Blue Cheer - Summertime Blues (1968)

Blue Cheer was an American rock band that initially performed and recorded in the late 1960s and early 1970s and was sporadically active until 2009. Based in San Francisco, Blue Cheer played in a psychedelic blues rock or acid rock style, and are also credited as being some of the earliest pioneers of heavy metal, with their cover of "Summertime Blues" sometimes cited as the first in the genre.
They have also been noted as influential in the development of genres as disparate as punk rock, stoner rock, doom metal, experimental rock, and grunge.

[@iggycapra1415]

i don't care how old you are, "I didn't go to work, I told the boss I was sick" is a timeless sentiment.

[@jebidiahnewkedkracker1801]

Pretty much🤣 But now there is a new one: "I don't go to work because of a hostile work environment" (My male co-worker has pictures of his wife in a bikini in his cubicle" )🤣🤣🤣

[@sandipbiswas766]

@@jebidiahnewkedkracker1801 Wtffff 😂😂😂😂 That's probably a little inappropriate in the workplace

[@jebidiahnewkedkracker1801]

@@sandipbiswas766 Are you for REAL?? YOU would find a picture, in a male co-worker 's cubicle, (not even YOUR cubicle, or even a shared cubicle---but HIS cubicle), of his WIFE**, in a bikini, inappropriate? (I suppose if you both worked in an office of a company that ACTUALLY MADE the same bikini, the wife wearing one of those manufactured in this HYPOTHETICAL scenario would STILL be inappropriate in your eyes?!?! If so, congratulations!! Your hyper-sensitivity and sense of decorum has contributed in its small way to why so many people, (in this case primarily men), turning into attitude cases and/or addicts, and even why Big Brother is getting even bigger and more intrusive into people's lives--in this case as to how private businesses conduct themselves. But let me guess...If it was a FEMALE co-worker or even a "They/Them" co-worker, and the "gal" in the picture was actually a transvestite complete with a tell-tale "lump" protruding from the front of the bottom half of the bikini, would THAT be OK with the "Human Resources" mindset that you currently have as evidenced by your response to me? (If the answer is "No", then I will at least give you credit for your consistency.) **His lawfully wedded WIFE, not even his girlfriend, or underaged daughter, or a picture he took out of the Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Edition and framed, but his WIFE....THAT would still be a problem???? If so, you must be a real splash at office holiday parties?? Oh wait...No more "Holy day" parties either, don't want to offend non Christians with a Christmas party eh? Don't even want to risk HALLOWEEN anymore either--you know because of skimpy attire and/or a white guy daring to be a character like "Gordie" from Star Trek the Next Generation....But if you're as Politically Correct as I think you are, a real M2F transitioning white MAN from the office can go as "Lt. Uhura" from the original series of Star Trek? (Or would such a uniform be too skimpy? Never mind the blowback from the "blackface" element of such a costume!🤣 Better off just nixing office Halloween parties altigether--even for the temps that work at "Spirit" Halloween superstores that pop up around the middle of September🤣🤣🤣🤣 My GOD do you people actually LISTEN to yourselves???😒

[@jebidiahnewkedkracker1801]

@@sandipbiswas766 Also, if you are NOT a fan of Scott Adams or his "Dilbert" comic; you, and plenty of others like you,are giving him PLENTY of comedic material to write and draw about.. Better off to just "cancel" him eh?

[@sandipbiswas766]

@@jebidiahnewkedkracker1801 Cancel?!? With due respect , I've better things to do 🌚

[@brandonhofmann5479]

Imagine having a rock band in the 60s and 50 years later, thousands of young people finding your music thats wicked

[@MarkGuinn59]

They found it but they are not paying for it.

[@monkeyliver1986]

Yup. I was born in 95

[@The_Macho_Man]

by thousands u mean MILLIONS

[@austinhart3604]

It wasn’t there’s tho , Eddie Cochran wrote it

[@amaralxk]

yes i was born in 2007

[@higgs923]

Saw them at Winterland in S.F. in 1968. They were so loud that dust was coming down from the rafters. Admission then was one dollar to see three bands. Folks were upset when they raised it $1.25. I'm old now but, the memories of those days make me a wealthy soul.

[@SethLarry]

Far far out man digging it ,,

[@metaprecise8935]

I love stories like this. Tell us more! What was it like seeing Blue Oyster Cult and Deep Purple for the first time?

[@locatefastballchange]

Carry on.

[@sams220guy3]

❤❤❤❤

[@bensherstinsky]

21 year old here. That's insane. Blue Cheer will always be one of my favorite bands and you are so lucky for seeing them live.

[@julianaadams5751]

For years ive said that this song is the advent of heavy metal. Im 68 now, and listen to it in my car, speakers blasting, getting dirty looks from the old people in the car next ti me. I think to myself, "Just what the hell did YOU listen to when you were young? Monto-fucking-vani? Get a grip!"

