Commander Cody & His lost Planet Airmen - Hot Rod Lincoln 1974

[@plumcrazypreston2797]

Commander George now pilots his Hot Rod Lincoln high in the sky of The Lost Planet. May his Airmen join him in peace someday. Rest in peace, Commander.

[@wildbill5670]

great song. Sorry we lost him.

[@matthewbyrom5394]

Men die legends never die they are eternal commander stands waiting for them to join him for that wild ride

[@davidmorin6667]

RIP one of the great auto 🚘 🎵 songs

[@zombywoof1015]

Perhaps you're not aware of the fact that we all will die some die. You, me, her, him. All of us.

[@unclrogPitcher]

glad i got a chance to sit, sip, and visit at the Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY... and play for Bill Kirchen later

[@scottgracie9053]

RIP George Frayne ...aka Commander Cody 1944-2021

[@outsidethebox8950]

So I was working at a small gas station in the early 70’s in Sonoma, Ca and in comes a huge bus with a large whale on the side.. Commander Cody and his lost planet airman, I watched several girls leave the bus and I was told to fill it up. I hand cranked diesel at a rate of 3 pumpes per gallon.. One of my best memories ever… to this day. I just turned 69 so I was a young kid for them

[@outsidethebox8950]

Regardless of what people think, I know it is true and cheris this

[@MicheleJane]

Cool

[@tinfoilhatplumber485]

I was pumping gas as a kid ( I'm 65 ) and croft , of seal & croft pulled in..

[@OnMePro2000]

Was looking up commander Cody from Starwars but I found this instead. Not disappointed.

[@streborsemaj2173]

You win the damn comments. Wow.

[@roryotoole3279]

Still not the "original" Commander Cody, keep searching. They are ALL cool 😎

[@chuckfinley6747]

I’m still waiting on my refund I emailed you about for going to Phantom Menace in 1999.

[@elrafa3957]

lol

[@nalou6933]

One of the many musical gems l heard every Sunday night in the 1970's on the "Dr. Demento" radio show. "The Doctor is In" !!!!! 😁👍

[@bradleysmith8618]

thats me in the blue cowboy shirt next to the building in france watching them play live !

[@smallywaters7063]

Way cool!😁🎸

[@JusticeAlways]

When was this video made?

[@jmsjms296]

Hérouville!!

[@fg842]

This gal here has personally known quite a few musicians and these guys were some of the most intelligent academicians/musicians I have ever known. They were hilarious and just downright crazy. RIP my dear friend George and fellow band mates.

[@some_other_paul]

hey gal, you were and no doubt remain a hoot. RIP for them.

[@jdee8267]

They come across that way

[@grega1972]

Probably the Greatest version of this song ever !!!!!

[@captainkangaroo4301]

I’ve known George for over 40 years. I still get together with him every couple of years when he comes to Minneapolis. He’s a great guy and even though he looks like a frail old man with a cane if you see him on the street once you sit him down at the piano he still rocks out.

[@maryderose7271]

Just heard he passed. Say it ain’t so 🥺

[@devonrains6580]

It's a sad day when there's no Commander in the world. RIP George Frayne. Your music has meant so much to me.

[@joshuabrooks4907]

Rest easy, George "Commander Cody" Frayne.

[@airtow6766]

It only takes about 1 second to remember what a great group of musicians Commander Cody and the LPA were, Great!

[@kenrisling]

As I recall, this was the year I saw them in concert at Winterland in S.F. They opened for the Beach Boys. Of course, the familiarity of Brian Wilson's songs, with those magical harmonies, had all of us singing along in bliss with the headliners, but the contrast in energy was astounding. The Boys performed as if behind a screen, rote repetitions of numbers from thousands of shows before, like a cover band at a wedding. The Airmen's set was a huge, joyous party to which all the audience was invited. As thrilled as I was to finally witness the Beach Boys, that night Commander Cody's Airmen stole the show.

