I'm the one with the black hair and the Les Paul who starts the song with the guitar riff and I'm standing right next to Jobriath which I did for 2 years but sadly, very few gigs as everything collapsed so quickly. Thank you for the info. I had forgotten (or perhaps never noticed) that Gladys Knight was hosting. Though trying to be gracious she was unable to disguise her ambivalence and with her background that's no surprise. She must have been shocked. The audience certainly was!
So I take it the guy with the Flying V is Steve Love? The guitarist who played with Ian Lloyd and the Stories? Any idea what happened to him? Can't locate any info whatsoever. Love your own guitar playing, by the way. I had heard of Jobriath but sadly never had a chance to hear any of his music until the late 1990s or thereabouts.
@@dalepetrush4121 You're funny. If this performance is any guide, Jobriath had excellent stage presence, above average songwriting chops, and--since comparisons to David Bowie are unavoidable--a voice decidedly better than Bowie's.
LOL....they listened and studied him for many many years i am sure. Thats ok.. i worked for Jerry Brandt who discovered Jobriath. Listening to 1st album right now! Absolutely Brilliant. I tell people if u love Hedwig and Ziggy with a dash of Broadway then this record is definitely for you. Rest in Paradise both Jerry Brandt and Jobriath. blessings and Rock & Roll darlings!
I always thought it a shame Jobriath didn't relocate to England. In 74 all us Bowie kids owned a copy of the album. With the end of Ziggy Stardust the doors were wide open. Mick Ronson was touring solo and Jobriath would have been the ideal support act. Alas it wasn't to be and that gig was given to an unknown English band called Queen, the rest as they say is history.
These guys are great.... As a rock musician, I would love a dynamic frontman like that.... The band plays blues rock while the frontman puts on a show. That's so rock and roll
Incredible!! Like the New York Dolls mixed with Elton John. Amazing songs, amazing performer, if he first came out today he would be the biggest thing in the world.
@eddiemoney1093 this is as generic as it gets what do you mean 😂 jobriath was one of the biggest lows in glam-rock, where creativity was exchanged for wanting money by cashing out on much better artist's innovations
Hey, I was there onstage, too, the dancer first out, left crouching at the end. We taped in Burbank at NBC studios. It was nightmarish to me, as the audience was full of denim and patchwork shirts and I thought certainly we'd be boo'ed off the stage, but we weren't! It was a lot of fun, but what a letdown from the Paris Opera House gig we'd been promised. I am surprised that so many people find the work influential. It doesn't appeal to me. Except for "Scumbag"! Love that song.
The Jobriath A.D. documentary talks about the Midnight Special like it was a disaster, but I don't think the audience is all that bad and there's good applause at the end.
scumbag is a great song... still trying to get my brain around the chord progression at the end of the song... i suppose if i had any formal training i'd have a much better chance of figuring it out... *le sigh*
Funny I've heard that comment more than once and I agree. Some of the best pop music had its roots in the UK. I especially admired how they managed to co-op American music and do it much better.
Sadly, he was under the management of some guy in the U.S. who didn't know what he was doing. He wasn't focused on getting Jobriath legitimate work opportunities as much as he was focused on spending money on hype. Ads in newspapers, billboards, buses, etc. He was going for some gimmicky overnight success strategy. It's all in the Jobriath A.D. documentary. And later on, when his Elektra Records contract was almost up, he pocketed what Jobriath and his band had earned on the road to open a club.
@@datatwo7405 None of the best "pop music" had it's roots in the UK, and they didn't do it "much better", they quite literally copied it and benefited from a more containable music market in the UK. This is what jealous Brits trying to appropriate American culture always say - it's a part of the long European strike of always trying to "co-opt" American culture, undermine it, and then claim it as theirs. Britain had a handful of major artists, it never compared to the genre creation and the diversity that came out of America that inspired that handful of great British artists.
this man is divine, his control as a performer is rare. i'm guessing that the audience of his day wasn't ready to be drawn in by jobriath's mesmerizing energy. his dance seems so natural, and his singing seems effortless, like a walking work of art, truly an irreplaceable talent. very sad that this world wasn't kinder to him.
Melissa Patterson Bless you for your kind words.I too discovered him watching the BBC documentary series called Arena.So so saddened by his early death.
To be honest, I was underwhelmed by his performance. He seems pretty wooden. He doesn't command either stillness, or motion. Also, it's lipsynched, and he's not very good at that. Bowie had been doing Ziggy Stardust for two years by this point which is very much the same thing, but much better. Still, the material's ok, he conveys genuine warmth, he was a real pioneer, and he had a tragic life. I was glad to see this clip and will remember him fondly.
@@mesolithicman164 I tend to agree. Bowie's approach was much better. That is not to say that Jobriath didn't have talent, you just have to listen to his 2 albums to know he did have plenty of it. The issue I have is that this persona he created felt a bit too forced and not "organic" at all. I don't find it amusing and interesting like I did Ziggy Stardust or Halloween Jack.
Mike H My older brother who is as straight as anything turned me onto Jobriath. I had only known of the music and the incredible album cover. Now that I know the story and get to see him live on video I'm more blown away. I could care less if he was gay. After seeing the documentary I got so frustrated by the terrible promotion behind this seriously talented artist. It's great to see people are discovering him now.
I think that the issue with Jobriath was that he was billed as "The only true fairy" ..... an obvious reference to Bowie. The general public just viewed him as a Bowie wannabe and they were not ready for "a true fairy." back then. Bowie on the other hand was androgynous and people were not quite sure what he was, but they loved his music anyway.
The thing was that Bowie had really great songs, this is just boogie-woogie..... but I applaud him for dressing it up :-D AND Bowie had the "safety net" of being married with a kid...
