My dad playing with Prima when I was only three years old in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada. My pop (Dick Johnson) went on to play with the Leon Kelner Orchestra and Dukes of Dixieland in his later years from late 1959-1980
Sam Butera played with a fire like no other!! The fluidity, emotion and command of his horn are stellar. Keely’s voice is so beautiful and smooth. I wish I could go back and see these shows live.
One of the great acts of American music! Great energy and emotion with almost zero technology. That was a combination of raw talent, personality, and having the right people together. Just awesome performances!
I love his fabulous, unfettered, fun-loving sounds. If I could take just one trip in a time machine, I'd pop back to 50s USA and see one of his live shows.
About 40 years ago I went to a pub - The Bramley - on Christmas Day in Notting Hill London......the LP of 'The Wildest' was playing and I was hooked on Loius & Keely's music from that day until now.......think I have every song they recorded as well as books and videos.....There is just no one these days to compare with these two people.
That's a great story Steve! The Wildest was the first Louis Prima album I heard too, though a bit more recently than 40 years ago. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Such a powerhouse band... so tight from playing show after show and always with incredible energy and enthusiasm.. it must have been awesome playing with Louie and Sam.
Thanks for the encouragement Robert! This one came from the 2011 DVD "The Wildest In Person," but I've also ordered footage from the Film Collectors' Society of America in the past, and Google and RUclips are invaluable resources in finding other footage (and finding out about even more footage I didn't know about!).
AMAZING!!! I'm still in the middle of this and I just have to say thank you. Ive seen just about every act of Louis And Keely on youtube and when theres a new post it really means a lot.
Seven years old then. My parents would never let me watch Louis and Keely. But i was able to sneak peaks and listen on the AM Radio. Glad they left me alone at home
I actually saw Louis Prima in Las Vegas in around 73 or 74. Great entertainer. He had his new wife up there singing with him. I think her name was Gia or Gina. She was very attractive and was a good compliment to his act.
A big thankyou for this, Alan! I was performing during those years, and I know how much the jazz minded musicians of the day liked these guys, especially Sam. Notice how Louis gets into "Saints" while the people are still applauding "Can't Help Lovin' That Man of Mine"? Pace was a big thing back then, and Louis was the king of pace!
Thanks for sharing your memories, Adrienne! It's always nice to hear from those who were there at the time. I agree that Sam is criminally underrated except to a lucky few...
I think it's the only clip that _exists_ of the original line-up, hence my enthusiasm to upload it! This was even before Bobby Morris joined the group for their first album; the drum work is a dead giveaway. The "pre-original" line-up even?
That's true! Interestingly, Louis and Keely appeared in A Toast To Jerome Kern several years after this performance, performing Smoke Gets In Your Eyes and Why Do I Love You, but I have yet to find a copy of that.
Wow, just brilliant. As a small kid c1970 loved the music in the Jungle Book movie, by early 80s discovered Prima and Butera for their rocknroll stuff, by 90s discovered Louis and the wondrous Keely - so wish I'd seen them perform live. In 2000 danced to Sam Butera at the Rhythm Riot weekender in the UK, wow. Many thanks for posting this great clip.
I was only permitted to listen to music from Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Perry Com, Percy Faith, Al Jolson, The Firehouse 5 plus 2, Lawerence Welk on Saturday night, and maybe Louis Armstrong if I am lucky
I really enjoyed seeing this video of this rare footage of Louie Prima as I always enjoy seeing anything with Louie Prima. Thank you for posting this here Alan Smithee.
Just fantastic! I can't imagine any band having more fun on stage with more musical talent than Louis Prima together with Keely Smith and Sam Butera and the Witnesses! Sam's sax solos and Louis' trumpet solos were breathtaking. Thanks to Alan Smithee and RUclips for preserving 10 glorious minutes of musical history.
GREG H This is a miracle to find and see. They were in a class all their own and this clip shows it all! Thanks for finding and making this available..
Opposite them on CBS was Ed Sullivan's "Seventh Anniversary Show" on "TOAST OF THE TOWN". Celebrating with him were Bob Hope (and the kids who played Eddie Foy's children in "The Seven Little Foys"), Pearl Bailey, Will Jordan [the best known Sullivan impressionist], Joe Smith & Charlie Dale {the vaudeville team famous for their "Dr. Kronkheit" sketch}, Joe Howard (composer and performer), and the Port Chester, New York High School Band.
The Robin Hood song here is a hidden gem. I know I've heard it before in a more straightforward manner... can't recall by whom but it's a very nicely constructed bluesy pop tune with cool Robin Hood lyrics.