[@TheFernandosr]

NEVER GETS OLD FOR A 70 YRS OLD LIKE ME !!! AWESOME DRUMMER ! EVEN FOR TODAYS ERA !!!

[@jeffreymalack3723]

Paul Whaley. RIP 2019.

[@mickmouse3513]

Fernando Esquivel you sound 70 years young to me not old.

[@ChrisSmith88love]

Same Same. 71 1/12 here. Might have been in the same audience, haha.

[@buffalomusic57]

I am 63 and still very active musically, play and write every day. Age means nothing.

[@steven1822]

forever and ever greatness music. heaven is metal.

[@vandalking8341]

These dudes paved the way for all of Hard Rock/Heavy Metal!

[@rickg8015]

Tom Cass without the reckless abandon though.. Don’t get me wrong I like The Fudge especially Carmine..

[@allensaunders449]

Alot of bands paved the way

[@allensaunders449]

@FloodyBoy Randal good thing you are here to enlighten us master

[@eargasm1072]

Too much volume, distortion and hair..this is proto-metal, not punk

[@kurtspringer4071]

@lazar couldn't agree with you more in fact I have both vincebus eruptus and insideoutside on cd and have a need to listen to it real soon and 1am with my headphones from South dakota USA 👍

[@ursus9104]

The drummer is outstanding. Best version of Summer time Blues.

[@Planktontwo]

I wonder if that is where the definition of "whaling" on the drums came from. Paul Whaley was a great drummer

[@UnderWorldOfDarkness]

Is there another version?

[@mudfly3]

@@UnderWorldOfDarkness kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipqWaX98jpyrZ7s

[@floydvaughn9666]

@@UnderWorldOfDarkness OMG!!!! THE WHO!

[@jaycharger72]

@@floydvaughn9666 OMG!!! EDDIE COCHRAN (best version Eddie played all instruments on it )

[@jacobcormier5532]

Arguably the first heavy metal song. Heavy in 1968 and still heavy in 2023!

[@stickman1742]

Certainly before Helter Skelter so that myth can be put to rest. I've always laughed at the Helter Skelter as first heavy metal song as there were many heavy rock songs in the late 60s, just most people don't know about them.

[@johnpendarvis7885]

No, I think "Born to Be Wild" holds that distinction.

[@jacobcormier5532]

@@johnpendarvis7885 I can see that too.

[@cgamejewels]

It's def more metal than the later versions.

[@jeanpierrecatacora7158]

Not is heavy metal. Psicodelic Rock

[@Sam-rf8yh]

I saw this clip of Blue Cheer as a kid in the early 80’s and it has stayed with me all these years. What an incredible performance. These guys were way ahead of their time.

[@70gabino]

Haha same here! They started me on my path to hard rock and metal.

[@jairoaldana8336]

That's right, tremendous song by this blue cheer band, I'm over 60 and I started listening to hard rock since I was 15 with bands like Steppenwolf, Grand funk, Black Sabbath@@70gabino

[@jairoaldana8336]

That's right, tremendous song by this blue cheer band, I'm over 60 and I started listening to hard rock since I was 15 with bands like Steppenwolf, Grand funk, Black Sabbath

[@Fukose]

@@jairoaldana8336 I`m over 75 and startet with "Fresh Cream" in 1966 and Hard Rock is my Music. I saw and heard "Extreme" live here in Berlin on 10 December 2023 - not to old for Rock! 🎸🎸🎸😀

[@dirkb5717]

Hairs and Music are outstanding. We have lost it all.

[@Eyrothath]

We haven't.. It just slid away from being mainstream..

[@edwardjohn1614]

They held the record at one point for loudest concert. Hard to believe 3 guys can make that much noise. Blue Cheer rocks/rocked... 👍🎶

[@alanclouthier3524]

Eric Clapton claimed in an interview with Uncut in 2012 that Blue Cheer were the first heavy metal band. He said “It was about the term “heavy metal” and it’s origins. Here’s a few quotes……. While admitting that Led Zeppelin took the next steps towards metal, Clapton wasn’t particularly thrilled with the trend they set. “There was a band called Blue Cheer, who I think were probably the originators of heavy metal,” Clapton told Uncut in 2012. “Because they didn’t really have traditional roots in the Blues. They didn’t have a mission. It was just about being loud. Cream were very loud, too,” he continued. “We got caught up in having huge banks of Marshall amps just for the hell of it. But we had a really strong foundation in blues and jazz. Led Zeppelin took up our legacy. But then they took it somewhere else that I didn’t really have a great deal of admiration for.”

[@kerryberry5786]

@@alanclouthier3524 Zep>Clapton.

