I met him in Seattle about 50 years ago. He was very friendly. He asked my name and he told me it was “Baby Gramps.” I asked him, “Do you live in Seattle?” He smiled and said, half laughing, “No, I die in Seattle.” We both had a good laugh and then he sang a song in that one-of-a-kind voice. I will never forget it.
Gramps is one of those found objects to be treasured for all time. My personal discovery occurred one day, early 80's, under the circular stairs on Post Alley, Pike Street Market, Seattle. Memories resonate to this very moment. I'm pleased to have renewed the joy of seeing him on many occasions since. A true original, timeless, and loved by all with minds kept open to wonderment.
I've been delighted by his music for a couple decades now. Ain't nothin' else like him nowhere, nohow. To see him on Letterman, finally being appreciated by folks outside the Pacific Northwest, is something I've waited for a long time.
Great to see something on national TV that doesn't fit in to the same 'ol mass marketed "next big thing" box. Gramps is a true original, unique and unconcerned with the trends of the time. Congrats to him and to Letterman's folks for exposing America to something special.
Just saw him performing last night at the Nehalem winery in Nehalem Oregon. He was great. Very eclectic, fun to dance to. He's a nice guy as well. Way to go Baby G!
I enjoyed seeing him at the Pike Place Market in Seattle in the mid 1970s, where he would often sing with his old guitar, his worn shoes,, with his legs crossed, sitting on an ancient wooden box for a chair. A true Gem.
Late 1960's I remember running into him on "The Ave" in Seattle's University District. He was playing and singing in a doorway and looking pretty homeless. This was about midnight and a few friends I were heading for one of the many coffee houses that lined that street. He was only in his early 20's then.
Baby Gramps is a Seattle treasure (although I've seen him perform more in Oregon). A few years back he opened for Jello Biafra. It made me very happy knowing so many younger people were being exposed to his brilliance. I was standing next to Jello, watching his reaction. Baby Gramps is loved by punk rock icons!
i think baby gramps must at least use the computer once in a while. when i saw him in portland a few days ago he mentioned his website a few times. i didnt bring enough money to buy his cds at the show so i told him i'll order them from his site, and he seemed very pleased about that.
Too bad gramps wont ever see the nice things people are saying here...He wont touch or look at any computer. when I ve talked over the phone to him I have to relay messages through his girl friend..I met him as a rare record collector.That lived in my neighborhood . One winter his pipes all broke and moved in to my art commune,seattle 1977-79? bill from seattle
I was at this show, too! Never heard of this guy before. And I noticed Letterman had his back to Baby Gramps with his head down while he was singing. It was almost liked Dave was embarrassed that his people had booked this guy on his show.
Check out an early appearance on Steve Allen Show: Frank Zappa, clean cut, playing the saw. Steve Allen really gave some acts the only chance they were going to get, like Officer Judy depicting an out of control hot tempered pool player. He was supposedly a champ but couldn't make a single shot bc Steve kept inadvertantly throwing him off. He got so pissed that he just stormed off, Steve and Jayne played it straight as can be, it was kind of shocking for a kid to watch. Steve would have given Baby Gramps top billing no problem.
Am i the only one who thought of mighty boosh... This is the first time i have heard this guy i don't know if the background singers add anything tho... i would rather not have them there too be honest oh well.
It's a shame he's such a technophobe.. he first hit the scene as a grizzled old man in the early 70s. He is the real deal.. makes me think of sailing an actual sailing ship.
OK, so the dude's got the didgeridoo sound down but I think he sux. His "voice" is shot. Good for him tho, making money with that, even getting on Letterman.
STOP!!! Please explain to an intelligent individual how one can build the cabin they were born in. Does one have to be a rocket scientist to understand how that can possibly occur?
I met him in Seattle about 50 years ago. He was very friendly. He asked my name and he told me it was “Baby Gramps.” I asked him, “Do you live in Seattle?” He smiled and said, half laughing, “No, I die in Seattle.” We both had a good laugh and then he sang a song in that one-of-a-kind voice. I will never forget it.
