Dion-Abraham, Martin & John (1968)

[@xrxs1020]

if this song doesn't bring tears, I don't know what would.

[@KathrynDare-e3y]

This song brings the tears.

[@brendasheldon4380]

It still does every time I hear it.

[@jimsager3297]

Most beautiful line in any 60s song "Didn't you love the things that they stood for?" That says it all. I loved and will always love the things that they stood for.

[@beeu9841]

Ditto

[@patmurphy9025]

Yes, Those 3 great Americans stood for 'equality' and not 'equity'....

[@fastsetinthewest]

Yeah sure, the morality of their sex life says it all - disgraceful. I'm a drafted, disabled, and Republic of Vietnam combat veteran '68. After I got healed up, I interned under the crook Governor Jimmy Carter '74. I did a study on nuclear power safety. Half the recommendations were taken out! REMEMBER 3 MILE? The Carter rat sprayed all of Georgia by airplane with poison fire ant spray. My first meeting in DC was with a drunk democRAT senator named Talmadge. The congressman I worked with went to jail. I got out of government after 2 years. Hahaha. It is a nice song.

[@KathrynDare-e3y]

@jimsager3279... Amen and Amen. God have mercy on all of us.

[@joefox9765]

The saying The road to hell was paved with good intentions. Perhaps

[@1401minstrel]

I remember watching this on TV when it first aired in 1968. My sister, my parents and I loved the Smothers Brothers and would gather every Sunday to watch their show. I had a lump in my throat at the mention of Abraham, John and Martin throughout the song, and by the time "Some day soon, it's gonna be one day Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?" came the tears flowed freely among all of us. We were absolutely stunned at the sadness and beauty of this song, and in the case of Martin and Bobby, our grief was fresh.

[@johnsmith1474]

Lincoln, JFK, and RFK asked for it. Warmongers all.

[@be1037]

@@johnsmith1474 You must be a bored MAGA

[@algolightly115]

❤ A-men!!!❤He😢❤

[@brianshawkey2910]

Bobby Kennedy (April 4,1968) delivered one of his best-remembered remarks: "What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness, but is love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice towards those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black."

[@sirchirps8695]

What we need in the United States in 2024. . . .

[@cindyincolorado]

Thank you for this quote Remembering this great man and his wisdom is so important to us as a country and as individuals.

[@berthabegley9950]

Still gives me chills. This is a powerful song for all us Freedom loving Americans👍👍🇺🇸🙏❤️

[@dm19609721]

Republicans don't like this tune

[@jamesferris4573]

​@dm19609721 They said freedom loving Americans, not fascists puppets of Donald Trump.

[@djvh2]

@@dm19609721 Why so divisive? I'm sure there are millions that do. By the way, Abraham was a Republican.

[@djvh2]

@@jamesferris4573 Which side is divisive (hint: you can see it in these comments), cancels people, and punishes those that do not comply?

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

If one is of a certain age, hearing this song brings bitter tears.

[@catherine7147]

“ Didn’t you love the things that they stood for. Didn’t they try to find the good..in you and me.” What has happened to our country? I was 16 when this song came out. Its heartbreaking to see our country today. We need to get back to finding the good in everyone.

[@cjjdjcfdrci]

Pray, pray very hard!

[@johnlennon1970]

JFK cheated the 1960 ELECTION.

[@rickieljones5575]

i know man. What happened?

[@tishtashtishtash]

@@johnlennon1970 Nice, whenever you lose, the other side cheated. Maybe you're the loser?

[@leesagrrl]

It's difficult to "find the good" in insane folks.

[@kingsxkids]

All I can tell you as a musician, Aside from the message and beauty of this piece is: It looks like ridiculously hard fingerpicking to play - while singing a different melody Hats off to Dion 🙂

[@uncljoerey]

The guitar playing is just as impressive as the vocal. He really knocks this out of the park.

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

Yes, I've been trying to make this point but you've said it perfectly.

[@darwinxke2827]

Makes it looks easy. It ain’t…

[@barbarabaldwin7120]

YES.

[@acousticshadow4032]

This guitarist agrees wholeheartedly. I wouldn't even try it.

[@kiaram5709]

My grandfather used to randomly blurt out singing this tune.. made me google to find the original and it’s beautiful.. may he rest peacefully.

[@AnotherBadyoga]

Omg i wish id met your grandpa!

