Allen Ginsberg and Paul McCartney playing "A Ballad of American Skeletons"

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'A Ballad of American Skeletons' was performed by Allen Ginsberg and Paul McCartney for an evening of poetry and performance at The Royal Albert Hall promoted by Goldmark entitled 'The Return of the Reforgotten' in 1995.
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[@memoriamillenial]

The Beat and the Beatle.

[@broadwater9222]

Hexactly! ;-)

[@bertadecabanyestorras6702]

me & Miguel

[@gdaig203]

This may be my favorite McCartney performance. He usually so guarded but you can see the real artist here.

[@Goldmarkart]

We agree!

[@jacobjinglehymer8789]

Better than Hey Jude?😮

[@TheTokenBrit1986]

Not only is this a fantastic performance with two legends. Paul couldn't have picked a better guitar out of his collection to play either! Love it!

It's his favourite!

[@DanielMarkMellor]

I have never adored a moment of history so passionately.

[@lolgrant]

I was there near the front and just spotted myself very briefly at the end. A night never forgotten.

[@Goldmarkart]

Thats' fantastic

[@dougshaw6050]

I love how they cue each other

[@jrbmgarner]

"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness . . . "

[@runenorheim1125]

That is 'Howl"

[@ClaudioDirani]

There's a little mistake on the video credits. It's actually Royal Albert Hall 1995. --- On 16th October 1995 Paul joined legendary poet Allen Ginsberg on stage at the Royal Albert Hall, the two of them collaborating on a version of Ginsberg's poem Ballad Of The Skeletons. A year later, Paul recorded a version of the poem in the studio with Ginsberg, the CD version of which is now a collector's item.

[@lolgrant]

I was thinking that they had got the date wrong too as I went to see it after just having moved to London for the first time in 1995.

[@peterfortunatoauthorartist1054]

Recorded almost thirty years ago, and I don't hear a line that's out of date. Sixty years ago, Allen was similarly calling attention to what Dylan would later call the "idiot wind" that blows and blows against ordinary, decent people. It's why poets have to keep talking back to it. RIP Allen Ginsberg, American bard.

[@Goldmarkart]

Well said!

[@carlbaumeister3439]

Take away the poem and I'd've still enjoyed it. I wish Paul would play this style more often, because he rocks it!

[@geo3573]

At 79 and nearing death, I try to explain life to my 40 year old Senior old son? I do love him.

[@Poetry-cigarettes-coffee]

This is one of the most wonderful things I've ever seen. Thank you internet and god bless all you amazing people who upload stuff. Gives me faith in humanity.

[@Goldmarkart]

Many thanks for your kind words

[@fredsaez5354]

I have always wondered what a Paul McCartney / Patti Smith collaboration would be like.

[@MrJonnyd7606]

Something like this. Patti Smith Within You Without You kzbin.info/www/bejne/raOmnGiQjNlml5o

[@gregorallnight371]

This is so great,the reading of a poem with much meaning and thought about the injustices that have gone on and are still going on by uncaring greedy earth polluting and plundering companies and the lying, cowardly bought off politicians that have let it go on and on... and that is some great guitar by a very talented natural born musician,singer & composer that can go places....cheers & thanks for posting..it is a great work of art

[@ulpana]

Allen took great delight in playing with young talented boys who were going places...Few if any have complained...Except for Allen also taking great delight in droning on all night far from any recognizable pitch or tune with or without his harmonium, um, if ya know what I mean...Paul shouldn't be discouraged, he'll make it to the big stages. Like Allen, Paul's also got a knack for dodging the really nasty risk factors! Good faith can take one to many worthy humane ends...ba ding

[@carol00210]

well this is legendary.

[@dabreu]

Oh My God. this is just fantastic! Just today I discovered Beatles in is fact Les Beat! Got it? The Beat generation. Now I find this...only to confirm. I am in heaven! Look at Paul's expression of adoration.

[@dismith73]

Irwin Allen Ginsberg June 3, 1926 - April 5, 1997 Holy the supernatural extra brilliant intelligent kindness of the soul!

[@jerroldcohen3988]

I think the best music comes from collaboration. This is a wonderful example with pioneers of poetry and music. Ginsberg shows his unique sense of humor, and this is proof of McCartney's guitar chops.

[@julioestrada3111]

Some people (Paul) you can tell they've been playing guitar for so long. Not the most technically careful or anything, but plays so naturally and authentically it would be pointless to try and replicate

[@jc6594]

Today Commemorates Allen Ginsberg's 90th Birthday~

[@DrUndies]

Hadda be playing on the jukebox (Flashing like the daily double)

[@clausnielsen717]

The best guitar I've ever heard Paul McCartney play

[@tahsinsabah833]

This man was a hero.

