasic feel great song,it's almost impossible not to sing along to this great song!!
moorhead1962 1 year ago
@moorhead1962 easily one of the best songs ever written
mrhairmetal 1 year ago
Who has some Dr Sardonicus-era Spirit live vids out there?
Parkyurkarkas 1 year ago 2
he's stoned
MrDavito2 1 year ago
this song...man those were the days
81abbo 1 year ago
This is rare. The only other "live" versions of this song that I have seen were lip-synced. Even though the record was tightly produced - to the point of maybe being "overproduced", they manage to do a credible version live. Thanks for posting.
NewShimmer 1 year ago
Great song....wish we had better recording.....:) LOVE you guys.....Blessings,
Peace LOVE light!!!
PeaceAngelish 1 year ago
What could be better than you and your girl on an island beach, summertime, wet and half dressed. Sun and surf. God, gimme that 24/7.. And lots of Sex Wax for the Boards..
newtronn1project 1 year ago
Shut up and paly the stupid song!!
swanker63 1 year ago
thunder butt
swankrecords 1 year ago
thunder pants. some are loud.
swankrecords 1 year ago
I hear this song on the radio every so often..and boy do the memories come back for this 47 year old guy. I was still just a kid when it came out, but it was 'rockin' for my day. Just a simple old country boy, but songs like this could help me escape my small town mentality, even if just for 4 minutes...I was jammin'
ksginnc 1 year ago
Ron Burgundy would have definitely listend to this...
NJPlayer79 1 year ago
This is my theme song! Uh huh! Fuck yea!
BRIDOGG19666 1 year ago
Wooh, Jay !!! Love that shimmy ! and the "stache ! Amazing ! Really,this guy was great,songs,voice and performance ! Super !
lakeladymel 1 year ago 3
Great tune, I remember when it first came out, This tune and Shakedown Cruise, Brings back TONS of memories for this beat to crap 46yr old demolition man, Thanks for shareing the cool video with us
Mildotone 1 year ago
so what happened between the testosterone boys this weekend?
418cjpaul 1 year ago
@418cjpaul I think it is the sight of Jays bushy bushy mustache that sets 'em off.Cool old tune though.
MrSphibe 1 year ago 2
I like that guitar tone a lot
petejt 1 year ago
Great tune!
ardalcravan 1 year ago
I chose to remain anon, but I did play drums for Jay several times, actually 4, but he was a pretty cool dude back then. I tried for Spirit, but didn't get the gig. I got a line on you was the best spirit had to offer and what a helluva offer!!!!!
jcs4bama 1 year ago 2
I was in an Applebee's in Dayton, Ohio a few years back. In walks Jay Ferguson. He bellies up to the bar and says, "Whiskey and water." I look at him, he smiles and says, "Bourbon is a man's drink." With that...I took my bloody marry and poured it over his head. It stained his neck scarf and he appeared shell shocked quite honestly.
mrentertainment43 1 year ago
Imagine that. Some hobo dumps a drink. I'd have kicked the shit out of you.
auctionguyinmo 1 year ago 3
I'm 6'2 250 lbs, bench press 365 and wrestled in the Big 10 conference. I don't see you kickin' the shit out of me. I'd snap you like a twig.
mrentertainment43 1 year ago
Okay, that has to be the lamest "brush with greatness story" ever told.
I know Jay Ferguson and one thing is for sure, when he drinks Whiskey and Water it is for breakfast...not a Bloody Mary.. you big flaming pansy...or was it steroid rage?
AcrossfromtheAlamo 1 year ago
@mrentertainment43
wow really dude, you poured a drink on a man and would snap another man like a twig - are you that much of a dick?
jamesha175 1 year ago 5
@jamesha175 yes, like you are that much of a c*nt to write me and make a statement like that. Enjoy going to the bingo parlor this weekend you redneck!
mrentertainment43 1 year ago
@mrentertainment43 Big Ten--good schools--and still you are hanging in a lounge acting tough to an old 140# dude. Awesome, man. Life still owes you 14-minutes. Ohio State?
ttraynor1 1 year ago
@mrentertainment43 Bet. 6'4" 250 lbs. Marine. Try me. Anytime you want. I'm in Missouri. Ask for directions. I'll draw a pic for you.
auctionguyinmo 1 year ago
@mrentertainment43 By the way, you try some single leg shit, you'd be lookin up at me wonderin' WTF just happened. I combat grapple for fun.
auctionguyinmo 1 year ago
You're so cool but so out of your league. I'm bigger than you. PM me and I'll give you my face book page. I am 6'4" 250lbs. Marine. I eat punks like you regularly.
auctionguyinmo 1 year ago
@auctionguyinmo see you in this weekend...punk.
mrentertainment43 1 year ago
me to!
v2vroth 1 year ago
Yes Bourbon is a man's drink, your just like the ladies they think everybody should experince a bloddy pussy.
railroadh 1 year ago
Comment removed
MrRT1966 1 year ago
@mrentertainment43 Are you a bearded homosexual?
