1980 Best 11 Live Performances HD

1 REO Speedwagon - Keep On Lovin' You
2 Eddie Rabbitt - Drivin' My Life Away 3:19
3 Syreeta & Billy Preston - With You I'm Born Again 6:37
4 Willie Nelson - Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain 10:38
5 Frankie Valli & The Commodores ft. Lionel Richie - Grease 13:22
6 Donna Summer Heaven Knows with Brooklyn Dreams 18:12
7 Ted Nugent - Wango Tango 21:36
8 Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show - When You're In Love With a Beautiful Woman 25:29
9 Christopher Cross - Sailing 28:55
10 Leo Sayer - When I Need You 33:21
11 Lily Tomlin Comedian 37:35
Part 1 of 2 The 11 most outstanding 1980 performances featured musical acts that performed live, which was unusual since most television appearances during the era showed performers lip-synching to prerecorded music. The American late-night musical variety NBC TV series was originally broadcast from NBC Studios in Burbank, CA during the 1970s and early 1980s.
1980 Part 2 More Live Performances features Robbie Dupree, The Brothers Johnson, Olivia Newton-John, America, Ambrosia, and The Bee Gees: • 1980 Part 2 Olivia New...

[@zurnie]

Sophomore in high school. Jan 1980 I switched to a private Christian HS due to my public school being full of bullying before it was a hot topic. This change involved driving an hour to school on Sun night then an hour back home on Fri. Radio blasted these tunes all the trip to and from. '71 New Yorker with an engine the size of most states. Floating down the road.

[@filteredwaters9171]

Well written story, dude

[@audreyann1975]

That's awesome! 1980 was a great year. Wish I was there. I was only 4 in January of 1980. I remember all these songs though from my dad's big boat of a car.

[@carolleslie517]

I'm the same age, sophomore in 1980, and being 16 was a great time, wonderful music....listening to KSHE 95 in St. Louis!!!

[@andyroid5028]

So, you boarded (slept overnight) at the school all week?

[@zurnie]

@@andyroid5028 Dorms. We had students from all across the country

[@plantfeeder6677]

People talk about underated guitar players but Christopher Cross has to be at the top of the list of unhearlded guitar players. Sailing is just a taste what this guy can do on a guitar. An absolute shredder!

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

Billy Preston and Syreeta. Beautiful

[@mikeschumacher9715]

Gary Richrath was a phenomenal guitar player. RIP brother.

[@magicbulletdancers]

truth

[@rayflanagan9970]

One of the best.

[@bill38804]

Kevin .Band I have an ideal for a Great Love Song. Gary. Let me grab my guitar and tighten the stings up. History made..

[@drfreud65]

And the girls thought he was good looking too. Yes, he was VERY good at talking with his guitar! RIP

[@bradbroemmer9106]

Franki Valli with the Commodores. It don't get no better than that. I know it's been said many times. But we were blessed with awesome music in the 70's and 80's.

[@joycepiantes8383]

I got to see Eddie Rabbit not long before he passed away. He was so great. RIP

[@romanm9718]

Gary Richrath just knocking it out on keep on loving you. Man he was a one man show.

[@cl5619]

Yes, but something is wrong with Gary’s tone and volume in this performance. It’s muted and weak. Gary Richrath style relied on a lot of resonance to deliver those killer leads.

[@davidziemann9653]

@@cl5619 I just watched and it's like he was told to stay behind the piano so Cronin was the focal point.

[@lsw444]

Was it actually live? You can tell the commodores sound is live, but REO sounds a bit like TOTP/Whistle Test when just vocals were live. The guitar did sound really like the studio track, but I’m mot an expert on them

[@cpace4031]

1980 I was 16..I loved this music!

[@robertjohnston8690]

1964 the year of the Dragon!

[@skeeterbodeen8326]

1980 I was 15; My grandma loved music; and she would let me stay up late on "Friday ?" nights to watch this... Thx to her I love ALL music...

[@prettygirlus9008]

Seems like yesterday. Class of '80

[@cpace4031]

@@prettygirlus9008 I was class of 82

[@kimdawcatgirl]

Me too! 1/18/64! Class of 82 as well!

