Billy Stewart - Summertime

[@nikabarnech1437]

This is my great uncle! So proud to be related to such talent! My grandfather (his brother Johnny Stewart) has a few songs as well. My dad has lived on in this legacy of singing!!! Love seeing all of the positivity around this music!

[@mycaligarden]

Grateful for the great contribution your uncle and family have afforded us. When I lived in NYC as a very young adult my girlfriend and I would play his mdeusic on the weekends ❤and sing So loud as we were so moved 💕definitely a GOAT.

[@herbinator57]

One of the greatest recordings ever by a true talented voice. This will live on forever. If this doesn't move you , you have no soul.

[@pnelson1432]

I love your great uncle's musicality. I'll check out your grandfather's music, too. Regarding your great uncle, I first learned about him a long time ago when the group GQ had a hit with their remake of his wonderful tune "Sitting in the Park." But I didn't know about his incredible rendition of "Summertime" until I saw a television special about his life, career, and untimely passing. And then I learned that his "Summertime" recording was a big hit around the time I was born. Anyway, I know that the following is trivial, but I thought that you might be interested that Billy Stewart is mentioned in this week's Billboard magazine. If you look up the Billboard article titled "How Many Songs About Summer Have Been Hits...During the Summer" by Gary Trust, July 13, 2023, you'll see that they listed your great uncle...just a couple lines after another great vocalist, Nat King Cole, who had a hit with "Those Hazy-Lazy-Crazy Days of Summer" a few years before your great uncle's version of the classic Gershwin composition. (You'll need to scroll down the article a little because the writer first talks about other tunes with "Summer" in the title, and then he focuses on recordings that peaked in the pop top ten DURING summer.) Kinda neat that modern readers are seeing the name Billy Stewart...hopefully leading to an increase in his continued popularity. His legacy thrives on. Although his "Summertime" peaked at No. 10 pop and No. 7 on the R&B chart, we all know that it's truly No. 1 in our hearts and souls.

[@exposedpipes37]

Truly one of the greatest - if not THE greatest musical performances ever, of ANY kind, anywhere!! I think he came to me spiritually, and wants me to perform this publicly somewhere one day, and you know I will, in order to properly honor his talent and his amazing wonderful memory! 💝

[@carlosmoreno9094]

Wow

[@lolalyle9333]

Your great uncle was awesome amazing voice

[@ericjohnson3477]

Man... my father used to sing this to me when I was little at bedtime to go too sleep. He loved Billy Stewart. He has dementia, but when I played this video, his face perked right up; as if, it took him back to when I was young. Thank god for small favors....

[@ericcasas3347]

Such a great story.

[@misskamaronparks9263]

Thanks for sharing. Sweet dreams to you and your dad

[@No-wayJose0]

All i can imagine is you starting to doze off & your dad screaming “BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR”

[@marstonfobbsentertainment]

They never forget the music. Strange thing about dementia.

[@timsaysmusic]

Amazing. Time and consciousness really are interesting phenomena.

[@virtualwhispers]

WOW, I'd like to see somebody try and sing this song like he did - Gave me chills and took me back to my younger years! ... Much love.

[@ptt2518]

Unfortunately there are people trying.

[@virtualwhispers]

@@ptt2518 Try as they might, they can give it up - Nobody can do it like Billy lol

[@shannygirl16]

Greg Kinnear did a pretty darn good job on the movie Stuck on You

[@iVenge]

Nobody like Billy Stewart.

[@scottgetty5547]

Greg Kinnear

[@kmart67]

By far the best rendition of this song. The brass has a distant, epic feel to it and Stewart's very melodic scat style is superb. What a great song

[@archangelvvv]

Well said on all points!

[@deborahbluhm8828]

It’s not by far the best because Joplin’s rendition is on a par but so different it’s almost not comparable, but they are both my favourite versions.

[@DPhasely]

Billy's is the best and the most memorable; so smooth.

[@jimmieanderson3574]

Listen to Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

[@cycomiko73]

I first heard this song towards the end of the movie Stuck on You with Damon and Kinear and Idk if it's Greg's real voice or lipsync but he performs the song and I was like...wtf this is awesome!!! Who is this what's this called I love it, is what I thought, anyway there's about two or three little ways I think that it's just a tiny bit better than the original, it's the same exact it's just Greg or whoever gives it just a bit more umph in a word here and there and at the very end of the movie version when they are walking out the door and he gives that insane high long note which isn't in the original, I really really love that, very powerful.

[@RubenMontes-j2t]

I never get tired of hearing this song. Shame we lost Mr. Billy Stewart too young ..

