Joe Cocker / Leon Russell "The Letter"

[MrSloika]

I was a a baby when this was happening. So close yet so far.

Oh, that chubby girl in the yellow........wow.

[califas1966]

Great music! Joe is "great as always" and Leon's fuckin' toasted!! Lol!!

[msjenjenp]

have i died and gone to heaven?  Cocker & Russell? Be still my f' in heart.

[TheMatrixPipe]

I remember watching this as if it was yesterday....!

Hey Joe, can you show some trick to the Bieber kid....

[Javadavida]

Is that Bobby Keys on sax?

[stalkingwolf1954]

@judecreek2, saw leon w/ elton john 12/10 can hardly walk buthe ROCKED the house!!I was realy proud of the boy,Cocker said in a recent interview that he and Leon are still friends after years of not speaking. @ promoters have tried get this MDE band togetherfor ! more tour!! That would be the highlight of this dudes life ,eh,judecreek?

[184lisa]

So I have to say something.. A few months ago. I saw this video at first time. Becouse I very liked Joe´s performance on the Woodstock. ..And it was happend! I saw this coooooooool piano player. I just totaly fell in love with Leon Russell. No doubt..:-D No help. Just wanna more and more by him. Love his music ..his look..everything..:-D

[joebgood1953]

Joe Cocker and Leon Russell was a great duo together in the music business.

[sohooded]

@joebgood1953...........In fact the Sixties were waaaaaaay cooler than anything since.....today is so artificial, retro...unoriginal....electron­ic.... by comparison....................­..............

[68Wildhorse]

fantastic stuff. Mr. Russell and Mr. Cocker are each a master of his craft. people at this concert witnessed musical art being created.

[mslobro]

Very cool!

[debiedog1]

When this movie came out, I must have seen it a dozen times and to this date I still think it's one of the best rock sessions ever!!

[Bojarsbard]

Say whatever you want about the hippies, you got to admit they knew how to rock.

[louisVAogden]

@Bojarsbard

Thanks for not blasting us burned-out, aging, left-over hippies (INSERT BIG STONED GRIN HERE). Rockin' then and still rockin' now while holding on to my walker with long, white hair flying in the breeze, LOL. The mid-sixties through the mid-seventies was a VERY fun time for me, at least what I remember of it. As the trite saying goes - "if you remember the 60s, you weren’t there." Peace to all!

[TheCactusFlower57]

@Bojarsbard  yes they did...

[bxbuff]

Probably one of the coolest things to be in those days was a backup singer for someone like Cocker! Those backups in this video look like they are having the time of their lives!

The question is, where are they now?

[LesbianVampireLover]

Yeah, Leon is The Man! This albums is as good as it gets.

[jlayer1]

2 people should have their lips stapled to the asshole of a fat truck driver.

[MsStumble]

40 years on and there is still something about him, and he is a great musician

[dianneduke]

I saw him in concert March 2 at Richmond, VA. He's so cool, sexy, and on and on. . .

[louisVAogden]

@dianneduke

Would have loved to have gone myself but that 30 miles from Prince George was just too danged far, LOL!

[bullysmom74]

you are so right and he will be 70 in april, best looking man , those eyes will mesmerize you, lol, and i am older than him, can still look though. .lol

[TheBasenjiman]

ha ha Joe Got leid



[Mariekesone]

Great Music, never get enough of hearing it:-)

[garystringsinger]

To fantastic good to hear  ...love it

[aarfeld]

I'm wondering if some of you ol' time Frisco viewers could tell me if this particular segment from the film was shot at the old Winterland? As the camera panned the audience it looked a bit like some old photos that I've seen of that venue's interior.

[springby]

dual drummer ftw

[tawmbout]

James Hetfield at 0:29

[springby]

@tawmbout lol

[cjay2087]

I have been watching this same video for like a week now at least 2 or 3 times a day. SOmething about this video get me. Awesome stuff.

[kingfucter]

@cjay2087 I just bought the DVD last thursday. I may need a ticket outta here, been stuck in 1970 ever since. Great stuff!

[bozeboo]

You gotta love Leon in this video..top hat and so coool.....welcome to the rock n roll hall of fame......You are the man

[KentnLeah4ever]

Leon IS and ALWAYS been Da MAN!!!

[dlarsonmusic]

Amazing energy.. Killer tune.

[zo219]

Leon Russell, Master of Space and Time, early on, and you can see why.

[zimmyfromhibbing]

This song was performed in Minneapolis and was the first concert at the Depot, An old bus depot converted in to the legendery club which is now First Avenue,and is celebrating its 41 year

[oleole52]

The best piano player I ever heard,and a hell of a bandleader,stoned or not.

[HighMindedLunacy]

how stoned does Leon look....

[mmusicmann]

did you see that joint in leon's mouth at 1:31?