[@pauldevore1113]

REO SPEEDWAGON one of the greatest bands ever

[@wind-inmy-face7949]

I was a freshman in HS and this brings back such great great memories!

[@spacewxranger]

Watching Frankie Valli and Lionel Richie with The Commodores singing Grease was the ultimate cool!!!

[@daveduffy2823]

The Commodores and Frankie Valli really capture that era. Live music was the best then.

[@PinkyakaAyannaj]

I love this performance 😊

[@steve1962]

Christopher Cross......fabulous voice and very accomplished guitarist too!!

[@filteredwaters9171]

I've heard he has/ had severe stage fright

[@pgo301]

@@filteredwaters9171 I'm guessing he's wearing Earl Campbell's jersey to give him great courage, both greats now.

[@flipnap2112]

I remember hearing this song on the radio when I was 9 waiting in the car when my mom was shopping. I remember crying and not knowing why.

[@sneakerfreak2002]

@@filteredwaters9171 you wouldn’t know it today because he’s quite the entertaining story teller

[@JoeKentMagic]

REO really was a great Band 👍🏼

[@jdsalinger73]

Took my girlfriend to see them at a county fair in the early 90's, thinking it would be "romantic". Nah, they rocked HARD! So much fun.

[@jdsalinger73]

There was a mosh pit....for REO!

[@takethenextturn8775]

Christopher Cross way ahead of his time and unparalleled song. Just always awestruck.

[@SuperWhatthehuh]

Billy Preston and Syreeta are fantastic!

[@Scalihoo]

Forgot how great voice Chris Cross was , he was the number 1 new star of 1980..great artist still with us

[@phoenixjim0527]

Yep! Excellent, under appreciated guitarist too

[@mechanic6682]

He had a great solo in Ride Like The Wind. A double neck guitar for Sailing seems like a bit of ovetkill.

[@robbpowell194]

Likewise

[@mr.patrickaloysiusbartholo4727]

@@mechanic6682 😅😅😅😅

[@plantfeeder6677]

@@phoenixjim0527 certainly the most unheralded.

[@billyboyer]

People don't know it but Christopher Cross is a freaking killer guitar player.

[@mr.patrickaloysiusbartholo4727]

He’s got the hair metal guitar to prove it.

[@timmy707707]

I saw him with an offshoot of Ringo's All Starr band, "A walk down Abbey Road" in 2002 which featured Todd Rundgren, Alan Parsons, Jack Buce, Mark Farner and Christopher Cross. I was blown away...here I thought that Rundgren would handle most of the solo stuff and Cross would strum an acoustic...not so...Cross was doing the guitars on White Room and many of the other tunes and I was completely shocked. I had to change my mind about him on the spot.

[@carlsaganlives5112]

Gilbert O'Sullivan, too. Pat Boone? No.

[@williamdrijver4141]

Fantastic funky version of " Grease", Commodores and Frankie Valli, a natural fit!

[@paulclifton5532]

MY 1ST WIFE AND I SAW THEM IN 81 GREAT CONCERT, REO HAS NEVER BEEN THE SAME WITHOUT GARY RICHRATH AND DRUMMER ALAN .

[@SilentKnight43]

Christopher Cross's voice is so magical - yet he doesn't look like his voice.

[@BarneyRq1d]

Donna Summer had such a great voice. RIP.

[@danstone8783]

Very beautiful too

[@vSpirit2]

Wonderful travel back in the day. Wish we had tv shows like this today.

[@tb0yp]

You mean… you wish we had musicians like this today that can actually… wait for it… play

[@ew332]

Theres nothing to put on it if you did

[@1958seeker]

You could actually understand what was being sung

[@JohnDoe-wy7py]

What about "The Masked Singer" 🤪

[@BIZARBIES]

@@tb0yp there are lots... tons.. a plethora of amazing musicians and bands that play real music with real instruments, but you'll never see them on a show or promoted or heard on radio.

[@lindahammer7372]

Heartwarming and heartbreaking watching Eddie Rabbitt…..He always put on a great show.

[@marcwalker9610]

I was 18, perfect age, perfect music that reaches deep down into the heart and soul. Where's my time machine 🤔

[@magic2506]

Yes! Spot on!