The hype machine behind Jobriath is what destroyed his chance. That and the glam thing, which was a little too close to Bowie I suppose. There's NO QUESTION Jobriath was a huge talent and it's just painful that he didn't get his break.
I don't care if Jobriath was gay. This song just sounds like an old fashioned Hard Rock & Roll song that many people were using in the 1970s. And it's great, might I add.
Jobriath (how do you pronounce it)? passed me by for 48 years until I found references to him in Morrissey's autobiography and feverishly looked him up like I was still an obsessed teenager hanging on Moz's every word. I've always loved the fusion of rock'n'roll and camp theatrics, and plan to seek out more on this amazing artist. Speaking as a gay man trapped in a woman's body, I know and appreciate camp when I see it. Bowie, I don't see as camp - theatrical, obviously. Genius definitely. I wonder if Lady Gaga was ever inspired by Jobriath clips like this. The campy space helmet trick is just the kind of stunt she'd pull. In any case, I'm glad the tradition is being passed on. Long live camp.
Didn’t have a clue who he was, and I am an avid reader and listener of everything to do with popular culture. Finally I read the name, I think reading about, of all people, the Rockats: Jobriath’s manager, Jerry Brandt, took briefly care of the punkabily quintet in the 1980s. I investigated and I was just floored: I mean, this man was just incredible. And the music is brilliant. He should have been huge. His is one of the saddest tales in music business. Jobriath had talent in spades, no doubt about it. I am glad people got to know him, albeit, tragically, posthumously.....
This Midnight Special was a bit of a disaster - the avant-garde theatrical elements just looked like daft gimmicks here. Plus they had to substitute Take Me I'm Ours for this more conventional glam rock stomper at the last minute. If you listen to the beautiful Pidgeon album and the two Jobriath Albums, and consider he wrote the music, lyrics and most of the arrangements who can see this man had an astonishing level of talent. It's little wonder now that the 'hype machine' is ancient history people are looking at the music on its own merits and seeing the songs as 'lost classics'. I've no doubt if he'd never met Jerry Brandt he would have forged a more sustainable career some other way.
Hey I saw this Midnight Special when it 1st aired I would wait for my mom on Fridays she worked the swing shift and I got this huge crush on him I was 10 yrs old but I guess that's when I first learned I was gay
hammondsphoto I haven't heard Pidgeon yet, only parts from the documentary and now I really want to hear them. I only had the self titled album and knew nothing more than that. His genius is undeniable. I totally agree with what you said about Jerry.
Jerry Brandt comes off like a first-class typical business scumbag. No musical talent and full of exploitation. The manager of Badfinger comes to man, Stan Polley.
A genius just like I remember him...what a performer...This is such a contrast to the stuff he was playing when I met him while they were recording the Pidgeon album. I performed with him onstage in HAIR over a hundred times...he was always 110 per cent onstage. I miss him
Fantastic song. I love how there is musical substance behind the image. Lyrics: So what if a-wop-bop-a loo-bam boom didn't rhyme Billy Haley and the Comets drove me to the prom in time A Little Richard goes a long long way More than twenty long years to this day Rock of ages roll away, rock away, roll away We were dancin' in the streets and shapin' our lives in school When we were simply thirteen, God saved the Queen in Liverpool A mop top Mersey goes a long, long way More than ten long years to this day Rock of ages roll away, rock away, roll away Three plays for a quarter is ancient history now But the Stones roll away and rock that jukebox till Satisfaction goes a long, long way Much more than five long years to this day Rock of ages roll away, rock away, roll away A Little Richard goes a long, long way More than twenty long years to this day Rock of ages roll away, rock away, roll away
As a lyricist, he could run rings around Bernie Taupin, and he was as talented a pianist and performer as Elton John. It's a shame we got only three albums.
¡Un Divo! ¡Un visionario! ¡Un incomprendido! Adelantado a su época, fue creo yo, quien inicio esa imagen que caracterizo al Glam de los 70. Un grande Jobriath... Su legado aún sigue vivo.
@@OnlyGoodMusic_ Jobriath fue el pionero, pero no siempre el primero es el mejor o el que más perdura. Bowie fue quien le dio ese plus al Glam y lo llevo a otro nivel, Bowie fue un iluminado. También Peter Gabriel tenia una puesta en escena fuera de lo convencional. Nunca he tratado de compararlos, mi idea es darle crédito a este personaje por su aporte a la música, en especial al Glam Rock.
@@carlosenriquesanchezhilari7373 Jobriath debuted in 1973. Glam started in 1971 with T-Rex, Alice Cooper, and, of course, Bowie. ruclips.net/video/FyzWDl0nz00/видео.html ruclips.net/video/ngHrfRul7gQ/видео.html ruclips.net/video/ccMYgiSC_eQ/видео.html
at one time, jobriath WAS a regular at max's. at first he was treated as a celebrity, then he was ignored when he became "passe." (hence his retreat to his chelsea hotel penthouse and his gig as "cole berlin.")
man, this is fucking awesome! They call this guy the american Bowie!!!???!!! Thats like comparing apples to oranges really, they both were (are) awesome!
I'm looking at Jobraith out of curiosity, as I just read him as one of the references for one of the main characters in the film, Velvet Goldmine. Ive looked at a couple of clips on here and I keep seeing comparisons to Bowie.. In a nutshell.. by June 1972, Bowie had already released the "legendary" album Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars.. he'd been there and done that in spades.. and so much better. Bowie had charisma.. talent.. originality.. looks.. etc etc. This bloke looks like an idiot dressing up for a spot in his senior school play. he just doesn't compare to Bowie!
Jobriath is great, but I think the one thing he's missing is any sense of movement on stage. Compared to Bowie or other performers of that era he's rather stiff. His band is amazing.