[@rbbrown2106]

Look closely people...this is something you don't see today. Artists with talent, who play musical instruments and sing without the aid of auto tune.

[@theycallmebill]

I met the Guitarist Bill Kirchen @ the Rodeo Bar in NYC. He was the most gracious man I have ever met. He came and played Durango Colorado twice. He's still making great live music. Go check him out.

[@pretorious700]

I've known Bill since 1969. Great guy, dated my sister for a while.

[@starjunkie5328]

Man, Bill Kirchen was so young in this video. One of the best "Tele" players EVER.

[@keithleach1880]

ya hes got some vids on here and he ain't young no mo but he sho plays goot!

[@rockinredneck57]

Just heard the Commander has slipped his earthly bonds. Rest in Peace, George Frayne. Thanks for the music.

[@bobosputnik]

Rest in Peace, George Frayne IV---song reminds me of my Dad who passed earlier this year.

[@coltsfan79]

I've been listening to Commander Cody sing this since the 70's, it's now 2021 and I now get to see him back in the day.

[@captaintrips2980]

People look at me like I'm crazy when I talk about Commander Cody these days. Sad for them.

[@captlarry-3525]

skip the yo-yo's zall you can do.

[@airtow6766]

They obviously never smoked a joint till they were 40.

[@duderino1950]

They obviously don’t understand what it means to be down to the seeds and stems again blues

[@rolandomartinez9076]

Ah Hell u haven't even started. The Flying Burrito Brothers Country Joe n the Fish Captain Beyond So many more.

[@johannesswarts1440]

Yeah, well, screw them - favorite dorm room record at UVM in Burlington, VT, back in the day...

[@richierich396]

I remember being at my cousin's house in the mid 70's, and we weren't allowed to play this song on his record player, cause my uncle was a State Trooper and hated it.

[@rickdaystar477]

Uncle had issues it's just a damn good song.

[@jamesmorrison7847]

I was working as a bouncer in a big nightclub in Jersey in 1974. He played a 1 night gig there drunk on his ass and did one hell of a show. This is just what he sounded like back then.

[@commontater8630]

The drunk on his ass part sounds familiar, also the one hell of a show part.

[@skaybaltimore]

And as great as the band as a whole is, I've really grown to appreciate the mad talent of Bill Kirchen. He not only plays notes the way only he can, but he also is a tone master, able to get tons of different sounding tones out of his Tele.

[@Dan0948]

I saw Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen perform this song in 1970

[@ronniewall1481]

ME TOO LAST WEEK

[@cliffwheeler7357]

They came to my home town of Aylesbury in England and played our famous club called “Friars”, ( google it). First gig was Saturday September 15th 1973. But the standout gig was just over two years later. On Saturday January 24th 1976 they played an amazing gig which was recorded live and made up half of their double live album “We’ve Got A Live One Here!” Which was released later that year. It was the original lineup, except for John Tichy who had left and was replaced by Norton Buffalo from the Steve Miller Band. Great Days!

[@cbroz7492]

That's Bill Kirchens on the left w/glasses and long hair...one of the greatest GI-TAR players you never heard of!!!

[@mbogucci1]

Thanks for pointing this out!

[@commontater8630]

Absafuckinlutely.

[@commontater8630]

*Kirchen

[@diceportz7107]

That fiddle player is talented! Wow!

[@richardjohnson4238]

This is a GREAT cover of this song, but most importantly, this is the GREATEST name for a band ever!

[@FleagleSangria]

Ah shucks I didnt know George Frayne died. This was my favorite song as a kid. Probably the first time I got that rebellious feeling and started ny desire to play guitar. Still gives me goosebumps. RIP Commander...rest in peace🌹

[@stevevaal1322]

I have a 1988 Lincoln Town Car. I just drove it from Show Low Arizona to Hinsdale NH in four days. The Lincoln ran like a watch. I love this car. It belonged to my Kid Brother and he passed and my Mother took possession of it. She just passed on Mother's day so now it's mine. Beautiful car.

