There was a bicycle delivery service in SF that was called Quick silver messenger service also at that time. Always remember one hippy that rode a yellow bicycle in a brown workman outfit.
Part of the great San Francisco '60s flowering of progressive rock music -- Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Big Brother and The Holding Company with Janis Joplin - Quicksilver was underappreciated and unsung. Dino Valenti's vocals and songwriting, John Cipollina and Gary Duncan's twin guitar brilliance were huge live draws in the Bay Area, especially at The Fillmore. Valenti's drug busts punctuated his tenure with the band. He was on the cusp of "stardom" when both The Jefferson Airplane and The Youngbloods recorded his "Get Together." The Youngbloods' version reached the top of the charts in 1969. This happened unfortunately while he was in prison on the aforementionned drug bust. What About Me and Fresh Air, their two Top 40 hits, were recorded after his release from prison and a period of time when he tried to form another group called The Outlaws (plans did not come together). Quicksilver re-grouped with Dino and Gary Duncan back in the fold and they spent most of the '70s together. Still a legend in San Francisco rock music history. Thanks J.K. & Harri!
I remember when I heard this song back in 1970 and the line "Be prepared to be shot down", I thought they were referring to Dr. King and Robert Kennedy both in 1968.
This song from the early 70s brings me back to that time when I was serving in the military. I felt that song was about everything that was wrong with the world. I see it differently now.
I moved to California in 1971 to attend college and Quicksilver was turning out some great music with fantastic lyrics as well. They were what we called a "regional hit band" at the time. A couple of nice tracks of theirs were "Fresh Air" and "Who Do You Love". Take care...
That's the time and place I grew up. Seem QuinSilver ?? Times At the Fillmore, Winterland, G.G. Park. Dino Valenti (this singer) was awesome to watch and hear.. Good times, Yup, Better times??
Thanks very much for your request, JK! A fantastic choice…I can’t remember the last time I heard this song, but I’m thinking decades. This band has been forgotten by many, including myself. I knew, and loved, their music, but I couldn’t have come up with their name. Many thanks to Harri for your incisive reaction. You have an amazing ear for music!
Sadly under-exposed these days, this band was very well-known in their day. The whole scene at the time, labelled Psychedelic, was heavily infused with funky soul, but It took me decades to realise. The Happy Trails and Just for Love LPs I have are my faves.
I saw Quicksilver Messenger Service in concert in the summer of 1970, about 6 months before this album was released. They were generally a psychedelic band and this song is much more pop oriented than most of their music, I would say.
Hello Harri! Just want to let you know that I really appreciate your reactions a lot. You choose great music to review and do it with both head and heart. I was a 19 yr. old college student in Boulder, CO in 1970. Many of my generation demanded the right to be free to choose whether or not to join the military. Student anti-war protesters at Kent State U. in Ohio (have you heard 'Ohio' by CSNY?) were killed by the National Guard that year. J Edgar Hoover's FBI agents were crawling all over campuses and their cities planting illegal 'drugs' in order to justify arresting those who organized protests against the draft and the Vietnam War. Those were the rights young white men (and women) that were violated.
Some people make fun or ridicule some of us that live in rural America but at least we have fresh air and trees! No tall high rise buildings and paved parking lots! Big cities think a park in the city is better!
Thank you, Harri, for your splendid reaction and thoughts, especially about the parallels with Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield. Good catch! The smooth, soulful lead vocalist was Dino Valenti, who also helped out on guitar and percussion. Cheers, mate! P.S. Fantastic Live version ... ruclips.net/video/hOJk74QCGuw/видео.html
QMS could play quite different styles such a their hit cover of Who Do You Love on the album Happy Days. It's probably too long for any reaction video however. They were part of the generation of musicians who were challenging the existing establishment that promoted racial inequality, that had taken the country into the Vietnam War, and that resisted changes in general to make society more equitable.
Did they influence Marvin Gaye? Uh, no. The backstory of lyrics and the music behind What's Going on is well chronicled. Jazz influenced R&B ie Soul Jazz was well established before QMS. To think they pioneered it to the point they influenced Marvin Gaye is comical at best.
@JK_Clarke Huh? Did you listen to the video? If the question was only posted in the lighthearted thumbnail, then yeah. But shockingly, that question was posed seriously in the video. So either you didn't listen closely, or you have no idea what "rhetorical" means. It would be rhetorical if it's obvious the audience and the person who posed the question know the answer. His audience is comprised of people of varying ages and different understandings of music history. It would be illogical to assume the average listener has anything but a cursory knowledge of Marin Gaye or the evolution of soul jazz. Harry's own background in and lack of knowledge about American music is reasonable evidence that he's unfamiliar with it. As a member of his channel, you of all people should know this. So, nothing in his statement can logically qualify as rhetorical. Furthermore, It would be rhetorical if the question wasn't followed by an explanatory statement as to why the question was posed, i.e., his assertion that the background flute playing is reminiscent of Marvin Gaye. Your statement is proof of two things 1) You are misapplying "rhetorical" and 2) his statement was so outlandishly comical that you assumed it was rhetorical, thus you are in agreement with my initial comment. And disproportionate? To you maybe. But not to those who understand and have witnessed the impact of creditless cultural appropriation in American music.