Just to be sure we have the timing right, this show, Midnight Special, was in 1974. I had this album in 1972..... Ziggy Stardust was an alter ego act Jobriath was a real person putting on a show. As far as influences, if he was producing this stuff as early as 72, he was creating at the same time as Bowie not after. Bowie was obviously the more popular and successful. I think this guy was underrated..
@liketotallyfarrah Don't get me wrong, I love American music. I just find that British artists like David Bowie, T Rex, Queen, Slade, Gary Glitter, Roxy Music (just to name a few) do a better job at this style of music. After all, this style of music did originate in the UK.
And the irony is that now, Jobriath is really breaking through. The interest around him is growing. People are really interested in bringing this name to the surface!
@Delta1 Okay it could have been early in 1973 that i came into owning the album. However as someone close to the artist you can confirm or deny my claim that Jobriath may have followed and liked what Bowie was doing, he created is own style and they could have influenced each other. Was this ever discussed?
@JimmyMcShane96 Although of course, those artists are fantastic, and Glam Rock did get its start in the UK, an awful lot of the genre was based heavily on 50s American Rock and Blues Rock, and Velvet Underground/Lou Reed were a huge influence on Bowie. Plus you've got great artists like Suzi Quatro and Sparks, who were American, but relocated to England. Whether you like Jobriath or not, the whole scene just wouldn't have happened if it weren't for America.
Didn't take balls. Just took a check. The music greed machine molded him to be the "American Bowie". Music was CRAP compared to the true artists that were taking creative chances. His "character" was a joke as was his music. A pawn that was quickly removed from the chess board. Indeed a sad story.
@krakenwave no. no. Velvet Goldmine is so very much based on David Bowie. The whole relationship with Iggy Pop? the jaded wife... c'mon. Velvet goldmine takes place in London. not to mention it's a Bowie song....
In art it isn't who's necessarilarly first to do something different, but whom actually does it well. In light of David Bowie and T. Rex this dosen't fare very well. To much exhibition and not enough song writing talent.
You have Steve Love on guitar, Jim Gregory on bass, Gregg Diamond on drums. Hayden Wayne plays keyboards--no keyboards on this song so...who is on second guitar? Anyone know?
The obit for Jobriath published in the New York Times' "overlooked no More" series last month identifies the other guitarist as Billy Cross, who says of the "Midnight Special" performance: "“It was horrible,” he said in a phone interview. “They hated us, and that wasn’t fun.”
I don't know how but I have never heard of Jobriath before today. I listened to a podcast where Be still was played and I misheard the name as Hugh Bryant first. HAHA :) I have listened to his debutalbum today and it's fantastic.
@uItravioIet Just goes to show how difficult it is to keep everything in your head: A long and exciting life. The Midnight Special was simply one of many experiences and for some reason, it got shelved until someone I didn't even know sent me this link. Shocking to see yourself after 36 years. Never thought about it at the time as it was simply my reality but it seems to have made a small impact on a special group of people. Dbwindhorst's post really moved me. Kinda made it all worthwhile.
Well, if it conjures up certain associations and memories for you, then those are your experiences and I can't argue with that. Fair enough. I agree, like much of 70's rock the music itself is pretty cold-served, trashy, bluesy, boogie/glam.
Damn ... I had no idea Jobriath was ever on American television. Gotta wonder that the millions of kids who saw this must have thought. Pretty amazing stuff.
I love the comments from multiple people who worked with him, playing in bands or part of his stage show. It's something you see occasionally, but I count at least three in this section. Working with him must have been a memorable experience
I am overjoyed seeing more of Jobriath surfacing on RUclips... It has always upset me that artists/visionaries like Jobriath, Jayne County and T. Roth were not given their due...It's a fact that while Bowie (who I still adore) received the Fame, these men were turning our worlds upside down/inside out in the clubs and bars we were lucky enough to catch them in. JOBRIATH was amazing. Thanks Ecubyan! and xo to Jayne and Terry!
Jobriath wasn't taken seriously at the time in England because he was using the same influences as D. Bowie. Who would have imagined that 35 years later Jobriath would be seen as the artist with honesty and integrity? Rest in peace darling.
I wouldn't be too sure about that. Jobriath was panned as a Bowie rip-off. Bowie kept his sexuality a bit more ambiguous, and by the time this live performance was shot, Bowie was transitioning out of the "glam thing". And KISS? I can't see any similarity other than the costumes...and even that is a bit of a stretch.
totally! Brian Slade's career mirrors Jobriath's as much, if not more, than it does Bowie's. Stick a few feathers on that neck-piece and the comparison would be seamless!
@sugarpIumfairy i doubt Jobriath did influence Bowie! Bowie was such famous at this time you can easily understand He influenced others. it's like saying Alvin Stardust would influenced Marc Bolan!
The other appearance reminded me of John Inman as Ziggy era Bowie, image wise it's the same here, but vocally this reminded me of Jayne County as Mick Jagger. Surprisingly punk though for 1974, and on mainstream US TV too.
I studied his backstory because of Moz’ cover of Starship Morning. It seems that the gay community of his day was ok with leatherboy hardmen & effeminate drag queens, it turned its back on Jobriath’s effeminate energy in an overly masculine body aka the classical fairy. Can’t imagine much more rejection than being out a half a century ago, then being rejected even by the gay press & community. It isn’t his sexuality that mattered. He rocked before his time. But died alone. This song is still incredible rock a half century later. - Matt’s dad
According to those quoted in the _Jobriath AD_ documentary, the _Midnight Special_ performance was considered a disaster. Maybe it was, but it's not apparent from this video.
Possibly the two most interesting of the original Bowie imitators are Jobriath and Steve Harley. Jobriath was gay, and, on the other end of the spectrum, Harley was straight. Bowie was bi, so maybe each of these two guys got it half-right.