[@rb8165]

Nice story about the drive. Sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. Rip

[@carterc9171]

nothing better than a panther body ford. hope to own a town car one day, i had a lincoln mks and it was fantastic

[@myobmyob2215]

91 TC, sleeper like you wouldn't believe Lines on the road just look like dots

[@gulfgypsy]

Let's face it --- the 70's had some of the best music and most variety. Folk rock, hard rock, country rock, blues, mo-town ........

[@blueskycrying]

Nia the Gulf Gypsy I agree, but I have heard quite a few famous musicians refer to the 70's as not a good era for music which I absolutely don't agree with at all, you had everything from Bob Marley ragge to punk to disco to Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aerosmith, Hank Jr., Waylon and Willie, Charlie Daniels, Bad company, foreigner Alice cooper, Ozzy, Queen, James Taylor, Paul Mcartney and wings and just way to many more bands and artists to name, I mean come on, the 70's was full of great music, artists and performances. I was born in December 1965 and have gotten to experience and also perform ( yes I'm another crazy guitar player lol) some pretty awesome music in my lifetime, and a ton of it is 70's music.

[@coffeegirl6854]

Such varieties of all kinds of music. Something for everyone. I grew up on Long Island. What a music hub!

[@timoneill5244]

@@coffeegirl6854 plus because of limited radio stations, everyone had to listen to everyone else's music, so people's musical horizons were expanded!!

[@richardjohnson4238]

If "Commander Cody and The Lost Planet Airmen" isn't the BEST name ever for a rock and roll band...I don't know what was. Love this song.

[@martinbscott8815]

Back in my university days, a couple of us dj's decided this was a better track from the album than the record company. Turned out we were right, and our small Canadian station received an award for breaking the song. I've been a rabid fan since then!

[@davidjorgensen877]

I'm also Canadian, and I remember this Commander Cody version of the song from an 8-track my auto-mechanic dad brought home from a trade-in vehicle in the mid-70s. My brother and I used to play it over and over and over - by far the best version of the song I've heard. BUT ... this recording seems different from the one I remember, as it's very hard to pick out the lyrics. The lyrics are the best part!

[@robertfrench1956]

This stuff never gets old!

[@raindeerprojekt4119]

Talent was once a thing....These cats bleed it out!!! Awesome effort Boys

[@grega1972]

BILL KIRCHEN IS A BEAST ON FLAT PICKING !!!

[@OverlandOne]

Kirchen was great back then and a legend now. I wonder how many times he has played this song? Tens of thousands? This is a classic song and it never gets old.

[@commontater8630]

He has so much fun with it now, giving the nod to all the other guitarists.

[@richardgibbs1758]

Saw these guys inn a pub in London ( Half Moon Putney ) very many years ago. Walked past. A couple of tickets still available. A fantastic and amusing evening. Been a fan ever since.

[@Truetoo102]

Heard this song 100s of time, first time I seen a video of the performance. Cool.

[@jimfitzgerald6510]

In 1973/74 it was just cool to be able to say casually, “Listening to Commander Cody and the LPA last night on the Seeds and Stems album”. Just a whole other level of cool.

[@ictpilot]

One of the greatest feel good songs ever!

[@chrishershey4012]

One of My ALL TIME Favorite Jams to play at Geckos in Woodbridge Virginia. ALWAYS got the People Moving. R.I.P. Commander !!!

[@davidswan3539]

Saw and talked with Bill Kirchen one night at the Bangor Preforming Arts Festival Bangor, ME. Guy's a great player and hilarious story teller. He's a pretty cool guy, too, just setting and chatting.

[@kurthammond6977]

Saw them at Hopkins University in Baltimore in 1972(?). There was a terrible ice storm that night, only about 100 people showed up. We all partied with the band and they played for what seemed like hours and hours. So much fun! To this day I'm not sure how anyone got home.

