Be Bop Deluxe - Fair Exchange

[myleftearful]

As usual BIll keeps it tight as fuck!!!!!! Brilliant guitarist!

[Zanthxs]

great, great guitarist... tight band... thanks for the post ...

[HumblePie4U]

Saw them perform live at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in the '70s. One of the best shows I have ever been to. Bill Nelson is one of the premier guitarists ever and sadly overlooked by many. Buy their music!

[don44264]

@joynthis Laughed for 5 minutes...back then, the collars  doubled as capes.

[dagga36]

Awesome band

[Refrescospepito]

I believe that dear old Charlie was very high in this show, don't you think?

[glennw53]

Long missed but not forgotten. Bowie meets Hendrix!

[ordie25]

VERY true telecaster24...when I would play BBD in my younger days people would love or hate...but the music was so very different from what was being played on the radio and party's and such that EVERYONE listened and had a comment. the music still kicks ass.

[deadboydansmith089]

i love this back in the late 70's this was so cool mu-sick they never played on radio but why ?

[telecaster24]

This band was way ahead of there time, so many frivking changes its utterly incredible compared to todays shiznit, few bars four or three changes.. GREAT stuff todays guitarist are not as versitile..Listen to the change every 15 seconds and the rest of the kats hang in,,,What a band,,,

[adelski68]

Love Be Bop Deluxe and this is TOP NOTCH Thanks for posting!

[quintincollins]

You know what's great about this? Mixed in with the arty-progressive-pyrotechnics, there's a lot of Chuck Berry. 0:12. 3:52.

[SuperInnertube]

Freaking Brilliant!

[bdfilms01]

I sure find a lot of great music videos on YouTube from the Old Grey Whistle Test shows. Need to find a DVD set of their show performances. I hear it was the BBC version of the Midnight Special in the US---only better!

[TwilightCapers]

Alert! ITV Legends TV show, featuring Bill Nelson, 26 March, Metropolis Studios, London. Full band, Be Bop Deluxe songs, recorded live for a DVD release, once in a lifetime show.

[Wilfslad]

@TwilightCapers any more news on this TC?

[TwilightCapers]

@Wilfslad Yes, the Legends DVD is now available, try the usual internet outlets or the fansite Dreamsville.

[1961webby]

does anyone remember the early days when Bill was in Status Quo? Pictures of matchstick men, eh?

[taubs3]

Does anyone have a live "Forbidden Lovers" video available?

[1961webby]

@taubs3 yes!, yes i di taubs. i will be in touch, Bill!! oh by the way, does anyone have a grasp on reality?

[desfaulkner]

was there for the drastic plastic tour

[mensamoo]

whats charlie on???

[joynthis]

Bill Nelson is in Guinness World Records for having the largest collars in history. On tour, they had a separate truck just to carry them. He also had a pretty good band.

[mushy2212]

I jusst downloaded this mp3 at ezmp3grab..com

[Pentalpha5]

Sunburst finish my favourite BeBop album.cameraman on slow strobe acid i think......probably green microdot.

[RedondoAce]

Love this song, it was the first Be Bop Deluxe song I ever heard.

[ripper58]

1 of my favorite bebop deluxe songs....ahhh to meet Tia Maria

[ibmorjamn]

There is not a better singer ,song writer and axe player than Bill Nelson. He is really an un-song guitar hero in the shadow of David Bowie. His guitar playing alone is worthy of the likes of Slash and only Michael might have narrowly out gunned him at the time but his vocals and lyric ability are equally good.

"edit for typo's"

[ibmorjamn]

There is not a better singer ,song writer and axe player than Bill Nelson. We is really an un-song guitar hear in the shadow of David Bowie. His guitar playing alone is worthy of the likes of Slash and only Michael might have narrowly out gunned him at the time but his vocals and lyric ability are equally good.

[titostacos]

@ibmorjamn who's Michael?

[eaulon]

Fucking Out Fucking Rayguss

[MrSamuel1414]

Modern Music is a fantastic album!!! Saw them at Angel Stadium...sheesh a long time ago. I was just a kid. My sister told my mom she was taking me to the movies....heheheh great fun.

[gingerbleu]

We knew about this album. Wore it out.

