Be Bop Deluxe Ships In The Night

[@daveberry2177]

im going on 63 now, i used to love this back in the 70s, playing it on fedility record player, id leave the are over so it played again, anyone out there still loving this track

[@GregorLinch]

Sheer brilliant music. Yorkshires best band and so much style

[@dzyanist]

My God !! , Where do ya begin ? arguably THE most underrated guitarist/composer/songwriter . . , when this man plays he gives voice to the angels , and I dont just hand out bouquets , (I am a musician . . ), but , honest to god , he brings tears to my eyes . . .and he's genuine as well . .go figure . .

[@daveberry2177]

im still listening to it in my 60s lol, 😛

[@robbeau26]

Tried to see Be-Bop on US tour in 77, sat through atrocious warm-up act. An hour later, MC announced that the show was cancelled! Fast-forward 27 years. London, 2004. I flew there, front row-center, Bill rocked! He chatted politely for 15 minutes or so afterward, signed my programs, laughed when i told him how long I'd waited to hear "Maid in Heaven" live. Legendary!

[@neilryan4166]

What a great story. Glad you got to see the band.

[@kevinwalker1900]

Like my cancelled Paul Weller show but still waiting to see him.

[@ianheath1737]

As a young rocker back in 74 (just about to leave school) a great mate played “axe victim “ to me on the second or third play I was hooked! Who was this guy so lively so fresh and so utterly brilliant! That summer be bop the original played a venue some 12 miles away called the black swan or as it was more popularly know “ the mucky duck “ what a night be bop ran through the best part of all of axe victim plus a few tracks we didn’t know! After that night all I played for months was “axe “ until “ futurama was released again met with a fantastic enthusiasm and the feeling that Bill was just getting started! The summer of 75 was spent hitchhiking round the country to see our hero’s - Newark, Huddersfield Ivanhoe, Wakefield ( we had to go there , Rob Bryan’s band “ rudi and the zips?” We’re on the same bill !) and most memorable Bradford university where we arrived with copies of “ northern dream “ and posters of futurama , obtained from “”the Wakefield record bar the morning before! We arrived early , before the band ! but we were allowed into the hall for a spot of lunch , then to our amazement the roadies started to un pack gear and setting it up , as we watched on , asking stupid questions and trying to get any sort of info out of the roadies Bill and Charlie appeared ! Nudging each other nervously but over excitedly , we eventually plucked up the courage to ask for Bills autograph which to our amazement he agreed and signed both our copies of ND and the single “Teenage archangel “! Bill and Charlie both signed our posters shared a beer with us we were only 17 but managed to get served, for the record Bill had a half of larger & lime ! Starstruck or what ? After that we saw the bad countless more times at various locations but mostly Sheffield city hall , but 1 gig sits in my mind Jan 76 Alexandra palace London! It was an all day concert in what is now the home of the world darts championship! I last saw Bill at the struggling lead mill Sheffield as bill nelson and the lost satellites! Nothing compares to 75 though , looking through melody maker to see when and where be bop were playing and could we possibly go ! Thanks Bill and All the boys for being a big part of my musical life ! Hopefully this account might stir some great memories in other Bill fans ! Thanks for reading 👍🏻🎸

[@michaelknapp2750]

Was that show at the Palace in Waterbury CT? No Be Bop, but I did buy a shirt. Never got to see them.

[@shaunhutchison4049]

Great story @robbeau26! Yours too @ianheath1737. I was only 6 in 1975 and discovered Be Bop in the 80's but, I played a gig at the Mucky Duck in the 90's and was really chuffed to be on the stage Bill and the lads once graced!

[@twentyone6]

First concert I ever saw, Newcastle City Hall 1977. Great except one of their neon tubes was out which was annoying!

[@farhadfirouzi44]

Song writing wise; they were 20 years ahead of their time... A band out of Yorkshire, so underrated and so unknown in world of Rock and protopunk. Amazing performers, Bill Nelson still is an amazing guitar player.