[@rickb9009]

I randomly blurt it out myself. Beautiful song! Signed: A Different Grandfather :)

[@TheSnyderWeb]

My dad just introduced me to this song yesterday and I've probably replayed this twenty times since then..

[@garychambers5850]

A song that you'll play forever. I first heard when it was new in 1968' I still listen to it today.. I have it on my computer at work, {along with 1,000's other 60's & 70's songs} So I hear a many times during the week! Its great!

[@robertmasina4610]

One can't blame you if you weren't familiar with the song when it was on the charts likely before you were born.

[@jimskoog2919]

I am very impressed by Dion's guitar playing

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

Me too ! Fairly complex and intricate timing between voice and guitar.

[@sharksdelight]

And he is still making great new music today. His recent album is totally killer.

[@barbarabaldwin7120]

HE'S ALWAYS DONE GREAT WORK. I WOULD LIKE A STRAIGHT ACOUSTIC, WITH HIS VOICE HERE.

[@vinny8562]

Great song composed by Dick Holler

[@rickieljones5575]

what a beautiful song. it kills me. this is an amazing live performance. Go Dion!!

[@vinny8562]

Great song composed by Dick Holler

[@vinceleone3952]

What an incredibly powerful performance and song.Tough times we saw growing up.The emotion from Dion says it all.

[@vinny8562]

Great song composed by Dick Holler

[@frankabney5850]

I still get chills and tear up everytime I hear this song.... especially the verses about Dr. King and Bobby Kennedy

[@frederickhaaken456]

Awwwwwww. Sniff sniff....

[@lemurianchick]

And now Bobby's namesake is running for President.

[@carycimino7699]

@@lemurianchickas a ridiculous characture

[@lemurianchick]

@@carycimino7699 What is a characture? 🥴

[@jamesascholl9216]

@@frederickhaaken456 Awwwwwww. Derp derp....

[@thatmushgirl]

This episode is one of the best episodes of The Smothers Brothers. I was watching it for Donovan. When this song came on, I instantly loved it. It's so beautiful.

[@xrxs1020]

Their show was epic. I never missed one of them. My group of friends would gather on Sundays, roll joints and experience great humor and music. I don't know if anything has surpassed that show.

[@OTseven]

I remember this episode of the Smothers Brothers. And more importantly, I remember when this song first was released. We would do well to live now the lesson we learned backed then. Thank you for uploading this.

[@Music_is_Breathing]

Most beautiful and meaningful song. Why doesn't anyone make music this iconic any more??

[@sirchirps8695]

Because it's 2024. . .

[@kellijensen8413]

This song makes me tear up; every time 🥺

[@jamesascholl9216]

There's something in my eyes. You know it happens every time.

[@philljohnson6256]

I've always loved Marvin Gaye singing this song, but after hearing Dion sing it for the first time today, I'm blown away. Awesome!

[@SpiritualSpectrum]

His guitar work is incredibly good on it.

[@deansteeves1629]

@@SpiritualSpectrum The song was written by Dick Holler.

[@1401minstrel]

The record of this song that most people know is by Dion.

[@joelmaqueira4851]

BOTH LEGENDS!

[@billbrooklyn6410]

Dions performance was very good, I didn't know he played guitar so well

[@JimDorman]

I was thinking the same thing - he was doing some cool things and it seemed so effortless.

[@paulolenski9431]

There's a video of Dion runs about 90 minutes. Talks of his deep friendship with Buddy Holly, Bobby Darin, etc. His depth of music is not just rock. Age 13 he knew and played 30 of Hank Williams hits - which wow'd Buddy Holly when they were on tour in 1959. Dion is an amazing and under appreciated King of our Music - spanning 60 years.

[@BlindArthurBlake]

@@paulolenski9431 I agree; Dion is an artist of the highest order and I love his music. And from everything I have ever heard about him, he is a super nice guy too

[@DrHogfan]

How people play guitar (finger pick none the less) and sing is beyond me.

[@vinny8562]

Great song composed by Dick Holler

[@ladylight66]

This song is so beautiful, and so sad .It always makes me cry.

[@denisehenshaw8801]

Beautiful song. Dion was first to record it. A huge hit here in Canada.