OK I am associated with the artist. The night he had played the Troubadour, my boyfriend Leeland stole the stage that I remember sitting on a couch on in the Vanness Street house garage wearing a spring floral polester 👗 signed, the times of my life
@krakenwave no not really. and if it does.. elaborate. I could say it could be based on Idi Amin but it doesn't mean a damn thing without some evidence. Bowie and Iggy were tight from about 70 throw in Lou reed and the characters are pretty much complete. The only reason Bowie's song weren't in the movie was he refused to give the rights.. anyway. kind of a shite movie about some really great artists
I'm afraid that is just utter bollocks. I never attempted to dimminish anyone's artistic worth, wether it be Miss Bolan, Miss Pop, Miss Bowie or Miss Cooper. You're taking heat as a result of calling Job "a pathetic Bowie rip off". You'd be surprised at the amount of influential people that even today would be bothered by such acts. The point here is that the more Jobriath tracks I listened to, the more wit & talent I discovered & the more I realised how unrelated Jobriath & Bowie were.
The honest placement of facts would not involve posters, jingles, TV ads and press. Because all of that combined creates a promotional image, conveniently casting a shadow over the person behind the oh so adored public figure, making them unreachable, mystical and all the more popular and totally lawyered up. As for the insults you typed, I'll just have to ignore them untill you realise they don't intimidate me. Your faux diognosis is mildly entertaining, though. Very imaginative...
No dear... Pathetic is defending one of the most powerful men in England as if he was powerless and hadn't already earned his position is music history. And for your information, Jayne County often accused David Bowie of having checked out the emerging american scene at the time & then shamelessly proceeding to rip off several acts, including Jobriath who was kind to Bowie. Jayne went as far as accusing Bowie of ripping off "Rebel Rebel" from a song her band was working on, at the time.
Hey Jayne County -- I've heard of you, but I've never heard any of your songs. The way I see it, it seems like Jobriath imitated Bowie and then Bowie imitated Jobriath's imitation of Bowie. It's all a big circle. As far as him not giving credit to anybody ... I'm pretty sure he gave a big boost to Iggy's career. And Lou Reed's, also. What's your most awesome song, Jayne/Wayne? What should I check out from you? Tell me where to start in the Jayne/wayne Canon.
"Rock of Ages" is huge. It's author, isn't. That's wrong. Many other beautiful songs by Jobriath have cast an influence wide enough to reach the likes of Guns and Roses. Just listen to "Good Time". It is annoying to learn that a good management team can manage to suck the talent right out of these people to then credit one artist alone for all the work. Although not a great singer, Jobriath's piano work was far superior to Bowie's. Now, this work sounds dated. It was a crime to ban it.
![Jobriath - The Midnight Special (1973) [Live]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/prkhAvuOnV4/mqdefault.jpg)
![Jobriath - The Midnight Special (1973) [Live]](/img/tr.png)
I'm the one with the black hair and the Les Paul who starts the song with the guitar riff and I'm standing right next to Jobriath which I did for 2 years but sadly, very few gigs as everything collapsed so quickly. Thank you for the info. I had forgotten (or perhaps never noticed) that Gladys Knight was hosting. Though trying to be gracious she was unable to disguise her ambivalence and with her background that's no surprise. She must have been shocked. The audience certainly was!
You are a really good guitar player! Hope you are still playing today.
So I take it the guy with the Flying V is Steve Love? The guitarist who played with Ian Lloyd and the Stories? Any idea what happened to him? Can't locate any info whatsoever. Love your own guitar playing, by the way. I had heard of Jobriath but sadly never had a chance to hear any of his music until the late 1990s or thereabouts.
He truly had zero talent sorry. You were too good for that crap.
This was a FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE and the MUSIC WAS ABSOLUTELY GREAT!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@@dalepetrush4121 You're funny. If this performance is any guide, Jobriath had excellent stage presence, above average songwriting chops, and--since comparisons to David Bowie are unavoidable--a voice decidedly better than Bowie's.
I wonder how many times the teams for Hedwig & The Angry Inch and Velvet Goldmine watched this :)
Yeah, I was wondering the same thing.
LOL....they listened and studied him for many many years i am sure. Thats ok.. i worked for Jerry Brandt who discovered Jobriath. Listening to 1st album right now! Absolutely Brilliant. I tell people if u love Hedwig and Ziggy with a dash of Broadway then this record is definitely for you. Rest in Paradise both Jerry Brandt and Jobriath. blessings and Rock & Roll darlings!
Hedwig FOR SURE!!
He was the original! Amazing. Velvet Goldmine is one of my favorite movies!
@@JTRocks4Ever the original? You realize jobriath solely existed to cash in on what david bowie did right?
I always thought it a shame Jobriath didn't relocate to England. In 74 all us Bowie kids owned a copy of the album. With the end of Ziggy Stardust the doors were wide open. Mick Ronson was touring solo and Jobriath would have been the ideal support act. Alas it wasn't to be and that gig was given to an unknown English band called Queen, the rest as they say is history.
These guys are great.... As a rock musician, I would love a dynamic frontman like that.... The band plays blues rock while the frontman puts on a show.
That's so rock and roll
Incredible!! Like the New York Dolls mixed with Elton John. Amazing songs, amazing performer, if he first came out today he would be the biggest thing in the world.
He wouldnt be. The world is dominated by really bad music these days. Super generic hip hop and country mostly. But he'd have made a name for himself.
@@eddiemoney1093Well, if anyone knows about bad music it would be Eddie Money. You just can’t beat first experience.
@@jamespohl-md2eq cool story
@eddiemoney1093 this is as generic as it gets what do you mean 😂 jobriath was one of the biggest lows in glam-rock, where creativity was exchanged for wanting money by cashing out on much better artist's innovations
@@JesusGomez-ob2qt something that literally no one is doing can't, by definition, be generic.