Gramps is one of those found objects to be treasured for all time. My personal discovery occurred one day, early 80's, under the circular stairs on Post Alley, Pike Street Market, Seattle. Memories resonate to this very moment. I'm pleased to have renewed the joy of seeing him on many occasions since. A true original, timeless, and loved by all with minds kept open to wonderment.
Randolph Hearst yeah that’s my reaction lol
I've been delighted by his music for a couple decades now. Ain't nothin' else like him nowhere, nohow. To see him on Letterman, finally being appreciated by folks outside the Pacific Northwest, is something I've waited for a long time.
The Conch and the Cuttlefish comb!!!
Baby Gramps rules. I've been dreaming of seeing him live. His gigs must be unforgettable!..
HOLY SHIT GRAMPS WAS ON LETTERMAN!!!!!
Gramps has been my friend and hero for a long time. There is no other like him. Go see him live!
Great to see something on national TV that doesn't fit in to the same 'ol mass marketed "next big thing" box. Gramps is a true original, unique and unconcerned with the trends of the time. Congrats to him and to Letterman's folks for exposing America to something special.
Just saw him performing last night at the Nehalem winery in Nehalem Oregon. He was great. Very eclectic, fun to dance to. He's a nice guy as well. Way to go Baby G!
'Baby Gramps built the log cabin that he was born in.' That's impressive. I didn't start building things until after I was born.
Truly an individual iconic talent. For the worlds safety, best not duplicated!
One of the most magical songs
I enjoyed seeing him at the Pike Place Market in Seattle in the mid 1970s, where he would often sing with his old guitar, his worn shoes,, with his legs crossed, sitting on an ancient wooden box for a chair. A true Gem.
Late 1960's I remember running into him on "The Ave" in Seattle's University District. He was playing and singing in a doorway and looking pretty homeless. This was about midnight and a few friends I were heading for one of the many coffee houses that lined that street. He was only in his early 20's then.
Baby Gramps is a Seattle treasure (although I've seen him perform more in Oregon). A few years back he opened for Jello Biafra. It made me very happy knowing so many younger people were being exposed to his brilliance. I was standing next to Jello, watching his reaction. Baby Gramps is loved by punk rock icons!
This is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. A song to sails the seas to!
Fantastic!! Love me some Baby Gramps!!!
just saw this guy in big sur - what a blast. If you can see him live dont miss the chance
I remember seeing this live. Was introduced to this album a year later. Heard this song and remembered the performance. So weird. So good.
I wonder if anyone's done a list of all the musical talent that appeared on Letterman. It's got to be incredibly diverse.
That CSV would be enormous but come pretty close to capturing the musical diversity of the whole country during that time
he's really got those two chords nailed.
This dude looks like he's having a blast
This guy is badass. His voice is so unique.
unique, and bloody magnificent
I can only applaud such a good thing happening to such a good person.
We fuckin' rule. This is genius.
An american genius. Like Popeye and Tom Waits mixed together.
I was at this show!
1st Timer Here.....Wow, pretty cool. Love & LIGHT"
the americana throat singer
This guy is awesome.
I love baby gramps so much I cant believe hez actually been touring for 50 years!!!
Love the turkey call at 2:59
i think baby gramps must at least use the computer once in a while. when i saw him in portland a few days ago he mentioned his website a few times. i didnt bring enough money to buy his cds at the show so i told him i'll order them from his site, and he seemed very pleased about that.
Baby Gramps is awesome indeed.
Too bad gramps wont ever see the nice things people are saying here...He wont touch or look at any computer.
when I ve talked over the phone to him I have to relay messages through his girl friend..I met him as a rare record collector.That lived in my neighborhood .
One winter his pipes all broke and moved in to
my art commune,seattle 1977-79?
bill from seattle
Brilliant!
this is really great!
