Bruce Cockburn - If I had a Rocket Launcher - Austin City Limits

Bruce Cockburn - If I had a Rocket Launcher - Austin City Limits

[@Kevin-lh1zz]

How many years later.. and this song could have been written today. How sad a world we’ve created.

[@RVH-io3dr]

Very true. like the current Israel Gaza conflict.

[@jimbrennan7415]

Stevie Ray Vaughan was once asked what it felt like to be the best guitarist in the world, and he replied "Go ask Bruce Cockburn."

[@joseph-ow1hf]

Besides being one of the most powerful songs ever written......the guitar work on this is epic.

[@davidlesley1328]

Not only is Coburn top notch but so is the sound engineer. One of the best captures of Bruce.

[@SuperAngelic5]

This song is timeless...listening today as Russia invades Ukraine.

[@briannaleighrichardson1277]

Now listening with Israel Palestine. Sad..conflicts just grow and civilians die.

[@cswanson4476]

The determined, unstoppable guitar; the cold rage and grim imagery of the lyrics; the piercing focus on a mundane but powerful and personal weapon of war-I know of no other piece of music that unlocks this combination.

[@octaneartllc]

Unreal how good Bruce is. This man was pushing the envelope way before it was fashionable... I would love to paint a guitar for this man. I listen often while i paint, his art puts me in the mindset to create. I was born in 80 and ive been listening to bruce since i was a kid. His music ages like fine wine, holds true value like gold and will always have meaning.

[@jimmason8502]

He's playing a National Guitars Resoelectric solid body in aqua-blue with a red pearloid pickguard. Made in California.

[@alanvallazza9781]

I found him around 1994 when I was about 16 myself. I was just playing the radio but I had it on a local community station and this song came out. Later on I ended up seeing him live in concert.

[@chrisbellamy8603]

Paul Case does a great version of this song! That’s where I heard it first.

[@mitcht2717]

I was introduced to Bruce Cockburn by a friend in about 1974 or 1975 at the University of Minnesota/Duluth and she had been listening to Bruce as an avid fan for some time - I mention Bruce in the same breath as Canada's other greats - Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young and others - this is wonderful and his passion and courage in taking up issues and stances that others don't is unique and puts him in a class by himself.

[@TheElliotFreedmanGroup]

Wonderful--that early mid-70s stuff of Bruce's, including withthe French lyrics, is so cool. That era's group came to play at Queen's U while I was there in the 80s (as did Bruce on the solo tour for "Waiting for a Miracle" Grant Hall concert!) Michael Hedges, just before launching into "Come Together" (it's on "Live On The Double Planet", you can hear me whoop hearing/knowing it instinctively from the very first chord slash), said something like "heroes .. Joni for her tunings, Bruce for his spirit, and Neil for his artistry" (intertwinably applicalbe, no?). I'd have added minor-order Cdns like Ian Tyson, would've left off Cohen, and would hae added Lenny Breau. Best wishes!

[@mikewilcoxStrato88]

Great version of this song. Bruce is a very underrated guitarist and Colin adds very tasteful slide and vibrato

[@torontolarrivee7965]

Cockburn's guitar playing on the solo here is just amazing.

[@briannaleighrichardson1277]

The wars just keep going. People keep dying. I was 12 the first time I heard this song. I come back and listen every few years. 😢

[@DrJohn-rl9zg]

In the early nineties I was outside at Rice University in Houston, Texas listening to this song. About that time then governor GW Bush's helicopter flew over. It was a glimpse into the future. Brown University estimated that 4.5 million people died as a result of Bush's "War on Terror". It cost about $8 trillion dollars, money that could have been spent on social uplift, feeding, housing and educating the poor. Not to mention the environmental degradation.

[@sharonladuke5961]

And the lyrics. Just as relevant today.

[@cswanson4476]

Sadly.

[@markygreenall8645]

I had the GREAT fortune to see this man live in a footie club in Brisbane Australia in the late 1980s , man so good.

[@funwithFred]

He's an amazing guitarist and songwriter......so underappreciated. Had a big impact on me in the day, and still...........

[@StevePartonMusic]

Just fantastic. Having Colin Linden on guitar is a great addition. What a powerful song.

[@patrickalaggio3560]

I saw Bruce up at Mount Stowe VT last Sunday and he gave a TREMENDOUS one man performance! If he comes to your area don't miss out!! I drove six hours round trip to see him perform and it was worth every second!

[@reakrit]

This is an excellent version... seems more pertinent today than ever.

[@Coffeeology]

As an Austinite, I was THRILLED to have Bruce in our town.

[@lynnofarrell7673]

The intro of this song reminds me of Pat Metheny … Bruce Cockburn is a savant guitar player and out of this world song-writer! Few can touch him!