[unionguy36]

Great performance!

Leon is looking quite blissful at 1:30 with a j in his mouth.

[judecreek2]

@unionguy36 Yeah,followed by that slooooow blink!

[33smokechic]

classic! i love it!

[pineapplepie61]

Leon's totally baked and still plays phenomenally! Ahhh the 70s...how I miss 'em!

[judecreek2]

@pineapplepie61 Yeah, Leon's toasted to a crispy crunch, but stills plays like a mad man.

[tvaflhtcu]

@judecreek2 We saw Leon last year... still good as ever.

[SlowlyG]

love it ~ love it ~ great memories & great music...

[MusiicalJack]

Leon Russell made it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2011 class. Time to campaign for Joe Cocker's induction in 2012!

[GalvestonSteve]

@MusiicalJack And while you're at it ... Put a vote in for Bobby Keys on Sax.... God Bless Texas

[FIRECRACKER392]

LETS FLOOD MORNING RADIO SHOWS W/PHONE CALLS EVERYDAY TO PUT LEON IN R&R HALL OF FAME,,

AND BUY NOONES MUSIC UNTIL HE IS INDUCTED,, HE MORE THAN DESERVES IT ................LETS DO IT FOR LEON !!!

Yes i know my caps were on, but we`re talkin about LEON RUSSELL !!!

WE OWE IT TO HIM... :)

[brenda7734]

i love joe cocker,but leon....put him with willie, with any body.. love ya leon

[shordford]

This is stil awesome. Bobby Keys. Leon. Joe Cocker. Those signers. Fantastic.

[amanyttap]

THOSE WERE THE DAYS..JC and Co. AT HIS BEST !

[biensidhe]

In 1970 I was 16, and a lot of things have changed, but I still loves me some Leon.

[WWEEZZYY]

You got that right - sexy sexy man!

[stalkingwolf1954]

i saw an in terview with joe and his wife in colorado , he and leon are still good friends, with mutual respect all around , hr said leon and some others from the mad dog want to do a reunion concert in 11 , joe said he would love to do a concert or 2 with the band ,but no long tour since the70 tour nearly killed him ,he had been touring for 9 months when An M told him he was legally bound to do it

[egonslvs]

There isn't one, not one "musical artist" today that can equal or surpass the talent, skill, and heart that Joe, Leon, or Bobby put into their music. Hell no one from that time, period!

[crackfarm76]

i think this might be my favorite youtube video. and that's saying alot. i have like 2000 videos favorited.

[4SherylB]

Leon looks good. Very attractive.

[judecreek2]

@schwibert In 1972 during his "Leon Live" tour, I was 16 and saw the show in Detroit. I made my way to the front of the stage, got Leon's attention by waving a hat that I had bought for him. He came over, took the hat, smiled at me and said "Thanks, darlin;" That was as close as I've been to him. There are 3 vids from that tour here-Stranger in a Strange Land, Alcatraz, and Dixie Lullaby. For the last one you have to type in Dixie Lullaby Now and Then, and watch all the way thru.

[adoptfromarescue]

Joe and Leon go together like like bread and butter.

[madmikeastoria]

To any Ahole that likes rap.You see ,this is what music really is.Oh yeah!look how much fun the audience is having.No gunshots either!RAP SHOULD DIE.

[MissSusieQue1]

@madmikeastoria ~ Ya know..I like some rap...BUTT I have to say...ThIS VERSION KICKS some serious ass......It sounded good to me as a kid...and its even bettah....now. Every one of those musicians put there everything into this song......for Leon to be that stoned..and to play sOo phucking good....wow...hes still awesome..........:o)

[madmikeastoria]

@MissSusieQue1 You aint a kiddin miss Q.I used to listen to my older bros LPs,and when I first bumped into Leon n the shelter people album and played Stranger in a strange land,I was instantly hooked @ 12 yrs old.It was 1970 n I loved every second of it.There were no machines oyher than maybe a moog synthiser.They used their voices or a real instruments.The way it should be.Roc on Miss Q xoxox

[shoneyluvsAmerica]

I swear Joe Cocker moves like he can't control his arms. LOL

[zo219]

Master of All Space and Time! My crush on Leon, that face, that playing, then, is alive to this day. There was no one cooler.

[madmikeastoria]

@zo219 You got that right ZO.And he could get as high as he wants.I never seen him miss a note or beat in 40 years.YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH LEON !THATS a rocker for ya!

[HRHshirley]

Don't you love how natural everyone was? No bullshit in the backing singers, the musos, the audience, Cocker ... the way Leon's eyes close when he's feeling the music, an unbelievably pure experience

[mlwo13]

Two of the greatest!!!!!!

[ThePoetrygrl]

Love Leon's hands here!! So artistic looking....eyes full of soul!!