After repeated viewings, I've decided this song simply kicks ass.
💯
Hey, I was there onstage, too, the dancer first out, left crouching at the end. We taped in Burbank at NBC studios. It was nightmarish to me, as the audience was full of denim and patchwork shirts and I thought certainly we'd be boo'ed off the stage, but we weren't! It was a lot of fun, but what a letdown from the Paris Opera House gig we'd been promised.
I am surprised that so many people find the work influential. It doesn't appeal to me. Except for "Scumbag"! Love that song.
The Jobriath A.D. documentary talks about the Midnight Special like it was a disaster, but I don't think the audience is all that bad and there's good applause at the end.
At least he was 100℅ more talented than david bowie - yuck!
@@kiah1374 HAHAHAHAHA.... oh wait you were serious.... HAHAHAHAHAHAA!
scumbag is a great song... still trying to get my brain around the chord progression at the end of the song... i suppose if i had any formal training i'd have a much better chance of figuring it out... *le sigh*
Was Hayden Wayne in this performance? Just curious. The man still talks about Jobriath like he was some sort of god. Yes HW is still alive and well.
Interesting, he would 've done far better basing himself in the uk in that period.
Funny I've heard that comment more than once and I agree. Some of the best pop music had its roots in the UK. I especially admired how they managed to co-op American music and do it much better.
probably, but Bowie, Bolan , Slade, Sweet all had 10 times more charisma. Great tunes tho
Sadly, he was under the management of some guy in the U.S. who didn't know what he was doing. He wasn't focused on getting Jobriath legitimate work opportunities as much as he was focused on spending money on hype. Ads in newspapers, billboards, buses, etc. He was going for some gimmicky overnight success strategy. It's all in the Jobriath A.D. documentary. And later on, when his Elektra Records contract was almost up, he pocketed what Jobriath and his band had earned on the road to open a club.
@@datatwo7405 None of the best "pop music" had it's roots in the UK, and they didn't do it "much better", they quite literally copied it and benefited from a more containable music market in the UK. This is what jealous Brits trying to appropriate American culture always say - it's a part of the long European strike of always trying to "co-opt" American culture, undermine it, and then claim it as theirs. Britain had a handful of major artists, it never compared to the genre creation and the diversity that came out of America that inspired that handful of great British artists.
He really wouldn't have. Don't know where this comes from.
this man is divine, his control as a performer is rare. i'm guessing that the audience of his day wasn't ready to be drawn in by jobriath's mesmerizing energy. his dance seems so natural, and his singing seems effortless, like a walking work of art, truly an irreplaceable talent. very sad that this world wasn't kinder to him.
Melissa Patterson Bless you for your kind words.I too discovered him watching the BBC documentary series called Arena.So so saddened by his early death.
To be honest, I was underwhelmed by his performance. He seems pretty wooden. He doesn't command either stillness, or motion. Also, it's lipsynched, and he's not very good at that.
Bowie had been doing Ziggy Stardust for two years by this point which is very much the same thing, but much better.
Still, the material's ok, he conveys genuine warmth, he was a real pioneer, and he had a tragic life. I was glad to see this clip and will remember him fondly.
why exactly are you glad he is dead?
@N Better than being a little bitch troll like you.
@@mesolithicman164 I tend to agree. Bowie's approach was much better. That is not to say that Jobriath didn't have talent, you just have to listen to his 2 albums to know he did have plenty of it. The issue I have is that this persona he created felt a bit too forced and not "organic" at all. I don't find it amusing and interesting like I did Ziggy Stardust or Halloween Jack.
Never heard of him until I saw a documentary online. It was interesting . He was a talented guy, just america wasn't ready for a openly gay guy.
Mike H My older brother who is as straight as anything turned me onto Jobriath. I had only known of the music and the incredible album cover. Now that I know the story and get to see him live on video I'm more blown away. I could care less if he was gay. After seeing the documentary I got so frustrated by the terrible promotion behind this seriously talented artist. It's great to see people are discovering him now.
I think that the issue with Jobriath was that he was billed as "The only true fairy" ..... an obvious reference to Bowie.
The general public just viewed him as a Bowie wannabe and they were not ready for "a true fairy." back then.
Bowie on the other hand was androgynous and people were not quite sure what he was, but they loved his music anyway.
The thing was that Bowie had really great songs, this is just boogie-woogie..... but I applaud him for dressing it up :-D AND Bowie had the "safety net" of being married with a kid...
good songs but not in bowies league.
Bowie's music was vastly superior.
The hype machine behind Jobriath is what destroyed his chance. That and the glam thing, which was a little too close to Bowie I suppose.
There's NO QUESTION Jobriath was a huge talent and it's just painful that he didn't get his break.
@@morkygorky Angie was Bowie's bizarre counter-part hardly a "safety net".
Looking at him I feel so ashamed of myself,99% of people in this world don’t have Jobriath’s courage to be themselves
I don't care if Jobriath was gay. This song just sounds like an old fashioned Hard Rock & Roll song that many people were using in the 1970s. And it's great, might I add.
Jobriath (how do you pronounce it)? passed me by for 48 years until I found references to him in Morrissey's autobiography and feverishly looked him up like I was still an obsessed teenager hanging on Moz's every word. I've always loved the fusion of rock'n'roll and camp theatrics, and plan to seek out more on this amazing artist. Speaking as a gay man trapped in a woman's body, I know and appreciate camp when I see it. Bowie, I don't see as camp - theatrical, obviously. Genius definitely. I wonder if Lady Gaga was ever inspired by Jobriath clips like this. The campy space helmet trick is just the kind of stunt she'd pull. In any case, I'm glad the tradition is being passed on. Long live camp.
jo- breye-ith
Long live Camp! Absolutely!
Love the positive comments!! He was great just ahead of his time. Glad so many appreciate this now
Not ahead of the times at all. A product of his time.