[@davidterry919]

Eddie Rabbit was and is still a country legend . Also Willie Nelson is a true guitar hero regardless if it's country ,rock,blues or whatever he can play it .

[@darrellstaples7011]

What a performance Awesome, Leo sayer

[@samanthab1923]

The the Grease combo ❤️

[@PinkyakaAyannaj]

I know I've committed so much but every time I watch this I see something new. Donna Summer and Brooklyn Dreams has got to be the sexiest performance ever....Classy with wonderful vocals. Those tight pants swinging while Donna is jamming the heck out of her hips totally covered is just amazing 😊

[@corinnechevreux9304]

Such a great year 1980! I was 17, brings back great memories 😉

[@richardmorehouse9369]

It was a great year, I was 16 years old.

[@jonwalker5050]

I too was 17 in 1980 my last year of school, 60 now, the soundtrack of our lives, its been a great musical journey and how time has gone past so dam fast, to all the artists thanks for the great music and the great memories

[@longduckdong0069]

how wonderful it is, to see comments from people my own age. i remember watching these Midnight Specials back then. we should all get together and have a reunion and listen to all this great music from back then. lol 😊😊 have a great day everyone

[@josecarranza9430]

What an amazing time for music!!!!

[@TPaine1776]

Same here 17 in 1980. Joined the Navy :)

[@123Goldhunter11]

RIP Gary Richrath. King of the power ballads.

[@Ursaminor31]

When talent was appreciated and supported. It shall return.

[@BitwiseMobile]

I remember sitting up late at night when I was about 11 or 12, and this show would come on in what seemed the wee hours. So many fond memories of these performances.

[@1Keef]

These tv shows are amazing time capsules of what we were listening at that time, how we dressed and how we looked. Fantastic video and surprisingly great audio as well. Thanks for posting them to remind us! Cheers👍👍

[@DS-oi4wl]

Yeah...and I watch them so closely. REO sounds fabulous...

[@1Keef]

......and no autotune

[@CalVid]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MarioSalimon]

Indeed. This is of huge anthropological value.

[@masmas6463]

@@DS-oi4wl me too - I watch them second by second - fabulous !! so clean in sight and sound ..

[@yesorlando05]

I was a sophomore in high school just outside of Charlotte in 1980 when this video was made. Saw REO with a girlfriend at Carowinds Theme Park Amphitheater in September 1981. Incredibly great memories and a wonderful time to be alive.

[@hashiyujjicpok2951]

I'm so happy to see these singers during their younger years. The next-next generation will see them as well.Thank you for preserving videos like this. Nakakatuwa ! Nakakagaan sa pakiramdam ( floating feeling)

[@leokimvideo]

Frankie Valli, incredible billion dollar voice. Notice Willie's old guitar looks fairly young here Vs now.

[@ageingviking5587]

I noticed that Willie and his strings looked alot younger. God Bless Willie!

[@doedoejean1197]

I can remember when Willie was clean shaven and wore a suit when he sang. Still sounds good.

[@peterbetts858]

Trigger

[@kennyo6582]

it's a 1911 Martin....that guitar means the world to him.

[@barrygibson3253]

Same harmonica player…

[@ernestosheriff2787]

A superb Eddie Rabbitt, spectacular Frankie Valli, beautiful Donna, I can't believe all this music in one single year.

[@CalVid]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@True_Christian]

None of the other performances are anywhere near as good as REO Speedwagon.

[@AlHuerta]

The beauty of every tune in this entire video is every song was performed live, live vocals, live band, live people. Thank you! ❤

[@peterbetts858]

thank you for bringing up that point . This is 1980 ,right before the synthesizer entered the picture to be used as substitutes for horn players , gitar n bass players. Autotune ,for vocals was long to follow . Guitar players got away from the rock sound and leaned toward the more background pop n disco sound . or went the way of the speed metal heads . this is the point where ,1980 , where music started the downhill slide ,getting away from the live bands where the musicians were actually competent . and the Vocalists could actually sing , not just scream or talk . All the things that were worked on so hard in the 1970 s . { Beatles ,CSNY ,P Floyd , Doors ,Allmans } Till we got to the point that were at now , well have you listened to modern music on a radio lately . and as i said in an earlier comment 75 % of the music of late is lame , so dont come back with ya things on the radio are bad ,, you have to look in other places for the great stuff , i leave 25 % of the new as pretty damn good music or at least better than the rest .