[@vinny8562]

Great song composed by Dick Holler

[@sjostromalandnet]

yes awesome agree with all the praise of Dion & the song, and let's hear it for the radical Smothers Bros too

[@edgarsnake2857]

And, yes, that is Dion from Dion and the Belmonts. Wonderful song that found the right guy to sing it.

[@timing134]

This is my favorite version. Love the backing operatic voices in the background. Sich feeling, and sheer beauty.

[@janmil7492]

This song always brings tears to my eyes.

[@evamoustaka4048]

My Dad would play this for us early70s.. It feels like yesterday🤧🙏🙏🙏

[@kande6916]

This is a amazing true classic that should go down in history of life in the US!!

[@cybeleslehner6068]

I have been listening to this song since I was a young child and I have always loved it…

[@brucejackson5509]

This song was a hit when I was seven years old (1968). Now more then fifty years later it still means a lot to me and all people who have listened to it! One can only dream of what our country would have been if Abraham Martin John and Bobby would not have died so young! Unbelievable compared to the leaders of our country today! Bruce s . Jackson!

[@RooK61]

As was I. 7/61

[@KathrynDare-e3y]

I was 11 in '68 and I never get tired of hearing and singing along with this song.

[@goofe.washington953]

This song is hard to listen to. First listening to this song the summer before my freshman year in college, hearing it now brings back some very strong memories. Stronger still are the emotions it elicits.

[@carlcarlson1369]

Tabernacle Choir in the background love this song love Dion 1950s were fabulous back then. Today Bizarro world. Hello from Bay Ridge Brooklyn

[@davidharris3534]

Very unusual in those days for a performance to actually be live on TV. Usually was lip sinked,. This song always chokes me up 😢

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

Yes, live and passion in his voice as well as some non simple guitar work. I never knew he was so good.

[@aaronschecter8498]

This song brings back a lot of painful moments 💔 from my youth, in the end life went on and we all have gotten older

[@KathrynDare-e3y]

You've got that right! I was 11 in '68 and I'm now 66. Reminds me about a lot of things about the 1960s. Love listening to Dion sing this song with that passion he always put into it.

[@noddyholder79]

This would bring a tear to a glass eye xx

[@keelanp53]

Wow! I never had heard that version before. Superb!!!

[@patriciaclough8516]

keelanp53 Original sung by Dion, written by Dave Holler

[@johnlennon1970]

JFK cheated the 1960 ELECTION

[@saadiahmcdonald198]

@@johnlennon1970 and you have never cheated in your life.So prefect. Someone had to come with something negative. My LORD. No wonder this world will never be better, because there will always be someone ,somewhere in some...corner just waiting to tear down a brother or a sister.

[@jamesframpton8120]

From an interview with Dion just watched he explained he was living in Miami in mid 1968 when a song-writing friend of his, Dick Holler knocked on his door and asked if he would record this song he had just written which was "Abraham, Martin and John", At first Dion didn't like it and wasn't keen to record it, but with the insistence of his wife he went ahead and changed the melody of it, and took it to his former label Laurie to record it with a big orchestra production under the direction of John Ablott and Gene Schwartz featuring horns, violas, harps, sitar, organ recorded in just one take and became a No.4 hit in September 1968.

[@dmmchugh3714]

I've only heard the radio version before, this was such a great performance. Love this song.

[@egbun]

Moving. Perfect vocals by Dion. Love the "Amen" bridge. It’s not in the recorded version. It should have been, it adds soul.

[@cynthiachamberlain2508]

Love this forever, three very brave men will stay in our hearts forever. Thank you.!!🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸

[@micktheharp14]

4 brave men

[@jamesascholl9216]

@@micktheharp14 Bobby would have become president not Nixon. Vietnam would have come to an end. They couldn't allow that to happen could they?

[@vernontamalavicz8703]

Great song Sharon, I sang this. song in church the weekend after John Jr., Caroline, and her sister died in the plane crash going to Martha's Vineyard

[@markusabel333]

What a great tune:) I love it so endlessely...Thanks Dion...

[@charles007]

NEVER GETS OLD

[@prshughes]

The same. Man who sang Run Around Sue. I loved the fifties du was he did but this is the classic everyone will remember him by

[@acousticshadow4032]

The Smothers Brothers featured a lot of great talent, but this performance by Dion Francis DiMucci was tops.