Didn’t have a clue who he was, and I am an avid reader and listener of everything to do with popular culture. Finally I read the name, I think reading about, of all people, the Rockats: Jobriath’s manager, Jerry Brandt, took briefly care of the punkabily quintet in the 1980s. I investigated and I was just floored: I mean, this man was just incredible. And the music is brilliant. He should have been huge. His is one of the saddest tales in music business. Jobriath had talent in spades, no doubt about it. I am glad people got to know him, albeit, tragically, posthumously.....
This Midnight Special was a bit of a disaster - the avant-garde theatrical elements just looked like daft gimmicks here. Plus they had to substitute Take Me I'm Ours for this more conventional glam rock stomper at the last minute.
If you listen to the beautiful Pidgeon album and the two Jobriath Albums, and consider he wrote the music, lyrics and most of the arrangements who can see this man had an astonishing level of talent. It's little wonder now that the 'hype machine' is ancient history people are looking at the music on its own merits and seeing the songs as 'lost classics'.
I've no doubt if he'd never met Jerry Brandt he would have forged a more sustainable career some other way.
Hey I saw this Midnight Special when it 1st aired I would wait for my mom on Fridays she worked the swing shift and I got this huge crush on him I was 10 yrs old but I guess that's when I first learned I was gay
hammondsphoto I haven't heard Pidgeon yet, only parts from the documentary and now I really want to hear them. I only had the self titled album and knew nothing more than that. His genius is undeniable. I totally agree with what you said about Jerry.
wifebeaterwearer lol so cute!
hammondsphoto yeh but Aids took him in the end so Brant was immaterial.
Jerry Brandt comes off like a first-class typical business scumbag. No musical talent and full of exploitation. The manager of Badfinger comes to man, Stan Polley.
Happy Birthday Jobriath! (December 14, 1946) A really good singer and an awesome songwriter!
A genius just like I remember him...what a performer...This is such a contrast to the stuff he was playing when I met him while they were recording the Pidgeon album. I performed with him onstage in HAIR over a hundred times...he was always 110 per cent onstage. I miss him
Sprockets!
Fantastic song. I love how there is musical substance behind the image.
Lyrics: So what if a-wop-bop-a loo-bam boom didn't rhyme
Billy Haley and the Comets drove me to the prom in time
A Little Richard goes a long long way
More than twenty long years to this day
Rock of ages roll away, rock away, roll away
We were dancin' in the streets and shapin' our lives in school
When we were simply thirteen, God saved the Queen in Liverpool
A mop top Mersey goes a long, long way
More than ten long years to this day
Rock of ages roll away, rock away, roll away
Three plays for a quarter is ancient history now
But the Stones roll away and rock that jukebox till
Satisfaction goes a long, long way
Much more than five long years to this day
Rock of ages roll away, rock away, roll away
A Little Richard goes a long, long way
More than twenty long years to this day
Rock of ages roll away, rock away, roll away
As a lyricist, he could run rings around Bernie Taupin, and he was as talented a pianist and performer as Elton John. It's a shame we got only three albums.
The collapsible bubble is the shit
¡Un Divo!
¡Un visionario!
¡Un incomprendido!
Adelantado a su época, fue creo yo, quien inicio esa imagen que caracterizo al Glam de los 70.
Un grande Jobriath... Su legado aún sigue vivo.
pero que hay de bowie? estos espectáculos ya los hacia bowie
@@OnlyGoodMusic_ Jobriath fue el pionero, pero no siempre el primero es el mejor o el que más perdura. Bowie fue quien le dio ese plus al Glam y lo llevo a otro nivel, Bowie fue un iluminado. También Peter Gabriel tenia una puesta en escena fuera de lo convencional.
Nunca he tratado de compararlos, mi idea es darle crédito a este personaje por su aporte a la música, en especial al Glam Rock.
@@carlosenriquesanchezhilari7373
Jobriath debuted in 1973. Glam started in 1971 with T-Rex, Alice Cooper, and, of course, Bowie.
ruclips.net/video/FyzWDl0nz00/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/ngHrfRul7gQ/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/ccMYgiSC_eQ/видео.html
at one time, jobriath WAS a regular at max's. at first he was treated as a celebrity, then he was ignored when he became "passe." (hence his retreat to his chelsea hotel penthouse and his gig as "cole berlin.")
man, this is fucking awesome! They call this guy the american Bowie!!!???!!! Thats like comparing apples to oranges really, they both were (are) awesome!
I'm looking at Jobraith out of curiosity, as I just read him as one of the references for one of the main characters in the film, Velvet Goldmine. Ive looked at a couple of clips on here and I keep seeing comparisons to Bowie..
In a nutshell.. by June 1972, Bowie had already released the "legendary" album Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars.. he'd been there and done that in spades.. and so much better.
Bowie had charisma.. talent.. originality.. looks.. etc etc. This bloke looks like an idiot dressing up for a spot in his senior school play. he just doesn't compare to Bowie!
Bowie did it earlier yes, but “so much better” ??
@@Zepster77 yes SO SO SO much better and it's not even a comparison 😂 to think otherwise is being delusional
How in the HELL am I just discovering this man???
gay, straight. I don't care. The dude could rock.
OONTA GLEEBIN' GLOUTEN GLOBEN.
Jobriath is great, but I think the one thing he's missing is any sense of movement on stage. Compared to Bowie or other performers of that era he's rather stiff. His band is amazing.
Just to be sure we have the timing right, this show, Midnight Special, was in 1974. I had this album in 1972..... Ziggy Stardust was an alter ego act Jobriath was a real person putting on a show. As far as influences, if he was producing this stuff as early as 72, he was creating at the same time as Bowie not after. Bowie was obviously the more popular and successful. I think this guy was underrated..
