Bobby McFerrin does Wizard of Oz

Bobby McFerrin singing condensed version of the Wizard of Oz for a late-80s PBS pledge drive. If anyone knows where the original video can be purchased, please let me know (I've called KQED and the conservatory, and both doubt that an original copy exists).

[@Tobey2k4]

As silly and comical as this seems....the amount of musicianship involved is phenomenal. Just his vocal range makes him a god among men, let alone how he outlines the harmonies when the audience is singing... Truly a living legend.

[@emanx222]

Tobey2k4 exactly!!!!!

[@metalbob3335]

A talented man at the front of brutality of the futility of progress all the while fighting the progression of the mediocre.

[@mspickleh]

Bobby McFerrin used to go to my church and play peek-a-boo with me! He is soooooooooooooooo awesome!

[@q.7628]

You lie?!!

[@cat_the_nerdymama]

That's so cool!!!!!

[@Mathuews1]

I normally don't believe this kind of comment but knowing Mr Mcferrin, it sounds likely

[@tubinit2007]

Bobby McFerrin should be put in CHARGE of Musical Education for all American public schools. We'd all enjoy a much more musical society if we had this man figuring out how kids should learn.

[@LittlebitofDixie]

I think he could bring world peace through his musical techniques.

[@MorbidBliss22]

This man literally IS music.

[@Neceros]

I love how everyone knows what Wizard of Oz is.

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

So do I...we were just remarking about how naturally the audience responded to his cues..even in the odd Flying Monkeys parts

[@dvon21]

As well as his intonation, phrasing, bass voice, musicality, vocal arrangements and showmanship.

[@emanx222]

What a performer!!!! He literally embodies everything he sang and fully involved the audience, it was like being at home with family!

[@nickya11]

I was in the 2nd row at the Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee, WI and he preformed this. What an AMAZING Performer!!! He did the whole Wizard of OZ!! It was funny and a sight to behold.... I am very glad I was able to see it in person.

[@IfILovedYou7]

Now this is real singing! Having previously heard Bobby McFerrin in San Francisco with his acappella group Voice-estra in late '80s I had a privilege of being in a audience at the National Concert Hall in Dublin a few years ago when he did a concert - he had the whole audience singing with him - obviously all followers and set to sing with him. It was fantastic and I even managed to get on to the stage to sing in a group with him. Is there anyone else out there who could do all this - I haven't heard of them! Thank goodness we have great video record of these events. A wonderful man with woderful musical abilities which he wants to share.

[@AlexReynard]

I can see why he later became a conductor. He's a natural at it.

[@brass76]

his music is great for all ages and hope he lives on all the way for many kids to hear

[@criimsonrose]

I've never seen anyone command an audience as awesome as Bobby McFerrin! Huge range!

[@user-mq5dr1jh5t]

check out his spiritual not verbal work with just vocalization singing. awestruck

[@eagle3530]

Bobby Mcferrin is a true individual and a true artist and one of the best performance out there. He's my hero of music. Whoever dislike him does not know the true music of vocalist. His attitude is what make Bobby Mcferrin a aspiring social organization

[@Syntexz]

The entire orchestra is like, "What the fuck are we even doing here...?"

[@johnbutler4235]

Bobby is PURE CLASS and the more I see of him, the MORE I LIKE 🎶❤️🎶

[@johnbutler4235]

Bobby is a GREAT PERFORMER and I’m very grateful for all of the videos ❤️🎶🙏🏻

[@b.lemonpeel5604]

I saw him do this live at Carnegie Hall in NY back around '85. Breathtaking!

[@done1675]

I saw him do this at Carnegie Hall as well, in March/April 1987, with Stanley Jordan and Michel Petrucciani on the bill. Magnificent.

[@gafferoo]

It's amazing how he can always make an audience participate at they level they do!

[@thelipstickfemme]

Great songs from the Wizard of Oz. Love how he captured the entire movie in a few minutes. Brilliant.

[@MarisaTurnerMusic]

Excellent....amazing artist....Genius indeed.....not the clown at all....you see the audience transported to each moment in the story.....it takes a great gift to bring to life what this man has in this piece...God continue to smile on Bobby McFerrin, that he may continue to bless the world!