[@garydavis8911]

An all round song that has everything great lyrics great tune great everything. guitar solo and keyboard solo amazing end of..

[@susie360]

Brilliant, I always loved this album, loved the 70's, the clothes, the music, the everything....

[@timbraman2658]

Bill just ripped it in every song!

[@redmoonspider]

Better than on the album. Thank so much for posting. Bill and the band, living and past on....god bless you. Your influence is still every great musician's "trade secret".

[@dtox2331]

Can remember my dad playing be bop deluxe tapes in the car since 4 or 5 years old ,i can always remember ships in the night with the weird sort of squelchy noises at the start and steel dustbins . brilliant .!!😂

[@patrickstocks3576]

Like a square peg in a round hole… Like a harp without its strings.. Like a sailor who sails no oceans… Like a bird that has no wings… Without love, I am a desert, Without love, my light is dim.. Without love, I have no treasures.. Without love, I cannot win… (Without love)…we are like ships in the night… (Without love) …selling our souls down the river.. Sailing away and forever our pleasure is blue… Like a dream that has no dreamer Like a cloud without a sky… Like a truth with no believer Like a mother without a child… Without love, I am a desert Without love, my light is dim.. Without love, I have no treasures… Without love, my chance is slim… (Without love) …we are like ships in the night… (Without love) …selling our souls down the river.. Sailing away and forever our pleasure is blue…

[@mrandrewlance]

for some reason this track just gets better and better, I never get fed up of it

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

3 blokes filling the air with beautiful vibrations that modulate forever and ever in my brain.

[@igluver15]

I count four.

[@mozartsmate6358]

igluve Me too.

[@grinsko6741]

Love the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival Jimi Hendrix look-a-little-likey on bass.

[@jenniferwebster4553]

I can still remember all the lyrics after all these years ..classy tunes

[@valhollylee8422]

One of my husband's favourite songs. He hasn't heard this since the 70s! 🤗

[@2656paul]

great yorkshire band saw them live in the merry england bar snigg hill in sheffield back in the 70s

[@beerwulfofcarshalton9539]

Excellent song...full of nostalgia, reminds me of my student days in Southampton, trawling pub juke boxes...

[@krotix]

Wonderful band who of course garnered attention on their shores and never mine in The States. This happens again and again.....though it makes for great discoveries for the generations after.

[@creekandseminole]

Right on. Reminds me of other great underrated bands like Big Star.

[@krotix]

which brings us to a great documentary called "Nothing can Hurt Me". I never got the chance to see Be Bop Deluxe.....though they did play Philly around time of "Sunburst Finish" and though I have seen many shows from 1975 on ( started with kiss/Roxy Music/ Queen and eventually on to Punk/ Indie.

[@brianbianco7316]

Sorry bro...I liv

[@brianbianco7316]

Sorry you missed BBD in the states bro. They were around if you were into live shows in the '70s. I was privileged to see the boys on the Sunburst Finish album tour, live and in concert in Phoenix, at the incomparable Celebriy Theater. Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush were the opening act. Fantastic show! "Everybody had a good time...everybody had a wet dream," as the Beatles would say...

[@rexhead21]

I was really into this band back in the 70s. I also followed Bill Nelson's solo career. Timing is a lot to do with success in music I think. Bebop Deluxe were in between 'the old wave' of bands and the 'new wave' of bands. Music changes and some bands get left behind. Bebop Deluxe were never really convincing as a 'new wave' band. They missed the boat but Bill went on to make some great solo music He is still making music today by the way and he continues to quietly follow his own unique muse.

[@DavidAWheeler56]

I always thought they were sadly underrated.

[@losttango]

Actually Bill dissolved BeBop in the late 70's as Glam Rock faded and formed Red Noise. Which as you note didn't really play to his strengths. Would have done better to stick with the old band I think, though I guess the man needed to plough his own furrow.