[Schizophrenia222]

bill nelson! damn shame we americans did'nt know who bill nelson and be bop was, hes a guitar god and hes has some of the best music of the 70's in my opinion :)

[cornfarmer1962]

Nice remember listening this high school.

[dansgod]

A great band that never got it's due.To bad too.

[Refrescospepito]

Tumahai kisses Nelson at 1:29.

[bikerjon6]

WHat an amazing band! I was lucky enough to see them play in Wolverhampton and Birmingham (UK) several times. such a great live act. I have all the albums on vinyl and CD including some rare and unusual colour vinyl rarities. I seem to recall they folded because the bass player, Charles Tumahai, was unable to renew his work visa. Such a shame!!

[MrStratster]

@bikerjon6 I saw Charlie Tumahai playing bass for McKitty supporting Wild Horses at West Runcton Pavillion in about 79 or 80. He played brilliantly.

[amf57]

Thanks! It's been so long since I've heard this

[persopower]

I was a child age 9 In Iran and my brother bought this Album on a 90 mins Sony green type, other side was "Montrose" in Iran those days they used to type to matching bands to give buyers a incentive to purchase music, and I was mesmerised by them both. it gives me such indiscribable feeling to hear these very same notes as I heard 33 years ago... it was all like a beautiful dream. and it was wiped out by Islamists!

[yesihavenocigarettes]

@persopower That's powerful stuff. Music can bridge gaps. Too bad the Shaw got chased out. Think how Iran would prolly be totally different. Thanks for that story. I heard BBD in about '80 and was 14.?Canadian radio stations would not play BBD and I had to rely on my sisters pot head boyfriend to supply records never stocked by Zellers etc. Our Islamists are the CRTC. Canadian government forcing us to listen to Canadian content. That's why Nickelback made it despite the "music".

[tim2ualls]

First heard Sunburst finish when i was 14, back in'77. Always have loved it the best. And also,Live in the air age!!!!

[19mrfloyd]

@tim2ualls Me too bro! 9th grade nirvana for me in 1975. Some of the first tunes I learned on the guitar...at least the rythymns anyway...

[airager]

@tim2ualls Hey, I first heard the album in 77 and I was 14 also! I love Sunburst Finish but I prefer Modern Music. I just think it all comes together on MM; music, lyrics, vocals, production the lot.

[chinatype]

F.......brilliant!!!!!!!

[guitarmank]

bill nelson, was a badass blues guitarist who dared to enter the progressive rock field and succeeded with anthems

[terrysteward]

excellent !!! theres not one naff track on that album !!! like the saying goes,all killer no filler !!!

[route37c]

thank God one of my older buddies broke out the Sunburst Finish on vinyl one late nite about 1994....never looked back since!

[122scarlet]

you can find bill nelson still putting out new tunes

[bombsite69]

this brings back memories when Mary,"my ex" and I saw them twice at the Erie county fieldhouse back in the 70's great song. I have all their albums.

[plungerdrum]

I personally think that this was the best line up of Be Bop Deluxe. Especially Andy Clark! What a keyboardist!!

[gspete1340]

Had the honour of working with the late Charlie Tumahai - top bassist, top bloke!

[Subhuman80]

I remember Ace Frehley saying this band was a favourite of his.

[FatRakoon]

I wonder what they up to now???

My dad used to play them a lot in the seventies

[MrStevedev]

Deluxe was the Nuts. NO question.

[missedexit]

50's rock 'n' roll and prog, what a match. Amen to Bill & the boys!

[HansofStone]

In the 70's and early 80's Bill influenced my playing a LOT. Once I became a "folkie" it took a bit of time before I got a chance at a guitar solo on a recording. I think it was nice and it was inspired by Bill.

[Linz748916]

Sorry I also wanted to say Bill had this amazingly relaxed way of playing but the tone he got from that 335 was always at number 11

[gaztone]

@Linz748916  its a gibson 345

[Newyorkischaos]

Fuck yea............

[Linz748916]

Bill Nelson is a truly gifted bloke.

[quintincollins]

Better than the live album version.