[@Cream1968]

I’m going to be 70 years old and my ears are still hissing 50 years later from listening to groups like this through my headphones I do it again in a heartbeat

[@jebidiahnewkedkracker1801]

Without giving away MY age, I can tell you that as far as wrecking your hearing, you obviously missed the opportunity to "hear" ARENA "hair bands" of the 1980's (particularly those bands AFTER 1985, until perhaps after 1992 or 1994)....You certainly missed your opportunity to stand in front of THE SPEAKERS of such concerts!! This ^^^ is "easy listening" compared to what I subjected myself too! (But then the Death Metal types can say to ME: "Hold my beer....While I put in my hearing aid"🤣🤣🤣)

[@Cream1968]

@@jebidiahnewkedkracker1801 My wife made me take her to go see Bon Jovi…..😂😂😂

[@camilles8275]

@@Cream1968 sincere condolences for having to listen to bon uni...

[@Cream1968]

@@camilles8275 Believe me when I tell you it wasn’t my idea lol

[@w.g.121]

Judas Priest - Hell Bent for Leather tour - 1978. LOUDEST BAND EVER!

[@Fromard]

Animal on the drums ladies and gentlemen!

[@user-pk2tw2ot6i]

Cousin It

[@DeeHolly]

LOL🤣🤣🤣

[@jeffreymcgraw5903]

They all look like dogs

[@jeffreymcgraw5903]

Keith Moon is the real animal on drums lol

[@charlesdegrauwe8396]

Yep 👹👏

[@wookchang8852]

1968, I was 15 years old, and I fell in love with the band. Every time I listened to this song, I was reminded of my innocent days.

[@michaelszczys8316]

In 1969 I was 13 and had a copy of ' Vincebus Eruptus ' . Over the years if I ran across another copy I bought it. I always had to have one somewhere. Out Of Focus

[@robertstaley5049]

This band and this song just popped in my mind so I just had to play the video ! Still top shelf after 55 years !

[@jaidynheadford4092]

This is more than Heavy Blues and Hard Rock, this is Metal as Fuck.

[@Braineaters8]

Doom metal before Sabbath

[@MartinMeshia]

Early Cousin It Metal

[@patrickluchycky1172]

Exactly.

[@irvinginglethorpe]

Cousin It on drums.....damn I miss those days. R.I.P. Dickie Peterson.

[@jeffreymalack3723]

And Paul Whaley.

[@kosycat1]

ahahah my hair is down to my ass and i play drums and thats one of my nicknames

[@muffs55mercury61]

He worked his butt off on those drums here and did a fantastic job.

[@stephenbuckley9940]

LOL I was gonna make the same comment on cuz. A buddy of mine had this album in high school. Blasted this many,many times. Great lost band.

[@nickhall5959]

When ever I see this track the drummer reminds me of Red Dwarf, the drummer was Dobbin who joined the police force.

[@aldosilva487]

Ground zero of hard rock and heavy metal.

[@AngelofAnguish]

THAT being said, you gotta' wonder if Metallica, Slayer, let alone, Priest, Maiden, Sabbath, Alice Cooper, or even Iron Butterfly, are even AWARE of the impact/contribution of Blue Cheer.

[@bobespirit2112]

AngelofAnguish Sabbath and the other guys old guys, absolutely! But a lot of bands seem too insecure to openly acknowledge any peers as influences. Rush, guys who were always comfortable and confident in themselves to acknowledge their peer influences, always mentioned Blue Cheer as a big early influence.

[@templetonparceley8645]

@@AngelofAnguish This is a good observation,indeed. Hence let's take Blue Cheer music as a chronological fact at least,for they were ahead of their times.

[@templetonparceley8645]

@Tom Cass The song "Some Velvet Morning" has a heavy metal vibration but when it comes to attitude, Vanilla Fudge was more a late psychedelic band, IMO. Anyways, we're talking of great bands. :)

[@xx-bg2dj]

Deep Purple were already established by 1968

[@josegalindo-herrador5565]

Always said music knows no limits. A 50s RnR tune turned into hard rock with quality. Both, Eddie Cochran & Buddy Holly were sheer innovators back in the 50s. Brilliant cover ❤🎼🎸❤️🤗👍

[@huesosdeperro3081]

This is the definition of Marty's McFly quote: "I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet. But your kids are gonna love it.” And the kids of the kids.

[@stellarocquie7957]

Haha, I was just thinking about that!

[@jebidiahnewkedkracker1801]

I think Marty was thinking more "Van Halen"??? (Neither of them boys had their driver's license yet when THIS song came out or this video was originally recorded🤣)

[@samhain4399]

Really underrated and sometimes forgotten about band... All around great musicians and pioneers of metal!

[@drewwhitney2593]

Their music wasn’t just ahead of the time, their hair was too! By 1968 not many musicians/hippies had hair that long, due to the fact that it takes awhile to grow that long. They must’ve started growing it in 1965 or so before the psych scene really hit.