[@Ww-cv8by]

What happened?

[@Repunza]

@@Ww-cv8by He died in a broad-daylight car accident in January 1970, at age 32. The accident happened when the Ford Thunderbird that Stewart was driving approached a bridge across the Neuse River near Smithfield, North Carolina (presumably on US 301, since I-95 was not yet completed in that area at that time, terminating in Rocky Mount prior to 1973). His car left the highway, ran along the median strip at a slight angle to the highway, struck the bridge abutment, and then plunged into the river, killing Stewart and his three passengers instantly. The other victims in the accident were members of Stewart's band: Norman P. Rich, 39, of Washington, D.C.; William Cathey, 32 of Charlotte, N.C.; and Rico Hightower, 22 of Newark, New Jersey. The four musicians were driving to a nightclub show in Columbia, South Carolina at the time of the wreck. The car had been purchased only 12 days before and had been driven only 1,400 miles before the accident occurred

[@geraldinemoss2380]

@@Repunza So sad.

[@danteduruisseau6854]

Who else smiled and was head nodding while listening to this?

[@petramaes]

Prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr❤

[@jameselkin4687]

Summer of 1967 and this song was back on the charts. It took me 45 years to find it again; there are so many versions but this is the very best!

[@charliefreij3574]

I sure agree with you .

[@krrrruptidsoless]

I can't remember what year it came out but it was fresh. And then it was gone. Just found it a week or so ago.

[@vicentelopez4456]

KRTH-101 in LA used to play it all the time, especially in the Summertime.

[@yorktown1953]

I agree, ditto 😊

[@Route66er]

​@@vicentelopez4456 Yes. What happened to them? I miss them playing oldies. 😢

[@davidbullock3675]

Can’t believe I found this absolute Banger age the age of 46. I have been deprived of this Summer Anthem for too many years. 🔥

[@Ww-cv8by]

Right!? I thought sublime sang "summertime, and the living is easy..." This song jams!

[@fordpickup40]

Hands down the best version of the song Billy did justice with the song.

[@FreddaDurham]

Absolutely! He owned every piece he recorded. I am proud to text I'm 72yrs old and I've loved his singing since I first heard him at the age of 10!

[@jamesricklef4039]

What a great version of this song. Billy Stewart totally owns it here.

[@rogerbrown6471]

I agree

[@roberthiguera602]

Better than the original

[@roberthiguera602]

@Da Royal General Billie holiday back in 1936...

[@brotherlove9374]

Quick, buzz the heat, Billy killed another, APB,

[@noneofyourbusiness281]

What’s the original

[@brendakrieger7000]

Happy Summer Solstice 2024🌞🏖 Happy First Day of Summer🩴🩴

[@TheLT52]

1970 in the NAVY, this dude was on every radio channel.....love his version and voice the best...

[@whatshappeningq3301]

This is my favorite version of this song His vocal skills are magnificent

[@domp7729]

This guy was ahead of his time

[@jimhare1059]

I hear rappers doing that thing with their tongue all the time now. Brrrrrt!

[@laminage]

​@@jimhare1059Yes! Also The Dramatics did it with their Hot What You See Is What You Get.

[@jimdavidson413]

Jim in 2023 I never tired of hearing his songs.

[@711Kateye]

The best of times❤

[@EstherRodriguez-d4f]

I'm 66 years old and I love your music. I grew up to oldies and nobody that sings like you do 💯

[@michaeldose2041]

Billy died young but this song is one heck a legacy. Timeless! Thank you Billy, and thank you for uploading this amazing piece of work.

[@melodysanger103]

Remembering William "Billy" Stewart II (March 24, 1937 - January 17, 1970)

[@jeffjones1113]

This is real music

[@ladyjhmusic]

I was with his brother Johnny Stewart for 10 years. Johnny was running late & missed the ride with the band to the next gig. Billy & the other band members tragically died in the Ford vehicle that was faulty. Billy's son never received payment from the accident. Billy's other 2 smash hits that he also wrote are "I Do Love You" & "Sitting in the Park". In my band with Johnny we did a tribute to Billy. Johnny sounded a lot like Billy but with a raspier tone like Johnny Taylor. This is the 1st time I've ever seen Billy standing & singing. He was usually sitting at the piano. Thanks so much for pulling this all together! -- @ladyjhuston

[@algolightly115]

A-men!!! I can understand how it was back then.

[@feliciahouseofhope8680]

Thank you for that history because he surely had a very unique voice!!