[@yvonnefolpp5063]

The tears drip any time I hear, and see Dion perform that song ... the words; so poignant. Well done mate😢

[@johnmiller1376]

"R.I.P. abraham-lincoln john f. kennedy robert f. kennedy & dr.martin luther king jr. you all will be missed".

[@ronaldzent4845]

Dion also wrote probably one of the best teen age love angst ballads ever " why must I be a teenager in love", Dion & the Belmonts about 1958 or so. Very underrated song writer, I think.

[@richhahn2443]

And at 80, he has a new album out.

[@oc888777]

Doc Pomus wrote it. not Dion

[@kingsxkids]

Dion sang it well. Doc Pomus wrote it

[@MarkMarion-j8s]

Jim I couldn't agree anymore, that one line said it all, God bless to all the people who loved this as much as me❤❤❤.

[@jamesframpton8120]

This song was written by Dick Holler, the day after Bobby Kennedy was assassinated and he specifically wanted Dion who was living in Florida at the time to record it, this is only months after Dion had freed himself from heroin addiction.

[@egbun]

So why did he want Dion to record it? It’s about civil rights, an African American singer would be expected. But Dion did a brilliant job with it.

[@jamesframpton8120]

@@egbun If I remember correctly from the interview I heard with Dick Clarke many years ago Dick Holler's first choice was Freddy Cannon to sing A,M&J, but he was long out of the charts at the time in June 1968 and then decided on Dion who was back recording again , sought him out and found him living in Florida, brought him back to New York to record the song on his former label Laurie.

[@billgreen6263]

@@egbun Such a dumb comment.

[@egbun]

Bill Green I agree, yours truly is.

[@paulolenski9431]

Powerful song in '68 when I heard it in Vietnam and even more powerful today, September, 2020. Dion was the perfect choice - a true voice for the Baby Boomer Generation. Proud of Dion for kicking that devil - big "H". At 80, Dion's still going strong. Hope he comes back on the scene with some monster hit - at age 80.

[@Starrygirl63]

Gosh I remember The Smothers Brothers Show. And I remember this song too. In 1968 I was in the first grade and my daddy was gone. He was fighting in the jungles of Vietnam. It was his second tour. Many years later I’m still here. I’m 59 years old and my parents have been married for 61 years.

[@MrSadsack56]

Have listened to this version so many times and it still instills pride , love , power of music!!

[@kenkre1212]

I suppose if listening to this incredible song doesn't bring chills up and down your spine then you weren't around then.

[@larryvermeer6170]

I love this song too but went my grandma was a live she used to watch the smothers brothers comedy hour too and i really miss shows like this they were better then American idol another shows

[@robertpolnicky7702]

I agree with that. I think the smothers Brothers had a better eye for talent than Simon. They pretty much started glen Campbell's career and Jennifer Warnes. Where gken Campbell had the number one rated prime time show in the country. Their political stance against Nixon was awfully important and underrated.

[@lindajester5048]

I loved this song!! what we all went thru,

[@jimmylee2678]

I feel like crying. God bless these great men.

[@Jaydit7]

I remember seeing this in 1968..i was 17 years old

[@mangrove]

It's something else to hear the audience gasping and murmuring as Dick announced the song.

[@Bacpakin]

They did nothing short of saving the world from ourselves in their own times for us!

[@saadiahmcdonald198]

Listening my heart out to this saaaaad and beautiful song.

[@raylopez7622]

What a great song remember it will I was in the second grade in 1968

[@mitchellmcdowell8546]

So nostalgic and moving. Thank you for this.

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

Thank you for posting this. I got a friend to buy me the CD when she went to USA. Here there is even more passion in Dion's voice and I had no idea that he could play guitar at all.

[@yvonnemendez3075]

Luv this but I do cry every time I hear this cause who he's singing about. Yes the good die young😢❤

[@kimcutts424]

He Smashed this. His voice is outstanding. I've heard of Dion all my life "Run Around Sue"! But I had no idea he did this. I've heard it by other people, like "Smokey & The Miracles" & "Marvin Gaye", which were great. But blown away by this version. 🎶🎤❤😥🇺🇸🇬🇧 (the English flag is for me)

[@danielfronc4304]

And this was from a time when, even when times were so terribly bad, things were relatively better than today. I ouught to know. I lived through both times, then and now.

[@coolsweetgroovy]

Dion still rules

[@vinny8562]

Great song composed by Dick Holler

[@micktheharp14]

Brilliant performance, beautiful song.