[@thecandyman9308]

was thinking the same thing

[@jeffreymorris4827]

Out of the car long hair💣👽💩

[@madben9981]

Drew Whitney - their music wasn't ahead of the time, it was Loud. They were famous for recording in Boston Harbor (like outside) because of their volume. Lots of people had long hair then. This was, of course, an Eddie Cochran cover. Not exactly groundbreaking. Now Hendrix, on the other hand, was revolutionary. His music was extraordinary and had a Far greater impact. He even 'invented' a chord that no one in rock had used, the 7/#9. Many even called it the Hendrix chord.

[@kvogel9245]

in 1964 they were selling Beatles wigs.

[@madben9981]

K Vogel - I was around then and never heard of Beatles wigs. Who would even wear one? Not sure what your comment even means.

[@valeriyblinov1573]

Super Hard Blues Legends!! GREAT!! Thank You!!

[@dianepeel7154]

Saw all the bands back in the '60s/'70s. The first heavy bands I saw were Hendrix, The Who and Cream when I was in London in 1966. When I moved to San Francisco in early '67, I saw Blue Cheer. They were the loudest, wildest rock band period. Their energy was off the charts and their hair was longer than any band expect maybe Quicksilver Messenger Service. BC were the prototype of Heavy Metal. Blue Cheer albums were great, but they sounded like psychedelic hard Rock. Blue Cheer live sounded different ... darker and wicked like Black Sabbath 2 or 3 years before Sabbath. I attended many Sabbath concerts later but for me, Blue Cheer was the first true heavy metal band I heard live. Check out the "Population II" album by one of Blue Cheer's guitarists, Randy Holden recorded in '69 which sounds similar to Sabbath. Concert goers were often literally in shock afterwards ... stood still with mouths agape as if to say, "what the hell just happened?" Louder than God.

[@cmacdhon]

This must have freaked people out, in 1968. It's heavy even by today's standards.

[@topixfromthetropix1674]

I was there, it was normal.

[@jeffreymalack3723]

Saw them play this live on David Frost's US afternoon talk show. Pretty sure it was Frost. After they played Summertime Blues at full blast, Frost apologized to his studio audience for the deafening assault. Incredible.

[@liamoconnor9487]

By '68' we expected this.

[@peterpandemonium3336]

I saw them on the Steve Allen Show. He just shook his head and said, "These guys are really loud!" Kids those days!

[@jenniferlang1393]

Noisy, certainly!!😉😉😉

[@richardmadrid2048]

I am sure glad that somebody has finally given credit to blue cheer in 1967 I was 15 years old I seen them at Golden Gate Park playing for free when they played everybody was amazed at the talent and the special Sound of Music they were offering to everybody they inspired me as musician through the years there has been nobody like blue cheer ever since great band great music

[@gregoryalbert379]

Saw them in the "Panhandle" adjacent to Goldengate Park with five members playing in Blue Cheer !

[@Aqua.man045]

@@gregoryalbert379 dang that was early

[@justjeph6927]

Right on, senor Madrid. Plus, I dig trios

[@JoshLousk]

love them but hendrix was better and cream

[@debbiefergusongarner6974]

"I seen...."? That's obscene, dude...I automatically discredit someone's opinion when I hear them say that....I'm sorry, I already broke one of my new year's resolutions...sorry ....is it "year's' or "years", btw ?

[@AllThingsFilmWithYamYam]

Best and the most catchy drumming I've ever heard in a song

[@peterpandemonium3336]

I saw these guys on the Steve Allen show afterschool. He was shaking his head as he said "These Guys are loud!"

[@yolandajohnson8685]

I love the way the drummer & guitarist hair fall in their face this is so adorable ❤🥰

[@arthurkornblum9771]

So Iconic, and one of the greatest pieces of Rock'n'Roll music in history!!! Still blows my mind after all these years!!! So very cool!!!

[@verncope4683]

Went to see them in 1967? at the Fillmore?--they had a wall of amps and I danced next to the wall for the whole concert. Bought their album and listened to it over and over with headphones--amazing my hearing is quite good at 82!

[@wildemouse]

What? I was there also. And we played the album all the way up. What? What?

[@arthurfowler3766]

I saw them in Sacramento 10 years ago. What a show they played like it was there last day on earth. Outstanding

[@uppercasedtheelowercases3123]

1:50- great drum fill! The change at the end ROCKS!

[@serendip369]

Brilliant ! Absolutely brilliant!!1 Best version EVER of this song ! These guys nailed it - shut !

[@On_Dust]

It's blue cheer. The band that cares about our ears.

[@rogerdodger5415]

I just have to hear this again every now and then. I still have the album. This was SOOO over the top when it came out! 😎👍

[@jimallison6125]

Wan't it called Vincebus Eruptum?

[@TheMyndsurfer]

Me too!