MrSphibe 1 year ago
I got to meet Jay and the rest of Spirit at a concert at the Waikiki Shell back in about 1970..snuck in using a fake Teen Magazine photographer ID card...they thought it was a hoot...extremely nice, unpretentious group of guys.
clyde8her 1 year ago 2
a perennial rocker!!!
chester45395 1 year ago 2
Jay has great pedigree with Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne. However, I think this is nearly Jay's best. It's always been my favorite because of it's easy late-70s feel and the overall sound.
pulyapudoff 2 years ago
As usual, the guitar player hits it off too fast! ;)
Great song! <3
maldimar 2 years ago
He plays this song in the Key of C but throws that DA twist in there?? As a guitar player it always seemed to me the Rolling Stones song "Start Me Up" works off a similar riff. Both songs start with a similar riff but take the rest in a different directions.
rhotspot 2 years ago
Ha ,wow your so right never connected the two,but I play a lil myself an i can see where the licks are kinda the same...Good lookin out..
704billy1975 2 years ago
Always like that riff, though "Start Me Up" is tuned to open G tuning D-G-D-G-B-D.
TikiHutGuitar 2 years ago
@rhotspot Finally someone who agrees with me! I think that every time I hear this song on the radio!
Skutnikman 8 months ago
I hate to admit it, but this guy actually tears it up. (even though there is an interminable preamble attached to it) Usually I am loathe to peruse live musical numbers, but there is so much energy here, one cannot help but empathize... This song got my attention when I was about 13. good show!
abacab987 2 years ago
Jay Ferguson later wrote the theme song for "The Office".
dklionsky 2 years ago
Awesome song! Loved it when I was 8, love it now!
djparrish01 2 years ago
such a great classic song i love it and iam only 23 lol
mdfslfllf 2 years ago 2
shot stabbed and set on fire like B.O.
getDun2012 2 years ago
Song brings back alot of memories for a guy that's 50 now and used to plow fields back then. I had a radio on my tractor, the neighbors could hear a mile away. Now I am a mortgage banker????? Damn, I wish I was back on that tractor!!!! Serious;y.
jcs4bama 2 years ago 34
@jcs4bama lyin bag a shit...least im still whackin drums wid my arthritis
BerkLeeDrm 1 year ago
@jcs4bama I can dig it. I did sound and lighting for over 20 years. A bad back forced me out.
rayjr62 1 year ago
@jcs4bama Life happens and you rarely have a chance to look back and reflect on simple things that used to make you happy.
ShellRae7836 1 year ago 2
@jcs4bama Life was good back then that's for sure..everyday was a new begining..People were down to earth..cops were decent and us kids listen to our parents!!!...Even those rabbit ears on the tv made u swear..they worked after about an hour playing with them!!!!!!
Midnightryder7 1 year ago 2
@jcs4bama never too late man!!!!
59keoni 1 year ago
@jcs4bama I feel the same way- Damn if time just doesnt fly by
edzick917 11 months ago
@jcs4bama 50 huh, Damn i turn 50 this weekend. Yours was a tractor mine was a Shovel(term for log truck loader AKA yard rat) . Now i work for the Human Rights Commission doing computer work. Go figure. I would give it all up to go back in the woods/log yard to work with the good ole boys. not this politically correct shit that i have to swallow on a daily basis. I mean in the log yard everybody and everything was fair game. Now one cant fart without offending someone let alone drop dozen f bombs
LesSmith45 10 months ago 2
I was 13 when this song was a hit God this takes me way back wished we could bring back this music back today!!!!!!!!!
melysaful 2 years ago 4
I was at this concert. I was sitting behind Gabe Kaplan and Tom Snyder.
mrentertainment43 2 years ago
Me, too! Bea Arthur was smokin' some killer stuff and ripped her shirt off and ran through the crowd. Scared all the Japanese men!
auralconcepts 2 years ago 2
Shit I remember that too! What was the deal with Gabe, yakking on his iPhone the entire concert.
TexasFury 2 years ago
seriously, what else can you say?
supafriends 2 years ago
Not much. One of those songs that has been ingrained in my head since I heard it on an oldies station driving home at 2 am. Some songs just hit you. This was one for me.