[@tomkatf]

Holy Crap! Bobby Keys playing the sax solo for Leo Sayer!

[@eightinches3671]

That's who I thought it was. I think you're the only other person that noticed it besides me.

[@yabbadabbadoo8225]

Pretty happy to have lived thru the best era in music history From the 20's to the 2000's Tech made available sounds never possible before The Classical greats at home, rock bands at home, ballards at home. Blessed beyond.

[@SuperDrJeckyl]

So great to see the legend Donna Summer. One of those guys she married and produced a very beautiful daughter.

[@sharonkutz8272]

Brings back such good memories 😌😩☺💓thank you 😊💓

[@moosefactorymullet]

I missed all this because I listened to punk rock. Thank god!

[@broheme8922]

Syreeta's voice! OMG!!!

[@leroydubois8794]

Even the rock stars of 40 years ago seemed so clean and decent! And actually sang songs that had a melody you could remember. What a great time it was. Such innocence.

[@mazs1123]

Yea, there were no drugs or hotel destructons, Whoops.

[@stacybrewer9272]

Four decades of the best music and talent in a much freer time. Really miss those days. Today's bubble gum just don't satisfy my soul like this does.

[@edwinrodeo]

Was 20 years old,.. this brings back memories ❤😊

[@hashiyujjicpok2951]

Great singers during their younger years.... Reo Speedwagon, Lionel Richie, Donna Summer, Christopher Cross and Leo Sayer. I love them all ! Great music !

[@jerryturner3997]

70s & Early 80s 👌

[@garyloew6482]

Wow, awesome artist variety. Thanks for sharing.

[@CalVid]

You bet

[@esthergarcia1373]

Grease is the word..Carnival scene of Grease movie filmed at John Marshall High School. Nice duet by Frankie V. & Lionel R. Keep it coming..❤️🙏🏻

[@CalVid]

Yes! Thank you!

[@fredselbman3319]

I loved watching the Midnight Special, I’m glad you posted this one, because I was stationed on Okinawa that year and missed these ! ✌️😁🇺🇸

[@Acemechanicalservices]

Kadena?

[@MrSmiley1964]

I had REO hair back in 1980 sigh Now I'm as bald as a bowling ball. The things we take for granted when we are young. Like that trick I could do where I could hold a towel without using my hands.

[@sandypeppers6861]

Leo Sayer- When I need I love- I need this always.

[@SteveOuimette]

Christopher Cross has got a bit of an Andy Dwyer thing happening there. Great song, great voice, great guitar playing!

[@lamsantos]

Really Great !!!!!!!! Thanks !!!!!!!!! Put more on You Tube. - Luiz Montenegro - Brazil.

[@CalVid]

Thank you, I will

[@mikepower9404]

I like nostalgia, it cradles me and tells me times are good... and this floods me emotionally of my 13 year old self..

[@marathonfortruth4768]

I think this was the year I seriously got into jazz. Alternative to insipid pop. I was 22. Very memorable time.

[@jrussellcase]

Lionel was channeling his inner "James Brown" here. 😄

[@tmws1]

Donn❤a Summer. There is nobody in pop music today who can even come close. RIP..

[@PinkyakaAyannaj]

She was breathtaking

[@jbob2331]

Here in the uk watching some classics

[@blakkat4126]

Even though they were successful when he joined the band, Kevin Cronin turned REO Speedwagon, a true rock band, into a teenybop act.

[@shalalalalee]

Some love for Dr Hook Love these guys

[@cathyn3477]

Awesome song

[@patrickvanrinsvelt4466]

Watch Billy Preston when he joined the Beatles in the Get Back documentary. Just a sublime talent for joining in during those sessions. Amazing watching music being born.

[@mv9787]

Best musical era on tv

[@lorriemcgee5562]

The first rock band I saw, they opened for ZZ in the summer of 80 in Tucson.😊

[@jackiewallace6475]

Uncle Ted killing it!