[@michaelszczys8316]

The other with Leigh Steven's was ' Inside Outside ' Which I believe refers to there recordings. Vincebus Eruptum recorded outdoors ( why the bass sounds weak ) and Inside Outside recorded in studio.

[@robertunderwood6011]

seen them in 1968 my ears are still ringing

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

Saw them do this at the Fillmore in ‘68.

[@lisaaudreyjacintaskinner8578]

🤩🤩🤩My sister & I loved when our folks would reminisce 'bout the fabulous music of the late 1960's-early'ish 1970's Era... going into the awesome 🎶♪Techno-Rhythmic Disco♪🎶 years!! 🎵We consider all the fabulous kaleidoscope genres of music our inheritance. 🎵You're blessed to be born at the right time...!!!WOW!!!

[@richardsmith9609]

I was in the Republic of the Philippines in 1968 and the Tet Offensive had just erupted in Vietnam. The Air Evac planes were pouring in to Clark AFB almost non-stop and it was a mixture of panic, chaos and excitement. Summertime Blues it was and AFRTS was playing it loud. What a Time!!!!

[@CarlosLopez-ey6kt]

The drummer: the first heavy in History

[@robertgrady2718]

Blue Cheer, Steppenwolf, Black Sabbath, and MC5 are the epitome of Heavy Metal

[@kosycat1]

fuck yeah man.. and cactus

[@matsgoalkeeping2448]

Don’t forget The Music Machine with Talk Talk

[@brunovallesmunoz4757]

Cmon man....Are you seriuosly leaving out DEEP PURPLE and URIAH HEEP????

[@JhonNye96]

MC5 are Punk

[@templetonparceley8645]

American version of the story : Blue Cheer, Steppenwolf, MC5, The Stooges. Period. The british version says : LZ, DP, Black Sabbath and Uriah Heep. Period.

[@bigdambluesband6295]

I was a teenager back then and it was a great time to be alive Blue Cheer on the radio along with Vanilla Fudge, Cream, Hendrix, Who. Stones and Beatles of course. Doing my algebra homework while tapping out time with my pencil on my book. Always had my radio cranked up.

[@smellthel]

I’m still beyond amazed stuff like this existed in the 60s

[@klausrain111]

When this came out in the 60s, I was pretty much an unmotivated longhair spending more time at the beach in SoCal than I did looking for a job. I had a cheesy record player, but my dad had a high end system with massive speakers that he rarely utilized. I used to drop by their house now and then during the day while they were at work. One of my favorite activities was to get wrecked, crank up Blue Cheer and rock out.

[@pesachBtov]

Great story. I grew up in Culver City, Class of 1968. I went to lots of concerts. Still love KZbin for oldies like Blue Cheer.

[@itookallthenames]

A life well lived!

[@davehill7489]

I saw these guys at Awalt High School in 1968, the senior class hired them for senior day concert. I remember the guitar players guitar giving out part way through the concert. He went to the mike and jokingly asked if anybody had a spare Gibson SG standard. One of my classmates hollered out "I do !" and proceeded to run all the way home, a few blocks away, brought back his guitar and they finished the concert. If I remember right, the PA went out next but nobody cared !

[@SL-vi4tk]

Eddie Cochran, lost at age 21, kept alive with classic covers by these guys, Zeppelin, The Who, and others.

[@ohioridercinci2495]

I still have this album! Wife will probably put it out in a box for yard sale when I pass.... not long now.

[@bobthebear1246]

As much as I love Black Sabbath and say loud and proud that they are the definitive Heavy Metal band, I've got to say that it was THESE guys who invented Heavy Metal.

[@bennybyers1409]

I always tell people this. Just because Sabbath was the first band to be called “heavy metal” doesn’t mean there aren’t bands predating them that have the heavy metal sound.

[@ericv7720]

@@bennybyers1409 Black Sabbath wasn't actually the first band to be called "heavy metal;" it was Blue Oyster Cult. Heavy Metal as a genre term was then retroactively applied to the whole cadre of hard rock bands who had come to prominence during the late 60s/early 70s.

[@bennybyers1409]

@@ericv7720 I thought the name "heavy metal" came from when some magazine did a review of Black Sabbaths album and said something about the album sounding like dropping heavy metals on the floor. Is that not the case?

[@ericv7720]

@@bennybyers1409 It was first used by Steppenwolf in their song "Born to be Wild." Then in 1970, journalist Mike Saunders (later vocalist for the punk band Angry Samoans) used the term in his review if Humble Pie's "Safe as Yesterday" in Creem, and later that year when reviewing Sir Lord Baltimore's "Kingdom Come." In 1972, Blue Oyster Cult manager Sandy Pearlman used "Heavy Metal" to refer to the band's style when promoting their debut album. As usual, BOC never gets credit for anything!