I love how the comment section is just full of people over the age of 40 and then there's me, a 16 year old
@liketotallyfarrah Don't get me wrong, I love American music. I just find that British artists like David Bowie, T Rex,
Queen, Slade, Gary Glitter, Roxy Music (just to name a few) do a better job at this style of music.
After all, this style of music did originate in the UK.
Not really, it's straight up rock n roll.
And the irony is that now, Jobriath is really breaking through. The interest around him is growing. People are really interested in bringing this name to the surface!
Jobriath was very talented, just his glam career wasn't his best (though I like a few songs. Check out his previous band pidgeon, very good music.
Jobriath's debut album had a few decent songs, but was a really sloppy album with no focus. As the river flows is a classic though.
Mighty Disco legend Gregg Diamond on drums R.I.P
Awesome stuff here
It's Brian Slade (will mean nothing to anyone who hasn't seen Velvet Goldmine)
It's Jamie Oliver!
@Delta1 Okay it could have been early in 1973 that i came into owning the album. However as someone close to the artist you can confirm or deny my claim that Jobriath may have followed and liked what Bowie was doing, he created is own style and they could have influenced each other. Was this ever discussed?
@JimmyMcShane96 Although of course, those artists are fantastic, and Glam Rock did get its start in the UK, an awful lot of the genre was based heavily on 50s American Rock and Blues Rock, and Velvet Underground/Lou Reed were a huge influence on Bowie. Plus you've got great artists like Suzi Quatro and Sparks, who were American, but relocated to England. Whether you like Jobriath or not, the whole scene just wouldn't have happened if it weren't for America.
This is fucking beautiful & bitchin'! What a jam & performance!
Didn't take balls. Just took a check. The music greed machine molded him to be the "American Bowie". Music was CRAP compared to the true artists that were taking creative chances. His "character" was a joke as was his music. A pawn that was quickly removed from the chess board. Indeed a sad story.
@krakenwave no. no. Velvet Goldmine is so very much based on David Bowie. The whole relationship with Iggy Pop? the jaded wife... c'mon. Velvet goldmine takes place in London. not to mention it's a Bowie song....
In art it isn't who's necessarilarly first to do something different, but whom actually does it well. In light of David Bowie and T. Rex this dosen't fare very well. To much exhibition and not enough song writing talent.
You have Steve Love on guitar, Jim Gregory on bass, Gregg Diamond on drums. Hayden Wayne plays keyboards--no keyboards on this song so...who is on second guitar? Anyone know?
The obit for Jobriath published in the New York Times' "overlooked no More" series last month identifies the other guitarist as Billy Cross, who says of the "Midnight Special" performance: "“It was horrible,” he said in a phone interview. “They hated us, and that wasn’t fun.”
I have just noticed that when Americans try to do Glam Rock, they make it sound bad.
It sounded better when done by the British.
No offence
How many people are watching this video because of Joe Elliott's (Def Leppard) interview?
Yeah. I'm surprised I've never heard of him. Good stuff.
It's Bowie without the hooks.
I don't know how but I have never heard of Jobriath before today. I listened to a podcast where Be still was played and I misheard the name as Hugh Bryant first. HAHA :) I have listened to his debutalbum today and it's fantastic.
No, you're wrong about the sexuality of the band. Only the dancers were gay. I was one of them.
This is my personal opinion, okay?
Jobriath is the Renegade to Bowie's Ultimate Warrior.
I gotta say, I like this song a lot!
he was brilliant! bizarre that he wasn't huge in the 70's ... just heard of him for the first time
How the hell did I miss this guy??
:bows down to the man:
-Fantastic performance, sir. One day it'll be rightfully remembered as the stuff of ages!
I like how his dancing is sort of like ballet and really unique!
Critics at the time hated his voice but it sounds fine to me. Homophobia ruled in Rock journalism in the 70's.
unfortunately homophobia still rules many things :(
Bowie was doing the same and critics wasn't that bad to him.
@@Blisteryn bowie's not gay tho
like a mix of Jagger and Alice but not as good sadly. nice tunes though
That is disproved by the success of Bowie an Lou Reed at the same time.
I remember seeing this back then and I thought he was just another Bowie wannabe. He was talented though.
@uItravioIet Just goes to show how difficult it is to keep everything in your head: A long and exciting life. The Midnight Special was simply one of many experiences and for some reason, it got shelved until someone I didn't even know sent me this link. Shocking to see yourself after 36 years. Never thought about it at the time as it was simply my reality but it seems to have made a small impact on a special group of people. Dbwindhorst's post really moved me. Kinda made it all worthwhile.
This bloke was a genius!
He and his band could really throw it down... such a shame..
Well, if it conjures up certain associations and memories for you, then those are your experiences and I can't argue with that. Fair enough. I agree, like much of 70's rock the music itself is pretty cold-served, trashy, bluesy, boogie/glam.
Genius. Pure and simple.
For me, the problem is it sounds too much like Suffragette City.
It's just dull conservative 70's rock music though isn't it? "A little Richard goes a long long way". Pah!!
This is Excellent.
At last Jobriath starts getting some decent exposure.
Awsome! Very clever, and very Jobriath-like to
credit teh composers of the old, different "Rock of Ages".
Thanx.
I remember seeing him on the OGWT in the seventies , only recently i came across one of his records , in many many ways an Amercian David Bowie
Damn ... I had no idea Jobriath was ever on American television. Gotta wonder that the millions of kids who saw this must have thought. Pretty amazing stuff.
not just bowie freddie mercury too, and w/jayne county. pete burns also found him to be influential.
what a guy!!!
Morrissey brought me here; before he started talking out of his arse that is.
@@larsivar8772 I can't imagine that
I love the comments from multiple people who worked with him, playing in bands or part of his stage show. It's something you see occasionally, but I count at least three in this section. Working with him must have been a memorable experience
Sprockets his back up band..