You called it! As a kid, I remember watching Prima & Smith's nightclub act on the Sullivan show and other programs. Years later, I see a couple doing the same schtick, but with a better wardrobe: Cher as the straight (wo)man and Sonny Bono as the goofball. 🤣
I agree; that didn't look scripted. She looked genuinely taken aback, but she handled it well and carried on. I felt bad for her. Prima was really great, he was on a roll, but still that was ungenerous of him.
Louis, Keely, Sam and the Witnesses were cool before the term was invented. I really liked this with Keely smiling and grooving along. That deadpan thing didn't appeal to me at all. I know it was Louis' idea, but with his music how could anyone sit still and not smile?
My dad playing with Prima when I was only three years old in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada. My pop (Dick Johnson) went on to play with the Leon Kelner Orchestra and Dukes of Dixieland in his later years from late 1959-1980
WOW! Thanks for stopping by, Richard!
The same Dick Johnson who lead the Artie Shaw Band?
0pol
RESPECT!!!
Keely Smith was the perfect foil for Prima. That deadpan aloof look was money. One of the top acts in Vegas when Vegas was still cool....Aloha
Sam Butera played with a fire like no other!! The fluidity, emotion and command of his horn are stellar. Keely’s voice is so beautiful and smooth. I wish I could go back and see these shows live.
If I could go back in time to see something, it would be Prima's act in Vegas.
there is no entertainment today close to as good as what we just watched!
One of the great acts of American music! Great energy and emotion with almost zero technology. That was a combination of raw talent, personality, and having the right people together. Just awesome performances!
Alex Henderson: Well said. Cheers.
You surely can’t get too much of Louis, Sam, Kelly and this whole band of happy swingers 🎺🎷🥁❤
Louis was truly one of a kind. Sam Butera should’ve been a huge star
I always thought so too...
I haven't seen or heard Louie and Keely in years. Glad I found them on You tube. One of the best acts ever.
Fernando Azevedo: One of the best acts of all time. That's so true. Cheers from England.
I have taken this band into my heart. Just amazin talent. Keely is a star.
I love his fabulous, unfettered, fun-loving sounds. If I could take just one trip in a time machine, I'd pop back to 50s USA and see one of his live shows.
Could you take me with you?
Keely Smith was one cool chick.
About 40 years ago I went to a pub - The Bramley - on Christmas Day in Notting Hill London......the LP of 'The Wildest' was playing and I was hooked on Loius & Keely's music from that day until now.......think I have every song they recorded as well as books and videos.....There is just no one these days to compare with these two people.
That's a great story Steve! The Wildest was the first Louis Prima album I heard too, though a bit more recently than 40 years ago. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Anything with Keely Smith !!
Keely Smith sooo underrated… !!
What a joy to watch Louis, so full of life!
Rest in peace 🙏
Louis Prima
7 December 1910 ~
24 August 1978🙏
Man I love this. He makes me laugh out loud. There great together
Such a powerhouse band... so tight from playing show after show and always with incredible energy and enthusiasm.. it must have been awesome playing with Louie and Sam.
They were the band others tried to emulate back then. Some got it, many didn't.
They were hilarious, A great act together!
They sure were Terence!
I think Keely was a hoot, and cute !
I SAW KEELEY SMITH SMILE!
...and it was well worth the wait!
🤔😱😁👍!
Where on earth did you dig these little beauties up from? Each of them is worth their weight in gold!!!
Thanks for the encouragement Robert! This one came from the 2011 DVD "The Wildest In Person," but I've also ordered footage from the Film Collectors' Society of America in the past, and Google and RUclips are invaluable resources in finding other footage (and finding out about even more footage I didn't know about!).
AMAZING!!! I'm still in the middle of this and I just have to say thank you. Ive seen just about every act of Louis And Keely on youtube and when theres a new post it really means a lot.
Thanks for your kind words John! It's always a pleasure to hunt new ones out :)
Keely was a doll , and what a voice ! Sam Butera was awesome as well . THIS was entertainment .
Pas la guimauve en France à cette époque
One comment said he could of been a huge star . He was a huge star.
Awesome! Anything Prima is outstanding. Thank you for sharing!
No worries Randy Man... and I'm inclined to agree!