[@Flaco-ip7cl]

Heavy metal came from san Francisco by blue cheer...even my 3 year old niece knows it. We all love Frisco

[@mercyfulfrost2831]

Blew my mind when I first heard this band. Really good live musicians with killer tone and energy. Love it.

[@KowalskiVanishing_Point]

Guy on drums is a machine!

[@desicoinc.7956]

Paul Gene Whaley is FIRE on the Drums!!! Thank You for this!!!

[@beans7831]

Arguably the very first metal record!

[@wecandobetter9821]

Nobody can say they lived in 68 unless they knew this song😂😂😂❤️

[@RobHollanderMusic]

This, Purple Haze, and Sunshine Of Your Love reinvented rock guitar sound.

[@johnwilson4158]

DAMM STRAIGHT

[@wecandobetter9821]

Don Juan, Totally agree with you. It’s my favorite also

[@mikesalvadore9295]

I remember first time I heard this song 1968..driving 63 Corvair.. Philly Pa.

[@kiwihib]

@Ross Smith That was hit here in New Zealand.

[@rogdow5497]

Dickie is one of my all time fav bass players. He is the epitome of coolness. Even the band name "BLUE CHEER" is Legendary. Today's music can't get near this..... !

[@jairusphelimobrenosantos6400]

Summertime Blues is still felt this 2024!

[@Mr-mopar]

One of the best metal songs of all time.

[@jimlong8077]

🙄

[@zackzallie8735]

​@@jimlong8077The most detailed comment ever wow

[@zackzallie8735]

@@return2sender791 pioneered metal. not pure metal. same when people said link wray pioneered punk, but he's not punk. geez, learn to think.

[@peterpandemonium3336]

Originally done by Eddie Cochran in the 1950's Ray Edward Cochran (/ˈkɒkrən/; October 3, 1938 - April 17, 1960) was an American rock and roll musician. Cochran's songs, such as "Twenty Flight Rock", "Summertime Blues", "C'mon Everybody", and "Somethin' Else", captured teenage frustration and desire in the mid-1950s and early 1960s.] He experimented with multitrack recording, distortion techniques, and overdubbing even on his earliest singles. He played the guitar, piano, bass, and drums. His image as a sharply dressed and attractive young man with a rebellious attitude epitomized the stance of the 1950s rocker, and in death he achieved iconic status. - more at Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Cochran The original version kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5-aq2p4bZyDq8U

[@hyokkorichin]

First time I ever heard an open high hat on a rock song was this tune. Eddie was ahead of his time in so many ways.

[@wellokayyes1266]

Yes! 😀 This is the version I love! 🎼🖤

[@stylesb959]

Saw this on mtv closet classics way back , love these guys , vincibus eruptus! Paul Whaley on drums is quite a sight

[@geraldroraback5432]

My group played a club in Manchester, CT. We had just got off a few days earlier opening for Vanilla Fudge. We received a great review from the Hartford Advocate and the Courant. David’s of Manchester ran a full page Ad with photos from the concert and our press photo. Our roadies had our equipment set up in the afternoon. When we arrived at David’s they were not letting people in because it was over capacity and there was a line out the door. We almost did not get in to play. George our lead singer had to beg the fire marshal to get someone to let us in. We were told that we put on the best show that club ever saw. That night when we finished we were approached by a Paul Whaley. “ Hello, My name is Paul. We really think your boys are great. We enjoyed your music and show.” Paul, later we found out was with Blue Cheer. The whole band was there.

[@michaelknapp2750]

What was your band's name?

[@willcrockett7732]

What a terrific drummer! I knew these guys were known for blowing the roaches out of the dimly lit clubs back in the 60's but had no clue they were this good. Totally underrated band.

[@daviddavis3155]

Hit me like a ton o bricks...14 years old, mouthful of TV dinner, Steve Allen show..BAM

[@peacefulruler1]

Mouthful of TV dinner, Lol

[@NintendoGameTube1]

Was it a hungry man tv dinner?

[@funzjag]

@@NintendoGameTube1 After looking at your thumbnail picture, I must conclude that you resemble Mr. Raymond Luxury Yacht!!!! Do you know him ?

[@NintendoGameTube1]

@funzjag of course :-)

[@funzjag]

@@NintendoGameTube1 Splendid!!!

[@user-km2gi5hc8s]

Saw them at Whiskey-a-GoGo...1968...I'm 18, in front of the stage....I am today 50% deaf.....

[@morganwright224]

This song was a big hit on the AM radio in early 1968. Big on the pop charts, went to number 1

[@richeaton7436]

I was 12 in '69 and my folks moved from one side of my small town to the other. For 2 months, my sister and I rode to school in a cab. The driver always had the radio on and this tune, Born to be Wild, Leader of the Pack, Crimson & Clover; played every morning.