[@TheDavidtk240]

Excellent songwriter and superb guitarist. Thank You.

[@shawnwright5332]

Scary how good this is

[@elliotgoldberg5657]

Bruce is a complete master and a true treasure!

[@collinstanton]

Hail my Brother! Beautifully from the heart of hearts⚔🛡🌹

[@igitahimsa5871]

I love this man, this song, this music. Thank God there is one real one left.. Peace On Earth.

[@beathermit3876]

Hell of a performance

[@ldhorricks]

Having grown up in Canada, and having a brother who plays guitar and played a lot of Bruce's music...I have a deep connection to Bruce Cockburn's work...as many Canadians do. I play differen music to my brother but Maybe One day I will be able to play Fox Glove 1/10th as well as my brother. One aspect of Bruce's talent that gets lost behind his towering Guitar skill...is his voice...I would have love to have seen hm and Bruce Springsteen perform together...i would be awesome.

[@crabbycdntucktoyuktuck7903]

First time I ever heard him was in a shit coffee house in toronto. Place was packed. Thanks Bruce. You are unique.

[@EdwardGatey]

Ftusa. Long live Bruce!

[@dlc1119]

Giving voice to the unheard

[@orkneyrd]

Absolutely phenomenal. Bruce sold out my theatre in Baltimore, in the late 90's the 1939 Senator Theatre . I wasn't familiar with his music, yet became a huge fan that memorable night along with over 800 delighted, like minded others.

[@Butterwolf]

the guitar playing is so awesome!

[@rigelmoon9030]

One hell of an amazing talent.

[@dancha1593]

Thank you Jack Cockburn for posting this outstanding acoustic version of "If I had rocket launcher" WOW! Bruce your guitar licks during the solo was /is the best. What a message , Eh?

[@robertdavidson9393]

Ah Bruce met him in 2019 October..nice fella !74 YEARS OLD AND STILL TOURING!We had chat!Great musician par excellent!

[@randyelliott9152]

Thank you Canada!!!!!

[@karenvessey820]

Another wonderful song!! I wouldn't hesitate either!!

[@elizabethmcleod246]

Out world is desperate for peace. I pray we find it world wide some day. One can hope.

[@IvanPVaghely]

My bro put me onto this one by Bruce Cockburn. Thank you Ian. A great Canadian singer and guitar player

[@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

this may be the best version I have heard.

[@loranelizabeth9148]

Dearest Mr Bruce: YOU are my #1/favorite Master Musician! Thank you for being YOU!

[@joeyerrigo5107]

Relevant then, relevant today.

[@xavieracoleman9964]

This song rocked me when he first came out with it. I haven't heard it for 35-40 years. It just rocked me again.

[@patrickcosgrove5660]

Seen over 200 ACL tapings (one of the special aspects of living in Austin and being a music fanatic) but not this one. Wish they would bring Bruce back--he is brilliant!

[@razbodian555]

I can only find a few of the ACL recordings. Is there a place to find all of them ?

[@johngoode865]

if they knew what they were doing with their talent choices? LOL terry lickona

[@johngoode865]

then the KGSR anny party with Bruce was great too!

[@BarbieNicolaus]

Thank You Salmon ❤

[@ziggystardust1751]

Ist heard this in 1986 daharan.bravest Canadian artist I know🎉.

[@fishgolfguy]

Yesssss! A artist with true vision

[@rifflistener]

Wow! Atta way Bruce

[@scottvanderwall2170]

This was the best austin city limits episode ever Recorded it on vhs and wore it out rosan cash and lucinda wiliams were just as good

[@basilcarroll9729]

I watched it live,it was great!

[@luaroregxxiii3376]

Yeah...Canada rulez!!!! What a version....exquisite.....

[@37Dionysos]

I would not hesitate

[@guytitanic]

I was very privaleged to have seen him at Willie Nelson's old Opry House in Austin shortly after the release of this album in 1985 and the show was spell binding.

[@tonynewburey8900]

On the boarder east and west Germany remember seeing the Helicopters performing a dance. A Hind D and a AH1.....

[@UnfamiliarPlace]

Very subdued version, beautiful

[@rblauson]

Magnificent

[@jamestonguet1737]

as timely as ever

[@Claytone-Records]

I have this lp, but this performance is better. Love how Bruce keeps his pinky finger anchored on the pick guard. Thanks for the upload. Hello from Austin. Ban mines USA!

[@pierrebeausoleil5885]

CLAYTON DO YOU KNOW IN SOME CASE PERSONNEL MINE SAVE LIFE.USA HAS A BASE IN SOUTH ARABIA AND ALL THE BASE ARE SURROUND WITH THOSE SAME MINE,THIS BASE WOULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT THOSE MINE.