[@sheldontaylor2002]

I read somewhere there was a settlement with the estate

[@sheldontaylor2002]

Just found out there is a documented that was completed called Fat Boy that will be airing on local DC PBS

[@speedspeed121]

Maybe once a year or two, I'll search for this video. Every time I see that dude with the ten-gallon hat and his pants pulled up to his chest, I know sht's about to get real. Love this song!

[@dennisswift3032]

Rest In Peace Billy you always nailed it,awesome voice

[@joevokey1340]

Gotta,Gotta, add this live version is THE BEST LIVE VERSION of any song I've ever heard in 65 years...WOW!!!!!!!

[@alexh2117]

Right-a Right-a that that!

[@n1kobefan]

@@alexh2117 English?

[@alexh2117]

@@n1kobefan Hi. I made a playful attempt at "scat singing" in response to Joe Vokey. He said "Gotta, Gotta" (as in "have got to"), and I said "Right-a Right-a" (as in that is right/correct!). Again, it is just a playful response inspired by the artist's singing style.

[@richardgab7591]

For many decades I thought this was the voice of a young Van Morisson. Then I found out it was actually Billy Stewart. Great song! This was first version I heard of this classic song.

[@snub_vision]

2020 and I’m still playing this jam thanks to the Coronavirus

[@lindahines9380]

July 2022! ❤

[@unsoundmethods1360]

Feb 2023 jammin on some Billy Stewart

[@carlosmoreno9094]

2023. On a summer night

[@geraldinemoss2380]

20 24 and it is still my go to song. Never saw Billy live.

[@waynet2165]

As a little boy of about 9 when the song came out my four sisters and me were always attempting to mimic Billy’s rolling of his tongue after each time it aired on the radio

[@twoonesixer9501]

Fucking phenomenally extraordinary!!! My father told me he passed away when he was in his mid thirties.

[@carolkrone3610]

Best rendition of Summertime I've ever heard.

[@perfectibility999]

Love the cowboy hats and the Southwest/Spanish-style brass.

[@tyhodges6641]

IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES! IT GOT US THROUGH THE WORST OF TIMES! AMEN!

[@dabigdikdangler]

Betty Wright's "Unsung" brought me here and this is a jam

[@Schmoople]

What a classic. The man's vocals are amazing. I love this song. :)

[@joevokey1340]

My f'n God, Is there a more talented singer ever than Billy? Smooth as silk, on pitch, spot on LIVE! 🤯👏

[@herbinator57]

If you know any younger musicians, say, under 45 years old, play it for them I've done that and it has blown their minds. They can't understand how great a vocal and production can be without all the computerized crap being used today. If you're not black this is a great place to start getting into the music that moved America for half a century and more.

[@petergomez6991]

I'm sending it to my 20 year old daughter. She loves jazz and brass and this song​@@herbinator57

[@drgeff1]

Wow what a performance wow excellent

[@astephens1963]

THE MOST RECORDED SONG OF ALL TIME. 67,581 VERSION. THIS IS MY FAVORITE!!!

[@BigAirChicago22]

This took a crazy amount of time to find the name of this song. Like All day.

[@brotherlove9374]

Dawg, it's spells; S U M M E R T I M E . . .what the problem?

[@kunkeypander6293]

Feel bad for the poor bastards who gave up searching for it

[@misskamaronparks9263]

It's worth it

[@me6737]

Me too!!!

[@IsyMaxine]

Same!! I saw it performed in the movie Stuck On You a long time ago and was reminded of it when I rewatched it a few weeks ago. It took a little bit of digging to figure out which song it was (although in retrospect, I could've looked at the music credits lol)

[@MichaelWilliams-xd5ij]

Betty Wright brought me here R.I.P. June 2020

[@10000Mistakes]

This guy was way ahead of his time. Just crushing this song. Really just masterful.

[@TheLeenie]

Listening onMarch 24, 2022. Feels like summertime today in Colorado, feel like dancing in the street to this song.

[@JeepBoiFL]

I heard Elton John mention this mans name as an influence. Curious I sought out his work and now I can not stop watching this big man sing and swing. Mesmerizing, what talent!

[@calista910]

Influence damn he’s awesome who else???? This is so rad

[@XxowendanxX]

memories november 1991...U.S.S. Spadefish traveling in the english channel, heading towards portsmouth...one of the cooks kept playing this song over and over on the mess decks...

[@manfredkruger8474]

Hi, I heard this song for the first time while traveling thru the English Channel in 1967 and listening to a british radio station

[@XxowendanxX]

that's amazing...we didn't hear this on the radio one of the cooks had his tape full of his favorite songs and this was one of them, along with mama said there'd be days like this and foolish little girl by the shirelles...when we locked into british radio when we got that close to portsmouth the first song we heard on the mess decks was listen to what the man said by paul mccartney and wings...