[@Sarsington]

this man is an acapella MACHINE!

[@JoshDone]

I saw him perform this at carnegie hall in early 1986. It just blew me away.

[@timmycury]

Bobby McFerrin is one of my biggest inspiration in life. Love him and his art! Truly amazing!

[@cyoobist]

I love this fella, he has the best job ever. He gets paid to have fun and he doesn't even have to know the words hahaha! :D

[@miguelmf]

It's amazing the ranges his voice have... Incredible!

[@mspickleh]

It took my whole class to do just the acting and singing parts. He can do that *and* sound effects! :D

[@wesleyking2212]

What kind of energy a guy must have to do this & still be standing!!??

[@jtpangburn]

wow. his falsetto is amazing

[@eirintowne]

I've got to share this with my 8th-graders, who have just studied "The Wizard of Oz" and the way all kinds of other cultural expressions refer to it. Bobby McFerrin is a true master of three instruments: his voice, the microphone and last, but not least: the audience!

[@monkgroupie]

I saw this many many years ago, when it first aired on PBS. I never forgot it. It is brilliant on so many levels: the humor, his ability to capture precisely those little gestures and silly images from the movie which *everyone* knows. His uncanny ability to unite every one in the audience through the common memories... Thank you for putting this online!

[@pifibbi]

so much memories...

[@celia7494]

RIDICULOUSLY huge range. absolutely amazing.

[@genracer8866]

I love It When He Gets the Crowd Involved😎👍✌💙💜🧡💖💗

[@ahminus]

Wow. Thank fucking god for people with VHS tapes and KZbin. That is pure magic.

[@wingdairu]

@maakheru001 That, and he's still at it. He's been asked why he hasn't retired, and he simply answered, "I'm having too much fun."

[@GiovanniNicotera]

2:39! amazing!

[@hEyBaNaGiRl]

Rockin those glasses

[@johnbutler4235]

He is AWESOME and LOVE To Hear more

[@Arnica_Burdock]

When I was a kid, I saw "The Wizard of Oz on Ice" for which Bobby McFerrin did all of the vocals except for Dorothy's part. That was my introduction to both this genius musician and the Wizard of Oz.

[@Hoick]

The internet wins again! marvellous!

[@cyberk25]

wow. he has such an amazing range

[@hjbrandt2]

How I wish I could have seen this live…!

[@mrbones102]

Heard this on the radio in the mid 90's. Loved him ever since!

[@colinbarnette0]

Thanks so much for both recording and uploading this gem!

[@Bipbip24]

oh my god this is one of the greatest things ever!

[@youkaisayaka]

Holy shit, huge pitch range

[@tejaswoman]

Got to see this in 1987 at UNT in Denton, Texas, all thanks to getting lost on the way home and pulling in the KNTU-FM station only to learn that my musical idol was going to be in concert that night. Dragged my brother there and never regretted it! (Also got to see him at UNC-CH in the late '90s.)

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

That's where we first saw him too !

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

UNC-Ch

[@hernanmoyaar]

I'm crying and loughing all at the same time, can't believe it, just wonderful!!!

[@RMalone81491]

in the mid 90s i saw a wizard of oz show there were actors playing the parts but bobby did all the voices it was awesome

[@genracer8866]

I love When He does Over the Rainbow Humming😎👍✌💙💜💖💗

[@JasonStoutCR]

I remember watching this live.... very cool

[@lotusdfrique6843]

jeez, my heart just cracked open a little.

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

Can't help it, can you!

[@AstridPerellon]

I love when he waves the lion´s tail away when his marching toward the Evil Witch castle. Even that detail! He´s got it all!

[@maakheru001]

@bingradabwesend clowns are some of the most intellectual people, their pride goes beyond how they may appear, for example the court jester is the only man in the castle who can insult the king and not be decapitated. He has so much power.

[@poorsonwelles]

The augmented sharp he springs out of nowhere at 1:20 is so damn good, and he knows it too

[@SandySalmansohn]

You can really hear the chords in the song the way he "sings" it. I've often told people that if you think you can't hear an octave, just sing the first 2 notes to this song.

[@FfejTball]

Bobby for president!