Seven years old then. My parents would never let me watch Louis and Keely. But i was able to sneak peaks and listen on the AM Radio. Glad they left me alone at home
Fascinating... some of the music released today makes Louis and Keely seem tame! Thanks for sharing your memories :)
@@alansmithee7730 thank you
@@alansmithee7730 if i can provide some 1950’s /early 1960 history from Portland Oregon
@@Tommy09a Of course you can!
To have seen them live in a small concert hall or night club in Las Vegas . . . how wonderful that must have been!
Exactly! Now where did I put my time machine?
I actually saw Louis Prima in Las Vegas in around 73 or 74. Great entertainer. He had his new wife up there singing with him. I think her name was Gia or Gina. She was very attractive and was a good compliment to his act.
@@willkittwk Wow! You mean Gia Maione?
@@alansmithee7730 that's her. She was adorable singing with Louis. He actually had a great rapport with his audience and would make real eye contact.
An Absolutely Pioneering musical GENIUS - and his ensemble(s) who Definitely should be considered as a True Father of rock & roll. PERIOD! 💯❤🤌
What a gem!!!! Thank you for sharing!! They were amazing performers!
You're very welcome Happy Camper :)
Amazing musician and performers!! Such a great Energy on stage!!👏👏💫💫
I wish I could see this live
THE GREATEST!! PLEASE NEVER STOP POSTING!!
Thanks David! I'll try!
He was so smooth.
Just found your channel! Right on!
🎶🎺🎶🎷🎶
Thanks for the support Dev!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!
You're very, very, very welcome! :)
Thee greatest!
A big thankyou for this, Alan! I was performing during those years, and I know how much the jazz minded musicians of the day liked these guys, especially Sam. Notice how Louis gets into "Saints" while the people are still applauding "Can't Help Lovin' That Man of Mine"? Pace was a big thing back then, and Louis was the king of pace!
Thanks for sharing your memories, Adrienne! It's always nice to hear from those who were there at the time. I agree that Sam is criminally underrated except to a lucky few...
Oh my word! Never seen this before. You've made my day!
true talent in a time when you couldnt rely on autotune or taped performances to do a show!
So happy to find new material about Louis!! The Greatest
Thanks for watching!
@@alansmithee7730 im very interested i just found about this music recently
The only clip I've seen with the original line-up!
I think it's the only clip that _exists_ of the original line-up, hence my enthusiasm to upload it! This was even before Bobby Morris joined the group for their first album; the drum work is a dead giveaway. The "pre-original" line-up even?
This is King Louie of The Judge Book. I love it!
He certainly was!
Best comment to me
“Can’t help loving that man of mine” is from “Showboat”. Written by Jerome Kern.
That's true! Interestingly, Louis and Keely appeared in A Toast To Jerome Kern several years after this performance, performing Smoke Gets In Your Eyes and Why Do I Love You, but I have yet to find a copy of that.
I can just see my Aunt Pauline listen to this & dancing around the kitchen while making sauce!
Aww they're so amazing 👏 Absolute genius 😍 ❤
I couldn't agree more Moira! Thanks for stopping by :)
when talents meet
Wow, just brilliant. As a small kid c1970 loved the music in the Jungle Book movie, by early 80s discovered Prima and Butera for their rocknroll stuff, by 90s discovered Louis and the wondrous Keely - so wish I'd seen them perform live. In 2000 danced to Sam Butera at the Rhythm Riot weekender in the UK, wow. Many thanks for posting this great clip.
In the 1950/1960 era
I was only permitted to listen to music from Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Perry Com, Percy Faith, Al Jolson, The Firehouse 5 plus 2, Lawerence Welk on Saturday night, and maybe Louis Armstrong if I am lucky
So when my parents left me alone for sooooo many hours per week
What else was a boy to d?
But explore and discover
Fantastici.......
esto es una joya!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!!!
No worries detorrissi :)
I really enjoyed seeing this video of this rare footage of Louie Prima as I always enjoy seeing anything with Louie Prima. Thank you for posting this here Alan Smithee.
No worries Vic! I love him too :)
Just fantastic! I can't imagine any band having more fun on stage with more musical talent than Louis Prima together with Keely Smith and Sam Butera and the Witnesses! Sam's sax solos and Louis' trumpet solos were breathtaking. Thanks to Alan Smithee and RUclips for preserving 10 glorious minutes of musical history.
The best....!
GREG H This is a miracle to find and see. They were in a class all their own and this clip shows it all! Thanks for finding and making this available..
Thanks Greg! I aim to please ;)
Great stuff! Thanks for the upload.
No worries :)
They were on fire
This might be the coolest posting on the internet. Thanks
Thanks Carolyn!