[@michaelpope5299]

Love this song, great time to be growing up when this song came out! 👍

[@cynthianayeh5861]

I love this version of Summertime. I agree, Billy owns it on this.

[@audreysmith-bey2054]

Thank you for presenting this unedited version with video. I grew up listening to the radio edited version of Summertime with the vocal trilling and scatting. If Billy Stewart had lived longer we may have been able to explore more of his vocal abilities as there are similarities with the late Al Jarreau. I enjoyed them both.

[@algolightly115]

A-men!!!

[@Stella-Cabrera]

I’m so glad I’ve got to see Billy Stewart live. Love all his music and voice 🌺 1/22/22

[@HYMN_666]

Did you really?! I'd like to have been there with you!

[@gelh2451]

Perfect from second 1 to the very... very. End

[@LeftyStratPlayer]

And here we are. Happy Summer 2022, everyone!

[@miguelrios5580]

Who's still listening in 2019

[@DaltonMC]

2020

[@krc1989]

Some things is life age better than others

[@Telephonebill51]

I looked for this for YEARS, because i didn't remember who did it. FYI: Summertime has been covered over 36,000 times, according to ASCAP.

[@608sonia]

2020 AND ME YES LOL

[@johanandersson7423]

2021

[@jamesprevard6555]

This guy was so unique with a style that no one 2 this day deared 2 duplicate his trademark. Heavey Hitter!RIP.

[@iandemontfort4276]

Best version I have ever heard. Love it 😀

[@lisedixon]

It's call scat singing and it's a special talent that a few jazz artists exhibited.

[@AndreNaidoo-f7g]

Beautiful Voice And Soulful Music ❤❤❤❤

[@andyokus5735]

I never heard of this guy. What an eclectic talent. Just goes to show you in America the real deal gets passed by.

[@quashiesuzanne]

Ive always loved this version!

[@TheBillyarnezz]

Why am I just now hearing this????

[@harvey1954]

A friend of mine had Billy play his high school dance in the late 60s down in North Carolina. Billy had a nightclub act that involved his pianist telling blue material. Evidently they forgot where they were and went into some of that material while the principal went ballistic.

[@monicahaynes7295]

I was a little girl when this song was originally released!. It's stuck with me ever since and I'm 62 years old. That's a testament to the tremendous talent of this man! I always remembered the name and the song. My friend's dad had a band and I remember sitting in her living room as a little girl listening to them rehearse Billy's "Sittin' in the Park". Beautiful memories!

[@josephcore9097]

I read that there are over 2 thousand versions of this song and this is one of my favorites! I couldn't remember his name and it took me three days to weed through others until I found it, it is now on my Pandora playlist!

[@arthurleroygivinsjr.6835]

A TRUE LEGEND CLASSIC

[@ariellyn7253]

Whenever I'm in need of something to make me happy I watch this video. Love it. He's priceless. Thanks for posting this.

[@algolightly115]

A-men!!! Miss arlena if you would give me the chance I promise I can make you smile and happy for the rest of you're lying,

[@TheJeneralJ.U.-ICEForever]

"Fame" by B.O.B

[@virginiachapmanPenetti]

No One does this song better than Billy Stewart. There have been many versions, and many renditions. This is tops, the crème de le crème of all !!!!!!! I could listen to him sing this a thousand times a day !

[@snappypappy100]

Best Version Period...!

[@joenichols3433]

WoW! He doesn't need any fancy effects, autotune, or anything else, from back when music was music and not noise.

[@khizz82]

Who would’ve thought this would lead to that timeless classic from 2 live crew?!? I love music

[@chokitpi]

That is one fine hat.

[@doobieflycatcher4819]

Billy Stewart has a voice for the ages.

[@pauljohnston9768]

Several Chicago jazz cats in back of him here, too, Lester Bowie for one, as well as Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire.

[@neilx49]

BUNKY GREEN TOOK THE ALTO SOLO.

[@kaybernard2470]

Thank you I've wanted to know who these fabulous musicians are

[@ytbchnl]

👀📝

[@andreafulton7829]

Amazing! I am so hooked on Billy Stewart. Just recently was turned on to his voice & style.

[@Minni-g1y]

Love love love

[@brian9500]

Out of the park!

[@timmi59]

This is actually pretty cool.