RScottus 2 years ago
It was a hit in the Spring of '78. I was a high school senior and this song was GREAT, magical !!
bultaco111 2 years ago 4
I was a jr. that year...Lots of good music then(except for Disco)!!!
slagdraggin1313 2 years ago
if you were to pick one performance to sum up 70s arena rocking--this might be it! it has virtually every cliche.
sharpasaneraser 2 years ago
The dance at the piano starting at 4:52 is the best!
LincTexPilot 2 years ago 2
That Sham Wow shimmy at the beginning of the video could sell alot of those towels !
lakeladymel 2 years ago
I got a fever. And the only prescription is more Cowbell!
ardalcravan 2 years ago 3
Comment removed
ardalcravan 2 years ago
dana carvey does an impersonation of jay that is dead on.
gardenvarietypenis 2 years ago
This guy is too cool for words !!!
lakeladymel 2 years ago 3
I like the dance moves with the Shamwow...this is a great song.
dontknomuch 2 years ago 6
isla grande 1897, case of soberanna, thunder, lighting. and you know the rest
hukeeaboo 2 years ago
More cowbell!!!
judesim 2 years ago 4
wtf. this stuf should be on the new radio stations not jus the new. this song is ffreakin rad.
sladenader 2 years ago 26
Summer of 80' w/ Carol Shelmer - my 69' pontiac - Lake Shore Beach - 6-pack of Genny.
Bromoe99 2 years ago 4
Rochester, NY??????
MegaRushfan 2 years ago
I gotta have more cowbell at 4:03 !
jbodango 2 years ago 3
1979 and Jay is rockin that porno stash. Ah, the 70s. I love it.
rayjr62 2 years ago 4
:))))))
str8tup 2 years ago
this song brings back so many memoies of a freind who passed on what good times
airsofter369 2 years ago
Thunder Island was literally the first music video I ever saw - back in 1978. Just Jay Ferguson dancing against a white screen - but I still want to do that dance whenever I hear this song. Brings back some great memories from the summer of 78. Thanks so much foe the post (I just wish someone would post the old video - I haven't seen in it nearly 30 years)
L80Kyra 2 years ago 2
Man you could always tell good ol' Joe Walsh licks from a mile away! No wonder everyone in rock used to want to work with him. Even that Marx guy's one good song was that way from Joe's guitar!
Jay DID rock! Great catch stdeclan! He was in Spirit, one of the most talented least known bands to emerge from rock. Doc Sardonicus...good stuff!
And of course, thanks for posting this vid, I LOVE this tune!
Peace out brothers and sisters!
redfishradical 2 years ago 2
totally tight set!
jasonthomaslaxdal333 2 years ago 3
Whoa, the drummer here, Mark Singer; I bought a set of Simmons electric drums off him back in like '90 or so. I was between college semesters.
nitedrive 2 years ago 2
this guy and Joe Walsh got away with murder....WAHOOOOOOO
yeowslastchance1 2 years ago 2
What do you mean?
TheSanityInspector 2 years ago
Great song! Thanks Laura for share!
Pinchysandcrab 2 years ago
2:17 LOL .
crowamonghens 3 years ago
No snickering over one-hit wonders, now. One hit is one more hit than most acts get. This is a great summertime memory for me.
TheSanityInspector 3 years ago 4
Jay Ferguson isn't a one-hit wonder... Shakedown Cruise was a hit too.
donm61873 2 years ago 6
Shakedown Cruise was Jay Ferguson?! Had no idea. I would always get embarrassed in my parent's car when that 'squeeze the sails, lick the decks' part came on. My dad said, 'what the HELL?'
nitedrive 2 years ago
Jay was in Spirit. He was hardly a one hit man
stdeclan 2 years ago 5
He looks a bit like Brad Delp from Boston (RIP).
DavePerry2012 3 years ago 3
In April 1978, Jay hosted The Midnight Special and opened up with this. Any footage of it anywhere?
mkl62 3 years ago 2
...Jay Ferguson was excellent live.Saw him with the classic Spirit line-up in 1970 - they put on a phenomenal show....RIP Randy California
tonfan 3 years ago 2
Wow rock ON great stuff hope they don't take this down
Quite THE showman there Not Jerry Lee Lewis
But pretty damned cool
CTOL1 3 years ago
I LOVE the towel shimmy thing he does at 1:06
what a cool video to see. I was born in '79....interesting to see what people were rocking out to back in the day. Looks like a hell of a concert!
anniedawg25 3 years ago 3