[@hollymartins6913]

The immortal Bobby Keys playing with Leo Sayer was a wonderful surprise. The alto player on the Stones funkiest grooves. R.I.P.🎷

[@skolvikings5263]

Great, now Sailing will be in my head for weeks!!

[@chasugc3740]

The best era ever. Great dancin' music.

[@andyroid5028]

*I'm so glad they weren't lip-synching!* 👍🎸🎵

[@skywave4496]

Leo Sayer, who competes with singing skills rather than accompaniment wow!

[@chopkong]

The best part is Christopher Cross repping the Houston Oilers wearing an Earl Campbell jersey...LOLOLOL

[@rodmitchell831]

Thanks so much for putting all these videos up for us

[@iaminbetweendays]

Whenever I watch Billy Preston I think of valuable to the Let it Be album.

[@superorangeish]

...and the concert for Bangladesh...great performance

[@BIZARBIES]

His performance for the Concert for George was amazing too. It's sad to think that he suffered from his identity and drugs and was miserable a lot of the time.

[@pgo301]

Another great year in our music history. REO, Comms. Cross Summer, and Nuge going ballistic galactic , but Preston is a favorite of mine and you could pair him up with anyone and they'll look great because of his legendary experience (especially the Stones for me). Syreeta has something going here, but whatever happened to her?

[@howardprincz9372]

Absolutely great music. Premiere talent!

[@johnsakowicz383]

1980. The year my precious twins, Marithea and Vanessa, were born.

[@carlahubbs8833]

The song puts people in the mood the love and embracing and kissing on each other and loving on each other

[@pacomontoya4663]

Mega wow!

[@greggsk]

Saw them a couple times in the seventies in l a very solid

[@U240robert]

When I was a young teen I didn't appreciate a song like "Blue Eyes Cryin'" now I love its simplicity . I never could get into Ted Nugget, maybe a couple of songs but I thought he was very over-rated. It's nice to see Christopher Cross- for someone with hits as big as he had it seems he's been forgotten. Loved "Arthurs Theme"

[@garyc39]

REO was the first concert I ever went to

[@Kgio-2112]

The true musicians play great live

[@edwardonsax9919]

Lili Tomlin was such a class act. She actually was able to say "Just a second" every time the crowd started getting loud"

[@robertbowles5156]

Kevin Cronin turned a great rock n roll band into a pop rock band. Gary Richrath kept them edgy. He was the most underrated guitar player in the seventies, never got the recognition he deserved. Would have if they stayed harder rock

[@yeshua6247]

HAPPY 138th BIRTHDAY WILLIE! 🎂MANY MORE TO COME! MARY & MOONSHINE WILL DO THAT TO YOU.

[@mr.patrickaloysiusbartholo4727]

This was MTV before MTV. I wish they would bring this back today on say Peacock. I’d like to catch up on today’s music with a show like this as I’m not listening to the radio as much these days. Plus MTV no longer has music on it.

[@magic2506]

Back then when groups had the balls to play live without lip sync autotune vocal tracks

[@crapple009]

As well as tattoos (for the most part).

[@Beachgirl1]

Back then, the artists possessed genuine talent. No auto tune necessary. I was nine years old in 1980. Considering the condition of today’s world, I desperately want to go back to the 80’s.

[@peterjwilson]

Dr Hook, what fun they had

[@eyeoftheleopardleopard8829]

Just a dream and the wind to carry me; soon I will be free… 🎶

[@canalrememorando6648]

Opaaa!! Essa primeira é tooopp 🎹🎸👏👏👏

[@joshdavis6378]

Earl Campbell jersey sighting. Didn't have that on my bingo card.

[@GratefulDoc]

Never knew Howard Stern had such a great voice.....or was a member of REO Speedwagon.

[@OttoByOgraffey]

Billy Preston, the sixth Beatle.

[@rsands9]

In the photo I thought it was Howard Stern!

[@djrychlak4443]

Howard Stern's earlier years were arguably his best...comedy and rock music. Can't beat a talented guy. Fartman singing 'Keep On Loving You. That's timeless.