[@7403QCM]

FRicking Amazing Totally Live Performance!!! So Underrated and Almost Lost to the World..... But NO!! Absolute Genius!!!! The Obscurity probably Makes Bill and the Rest of the this Phenominal all the morre Special and Great... Let's Conserve this as an amazing piece of Cultural heritage. AMEN?!

[@ronpfeiffer9157]

I think I still have a copy of drastic plastic in white vinyl .Great old stuff

[@pgnz77]

Bass player is Charlie Tumahai who went on to join NZ band Herbs

[@brianconway100]

Think most of you are missing the most important point, Bill Nelson is a genius. A brilliant musician and songwriter.

[@michaelmarron8441]

I'm not sure he he reaches genius level...

[@brianconway100]

@@michaelmarron8441 He is to me. His song writing and guitar playing. The amount of goose bumps I’ve had over the years listening to his music (mostly, but not only the earlier stuff). Each to their own.

[@surrealestate06]

I guess the log-in gives it away. One of the 10 albums I'd take to the moon. Lucky enough to see them twice here in Canada. Thanks so much for posting this. I don't know anybody now who's even heard of them.

[@robt1161]

surrealestate06, I just posted BBD to a Facebook group named Garage & Psych rock bands. the Administrator is a fellow named Mark Santoro and he does a fantastic job digging up older, obscure bands. I don't think I've ever met anybody here in the States who's heard of BBD. (I'm 64 years old) I found them the same summer I got turned on to Dire Straits.

[@deanbevilacqua6041]

If you’re still out there, what are the others?

[@surrealestate06]

@@deanbevilacqua6041 Ok, in no particular order and subject to change without notice - lol Beatles - Abbey Road, Be Bop Deluxe - Sunburst Finish, Foghat - Rock ''n' Roll Outlaw, Ian Hunter - Ian Hunter, Bowie - Pinups, Yes - Fragile, EL&P - Trilogy, Hot Tuna - Hot Tuna, Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin, Beethoven - Eroica Symphony, Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel - 4.

[@EyebrowsEd]

Thanks so much for putting this up - Sunburst Finish was the first album I bought. Ah the memories ...

[@lionelmaio]

Today BBD has also found the way to a little house in Switzerland :) Amazing band, perfect music. Thank you for upload this video. (I'm happy that i listen [with 24] to such music instead of justin beeber for example haha) :D good night

[@robt1161]

Sander Maiolani, you've got that right!

[@trevornott6187]

Just wish I had seen them when I was younger but still enjoying their music at 73 years old.

[@ValreeShoe]

OMFG I am born again! Bless you bringing this back for me, 2nd concert I ever saw back in the 70s. Thank you Thank you so much! :)

[@davidcarter6636]

bill is a great guitarist loved him on no trains in heaven

[@subatomicllove]

I love be bop and all of Bill's solo projects(Brian eno-like) haha. thanx for posting this. PEACE !!!!

[@AngryBeaver60]

This is a great clip of the band on the British show 'Supersonic'. Great sound and visuals. The song is from the 1976 album 'Sunburst Finish' (Harvest Records).

[@AngryBeaver60]

I don't have that album. :(( But Futurama is quite good!

[@terryyepblaize6267]

Supersonic wos a ex bowling alley where all the bands were filmed every Wednesday in Old Trafford Manchester... I lived over the road and went in there regularly... Kid jensen wos the presenter.. Grandad TV showcased it every week..

[@thewsca]

Recorded this from The Whistle Test Years a couple of years ago.Never heard of it before,but have loved it ever since.A refreshing little gem.

[@koshka03]

Taken from a fantastic album, the memories come flooding back!

[@arnolddalby5552]

Bill Nelson enjoying himself on TV because they were a brilliant band.

[@ColinWarwick]

Classic Bill Nelson... Never got the accolades of a Dave Gilmour but he was just as good...