[beboploo]

WOW

[TIMOTHYSAARINEN]

Whatever happened to the BBD tribute band Sunburst Deluxe? I heard they were great. Hoping to see them on the youtube. Re Bop Deluxe rules! Would love to see more vids by them. Heard they weren't together anymore. Boo Hoo! America missed the boat on Be Bop Deluxe. Saw them in Maine in late 1978. Over 7000 people loved them. Bill's guitar playing, especially his solo, left them stunned! Such a great band,great talent, great music. That's what it's all about!

[bittenof]

they use to play in leeds .i saw them they were good but seem to have disapeared.try re bop deluxe on here.

[plungerdrum]

That Minimoog solo was AMAZING.

[leadguitarman9]

you would say that matt. lol

[dennisandvicki]

I used to see Van Halen before they got signed, and Eddie had a lot of Bill in his playing back then.

[ThePolillita]

the bassist is hendrix lost brother

[stalkerj]

Bill Nelson one of the absolute best guitarist during the early seventies. More than simply blues scales....

[matmesko]

Lets not forget Buck Dharma

[jeepdad56]

Have their greatest hits album....30 years ago..wow

[flammaster]

Maybe no DVD but I am glad to get to see this. I never got to see them live back in the day. I wanted to but you know how it is being the kid brother. They never let you go to the good shows!

[ADenny12]

Bill Nelson was HOT back in the day.

[whatisitfawlty]

I didn't know frankenstein could sing

[encinoman10]

bill nelson reaks of vinigar and water

[GaryNull]

gotta love that bassist, . . lol

[ataaah]

great video, great music. I never realized before that Bill Nelson has teeth like a frickin' vampire... it's attractive but I can see why he dropped out of the public eye... didn't want anyone to realize he's immortal, and not just in an "immortal genius" way. ;-)

[failboatforlife]

wow, wasnt expecting that huge guitar solo

[triumphst]

Bishopquack !.Your band is shit mush.Go back to ladies hairdressing.

[bishopquack]

What a set of yorkshire twats

[triumphst]

keep reading comments...Yes meets Frampton,....Bill Nelsons contemporaries like Jimmy Page etc....Nothing like any of them.Bill was way ahead of his time in music,playing and songwriting . BBD were up there on their own.Way ahead of their time.

[airager]

Spot on mate, shame there is no DVD of them live

[rockon1898]

Yes meets Frampton's Camel!

[rmg13021]

If I were the guitarist, I would take out a restraining order on the bass player...

[GaryNull]

That fucking guitar is gorgeous.

[neocon6716]

This band could have been BIG!. But Bill Nelson became so self indulgent he made Jimi Page look modest.

Modern Music on my radio, very cool.

[timpipe]

Love those lapels!  My first favorite band.

[beboploo]

how lucky you was. rie61. its a fare exchange.

[rie61]

Be Bop Deluxe were the first band I saw live! The very first gig I ever attended. I was 15 and had to beg for weeks to get my mum and dad to let me go. And I had to leave before the end 'cos it was 30 miles away and I had to get a train home. It was the Modern Music tour and although it was an experience I will never forget it's their earlier stuff I get off on. No Trains to Heaven is my absolute favourite of anything they ever did.

[guitardbucket]

At first I wondered why the guy in the high-heels kissed the other guy on the cheek. But then I thought the fact he was wearing high-heels was probably a hint.

[airager]

It was 1976 everyone wore high heels!

[fanofprotopic]

"Sunburst Finish" has always been one of my favorite albums

[jihseymour]

Bill was never underrated in my opinion......jih

[2perros2]

Dreaming away, so great music....

Bill must be the most unrated ever.

[StephenAnthonyMusic]

I just bought my 1st BBD album. I like it, and I wanted to see what they looked like by searching YouTube. Thanks for posting this for people like me! :)

[Sopeth4]

Talkin about underrating....?

[ZenAlexander]

one of my regrets in life... i didnt get a chance to see these guys in concert

[stuanhay]

Me too, unfortunately.

[GaryNull]

Get the album "Live in the Air age".

Great live recording.

Glad we still have this old stuff, . . because todays music sucks big time.

[Zenster01]

Got it.. that is one magical concert

[flammaster]

Simon Fox is one hell of a drummer!