[@NiceChest1]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@donalddrysdale246]

that's interesting man---sad how much has changed for the worse eh?

[@DASDmiser]

If you have to risk hearing damage this is the song for it.

[@ricodpx]

At one time, considered the loudest rock band, EVER!

[@mustangmikep51]

then ted nugent and the Who came along

[@user-tb5nq9sx1h]

Then there were Deep Purple, Budgie and Motorhead.

[@mafmaf6417]

This is unbelievably great WOW.

[@stevewingate3023]

Love it! Proto-metal with a touch of the MC5 - what's not to love?

[@bonesc7201]

But the MC5 were 1 louder, weren't they? They're amplifiers went to 11..! GREAT ROCK AND ROLL CHILDREN'S!!!!!

[@ksr9t]

Blue Cheer was hell on wheels But MC5. Kick out the Jams. They blew me away. Right now.. right now it's time toooo..... Kick out the Jams motherfuckers. Fred Sonic Smith. Only liked his music His leftist views I couldn't stand

[@triglett0669]

Also Blue Cheer was a year before the Mc5

[@stevewingate3023]

@@triglett0669 I didn't know that, thanks for pointing it out. 👍

[@serebruss1]

3 man band , no double kick pedal with dirty distortion ... old school hard rock/ metal is kick arse 🤘

[@JohnJohn-hd1pc]

This has to be the greatest drum piece in all of history. God bless you Paul Whaley. Thank you and may your soul be joyous for all eternity ❤️

[@brianduncan2793]

I was a teen when this came out was so awesome 70 years now and still head bang to it

[@mikesalvadore9295]

Me too brother. I was 16.. I'm going on 70 now

[@JDMc2.0]

Back in 1983 a co-worker took me backstage at a Blue Cheer/Beach Boys concert in Marysville Ca. and met his uncle, Dickie Peterson. Beach Boys were easy to talk to as well. 😎

[@kenderen3736]

A classic that helped to pave the way for Metal. I still listen to this great stuff.

[@rogermichaelwillis6425]

My older brother belonged to a record club back then. He didn't make a specific request, so they sent him Vincebus Eruptum. He was into soul/Motown, so he gave it to me. I loved it.

[@christ2906]

Awesome ! I was born in ‘68. Born to this !

[@EdSelkowPersonal]

An amazing band doing amazing music at an amazing time. This band was responsible for the hearing loss I have now. It was worth it!

[@JOHNBURNS67]

The birth of heavy metal ....

[@carlovolpi3525]

Amazing 1968 drum fill!!!!!

[@AMCmachine]

The ear-splitting, 👂brain-bruising 🧠sound of heavy metal being born. Gotta love it.

[@DaveB-hg7el]

I very definitely agree. If you don't appreciate just how heavy and hard this song is, then you aren't really into rock-n-roll or metal.

[@joshjones6072]

They were the first heavy metal long hair band and loud!

[@fgiralt69]

the worst interpretation of the song I ever heard, crap now crap them!!!, these guys had no talent, listen to the Who do it the best

[@AMCmachine]

@@fgiralt69 Well in fairness I like The Who version too.😀 Rush also covered it, have you ever heard their take on this classic song?

[@monkeyliver1986]

One of the most important bands in rock n roll history

[@chiquiinfinite7028]

Just found these guys out from a shuffle on Apple Music after Janis Joplin and big brother company cheap thrills finished.. man these guys are really good.

[@alejandrososa5146]

Geddy Lee says this is the first Heavy Metal song ever. Therefore, it’s the first Heavy Metal song ever.

[@anablanchfield4902]

I' love this guys awesome video and awsome song thank you for uploading this fantastic video and song thanks 💋👍💐👍🌹💐🌻🥀🌼⚘🌸💐🌺👍💐🌷👍

[@thomassyverson7561]

This will be a classic through the ages(from a power trio musician and forever fan of the Blue Cheer)

[@WisconsinWanderer]

Wow very cool after all these decades it’s cool to see what they actually looked like back in the day. I was very into acid rock and played a lot of air guitar to these guys and many other bands. Wish I had a time machine.☮️😎❤️

[@leschristensen3198]

Blue cheer acid, came out with the song, crazy times not all survived, those that did aren't sure how or why ?

[@matthatter2849]

Well the guitarist you're seeing here is actually their SECOND guitarist Randy Holden. The original is Leigh Stephens, whom you can see on the "American Bandstand" clip that's here on You Tube.

[@WisconsinWanderer]

@@matthatter2849 thanks

[@rockytoptom]

This is like the best blues, punk, funk and metal all in one. Love it

[@jaceklangiewicz3486]

The lead guitar sounds like that one in Iron Butterfly. Long life music! Greetings from Warsaw Poland. Thanks for publicating

[@fredtatman7684]

The loudest concert that I've ever heard at the Fillmore in SF

[@richsackett3423]

They were in Guiness for a while as the loudest.