@@Nclght ROFL!! Keep trying to convince yourself, mate! Seems you can dish it out but can't take it? Furthermore .. therefore ... ipso facto ... proof ... LOL!!
@@HarriBestReactions Based on biographies and documentaries and interviews, I know that the song, What's Going On, was inspired by Renaldo "Obie" Benson, a member of the Motown vocal group the Four Tops after he witnessed police brutality. I know that other songs on the album were inspired by Marvin's brother, Frankie, returning from Vietnam. Since both QMS and Marvin were living in the same time (as I also was), it's not surprising they were thinking about similar world problems.
@@324cmac Hi..I am a big Marvin Gaye fan as anyone can be😉.. I love the man.But a couple of things.Musicians or entertainers dont always tell the truth😀..Yea i know all about Marvin's brother and how the album was recorded and all the drama with Berry Gordy. But musically,there are some joints in Whats going on that sounds very much like this song.And it came out before Marvin's album. Its possible that both this album and his brother's revelations inspired him.But musicians and their egos will conveniently skip that part.😀 Its just a thought.But musically there are definite similiarities in the sound. When you have a minute,play Right on from Whats going on and then listen to What about me..So similar.. Cheers
There was a bicycle delivery service in SF that was called Quick silver messenger service also at that time. Always remember one hippy that rode a yellow bicycle in a brown workman outfit.
Part of the great San Francisco '60s flowering of progressive rock music -- Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Big Brother and The Holding Company with Janis Joplin - Quicksilver was underappreciated and unsung. Dino Valenti's vocals and songwriting, John Cipollina and Gary Duncan's twin guitar brilliance were huge live draws in the Bay Area, especially at The Fillmore. Valenti's drug busts punctuated his tenure with the band. He was on the cusp of "stardom" when both The Jefferson Airplane and The Youngbloods recorded his "Get Together." The Youngbloods' version reached the top of the charts in 1969. This happened unfortunately while he was in prison on the aforementionned drug bust. What About Me and Fresh Air, their two Top 40 hits, were recorded after his release from prison and a period of time when he tried to form another group called The Outlaws (plans did not come together). Quicksilver re-grouped with Dino and Gary Duncan back in the fold and they spent most of the '70s together. Still a legend in San Francisco rock music history. Thanks J.K. & Harri!
Thanks, as always, for providing us with the background info, John. I’m convinced that you and Mary B. were writers for Rolling Stone 😉✌🏼
What a great song!
Fantastic request. I had forgotten all about this band. Thanks Harri and JK Clark 🌸✌️
I did, too!
I remember when I heard this song back in 1970 and the line "Be prepared to be shot down", I thought they were referring to Dr. King and Robert Kennedy both in 1968.
And Kent State!
I saw them in the 60's
Sadly, the lyrics still apply today.
This song from the early 70s brings me back to that time when I was serving in the military. I felt that song was about everything that was wrong with the world. I see it differently now.
Quicksilver Messenger Service were huge Bo Diddley Fans who on their most Famous Record Happy Trails dedicated a whole Side to Bo Diddley Variation.
"FRESH AIR" THEIR BEST SONG!!! GREAT VOCALS!!!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
This is my favorite QMS song. Thanks for the reaction.
Their lead guitarman JOHN CIPOLINA was a master. And whammy bar expert.
Pride of man also great song with a message
listen to fresh air its great
Fresh Air live from Filmore the Last Days is my favorite version. Another favorite is their cover of Mona at Sonoma State.
I moved to California in 1971 to attend college and Quicksilver was turning out some great music with fantastic lyrics as well. They were what we called a "regional hit band" at the time. A couple of nice tracks of theirs were "Fresh Air" and "Who Do You Love". Take care...
That's the time and place I grew up.
Seem QuinSilver ?? Times At the Fillmore, Winterland, G.G. Park.
Dino Valenti (this singer) was awesome to watch and hear..
Good times, Yup, Better times??
A timeless song about the ways of mankind.
Saw them in SF late 60's. Great sound. Shady Grove album is righteous.
The Young Rascals sounded like this, too. Everyone dabbled in Soul back then.
This is a great song and I know it, but kind of forgot who did it. Thanks JK and Harri.
You’re playing my favorites again,
Thanks
Yesss. Quicksilver was a regular band in the San Francisco area. back then.
What memories.
Thanks very much for your request, JK! A fantastic choice…I can’t remember the last time I heard this song, but I’m thinking decades. This band has been forgotten by many, including myself. I knew, and loved, their music, but I couldn’t have come up with their name. Many thanks to Harri for your incisive reaction. You have an amazing ear for music!
Sadly under-exposed these days, this band was very well-known in their day. The whole scene at the time, labelled Psychedelic, was heavily infused with funky soul, but It took me decades to realise.