[@jamescampbell2521]

Chills

[@tomcarroll6737]

Guatemala

[@elledammers8]

Lahaina 🔥 fires …Dew and where are the children ………………..

[@stevematheson1706]

Wow!

[@38zambrano]

mother fucking perfection..............................

[@38zambrano]

Andy Simmons this is like watching Jack White play.......AHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA

[@KayZee1957]

I was looking for some good Bruck Cockburn songs and listening to this again made me remember how Stealing Fire made me want to see Nicaragua. I did wind up going about 6 years ago and loved it. A truly fascinating place andthey live like Rush said, closer to the heart.

[@lawrenceleggett9534]

Awesome

[@joq702]

This was n amazing night on Austin City Limits. I saw the original broadcast on Tv and loved every minute of this one. lucinda Williams Hot Blood rendition was outstanding, as was the final song by all of them together ( Don’t think twice it’s alright).

[@if6was929]

Not sure if its true but I read that someone once asked Eric Clapton what its like to be the world's best guitarist and EC said, "I wouldn't know, you'll have to ask that of Bruce Cockburn".

[@DougRH52]

Nice rendition: a home of great music of all types

[@babewebster]

LOVE!

[@ericwellman14]

My sentiments EXACTLY! Now, more than ever!

[@shemanic1]

AWESOME

[@shirleylackey801]

✌😎🔥🔥🔥

[@keenosaabi4530]

he's colin linden, he's the ringleader of blackie and the rodeo kings

[@jim-bo6su]

Thank You, Jack C for using the correct titling format!!! this is the first song of his i had heard. searched for it for years (i didn't know the artist). i found it on "Waiting for a Miracle."

[@gailwilliams2678]

The slide guitarist is Colin Linley (I hope that's spelled correctly). He's Canadian, and a superb guitarist. You can find him on the other videos from this ACL appearance (check out See How I Miss You). Colin is also on the Down From the Mountain DVD.

[@squirrelbutler2119]

Colin Linden

[@harriclein9659]

nice

[@Drumr56]

yes.

[@MarkoPoloflojo]

"I swear by My Life! This Revelation is endowed with such a power that it will act as the lodestone for all nations and kindreds of the Earth." ~Baha'u'llah.

[@0ldmanstew]

some dope melody goin on der

[@steveaustin7306]

He makes alot of his own instruments. Believe he's playing one there

[@jakespoon7994]

Never heard of him making guitars. I’m pretty sure that’s a National Resolectric.

[@mikelord9860]

I'd have to read up on that, I had never read anything about Bruce the luthier; I knew Guy Clark built guitars, and played his own.

[@steveaustin7306]

@@mikelord9860 I saw him on a solo tour in the 80s. He had many instruments he'd made on stage. Talked about a few of them. Guys qn amazing musician

[@joaonettoofc]

My dream play this song in stage

[@sunsoakedinflorida1924]

Who is the slide guitarist. I saw both of them on PBS many years ago. They were featuring single song selections of various artist. Only this time the slide guitarist was able to take one hell of a kickass solo. I was hoping it would turn up somewhere, but never has. I have it on VHS tape but no sound. I took the VCR in to repair the problem. Had a chance to catch the same show again and again the sound didn't record. Talk about pissed as hell!!!!!!

[@ANomadicJourney]

Probably wouldn't go over very well at the next Presidential SOTU address

[@hokulealinda]

What year was this? Thanks. Love it.

[@fumingriley]

1992

[@ginaoneil9372]

I wish I had a rocket launcher😎

[@gailwilliams2678]

Sorry, Sunsoaked -- Colin's last name is Linden. I was spacing on David Linley.

[@GrafStorm]

Well, this is the sh!t.

[@thomaswilliamjohnson3022]

i think of the movie man on fire but i wanna talk money with the arabs right now

[@danfuerthgillis4483]

You can see here the current Music Industry is a ghost of it's former self. There is no more electric guitar skills with Echo, Delay, Chorus work. Seems like these days it's all just sampled crap mixed in.

[@kasimirmaja]

so what , go ukraine , or stay tuned as a peacetrain ?

[@MizMite2002]

Not a peep from the man. guess he is too busy funding the helicopters today.

[@vl0029]

I'm sure this is what every Ukrainian thinks today when they see a russian helicopter approaching. Slava Ukraini!

[@njandrews4105]

Free Palestine

[@timgreen5688]

MR COCKBURN. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN WITH A HUMAN BEING WHEN THEY WERE DYING?

[@njandrews4105]

Free Palestine