Had the pleasure of sitting directly in front of this man 3 feet away for almost 2 hours it was truly awesome
Remember it like it was yesterday.
Truly a great man!
Awesome
I like the throat hummimg
the guy in the back playin the banjo is my bffs brother jason krekel!! they did such a great job!!
Well done to Jason and the others!
MAD TEA PARTY RULES! XD
LOVE THIS!~
Haha I was at this show and I was like , "???"
I was at this show, too! Never heard of this guy before. And I noticed Letterman had his back to Baby Gramps with his head down while he was singing. It was almost liked Dave was embarrassed that his people had booked this guy on his show.
The exact moment Letterman found his retirement look.
a unique and interesting sound. the name on his passport is just 'baby gramps'
There is too much talent locked inside that one person.
He does a great didgeridoo impression.
Or is it Tuvan throat singing?
Nick Nolte just before he got arrested? Is it just me? BTW, I love this guy and how he does this tune!!!
baby gramps!!!!!!!
No it's not. It's a certain style called throat singing that uses vibrations in the bones of the face to change pitch. there's videos and wiki on it
fuckin eccentric! I LOVE it!
epic...
Is this guy a freakin' Muppet?!
Can Baby Gramps and Seasick Steve do a world tour together?
very real
I was at this taping. During the entire performance, Dave turned his chair around, with his back to Gramps, and had his head down. Very odd.
Considering that sea chanteys are traditionally only accompanied by hard labor, two chords are pretty ornate.
Ha, wicked! :-)
He sounds like Blind Willie Johnson.
@thecrimsonfloyd that would smell!
Baby Gramps is his own grandfather
Sounds like Ned from South Park... but very very brilliant!
sweet baby gramps cameo
search sillyville frog
2:59 HAHAHA sounds like an otter
he's like what it would be like if a muppet tried to build a human.
Wish they would've turned his guitar mic up though.
@pengwenwork I think I would add Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa to that room, then it would be perfect!
Check out an early appearance on Steve Allen Show: Frank Zappa, clean cut, playing the saw. Steve Allen really gave some acts the only chance they were going to get, like Officer Judy depicting an out of control hot tempered pool player. He was supposedly a champ but couldn't make a single shot bc Steve kept inadvertantly throwing him off. He got so pissed that he just stormed off, Steve and Jayne played it straight as can be, it was kind of shocking for a kid to watch. Steve would have given Baby Gramps top billing no problem.
Human Didgeridoo!
Am i the only one who thought of mighty boosh... This is the first time i have heard this guy i don't know if the background singers add anything tho... i would rather not have them there too be honest oh well.
perhaps a rocket scientist is what it takes to understand humor...
Fetal psychic powers.
Baby Gramps is mesmerizing. Akron family is distracting.
"Baby Gramps built the log cabin that he was born in."
??
oh yeah? can he do THIS?
watch?v=WpDblDia5TE
I wonder if he's Beetlejuice baby gramps
Billy Gibbons side gig....
sounds like the "cancer kazoo" from uncle Ned meets Popeye the sailorman meets a mongolian throatsinger meets a "jew harp"
It's a shame he's such a technophobe.. he first hit the scene as a grizzled old man in the early 70s.
He is the real deal.. makes me think of sailing an actual sailing ship.
Robert Jegou (JEWISH LADEN) wooooowoooowoowooooooweeeeeeweeeewoooooweeeeooooweeeeewooooo
OK, so the dude's got the didgeridoo sound down but I think he sux. His "voice" is shot. Good for him tho, making money with that, even getting on Letterman.
Yeah, "must be nice" (aka don't like much)
Marty Spargur you’re legit on all of his comments defending him lol you’re dumb af
STOP!!! Please explain to an intelligent individual how one can build the cabin they were born in.
Does one have to be a rocket scientist to understand how that can possibly occur?
I wouldn't buy your ticket.
Wow a hobo that is good at something and pobably lives in a mansion