[@SpendLoudNite]

gotta say thank you to Greg Kinnear performance of this superior version, Billy Stewarts arrangment of this song in closing scene of the Farrelly Brothers film "Stuck on You". i had only ever heard the original. how fucking amazing is Billy's vetsion! goddamn! what power and intensity!

[@SpendLoudNite]

@Chris Longski just an actor, in a movie. him and Meryl Streep perform this version of the song in the closing scene of the film. pretty awesome, all things considered. he won the oscar for best supporting actor. not for Stuck on You tho.

[@brookscowan90]

holy cow what did I just watch. that was great.

[@NickMonteleone]

I have watched this many times and loved it. Glad he never dropped the mic.

[@laminage]

This was from a Dick Clark Show called Where The Action Is which was like an Outdoor Version of American Bandstand. Elton John was a big fan of his music. and in the late 1960's he and The Bluebelles did a Showcase and they shared the Bill with him when he was still in Bluesology.

[@pedrocordero8724]

Billy Stewart was an incredible and amazing singer!

[@mungodegrijalva822]

Thank you for uploading this exquisite Billy Stewart version. It is a masterpiece of art. First heard this version eons ago when I met my first love. We fell madly in love listen to this song in each other's intimate company. Over forty years later, & it has brought back all those memories of young, first love, when the cruelty of a broken heart & disappointment of breakup were unknown. I wonder where she's at, & if she's content & happy? I hope she is!

[@almaconnor9171]

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!

[@michaelpope5299]

The band is killing it also, would of loved to have them when Billy song this song! 🎉

[@hugnaba]

OMG Killing it. One of my music heroes. Had this on my 45 stack, obviously way back. I was the only one in my family who listened to this kind of music. Did it for me, so long ago. Tragic ending for this wonderful artist. Never heard anyone with the stones to do this before or since. Been a professional musician for the last 50yrs, never seen/heard anyone top this.

[@nikabarnech1437]

This is actually my great uncle! I’m looking through all of the comments and reminiscing his music. His brother (my grandfather Johnny Stewart) has a few songs as well! So cool to see all of these peeps loving him! So sad I never met him.

[@marcosponce960]

Great performer

[@tracya3467]

Wow. Such a unique song. Such a rare thing today.

[@netdoctor1]

This is what's good about America!

[@bootreese1]

That get up would no way fly today but this song always reminds me of my yoot! Great song!

[@mrsp2115]

How did I never know about this singer! I ran across this searching for Ella's performance of Summertime. This one is now my favorite.

[@Tonyconner74]

What a song, Billy Stewart was born for this!..... Bravo!

[@louismedina8136]

A fucking masterpiece of American blues music .

[@almaconnor9171]

LORD IN HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!L!

[@jazzmanchgo]

Now *THAT* is a hat-and-a-half!

[@11sophiemarie]

His talents we immese and I cant help but think of all the great songs he didnt get to sing for us. He left far too soon. There arent singers like this today.

[@babysteprecord2168]

Good Song 🎹

[@KIZERVONZINGER]

I remember hearing this song played all of the beach in NY!

[@algolightly115]

A-men!!! and ur so nice looking on her too"

[@TheJeneralJ.U.-ICEForever]

"Fame" by B.O.B

[@sistagirl2377]

That song was played in my house by my parents when I was a kid,my brother used to try to scat like Mr. Stewart,the end of the song was my part😊we actually watched that performance on tv as kids.❤❤❤😊

[@bobsherunkle1]

Lordy lordy. One of the best popular music songs ever written. Numerous wonderful versions (with widely varying interpretations and arrangements), and a few which are better left unheard. But this one ... little doubt that Gershwin would have loved it. Billy Stewart, an extraordinary musical talent and a force of nature - gone too soon.

[@philcoomer6449]

I am! At every weekend bbq and the neighborhood pool. A classic for all.

[@drecool6976]

Love the sax solo, and billy rides the lyrics so well.

[@vintagesupermarkets5210]

Without a doubt my favourite rendition of Summertime.

[@XxowendanxX]

it's about time this dude get some acknowledgement...everyone always credits his older brother Rod with having all the musical talent in the family

[@if6was929]

You're ill, funny but ill none the less!

[@mewisemagic]

That strikes me funny....not.

[@XxowendanxX]

mewisemagic i try.

[@tonyblackbird5530]

You are wrong about Rod being his brother,it’s Rod’s father

[@ronaldsmith6871]

Look this the best version of the song! I listen to this over and over🏆💰💰💰B.S 💰💰💰💰🏆l

[@garygibbs3155]

probably the greatest song ever made, and argubly the best version, by the sublime mr stewart