[@smorgensterin4990]

The fact that he is able to run so much while doing all this amazing vocal work is what impresses me the most.

[@bagobo2]

Omg GENIUS

[@saxman1919]

F'ing genius!!!! I love this man. I hate that for most of the world he's the Don't worry be happy guy. Those people have no idea.

[@bigbear8832]

Bobby is masterful

[@vampirealdys]

WOW! I love the Wizard of Oz, and this was done in a funny manner, but not in a derisive, patronizing way. GREAT VID! Thanks for sharing!

[@susandrn]

OMG... I haven't seen anything that entertaining in a long time! That man is amazing! I would have loved to have been in the audience!

[@c00lmike]

truly amazing

[@debralittleton5323]

Absolutely amazing 👏

[@Francophone974]

Merci d'avoir publié ça, c'est tout simplement génial!

[@b1u3yogurt25]

This gave me such a huge smile throughout the whole video.

[@susannaricamo4647]

Fantastic!!!

[@andrealyman6747]

The best!!!!!Genius extraordinaire!

[@DessineMoiUnPiano]

I remember, I watched this so many times a few years ago Just amazing! And amazing how much the crowd knows the songs and sang them with him! Love it

[@mjedge808]

I saw him do this live once, it was so fun!

[@jazzpianopracticechannel5108]

beautiful..

[@AirShay]

Woah. That was amazing! :)

[@deborahmcpherson463]

Love this ❤

[@DezertSt0rm345]

thanx for uploading!

[@Duhaloto]

What a pleasure!Long live Boby McFerrin! I saw him last week in Sofia!Happy me!

[@bonehead1170]

When I see a show and the performer is making the big bucks, I'll be damned if he's putting me to work.

[@duncanjones7310]

what an inspiration!

[@gballve11]

That`s it mate! Thanks a million!! I found the link on the NPR shop, and it specifically mentions the "riotous performance" by McFerrin singing the Wizard of Oz.

[@archcorenth]

Thanks for that. I haven't seen that since I was a little kid, and my aunt taped it off of TV for me.

[@stephenmagnotta8462]

I heard this incredible performer on Prairie Home Companion years ago. He is simply Wonderful!!

[@dedin1968]

The Wizard of Oz was performed on A Prairie Home Companion. The program was also carried on The Disney Channel and later broadcast on PBS. Video can be found on the collection highlights from PHC called A Prairie Home Collection, which features 3 PBS specials. You can get it by calling 1-800-998-8173. The item number is PH611746

[@AC3DG]

If you're looking for an original video of him doing this, he does it as part of a Prairie Home Companion / Garrison Keillior Home DVD series I found on Netflix. It's a series of a couple discs, I can't remember which one it's on though.

[@SimpleJars]

• When did he do that? • He did the same thing on the Concert of Walt Disney's For Our Children. • He sounded great doing 'Over the Rainbow'! (It's actually cool that the audience we're singing along.) • He sounded funny, saying 'Follow the yellow brick road' on 3:57 (he sounded funny when he said it on 'For Our Children' Concert, too.) • He sounded great, saying the Wizard's quote on 6:17. • He sounded great, doing the guard's chant on 6:42, too. • He really did great, sounding like the witch on 7:17-7:23-7:26

[@dulebox]

Amazing!!!

[@theonetheonlyJr]

@Aplustradomus the world really couldnt handle them on stage together...that's real music!!!!

[@VABkWrm]

I saw him do this live at The Spoletto Festival in 1984 or 85. Amazing!

[@bitovino]

Love badly this man

[@odas42]

I used to have this on video. It was part of a Prarie Home Companion special for PBS.

[@heavenlyguitar5913]

This man was given a whole train load of talent when he was born!

[@TharsilaRN]

Amazing

[@tooblonde420]

Fascinating

[@CptnObvious21]

This is fan-flippin-tastic!

[@1matrix9]

Thanks you so much!

[@TheChicagoChronicler]

ive seen this many times but wow just wow! hes a bad man

[@bigbear8832]

Phenomenal

[@plecouteur]

oh my god this is so good

[@FamilyCasting]

I love Bobby McFerrin!

[@delerak]

So young. Yet still so talented.

[@ednardogoes117]

Artista. Se garante! Grande potência musical.