"Persecution Smith" - Bob Seger and the Last Heard

A rare oldie from 1967 song From Bob Seger with the short lived "Last Heard." A great song with some social and political connotations.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• pop
• rock
• soul
• Bob
• Seger
• Last
• Heard
• Persecution
• Smith
• Social
• Political
• Ann
• Arbor
• Detroit
• rare
• 1966
• 1967
• cult
• classic

[MikeBlitzMag]

This was the follow up single to "East Side Story". Amazing how Seger apparently doesn't understand how vastly superior his Hideout and Cameo singles were to everything else in his catalog. Not that what he did for Capitol is bereft of merit. But "East Side Story", "Persecution Smith", "Heavy Music", "The Ballad Of The Yellow Berets" and "Vagrant Winter" are the standard of excellence in garage band rock.

[neezledoo]

Few Artists protested the War and the societal injustices of the times as clear and in-your-face as Bob Seger did, and not just "one OFF" He continually challenged the Status Quo with his music while creating the Sound of the times in the Motor City along side Motown

[Mr57Henry]

Early Bob was so Deetroit bad! Yeah his newer stuff was pretty good! However, when you lived the '60's as a "Motor City" teen w/all that was going on, that we didn't care for, it was Seger that seem to speak out for those of us without a voice! Seems corny now days but back then? His early stuff had a bit more meaning then protesting a speeding ticket in Nutbush City! I did love that song by the way...can you dig what I'm layin down man? He can pitch the early stuff my way, I'll take!!!

[dougkahan]

I've got this 45...

In a selfish way, it kinda bums me out that this is on YouTube. For so long is was my private stash that no one had... but I am glad people dig it and hear all the cool stuff he did back in those days...

[SEANFIR]

@Theodoric1 I think he's ashamed of this era, because he's really missing the boat politically... it's like he was a republican in training, playing songs that SOUND like anti-establishment, but really were rather conservative. you have this song and Yellow Berets, and then a YEAR later you have 2+2=? which is an ABOUT face... someone must have slipped him the GOOD acid in 1967, only they MISSED TED NUGENT who never got the chance to emerge from his own ass. poor fucker.

[Theodoric1]

This is so sick. It's bloody proto-punk. Why why why is Bobby ashamed of this era? I love the guitar solo booboo at 1:28 and how the guitarist recovers from it. Total fucking raw fuck you I'm keeping it.

[beemerron]

It baffles me that his early stuff is the best. He ignores it, though. Since Silver Bullet: yawn.

[sbenson500]

Another gem! Seger's legend will continue to blossom as his fan base, especially the youth of the digital age, surges because of accessibility. He is utterly prolific.

[Hister333]

I must be a complete idiot. What the hell is this song about?

[sasapienza]

DUDE, YOU DEFINITELY ARE THE COOLEST

[randyr55]

Seger at his best. His early music rocked. Don't really care for much of the Silver Bullet stuff.

[miguelwc]

I agree with Mike about Seger's early work. It's the only music of his that I'd really like to have copies of these days. The other stuff has been played to death. Great song/video!