[@stanruud7253]

I saw them for the first time in early 1974 with The New Riders of the Purple Sage at The Academy of Music in NYC. I was there for NRPS and had never heard of CC and his LPA. I soon found out that wasn't true for most of the crowd, as they apparently already had a huge following in NYC. They were great and I was hooked; what a blast! They got called back for multiple encores and NRPS did not seem enthused by the the time they finally got on stage. Their performance was lackluster by comparison and it seemed like they were going make everyone pay for holding them up. I saw CC and his LPA there again a couple of months later. This time Spencer Davis Group and Bachman-Turner Overdrive (of all bands) were the opening acts. The crowd was impatient, especially with BTO. CC and his LPA were outstanding, and I'm not kidding, they did 5 encores. That seems ridiculous, but that's the way I remember it. Cody said "Ya'll know you're fuckin' crazy!" on his last trip out on the stage. LOL

[@lostagain6518]

Ahhh youth, those days, my my my it truly was fun. Now everything is clownish.

[@renegade44040]

Once a long time ago here in town I volunteered to work the backstage (roadie) at the fairgrounds for the big headliner. That night, was Commander Cody!

[@chuckjohannessen3330]

Fair winds and following seas Commander Cody. George levelled up this week.

[@charlieandhudsonspal1312]

Best times of my life circa this video. I just saw Commander last year, old but man he still rocked. I sat 10 feet from him. Gave him a spleef when the show was over. Bout 50 of us there and I knew all of us. And at 60 I had some shrooms.

[@Dstrbrdgrnd]

Groovy man👍🤠

[@lorewitt3939]

The Stanhope House In Stanhope New Jersey!!! Epic epic epic shows there. George was always such a gentleman. One night during a gnarly thunder and lightning storm, there was a leak in the window behind where the band was playing, I think the flashing above the window had come off, and I remember seeing the blue arc on stage! I think It was from George's piano to the amp. Just before all the lights went out. And they were playing there's a riot going on. the lights went out. You could just hear the last strum of the electric guitar without any juice. It was total silence for about 5 seconds. You wondered who was around you, who was going to jump over the bar and grab the cash register, Who was going to grab someone else's girlfriend, anything could happen.... 300 some odd people ( some VERY odd!) in a 200 year old wooden bar/ dance hall; waaaaay over the fire marshals limit. All of a sudden the power came back on and the band went right back into the song and the smelly sweaty jubilant crowd went wild, screamed themselves hoarse, And the rest is Stanhope House history. R.I.P. George. I still love you David.

[@f.demascio1857]

My son's first bass guitar teacher (Mac Cridlin, RIP) used to play with these dudes. Played with Kirchin for years.

[@CarlVandenberg]

This is the kind of stuff I signed up for when I joined KZbin in 2007!

[@duderino1950]

This song was written by my friend and patient, Charlie Ryan (RIP) of Spokane WA. He brought me a signed CD and picture of THE hot rod Lincoln. Turns out he lived in my neighborhood and I went over one day and he graciously opened his garage to show me the car. He wrote the song to take place on the Grapevine but the real race (it really happened) took place on the Whitebird hill going north out of Lewiston ID to Spokane one night after playing a gig.

[@Bitterrootbackroads]

Whitebird grade is between Riggins & Grangeville, are you thinking of the old highway north out of Lewiston they call the Spiral highway?

[@commontater8630]

@@Bitterrootbackroads I read elsewhere that it was about the Spiral Highway.

[@JeffreySpica]

We lost the Commander today. RIP George Frayne.

[@LudwigHohlwein1974]

Hot licks, cold steel and trucker's favourites; great album. Great band.

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

"A Day on the Green" Oakland Colosseum 1976 opening for Doobie Brothers and several others. 👍

[@1mulekicker]

Rest in Peace Commander, a true pioneer of outlaw country music from a Golden era of classic Rock.

[@Runnerup5.68]

If you've ever gone 110mph or more you understand that telephone poles do look like a picket fence,the lines on the road look like dots...