[@oweble]

thé énergies were just right between them i Can feel .

[@FrankSouth]

Profound, inspiring, and flat out hilarious.

[@flaviuscountry]

Paul, you are the only billionaire who deserves every damn penny.

[@marcomoreiradasilva7294]

best thing I read about a billionaire.

[@DadsWatchingYouTube]

Sadly there are no billionaires who deserve every penny. I know thats not what your literally getting at. But I just feel the need to call everyone to actually take a second to realize how much a billion dollars is, and then how there are individuals with tens of billions and approaching a hundred billion dollars. If you spent 100 dollars every hour shopping, you would be shopping for 416,666,666 days with no breaks for sleep or walking or eating (youd have to literally just be sitting at the screen buying things), or 801,282 years with every single second accounted for. Considering that a huge majority of people on earth never even own 100 US dollars, its an astronomical figure. If someone with a billion dollars put it in a bank account that only pays 1% you would make 10 million dollars a year for doing nothing. And thats without compounding. Put that into stocks and its even more ridiculous. Now if only we could... tax this?

[@scottbirkinshaw2009]

I'm glad we have people like you to decide who deserves what.

[@flaviuscountry]

Gee, thanks for your positive response to a comment that is nearly a decade old. And yeah, I'm allowed an opinion, you prick. Who would you say deserves money more than Paul? Trump? If I had to guess what color hat you have in your closet, I'd guess red.

[@fernandoreynaaguilar1438]

@@scottbirkinshaw2009 yep. Socialist detected.

[@KlausSgroi]

The fact the Epiphone is a bit out of tune just makes this more "beat generation" and countercultural hahaha

[@JoaoCarlos-dt3ug]

The master of melody

[@BrucePGrether]

This is a genuine total gem of culture, history, shared humanity!!! - BPG

[@runenorheim1125]

This song have been with me nearly from the release. Love this poem.

[@flaviuscountry]

Why havent i seen this before? Hoooooooowwwwwwwlllll!

[@lightbox617]

I was in school and working. I missed this because I was foolishly distracts by trying to stay fed and sheltered.

[@robertavila3328]

I've heard alot about this but never seen it, thx !

[@user-yz9kz6vt9y]

This is so great! I can hardly believe it exists!

[@louiso.4325]

Ginsberg actually has a poem about the Beatles when he attended their 1965 gig at the Portland Colosseum

[@dabreu]

Where can I see it?

[@JuanManuel-sc9tm]

Extraordinarios

[@drewwalker9762]

Great poem! And it's still relevant. What fantastic guitar playing, and all ad-libbed! Thanks for this.

[@AK4TsEv3N]

Oh fuck, YES! I feel fucking awesome that I found this.

[@colinellesmere]

America. Are you listening? More relevant than ever today.

[@user-ws7px5tr3e]

Аллен,Пол , вам нет равных и никогда не будет! Мир вам и любовь!

[@kfitterly]

Beautiful song and guitar.

[@seanoleary1979]

Incredible....

[@MegaLaurabailey]

True Troubadours!!!

[@kevinSwensonMusic]

Great video. I had never seen this before! Had the CD for years. This has a very different vibe than the recorded version. Thanks for the upload.

[@amangadpale9284]

Both vibing

[@keegan343]

Gotta love Ginsberg. Throws himself at everything without the least bit of self consciousness.. This seemed awkward in parts but the spirit of the two to invent and take a risk shone though into a really good performance. All power to Ginsberg and McCartney.

[@Goldmarkart]

Thanks for writing

[@barefootfrolick]

this is so good, Paul needs (needed) to do more music like this x

[@Thresher042]

This is glorious, thanks for the upload.

[@lennytrupin8075]

Would you give me a cup of coffee Rog?

[@leighfoulkes7297]

Ginsberg + McCartney = Bob Dylan.

[@edlispartiesgatherings7163]

+Leigh Foulkes facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.656328474405688

[@royarzunf]

What a smart comment, absolutely right on.

[@jackstrawfromwichita6168]

More like Ginsberg + Guthrie

[@BilisNegra]

Have you listened to "Vomit Express"?

[@ayr1225]

Leigh Foulkes wow. Sounds like a sold soul to me.

[@iaindrennan3552]

Wow how amazing was this !

[@gordonmacdonald8660]

love it!

[@midianpoet]

Fantastic !

[@Goldmarkart]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@reneekad]

For Paul

[@thestarwarshub-gamingandmo68]

The most interesting

[@vanderleiinocente3947]

Uma reliquia q eu não tinha visto ! Beat generation ( walker, Brasilia Brazil )

[@grumylynn]

timeless

[@mduffy5453]

Ginsberg. McCartney. Poetry. Blues. Where's my spliff....