[@briandunn6157]

God I envy you!!

[@christophersleight19]

Had to record on a pier Warehouse. Seriously loud, they had a song that was a hit, on their first Album. Oh well, 60's, the beginning of the end. CIA behind the music and drug culture. Musicians with parents in the defense or intelligence community. Zappa Crosby Morrison, Jim Morrison's father was the Captain of the ship that was used as a false Flag event to start the vietnam war. Gulf of Tonkin Cass Look up history of Laurel Canyon, and secret military base there. Nothing is as it seems.

[@jayekaye6641]

Always saying Blue Cheer and Stevie Ray are the loudest shows I've ever heard

[@michaelulbricht9438]

Yes, it was but the hearing loss was worth it!

[@TerryHouton]

Most drummers in this era were as stiff as boards. I love this guy. He had flash.

[@xray7908]

Hot damn, that's invigorating. I stayed home sick from school one day, with the flu or a bad cold, hell I must have been 13 years old. My mom was going to the grocery store and drug store, and asked me if there was anything she could get me while she was out. I had saved up a couple bucks, and I had been eyeing Vincebus Eruptum, in the little rack of records at the small town drug store where I used to stop and by a candy bar on the walk home from school. I gave her the money and asked to to buy that album for me. I played the hell out of it for years to come, and soon got a copy of Outsideinside. I still need a little dose of Blue Cheer from time to time.

[@richardgarrett5322]

When it came out, first time I'd heard whatever kind of hard rock this is. The distortion I guess. I loved it. Totally unheard before.

[@44027]

Watched Blue Cheer while tripping on Blue Cheer!

[@biddydibdab9180]

These guys were on the cutting edge of rock. Big, bold, blue sound!

[@davidmeir9348]

That drumming is the true creation of heavy metal right there. It's absolutely impossible (unless you're dead inside) to not head bang to this syncopathic, tribal sound. No doubt cousin It is the true originator of heavy metal.

[@wzortrex]

Dudes use of 2 thundering floor toms was revolutionary. No keeping time on the high hat for this boy. Doesnt look like he even used it. Big bright cymbals too....Incredible use of 5 of them., each with a different pitch. They project. Bass tone and playing.....meh.....it was not quite Jack Bruce, but it paved the way. This song is BCs one hit wonder however, and I am not aware of any of their other songs. Cream learned from this, as did Sabbath, the Who, etc. But as far as I know, this was THE first heavy metal song recorded.

[@davidmeir9348]

@@wzortrex It's hard to really call it 'Heavy Metal' as it definitely has a traditional rock structure, but no doubt that certain aspects of it, especially the thunderous drumming of Paul Whaley had a huge influence on the developpement of Heavy Metal. I mean he's banging those drums as hard as any modern heavy metal drummer. It's a true kick to watch him play and interestingly, he's the son of a country singer. You'd think, how does a country influenced drummer ended up creating heavy metal drumming, but here it is.

[@VaughnBrown1965]

The guitarist Leigh Stephens and my dad were best buds back then. Leigh would come to Portland and stay at our house. I remember him, but didn't realize who he was until my mom told me about 30 years ago. My dad and him came home after a night of partying and I remember my dad being kind of in a weird state of mind telling me Leigh was going to be my godfather. LOL, crazy kids!! Leigh had just bought a brand new Corvette and I remember me him and my dad washing it out on the street with my cloth diapers one summer afternoon.

[@chikung]

I've never found another guitarist being able to approach the sound, vocabulary and phrasing of Leigh. Even with nowadays resources on the net, I still don't know how/what he played...

One hears this cover and one will always remember it. Dig this boy!

[@roncassa9639]

I saw these guys a million years ago. They opened for Jeff Beck with Rod Steward and the Doors at the shrine auditorium in Los Angeles. They were the loudest band that I’ve ever heard.

[@Wolfgang_Weiss]

I can really remember well the original broadcast on German TV on Saturday evening on November 16 1968! I was just 4 years and 9 months old and quite irritated by this loud and disharmonic tunes. It had a big impact on me so far, that for many years I didn´t like any hard rock music. Of course, this has changed after 53 years, you see it with different eyes and listen with different ears! I would have not believed I would find it ever again on KZbin, just happend by chance! :-D

[@raymondbrucehansel3119]

I got to see these guy's right after their first album ('68 or "69) was released in Concord, Ca. at a place called "The Concord Coliseum" which is now a Petco. Bass and guitars were through 4 full Marshall stacks, each. Sat right in front of the stage and took pictures. They were the loudest thing I ever heard! My ears are still ringing. In my mind they were both the first Punk and Heavy Metal bands. Awesome night for a 16 year old kid. R. Bruce Hansel

[@GREALER]

That’s so cool 😎 I live in concord ca by the concord pavilion ..