[@marciamacdonald3090]

First heard this back in 1973..great then and now!!!

[@darkhorsejim]

Been groovin' to this tune since it came out despite being a Chevy guy!

[@uwesteinki5037]

Found this band in the 70s, absolutely fantastic.cheers from Australia.

[@davidlewis3807]

And Moose Malone back atcha, buddy.

[@robpowers5427]

I met Bill Kirchen at a bar in Virginia around 1999. I watched him shove his guitar into the ceiling tile and then play it hanging from the ceiling once it was apparent it got stuck. Later that night when we were talking, I mentioned a bar in Cambridge, UK that my band played at. He quickly said, "oh, you mean the Boat Race?" He was right and I was amazed he even remembered that place. Great guitar player and very personal with his fans.

[@jomamackdaddy]

Probably at the Sunset Grille in Annandale, he had a band called Too Much Fun that I saw there about 20 times!

[@NickTruman]

Bizarrely one of my all time favourite songs!

[@wbaranful]

Why bizarrely. What is not to love? Reminiscent of some of the best 50s car songs

[@NickTruman]

I bought the single years and years ago and I love it!

[@kevincoveney6408]

Ahh Bill Kirchen and that Tele! This was as great band!

[@pixieduster]

Thank you for your music. Rest well.

[@kennethschneiter8902]

Love me some Commander Cody

[@richarddyman7345]

Rest in peace, George Frayne. May your music continue to be enjoyed by future generations.

[@bcoldwell1]

Anyone else a KFAT Gilroy fan from early 80's? Used to luv this sheeit....still do.

[@jmsjms296]

KFAT was magic. BTW I saw the Commander play at the Fat Family Reunion in 1993 (in Gilroy!): simply epic 😍

[@briano3128]

One of the greatest car song ever!

[@e1ay3dme12]

I had this on a 45. Scratched the h..l out of it learning the words.

[@Boblw56]

Saw them many times at Armadillo in Austin. Kirchen used to hang at our house with our bands guitarist.

[@JusticeAlways]

Now that's what I call rock n' roll..😜

[@charlesandrews2360]

I saw them right around the time they made this video. They were just awesome. Early 2000s we used to go see Cody at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn. 75 years old and pounding Heinekens and smoking like a chimney.

[@jamesrieben7378]

That was one of the best versions of that song I've ever heard. 👍

[@coltsfan79]

Agree his version is the one all others are judged by, even though Asleep At The Wheels version comes in a close second.

[@davidisaacson5993]

My Dad was a truck driver who pulled and set up mobile homes in the late 60s and early 70s. He had yalls songs on tape inbetween the songs of Red Sovine and the stories of Jerry Clower.

[@jeffking887]

8 track?

[@rickdaystar477]

Jerry Clower and Red Sovine...man it's been years since I seen those names. Part of a great history in music.

[@itinerantpatriot1196]

The song that made me want to learn how to double pick. I remember working on it for weeks. I was on top of the world when I was able to pull off a passable rendition. Then I saw Roy Clark laying down some number, can't even recall what it was, and my pride factor dropped by a thousand. But it was fun while it lasted.

[@slinkie59]

So many don't realize what a musical talent Roy Clark is, he was the main reason I would sit and watch Hee Haw with my parents and grandparents, and he was humble about his musical talents.

[@MrVelocity111]

That song will never get old thanks Mark

[@Guacamolequeenx2]

Saw these guys a few times. Saw them in a bar in Burnsville Minnesota about the same time, ‘74, with this same line-up, wish I could recall the name of the joint. George led a conga-line around the bar while singing. Most everybody was drunk.

[@SafetyMentalst]

"Hot Rod Lincoln" Cars go faster than a mind can think Follow to close you'll hit a brake light So always signal your blinkers do blink Night driving requires lights on bright And rethink having to much to Drink

[@superorangeish]

I miss seeing these guys in the 70's...Bobby Black on pedal steel..unreal

[@josephliptak]

The good old days when hippies were everywhere and life was simpler.