[madmikeastoria]

@ThePoetrygrl Yeah maybe a good ol lude too!

[HeartVisions]

@ThePoetrygrl That's funny! Leon's eyes may have looked like he was full of soul, but he was probably just stoned. We all were back then! Those were the days my friend! And they were all good! Blessings!

[dulcerias]

Leon is the coolest of the cool!

[hj179]

Leon's in automatic mode! Unique.

[RickyBernardo]

Very soon, Leon's got an album coming out with Elton John, whom he influenced greatly.

[eaglescoachadam]

Ooh the choir



[judecreek2]

Mad dogs was the first concert I ever went to. I was 14, The lead singer (Cocker) kinda freaked me out, but ooooh, the piano player!!!!!! That hair, that beard, those eyes, that top hat!! I developed a crush on Leon that lasted til oh, now. He's still got IT to this day!!!

[BarBlume]

@judecreek2 You mean I wasn't the only one LOL. Love him too.

[thanksforthemusic]

@judecreek2 Just read the latest Rolling Stone issue, interview with Elton John and noted how Elton thought of Leon as one of his great heroes and how Leon had kinda fallen on hard times music and money wise, Elton took him on tour, recorded with him, bought him a new Baby Grand and now Leon has a brand new tour bus and Leon has been lifted up quite a bit. Quite a nice tribute to Lean on behalf of Elton. Elton came off as very respectful and generous to Leon. Leon wrote a song for Elton.

[judecreek2]

@thanksforthemusic Thanks for the tip! What issue is it--Feb or March? I've been looking for the magazine, but I can only find the one with (excuse  me for writing this) Justin Beiber on the cover.

[thanksforthemusic]

@judecreek2 Uhhh...Feb. 4th(?) Elton on The Cover (something like that, put you on the right track anyway, good luck)

[jaiBavet]

@judecreek2 ? the lead singer freaked you out? perhaps you were too young to realize you were witnessing the best caucasian male singer to ever live.

[judecreek2]

@jaiBavet I believe you are right. My appreciation for Joe grew to major proportions as I got older.

[220denyse]

Cocker, Leon Russell, way cool, still are. And the women DID NOT WEAR BRAS!! Neither did i

[hapzap13]

BAD ASS !!!!

[surfer53]

Was this guy drunk all the time? Hey, whatever works for you. The guy is brilliant.

[randygwillickers]

it's funny no matter how fucked up these guys were back then they were still awsome!

[saturn9999999]

Leon is wasted here,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[fuckoffndie1]

the absolute best fucking version of this song joe could beltem out in his day !

[JohnnieB64]

1:04 - that's what I'M talking about...

[susielay]

OMG!!!!! I can't believe this!!! I saw these music ICON'S . . . . on their tour in the summer of '69 - Dallas, Texas - "State Fair Music Hall" . . . It was GREAT!!!!

Joe Cocker Mad Dog's & Englishmen Tour . . . What a legend!!!

[susielay]

OMG!!!!! I can't believe this!!! I saw these music ICON'S . . . . on their tour in the summer of '69 - Dallas, Texas - "State Fair Music Hall" . . . It was GREAT!!!!

Joe Cocker Mad Dog's & Englishmen Tour . . . What a legend!!!

[taintmya]

Leon Russell is the coolest shit!

[wildnites558]

C'mon, the Boxtop's version is great too. The Boxtop "version" is actually the original. Alex Chilton wrote it in like 1967 when the music industry still controlled a lot of content. It was a big hit and number 1 or close to it back then. I know, I was a kid and had the single -- still do. By the time this song was made fanous again by Cocker in the post-Woodstock era, music had changed and artists could create longer, more free-form arangements that weren't possible just a few years earlier.

[noahf67]

"High School Musical" it ain't...!

[eaglescoachadam]

Yeah! The Tulsa Sound Rocks

[thijssie15]

This is Woodstock!

[Putaspellonyou]

sorry, its not woodstock. joe had a much smaller band then and leon was not with him; there is no way in hell they would have let him play at woodstock with thirty people onstage. and besides, you can tell this was filmed inside (3:10). woodstock was of course, outside on a big fucking dairy farm

[wnt2bkazam]

Leon Russell is such a badass!

[weaselsuit]

Wow. Was this segment filmed at the Depot (now First Avenue) in Minneapolis??

[leopoldmozart]

One of the great mysteries of oldies radio in the L.A. area is that you NEVER hear the Joe Cocker version of this song, you only hear the vastly inferior Boxtops version. Just don't get it...

[tamyturner]

Amazing! The best song ever!

[RensStella]

CLASSIC!

[carusmike]

the wonderful Bobby Keys

[RensStella]

yes! & the great Jim Price

[leopoldmozart]

@carusmike Leon Russell is no slouch either!