[@noomah4790]

Yes!

[@vincentc3475]

Allen please beat me !!!

[@om3074]

Simply awesome 😎

[@Goldmarkart]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@JaCeeMusic]

Luv!

[@beldengi]

about a dozen verses added here. Loved the original.

[@Goatchild90]

This is so boss!

[@ivana_playsjumpropeinyouryard]

Ohhhh yea

[@rilliencot1688]

Is anybody else hearing Mccartney riff off of the melody from "Under the Sea?"

[@adriengomez2825]

Awesome! 🎸🎤

[@Leatheryed1]

Surprised that Paul didn't use a left handed guitar. It's one thing replacing the nut with a left handed, but when the jack socket and controls are in the way of your forearm it doesn't seem worth it? It doesn't look as if he is playing right handed chords either?

[@lelopez86]

Paul's had that guitar since 1964. It was originally a right handed guitar, but he had it modified so that he can play it.

[@ophiliac4536]

this is just the greatest thing to have existed???????????

[@excelsior999]

This "poem" was recited by The Poet Skeleton.

[@dr.buzzvonjellar8862]

Paul’s got his Epiphone!

[@JohnnyMagiaRocks]

bello

[@juveniledavidi1183]

get SIR Paul McCartney on the JRE to spill out some golden stories please

[@RickVaughn]

+Elvis McCartney look up McCartney doing "Sing The Changes"

[@edwardschroeder599]

Rick Vaughn 1111111111111111111a

[@flaviuscountry]

Love ya Allen

[@timholt9948]

First time I've saw this

[@merlinale]

Thanks a lot, because I lost so many seldom videos.

[@99juxta]

Ginsberg is a king' mccartny hardly chargesthis.. Longlivepoetry

[@msaintpc]

Met Ginz at the Hitchcock estate in 1965.

[@user-lh8mo3cq9j]

竟有种莫名的感动

[@ThomasDeLello]

What does the NAMbLA Skeleton have to say...?

[@seensaki8501]

Why i didn't find you sooner?!!!

[@coineye]

I`m Loving This Man. He is still here. Profit of american Poem. I Will never took him Yellow Rose. Couse from his grave. He`s still here whit US.

[@biancapickett2157]

very good - mcartney surprisingly so

[@davidryan1295]

Performing with an outspoken member of NAMBLA. Way to go Sir Paul!

[@naniwanoedokko]

Real punk

[@syleriam]

The Skelton Me llike this and the one made of Flesh too what a coincidence...Allen: Nice people that America used to have.

[@mgreen733]

I’d watch 8 mins of Paul jamming out anyway

[@medicabdullah9789]

What was the date of this performance?

[@johncantatore7986]

Tell us of the NAMBLA skeleton

[@gemmaskate]

Anyone know the basic chords to this?

[@JoshGillMusic]

Gemma Pettersen E, A and B. Then it transposes up to G, C and D

[@kahlodiego5299]

👍

[@leecoulson4224]

Did Paul play on the recording too?

[@user-yz9kz6vt9y]

Yes, he did.

[@emilygrim2973]

"True Statements"

[@SaleemPernath]

sat. 06-09-18 1355 new horizon cc, hempstead, ny !:-D> hvor er mary lamy her nu hermits? stoet denne kanal?

[@remorufer5754]

beat beat beat BEAT BEAT FUCKIN BEAT

[@diggarem81]

Ginzberg succeeded in appearing on several television programs broadcast throughout the country, where he extolled the dignity of LSD and marijuana under the guise of "new ideas" and "new culture" developing in the world of art and music. Not giving in to the electronic media, fans of Ginsberg wrote fervent articles about "this bright man" in columns on the art and secular life of all the largest newspapers and magazines in America. Never before in the history of newspapers, radio and television has there been such a broadcast advertising campaign, on which its inspirers from the "Conspiracy of Aquarius", NATO and the "Club of Rome" did not spend a penny. It was absolutely free advertising LSD, only slightly disguised as "art" and "culture

[@jackstrawfromwichita6168]

As he rightly should have. Our society would be a lot better off if we were more accepting of LSD and Cannabis as opposed to nicotine and alcohol.

[@rossshand4385]

@@jackstrawfromwichita6168 or have none of them

[@user-yz9kz6vt9y]

@@rossshand4385 Or have all of them

[@insight8881]

Did Allen invite Sir Paul to a Nambla meeting afterwards?

[@CalvinAndHobbs]

this exists

[@mikedeveau7075]

Who’s that guy up there with Allen Ginsberg?

[@TheSpock23]

Captain Kangaroo

[@wiretamer5710]

In the long run...

[@mercop1472]

Happy he mentioned gnosticism