I am overjoyed seeing more of Jobriath surfacing on RUclips... It has always upset me that artists/visionaries like Jobriath, Jayne County and T. Roth were not given their due...It's a fact that while Bowie (who I still adore) received the Fame, these men were turning our worlds upside down/inside out in the clubs and bars we were lucky enough to catch them in. JOBRIATH was amazing. Thanks Ecubyan! and xo to Jayne and Terry!
actually, jayne county claims that bowie ripped JOBRIATH off!!
@@mistersurrealist you're so misinformed with your information.
@JimmyMcShane96 Um, New York Dolls much?
Jobriath wasn't taken seriously at the time in England because he was using the same influences as D. Bowie. Who would have imagined that 35 years later Jobriath would be seen as the artist with honesty and integrity? Rest in peace darling.
Bowie is not seen as an artist with integrity?
I thought Jobriath's World Without End was one of the best rock songs of 1973.
No thanks.
Absolute LEGEND who deserved more but too fragile a guy to deal with the ups and down of the shittiest part of the entertainment industry.
I wouldn't be too sure about that. Jobriath was panned as a Bowie rip-off. Bowie kept his sexuality a bit more ambiguous, and by the time this live performance was shot, Bowie was transitioning out of the "glam thing". And KISS? I can't see any similarity other than the costumes...and even that is a bit of a stretch.
totally! Brian Slade's career mirrors Jobriath's as much, if not more, than it does Bowie's. Stick a few feathers on that neck-piece and the comparison would be seamless!
I guess some can find art in anything! Not my cup of tea, or music! If one can call it that !
@sugarpIumfairy
i doubt Jobriath did influence Bowie! Bowie was such famous at this time you can easily understand He influenced others. it's like saying Alvin Stardust would influenced Marc Bolan!
that helmet is genius!
The other appearance reminded me of John Inman as Ziggy era Bowie, image wise it's the same here, but vocally this reminded me of Jayne County as Mick Jagger. Surprisingly punk though for 1974, and on mainstream US TV too.
This clip was first showed on the ogwt broadcast 10th of April 1974 from the album jobriath Elektra records eks 75070 1973 al
I studied his backstory because of Moz’ cover of Starship Morning.
It seems that the gay community of his day was ok with leatherboy hardmen & effeminate drag queens, it turned its back on Jobriath’s effeminate energy in an overly masculine body aka the classical fairy.
Can’t imagine much more rejection than being out a half a century ago, then being rejected even by the gay press & community.
It isn’t his sexuality that mattered. He rocked before his time. But died alone.
This song is still incredible rock a half century later.
- Matt’s dad
Grandioso....RIP
According to those quoted in the _Jobriath AD_ documentary, the _Midnight Special_ performance was considered a disaster. Maybe it was, but it's not apparent from this video.
Possibly the two most interesting of the original Bowie imitators are Jobriath and Steve Harley. Jobriath was gay, and, on the other end of the spectrum, Harley was straight. Bowie was bi, so maybe each of these two guys got it half-right.
Jobriath really is where Bowie steal a lot
OK I am associated with the artist. The night he had played the Troubadour, my boyfriend Leeland stole the stage that I remember sitting on a couch on in the Vanness Street house garage wearing a spring floral polester 👗 signed, the times of my life
@krakenwave no not really. and if it does.. elaborate. I could say it could be based on Idi Amin but it doesn't mean a damn thing without some evidence. Bowie and Iggy were tight from about 70 throw in Lou reed and the characters are pretty much complete. The only reason Bowie's song weren't in the movie was he refused to give the rights.. anyway. kind of a shite movie about some really great artists
I'm afraid that is just utter bollocks.
I never attempted to dimminish anyone's artistic worth, wether it be Miss Bolan, Miss Pop, Miss Bowie or Miss Cooper. You're taking heat as a result of calling Job "a pathetic Bowie rip off". You'd be surprised at the amount of influential people that even today would be bothered by such acts.
The point here is that the more Jobriath tracks I listened to, the more wit & talent I discovered & the more I realised how unrelated Jobriath & Bowie were.
The honest placement of facts would not involve posters, jingles, TV ads and press. Because all of that combined creates a promotional image, conveniently casting a shadow over the person behind the oh so adored public figure, making them unreachable, mystical and all the more popular and totally lawyered up.
As for the insults you typed, I'll just have to ignore them untill you realise they don't intimidate me.
Your faux diognosis is mildly entertaining, though. Very imaginative...
No dear...
Pathetic is defending one of the most powerful men in England as if he was powerless and hadn't already earned his position is music history. And for your information, Jayne County often accused David Bowie of having checked out the emerging american scene at the time & then shamelessly proceeding to rip off several acts, including Jobriath who was kind to Bowie.
Jayne went as far as accusing Bowie of ripping off "Rebel Rebel" from a song her band was working on, at the time.
Hey Jayne County -- I've heard of you, but I've never heard any of your songs. The way I see it, it seems like Jobriath imitated Bowie and then Bowie imitated Jobriath's imitation of Bowie. It's all a big circle. As far as him not giving credit to anybody ... I'm pretty sure he gave a big boost to Iggy's career. And Lou Reed's, also. What's your most awesome song, Jayne/Wayne? What should I check out from you? Tell me where to start in the Jayne/wayne Canon.
"Rock of Ages" is huge. It's author, isn't. That's wrong.
Many other beautiful songs by Jobriath have cast an influence wide enough to reach the likes of Guns and Roses. Just listen to "Good Time".
It is annoying to learn that a good management team can manage to suck the talent right out of these people to then credit one artist alone for all the work. Although not a great singer, Jobriath's piano work was far superior to Bowie's.
Now, this work sounds dated. It was a crime to ban it.