[@Wozzagonebush]

Saw them several times at Huddersfield Poly :)

[@ColinWarwick]

yup, good times.. "Hung up on these silver strings Like wings, like time machines Like voices on the winds"

[@markgriffiths9847]

agreed, equally as good.. take crying to the sky or love with a madman.. sheer brilliance

[@Wozzagonebush]

Now I'm going to have cue them up!

[@Wozzagonebush]

Ordered and awaiting delivery :) www.unionsquaremusic.co.uk/shop/cd.asp?Marid=341&arid=2044

[@lightsone2]

I often wonder how I missed this band when they came out. Very good.

[@robt1161]

lightone2, I 'found' Be Bop Deluxe the same summer I first heard Dire Straits. Love them both. BBD got shafted in the fame category, IMO.

[@wyattcranley]

Yes you are correct there was an album called 'Live in the air age' and there was a live version AIYL on there, it was slighty different to the original which was on 'Axe Victim' in that it had a more bluesy feel. I think you can get it on cd, I still have a copy of the record along with the included ep.

[@christinehales4222]

Freshers's week in Salford ,we went to dee them in the Students' Union They were downstairs & there was a disco upstairs .I met my now husband at the disco & didnt get downstairs to see them .That was nearly 50 years ago !

[@stephenbirks6458]

Fantastic !

[@ChrisPick-y3v]

Saw Be Bop Deluxe at Leeds Grand theatre 1978 I was 15 amazing

[@IvorThomas]

My good friend Paul turned me on to these guys... we had all the LPs. I saw them in SF and Tom Petty opened for them. Those were the days....

[@daviduribe3111]

The Jam was the opening band at Winterland. They wore business suits, as did BBD during their set. Tom Petty's band didn't receive the memo, apparently... 📝

[@IvorThomas]

@@daviduribe3111 I may have combined two shows. It was decades ago. I never saw The Jam, or even heard of them.

[@solesalva7663]

GREAT BAND!

[@joesophie90]

This is from the Supersonic show!

[@melsmall6200]

Wotta TOP NOTCH SOUND pure CLASS enuff sed. 👏👏👍😉

[@jeffbbarkan]

the best fucking band of the 70s .. what a shame there gone such great dry songs and such Awesome Talented Musicians. .. LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS BAND.

[@ronzahler860]

makes this 65 year old senior citizen want to get down and boogie

[@hohaia01]

that bass is pretty awesome too

[@xtcxtc123]

yes- never saw them as far as i know- but a great band - haircuts are not the issue- hey i remember the mayfare newcastle- saw marc bolan before t-rex there -also princial edwards - scary place thanksa for the post - bulgaria says hello

[@28if]

Hah, played this for my english class on modern music lyrics in high school back in 1978. I remember one of the other presentations was K.C. and the Sunshine Band "That's the was uh, uh I like it". I was the next one up with my vinyl in hand. Total silence was the reaction including the teacher who made me stop the sax solo at the end. Beautiful...

[@deanbevilacqua6041]

Bloody mainstream heathens!

[@deanbevilacqua6041]

Probably disgusted with the album cover aswell. Tut!

[@robt1161]

I found Be Bop Deluxe the same summer that I discovered Dire Straits. I love both bands. IMO, Be Bop Deluxe never got the fame and exposure they deserved.

[@walterfechter8395]

Real soul -- real music -- real talent.

[@markhartfield8186]

Guitar riff still holds up. 😊

[@trouserham]

The record is actually called 'Axe Victim'. It was BBD's first LP.

[@Jmcg1961]

Do you dream in colour be bop deluxe were a head of there time great band great musicians great memories 😅

[@realMojo]

Awesome video of a great band although they were somewhat underrated (Boo!) and somewhat underplayed on radio (boo!) Saw these guys live back in 1977 in NYC- great show Be Bop put on although the two opening bands City Boy and Styx were absolutely horrible. Nice thing to know that today Bill Nelson is still making great music. Rock on!

[@FlashFace]

Touche. Nelson is the man.

[@turricaned]

Still is a monster guitarist, and his kids are awesome musicians too...