[CDPraese]

@flammaster Simon is my uncle ;-). Quite cool to see him on you tube...

[lukeycoulson]

excellent. havent heard this for years, great to hear it again.thanks.

[benunwell]

sounds like part of the guitar work may have been an influence on the brilliant big country

[caleywontdie]

Stuart Adamson always acknowledged Bill Nelson as being one of his favourite musicians and influences

[benunwell]

Thanks for the info. Two cracking musicians/bands who i enjoyed live many times,Music has,nt moved on much has it.

[avs002]

I have a new "home made" video (pretty good):

"Be Bop Deluxe - Soundtrack & Swan Song (edit)"

PLEASE WATCH!!!

[johnnymoondog]

Brilliant guitarist !

[beboploo]

(old grey whistle )classic

[badga360]

anyone know what andy clarke and simon fox are up to now would love any info please

[nattrass]

What about the shout and 'ollers and Lionel Blairs though?

[Pariah186]

Saw Be-Bop play this live at Leeds Uni when Sunburst Finish was released. Recall Bill emerging from the Orange lighted smoke with the opening riff to this song. The guy sure could make his guitar talk. Great memories Bill. Thanks a million.

[Tudomir]

The best of the best, so clever and timeless this music is..

Good bless you Bill.........

[noneesie]

Saw them in Edinburgh around '75 - rilliant.Does anyone have "Life In The Air Age"? Such an underrated band 7 thank you, Billy Brker, for my musical education.

[jrybiski]

Saw these guys at The Warehouse in Dallas, TX circa 1976. They were amazing. One of the few at the time who could match their recorded performances live. Bill Nelson absolutely wailed on guitar.

[brents55]

Great band. I saw them twice in the 70s. First time they opened for Slade and Golden Earing at the San Diego Civic Theatre. Second time they were second bill behind Blue Oyster Cult at the LA Forum. Both fabulous shows. The glam rock group Angel opened the BOC show. I remember Bill Nelson and the boys taking the stage after Angel, Bill said, "We don't all look like Freddy Mercury!" He then ripped out the most wicked guitar riff I have ever heard then started Fair Exchange.

[floydian18]

wow I'm speechless talk about a charged up performance this band was/is amazing and what can you say about Nelson the guy can just flat out play like a man possessed by the guitar gods!

[mtzimm]

Great under-rated Band!! Saw them with Robin Trower in 1976. They kicked ass! Then I saw Bill Nelson solo and didn't play any BeBop music. Kinda Sucked.

[bowler3329]

Saw them in Philly in about 1975-76. Bill Nelson the bwst!!!!

[112233jl]

anybody got anything from the "live in airage" album?

[GREATWHITE2]

When one thinks about the rock music that has come out in the last 30 years, Be Bop Deluxe quite effortlessly becomes a favorite group to listen to. Don't argue...just listen to their entire catalogue. Rock on, brothers & sisters!!!

[Sunburst75]

Awesome, Be Bop live forever.

[highbeach1]

Saw them at Colchester Institute in 73 I think. Not many folk there! I couldn't believe that I was standing a couple of feet away from somebody who could really PLAY the guitar. Thanks for posting.

[therockplumber1]

my band supported them at that gig!we were the reason everyone had left by the time BeBopwent on.

[highbeach1]

Tee hee! At least you can say that your music 'moved people'!!

[eelizdad]

saw these guys in seattle, probably '76 - they opened for ted nugent - nugent was totally outclassed by nelson - this guy kicked ass !

[johnnnyj66]

One of THEe most underated bands of all time--Nobody can tell me Bill Nelson was not one of the 100 greatest gutitarists of all time

[1hogwild]

Did not realize that this band had any videos out there, this is totally cool.wicked song,

wicked album Love this stuff right on.Big thanks for sharing.

[adam872]

Fantastic band. Sunburst Finish is a brilliant album. I hope someone out there has a clip for Heavenly Homes. Cracking guitar playing on that track.

[bigcolslade]

Fantastic first band I and my Bother ever saw live in Leeds, dont remember the year. Thanks to may mate Clive from Burtons for getting me hooked on the night shifts. Big Col

[funeguy2]

I saw be bop alot in the 70's Place theater in Albany N.Y.And I agree LIFE IN THE AIR AGE!I bought some ill solo stuff also "flamimg desire" great song.Remember Drastic Plastic?