The Happy Trails and Just for Love LPs I have are my faves.
Love QMS. you must try Fresh Air. One of my fave
I saw Quicksilver Messenger Service in concert in the summer of 1970, about 6 months before this album was released. They were generally a psychedelic band and this song is much more pop oriented than most of their music, I would say.
This tune has always been one of my favorites. So I'm glad that you've reacted to it. You may be the first reactor I've encountered who has done so.
Hello Harri! Just want to let you know that I really appreciate your reactions a lot. You choose great music to review and do it with both head and heart. I was a 19 yr. old college student in Boulder, CO in 1970. Many of my generation demanded the right to be free to choose whether or not to join the military. Student anti-war protesters at Kent State U. in Ohio (have you heard 'Ohio' by CSNY?) were killed by the National Guard that year. J Edgar Hoover's FBI agents were crawling all over campuses and their cities planting illegal 'drugs' in order to justify arresting those who organized protests against the draft and the Vietnam War. Those were the rights young white men (and women) that were violated.
Great reaction thanks
Some people make fun or ridicule some of us that live in rural America but at least we have fresh air and trees! No tall high rise buildings and paved parking lots! Big cities think a park in the city is better!
I've heard of QMS but never heard their music. Good call, Harri.
Also try Fresh Air
Pride of Man, As well
Love this one. Richie Havens does a good version.
Thank you, Harri, for your splendid reaction and thoughts, especially about the parallels with Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield. Good catch! The smooth, soulful lead vocalist was Dino Valenti, who also helped out on guitar and percussion. Cheers, mate! P.S. Fantastic Live version ... ruclips.net/video/hOJk74QCGuw/видео.html
Thank you too!
QMS could play quite different styles such a their hit cover of Who Do You Love on the album Happy Days. It's probably too long for any reaction video however. They were part of the generation of musicians who were challenging the existing establishment that promoted racial inequality, that had taken the country into the Vietnam War, and that resisted changes in general to make society more equitable.
maybe they influenced Marvin Gay when he did What's goin' on. Or vice versa!
Did they influence Marvin Gaye? Uh, no. The backstory of lyrics and the music behind What's Going on is well chronicled. Jazz influenced R&B ie Soul Jazz was well established before QMS. To think they pioneered it to the point they influenced Marvin Gaye is comical at best.
Almost as comical as such a disproportionately serious answer to a light-hearted rhetorical question. ROFL.
@JK_Clarke Huh? Did you listen to the video? If the question was only posted in the lighthearted thumbnail, then yeah. But shockingly, that question was posed seriously in the video. So either you didn't listen closely, or you have no idea what "rhetorical" means.
It would be rhetorical if it's obvious the audience and the person who posed the question know the answer. His audience is comprised of people of varying ages and different understandings of music history. It would be illogical to assume the average listener has anything but a cursory knowledge of Marin Gaye or the evolution of soul jazz. Harry's own background in and lack of knowledge about American music is reasonable evidence that he's unfamiliar with it. As a member of his channel, you of all people should know this. So, nothing in his statement can logically qualify as rhetorical.
Furthermore, It would be rhetorical if the question wasn't followed by an explanatory statement as to why the question was posed, i.e., his assertion that the background flute playing is reminiscent of Marvin Gaye.
Your statement is proof of two things 1) You are misapplying "rhetorical" and 2) his statement was so outlandishly comical that you assumed it was rhetorical, thus you are in agreement with my initial comment.
And disproportionate? To you maybe. But not to those who understand and have witnessed the impact of creditless cultural appropriation in American music.
@@Nclght ROFL!! Keep trying to convince yourself, mate! Seems you can dish it out but can't take it? Furthermore .. therefore ... ipso facto ... proof ... LOL!!
No they didn't influence Marvin Gaye.
How are you so sure about this?😀
@@HarriBestReactions Based on biographies and documentaries and interviews, I know that the song, What's Going On, was inspired by Renaldo "Obie" Benson, a member of the Motown vocal group the Four Tops after he witnessed police brutality. I know that other songs on the album were inspired by Marvin's brother, Frankie, returning from Vietnam. Since both QMS and Marvin were living in the same time (as I also was), it's not surprising they were thinking about similar world problems.
@@324cmac Hi..I am a big Marvin Gaye fan as anyone can be😉.. I love the man.But a couple of things.Musicians or entertainers dont always tell the truth😀..Yea i know all about Marvin's brother and how the album was recorded and all the drama with Berry Gordy.
But musically,there are some joints in Whats going on that sounds very much like this song.And it came out before Marvin's album.
Its possible that both this album and his brother's revelations inspired him.But musicians and their egos will conveniently skip that part.😀
Its just a thought.But musically there are definite similiarities in the sound.
When you have a minute,play Right on from Whats going on and then listen to What about me..So similar..
Cheers
@@HarriBestReactions I certainly can't argue with your points about entertainers and no one had a bigger ego than Marvin.
@@324cmac Hahahahaha dont hurt my Uncle Marvin 🤣😂🤣