Never disappointed here. Dude was a treasure.
Thanks..
I enjoyed watching this video. I just recently discovered this group they are fantastic!
Thanks for posting this, Alan. I also enjoy all of those films you've directed.
Haha! You’re the first person in 17 months to identify where my pseudonym came from!
@@alansmithee7730
Actually, Alan, that was the FIRST thing I noticed -- and such a filmography! Thank you for sharing!
An original...imitated but never duplicated
I remember seeing Sam butera at the tropicana in the nineties. He had a great group.
Opposite them on CBS was Ed Sullivan's "Seventh Anniversary Show" on "TOAST OF THE TOWN". Celebrating with him were Bob Hope (and the kids who played Eddie Foy's children in "The Seven Little Foys"), Pearl Bailey, Will Jordan [the best known Sullivan impressionist], Joe Smith & Charlie Dale {the vaudeville team famous for their "Dr. Kronkheit" sketch}, Joe Howard (composer and performer), and the Port Chester, New York High School Band.
Keely was the original Carol Burnett. So talented and funny.
Omg they were having so much fun!!! Where the heck did you find this gold?!
Thanks Scotty! This one came from the The Wildest: In Person DVD, which I bought so you didn't have to :)
A fabulous talent I was to young to appreciate. Elvis squashed that era. Rock and Roll was more alluring to a ten year old.
I can't blame you-Elvis _was_ a cultural powerhouse-but take consolation that Louis was marketed more towards adults at the time.
@@alansmithee7730 Good point. My father used to like his music. 👍🏻
Cool man cool
Луи Прима-великий и легендарный джазмен, всех времен и народов!!!
never be another Louis
❤
Cool Cats
I remember hung this when I was little
I have underestimated the enormous amount they Sam and the band
You've discovered the secret ingredient, then?
Love Mr Prima
there was only one Louis prima!
The Robin Hood song here is a hidden gem. I know I've heard it before in a more straightforward manner... can't recall by whom but it's a very nicely constructed bluesy pop tune with cool Robin Hood lyrics.
"If you don't like my Ajax honey, don't foam my cleanser."- 6:55
That's right.
❤❤❤❤❤❤
These guys invented rock and roll.
Louis Prima is the father of my oldest friend Alan Gerstel
Louis must have listened to Louis Armstrong, Louis Jordan and Dizzy Gillespie to 'create' his style. And that Sam Butera could play!!!
I never heard of Prima but I had heard his songs but though it was Louis Armstrong. I’m dumb I guess.
So funny Keeley trying to get to the Mike and Louie pulls her away
Guess how sonny and Cher got their act from
You called it!
As a kid, I remember watching Prima & Smith's nightclub act on the Sullivan show and other programs.
Years later, I see a couple doing the same schtick, but with a better wardrobe: Cher as the straight (wo)man and Sonny Bono as the goofball. 🤣
That man was THE CAT
Keely Smith is quite animated here as opposed to later years.
True... I was surprised to see her clapping along so much.
Keely smiling, dancing, and clapping hands? Weird, but the bit on approaching the mic and “Can’t help lovin’ that man” is classic Keely and Louis.
@@dougtombaugh4438 She even _laughs_ a few times! 😳
The wildest.
I dunno If it was an act but I fell Louis was a bit rough with Keely and made her shy and in the background You tell me, but I love them both!
Hot!!
Prima looked like . . . Jack Webb. That was an interesting decade.
They didn't go with deadpan keely until later.
You can see the beginnings of it in _Can't Help Lovin' That Man_ though.
🫡KING LOUIE
Awkward moment at 2:53
That was a gag. This pair had a Funny man straight guy act. You would have got it in those days.
If it was a gag, it didn't work very well.
I agree; that didn't look scripted. She looked genuinely taken aback, but she handled it well and carried on. I felt bad for her. Prima was really great, he was on a roll, but still that was ungenerous of him.
Oops contributions Sam and the band
Do you people realize that this was maybe the greatest United States citizen of the 20th Century of these United States.
Sorry. I was too distracted by the musical performance
Like I have soooo so underestimated our maS
Louis, Keely, Sam and the Witnesses were cool before the term was invented. I really liked this with Keely smiling and grooving along. That deadpan thing didn't appeal to me at all. I know it was Louis' idea, but with his music how could anyone sit still and not smile?
King Louie of the Jungle book corrections
These guys are great, but they are certainly no Roy Donk, Tiny "Boop Squig" Shorterly, or jazz legend Marcus "The Worm" Hicks.