[briansnat]

I saw them 3 times and Red Noise once. We found our way into their dressing room and the Red Noise show and met

Bill. Nice guy, shorter than I expected and somewhat shy, but one heck of a guitarist. I still have his luggage tag that we pulled off a suitcase when he left to go on stage.

[67Guild]

I was a vocalist in the 70's playing with a Nelsen style guitarist/songwriter, and in this video I recall all those gigs and rehearsals that it took to create this kind of music. To the young musician, listen close to Bill and experience, yes... true Genius.

[rayjay3008]

I saw these guys 2 times, and actully they sounded better then this. The Live in the Air Age LP was extremly popular, and Bill is a great guitarist! Listen to "No Trains To Heaven"...

[Sunburst75]

Awesome, long live Bill and Be Bop and my vinyls :-)

[latimeralder]

Bill must be the most versatile guitarist ever. Genius or Madman? If there is a difference..........?

[bebopredux]

Anyone at the gig BBD did with Nugent in 76 in Portland, OR? Great show. I became a huge fan of them after that and saw them again in Maine.

[1122BILL]

Thanks for posting this Bill Nelson stuff i'd forgotten just how brilliant he was.Once met him at the limit club in sheffield after a red noise gig he was a real top bloke,still got his signature on my national insurance card.thanks again

[funeguy2]

I loved be bop i saw them alot live at the time from albany n.y. palace theater way back....phycodelic rock bill nelson

[jamcat1959]

I loved this band especially their first album Axe Victim and their live one Live In The Airage. bill Nelson wrote a lot about his fear of dying listen to Terminal Street

[stargazer2756]

I saw them four times and they always rocked. Crying to the sky is my life long favorite by them. Keep rockin Bill nelson, hope u come to cleveland sometime soon.

Rock capital!!

[sabafa]

I wonder if The Clash, subliminally or otherwise, were influenced by this re N M H?

[dalehelm1959]

Love this band. I listened to them a lot in the 70,s. I forgot all about this song, this was great. Wish I could have seen them. Keep posting the vidios so we can keep the music alive.

[andywithit696969]

Hi Dagooch, thanks for posting. I don't suppose you could post Crying to the Sky (should you possess it) as I haven't heard it for years. Cheers.

[marisha4sure]

Why don't they re-form?

[ochayedonald]

Tried, but couldn't secure the budget they wanted for recording. Also, the bass player has now passed away.

[Mobyish]

I looked up "talented" in the dictionary and got a picture of Bill Nelson ! Great post - I was lucky enough to catch them live (twice) in Bristol in the late '70's , many thanks for this footage .

[vidpop]

A very underated band of the 1970s,I love Sunburst Finish, its one of my favorite albums. Thanks for this upload

[lno42]

I went to a Ted Nugent concert specifically to see Be Bop Deluxe. Bill Nelson is a great guitarist. Thanks for the video.

[FogerRox]

Still lokking for Sunburst finish, thanks for posting this though .. really good stuff.

[gaztone74]

the masyer at work, pure genius, what a guitar tone, superb!!

[darkglobe5]

Wonderful clip! Poor Charlie; he was so full of life and energy.

[MAGGIEMANS]

Its like a different guitar player in the videos compared to the one on the records, weird?

[kafabe58]

what happened to my comment?

[kafabe58]

Bill always seems to fall apart on the video solos...For the great player that he is, these old clips seem to be full of hackneyed 70's guitar cliches..."Live in the Airage" has some tremendous solos-were they the exception???

[MAGGIEMANS]

Wish Bill would have done something like the solo on sunburst finish at the end of the song, the solo here is disappointing

[gaztone74]

no such song as sunburst finish, that was a 1976 album, if u care to do some homework,the solo featured is superb as usual,

[city76]

Fantastic. The soundtrack of my youth. Thanks for posting this.

[runtmania]

Damn does this age well!

[caleywontdie]

Another classic. Thanks for posting

[sixlegged]

Nice one, wonder if this one will stay up. A classic.