[@larryhinze9314]

And the hippies were getting laid and stoned...and not burning down cities protesting for BLM and against police. I miss the old hippies.

[@commontater8630]

@@larryhinze9314 Poor dear. Were you hurt in the riots?

[@jimwilliams8749]

My daughter is Cody! My text for her is Commander Cody. She was born in Saudi Arabia. Right before my wife and I left London for Saudi we caught CC at a live concert.

[@andrewaustralian2767]

Special significant son insinuated ....

[@johnnieo66]

Always loved this song since the moment I first heard it, brilliant all around, Cow Punk Country Rap!

[@commontater8630]

hamburger all over the highway.

[@kurthammond6977]

Bobby Black, one of the all-time great steel guitar players.

[@davidlewis3807]

Amen.

[@arthurvandelay7677]

Those fiddle sound effects are spot on.

[@VicTredwell]

I met Bill K at the American Folk Festival in Bangor, Maine, where he was performing six or seven years ago. I was busking on my Marxophone when Bill walked up and took a stab at playing it. There's a picture of him doing so on my "Pinwheel Man" Facebook page. (Also one of Senator Angus King playing the same Marxophone.) I saw the Airmen at the Channel night club in Boston back in the early '80's. I often play their music on my radio show of "western" music because they have a lot in common with Texas big bands like Asleep at the Wheel.

[@raymondkolbus3186]

I’m 61 this song has ment a lot me over the years !

[@glenhenning9261]

I'm a pedal steel player, this will be on my play list! That steeler is good!

[@TracieSmithpomeranian]

My late father used to listen to this.

[@cbroz7492]

My old man...whi dispised rock.loved this song...it was on a cassette he brought with him to banybin1973 when my folks visited me...stationed there...he played the hell outb of it...R IP George...and pop!!!

[@onelastniceguy]

Rest in peace George !Many times I would drive like this song. . Great song my friend .

[@circusitch]

Great band. Best steel guitar since the opening of Bugs Bunny cartoons.

[@commontater8630]

Are you sure? What about Buddy Emmons? Ralph Mooney? Robbie Turner?

[@mumbles552]

I have a few eight tracks left from the early 70's and this is on one of them, Live From Deep In The Heart Of Texas.

[@edsporn]

RIP George Frayne aka Commander Cody. Love his music.

[@softshoes]

RIP Mr Cody, formerly know as George Frayne. University of Michigan grad and one time prof. This was always a great road song.

[@EverettMcLemore]

I can play that riff, but it takes me about two minutes to get through it. Bill K. is the Man.

[@kurtfoulke5130]

One of the best bands to see live, a few of them have been at it for 50 + years

[@don7680]

That'll put a smile on your face!

[@billwilliamson9842]

yup

[@michaelward9880]

If it don't, you're the biggest sour puss on the planet. I think even Mitch McConnell would crack a smile.

[@rjr1227]

This song is SO great in SO many ways.....it's one you can always crank up...great pickers there.....and, the PNLY other cover I've ever heard play this WELL...is Asleep at The Wheel ..... Thanks Comanche Cody for s off the charts great..no...fantastic song

[@skydiverclassc2031]

Commanche Cody! :)

[@monto39]

Holy shit the beat implicit in that guitar playing....Bill Kirchin plays that lick like no one else - apparently even did so before he had been playing it for 50 yrs

[@mtrimble8392]

RIP George - may you ride forever now in your hotrod Lincoln.

[@bradstephan7886]

One of my favorite bands since 1971.

[@jski7355]

Check out the double album , " we've got a live one here " great truck songs . Mama hated diesels , Down to seeds and stems again , and others it a Commander Classic

[@wolfgangflywheel4307]

Bill Kirchen can just flat out play.

[@FnLn55]

Saw them live concert back in the 70's playing this song. Unforgettable.

[@johnwillis1110]

The commander used to go to my mothers cigar shop in Saratoga ny