[@Hedwallfxtd]

I've got a major case of happy feet right now! Thanks for posting this!

[@stargazer2756]

Yep, a very underrated band by most in the states but had the attention of us here in Cleveland, ohio. Seen them 3 times to sellout crowds. Usually only AOR played their music here. sad since they had some good ones!

[@nalla3]

great name for a band .

[@simonpalling3215]

Heard these thru my brothers.... who had Futurama and Axe victim both on vinyl. Mr Nelson is an absolute talent on the guitar, and frankly both albums are still in my all time greats list. This track always felt lightweight in their top of the pops type appearances, compared to listening to the album version.... or maybe my gramophone was a little overwhelmed. Great track nonetheless !

[@GreenmanXIV]

Selling ourselves down the river. So true..

[@caleywontdie]

This is an ES355 in this video and Bill bought it about the time "Sunburst Finish" came out as a back up to the 345, that his father bought for him in the early '60s. Bill still has the 345, although it has had some major surgery and he used it on on the "Lost Satellites" tour of 2004.

[@mbcase]

Does anyone know if there are any "high quality" videos of BBD on the web (especially the early stuff) ? I saw them four times live in the US and they were awesome! Bill Nelson is an awesome guitarist live, and I've seen a lot of others...Fripp and Clapton in their prime, for example.

[@andysmart01]

i loved this band,

[@ADenny12]

@28if ^ Cool! Back in my HS days the photo. club every year would put on a slideshow show w/songs in our auditorium: black light posters & props painted in neon colors & great sound system. Always played the song Money. At football games the band would open w/the Hawaii 5-0 theme song. We had a hip young Engl. teacher who taught a class on lyrics, exploring themes of alienation using Sounds of Silence & People Are Strange, altho those songs were a bit dated by then. Those were the days :)

[@DavidWilliams-di5xr]

I see them at the great British music festival Bill Nelson did a summersault straight into his first song ❤

[@DennisBeck-x1i]

Saw BBD as the opener for Blue Oyster Cult, what a night for the axe gods.

[@rickydicky100]

what a talented guy, should have really made it big time

[@seeyouinthecorners]

Saw Bee Bop Deluxe in concert and the opening act was Tom Petty.

[@ronnieneo]

Is this not being played on supersonic? I tell you what, it is rare to see some live stuff on that programme! Great band!

[@jamesgrady5576]

very good band

[@chrisdonegan428]

Great underrated band.!!!🎸🎹🥁🎤😀😀😀

[@5rollo]

only time they ever let me down, they were recording this at totp couldnt land at leeds/bradford fogbound, had to sit through two sets by doctors of madness, absolute garbage. shame on you bill.

[@deltorso]

One hell of a track

[@colesauer5440]

Way before his time! A true Rock God!

[@blueabattoir]

Bill Nelson really has his own sound. I think they suffered a little from this by being sort of uncategorizable . Here in Canada they were under the radar and a kind of secret pleasure. I don’t remember ever hearing them on the radio.

[@Bitterblogger]

The REAL new wave pioneers. . .

[@13towerofpower]

SHIPS IN THE NIGHT pieseň BE BOP DELUXE, ktorá bola v UK rebríčku pred 41 rokmi osem týždňov od 21. februara 1976 a skončila na 23.m. skupinu z Wakefieldu tvorili Bill Nelson nar. 18. decembra 1948 vo Wakefielde spev, gitara, Ian Larkin nar.1950 vo Wakefielde rytmická gitara, ktorý zomrel 1. júla 1995, Robert Bryan spev, basová gitara a Nicholas Chatterton-Dew bicie a Richard Brown klavesy, od 13. novembra 1976 sa v UK rebríčku objavila EP Hot Valves, ktorá v ňom bola päť týždňov a skončila na 36.m. obsahovala piesne Maid In Heaven, Blazing Apostles, Jet Silver And The Dolls Of Venus a Bring Back The Spark, Nelson vytvoril novú zostavu v ktorej boli Paul Jeffreys nar.13. februara 1952 basová gitara, ktorý zomrel 21. decembra 1988 s manželkou Rachel na svatobnej ceste pri výbuchu lietadla nad Lockerbie, Milton Reame James klavesy a Simon Fox nar. 12. júla 1949 bicie, v zostave Be Bop Deluxe hral na basovej gitare Charlie Tumahai nar. 14. januara 1949 v Ornkei na Novom Zelande bývalý člen australskej skupiny Mississipi, ktorý zomrel na infarkt dňa 21. decembra 1995 v práci na súde na Novom Zelande, na klavesové nástroje hral aj Andrew Clark, skupina v roku 1974 vydala album Axe Victim a v roku 1975 Futurama, ktoré sa neumiestnili v rebríčku, tretí album Sunburst Finish v roku 1976 skončil na 17.m. a Modern Music na 12.m., oba za predaj boli BPI ocenené striebornou platňou, v TOP 10 skončil ako jediný album Live! In The Air Ade v roku 1977 na 10.m. v roku 1978 album Drastic Plastic skončil na 22.m.

[@dixgun]

Obviously live and very tight. :) What television programme is it?

[@terryyepblaize6267]

Supersonic itv granada... Lived close by and use to go regularly in the early 70s...

[@davidmckeigan5307]

A true classic.

[@LucifersArms666]

no way lol. i cant believe i found this band. i originaly heard of this band when i was in like i dont even know what grade lol. but a line the me n my dad always coment on from Motley Crue Unsensered was when nikki sixx was talkin about the different bands mic mars was into n be bop deluxe was one of them and for the many years of searching to find out if this was a real band i finally found it. my dads going to shit himself. lmfao

[@REMONSTER]

Saw them in '77 in San Francisco. They opened up for Rush and Ted Nugent. Ah, the '70's ;)

[@neilryan4166]

You are one very fortunate individual to have seen them live back in the day.

[@daviduribe3111]

Rush was the opening band, playing hard rock at the time. BBD was the only set that we listened to in its entirety. They were truly unique. Ted Nugent was just a wall of noise, due to ridiculously excessive volume.

[@katherinenewsome7246]

RIP the late great Charlie Tumahai on bass and vox. Gone way too soon. 😢

[@ReverendHowl]

Dammo, re-hearing this thirty plus years later... This am cHristian Rock.

[@Dan_druft]

Ahh the good old days 1976 I think. The year I left school at 16 and beer was 24p a pint, I could get pissed for less than 50p happy days. :-)

[@annehazell1446]

I saw them in Oxford in the 70s

[@Hozzerbardy]

@wyattcranley Hi the original "life in the air age" was on Sunburst Finish I have all the original vinyl albums plus Bill's first solo album Saw them in Stoke on Trent in 1976 They were/are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mrrattomago]

max n daves song igave her the vinyl n 32 years later were together tru luv

[@JustaJuboi]

Before crack music was played by musicians that believed in Love

[@kensharonyoga]

Bill, if you're reading this: time you played Glasgow! The yearly Billfest ain't enough!

[@ray3mondo]

Excellent.

[@Hozzerbardy]

@wyattcranley Yea sorry man misread your comment They were a little too "late glam" for me on the first album but AIYL was on of the great tracks

[@daasin]

last band i saw at newcastle mayfair ballroom around 1977 supported by doctors of madness

[@nrp0504]

Courtesy of Charlie Tumahai!

[@JohnWatson-sm5vn]

Get a life Bill is and always will be not only the Very best guitarist planet earth has ever seen but songwriter extraordinary his sounds were light years ahead .gee I miss be Bob

[@miasdad]

alex lifeson from rush was using a 355 around the middle to the late 70's, i think

[@semahnai]

has a 10CC feel

[@martintaper7997]

10cc couldn't play guitar that well.

[@billc6087]

Always good to hear.