[@uncljoerey]

It's a shame they can't clean up the audio on this. Dion really nailed this performance, vocal and guitar. Just remarkable.

[@xrxs1020]

Yes tremendous performance and I see your point. Too much bass among other things. I call on the great EQ In the Sky to balance it out. TV was never a place for primo recording quality.

[@stellaercolani3810]

It gives me shivers...

[@Offsides09]

Great song.

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

This song and "Soul Coaxing" by Raymone FeFevre fit together in my life. They are still important to me all these years later.

[@blinko656]

I have all those albums songs, and the latest one. But more than that I love his hair.

[@michaelcovington9301]

thank you dion

[@josecarlosmiranda7475]

Muito linda melodia a letra me toca mesmo nao entendendo seu idioma isto e a prova de que a musica une os povos

[@altonclarke5920]

This beautiful song was made great and momentous by the individual not mentioned in the title, namely Bobby Kennedy. Kennedy 024!

[@KathrynDare-e3y]

Robert Kennedy, Jr. 2024!

[@99900062]

Gene Schwartz, the president of New York-based Laurie Records (the Royal Guardsmen's label) convinced the producer and the songwriter of AM&J, Dick Holler and Phil Gernhard, to see Dion DiMucci, who had been the label's top act in the early 60's; lately he'd fallen on hard times. A recovering heroin addict, Dion (as he was known) was living in South Florida, and attempting to re-invent himself as an acoustic guitar-strumming folk act. At Schwartz's insistence, they brought "Abraham" to the fallen star.

[@billgreen6263]

Yup,I think Dion was always at his best under the direction of Gene Schwartz.

[@oc888777]

I am Gene Schwartz's son Doug. My father knew that Dion was perfect for the AM&J. Years ago he told me that as soon he heard the final version in the studio, it was going to be a smash. How did you know about my dad and these details you wrote?

[@oc888777]

@@billgreen6263 I am Gene Schwartz's son Doug. My father produced all of the hits with Dion and the Belmonts and Dion's Runaround Sue and the Wanderer. Even though Gernhardt has producing credits on AM&J, my father was their at the recording studio and had tremendous influence on the song. Dion and my father had a great connection and chemistry. He could always bring out the best of Dion.

[@billgreen6263]

@@oc888777 Hi Doug! Being a long time big Dion fan I've always felt Dion was at his best at Laurie Records under the close direction of your father. Those recordings were perfect. When Dion left Laurie Records for Columbia I felt the songs were great. Donna the Prima Donna, Ruby Baby, Drip Drop,etc. But not quite the magic of Laurie Records.I think Gene Schwartz had everything to do with it. What do I know. I'm just a fan. It's just a gut feeling. I remember years ago they released a CD of Dion and Dion & the Belmonts of alternate takes and studio chatter and you could hear your father directing Dion and the Belmonts. Your father wanted perfection in every way and he sure got it with those recordings.They will live forever. I remember listening to a interview with Tom Petty years ago and they were talking about recording and Tom mentioned that a Dion song came on the radio the other day and he couldn't believe how perfect the recording was. Way before the digital age and studio tricks. All the Best!!

[@oc888777]

@@billgreen6263 Hi Bill. I greatly appreciate all the kind words and compliments of my Dad. You made my day. Thank you.

[@uwillbelieve]

Never get tired of this song.

[@jerseypete6674]

I just came home for seeing THE WANDERER...the live stage show based on Dion's life and career. It was staged at the Paper Mill Playhouse in NJ...about 30 miles from Broadway. I have no doubt this show will be on Broadway very soon. It was fantastic.

[@kennybuck5725]

Love this Song!

[@TrudyOsteenCrow]

I love this song!

[@ArtFernandez1]

i did not know DION sang this song, I did in the past, I have been looking for this song!

[@garychambers5850]

Wow, now that's HEAVY!!!!!!!!! 🤎✝ RIP in Heaven Tommy!!! Loved ya! 💘💘 Elvis heard this and he wanted a song to dedicate to the slain MLK and RFK. written by: "Earl Brown" This was the song that concluded the television special, perhaps as apocalyptic a single recording as Elvis would ever attempt, not so much for its words (which represent a somewhat generalized message of peace and understanding) as for the raw, unmodulated emotion that he puts into them. The song was written at the last minute to provide a finale that would allow Elvis to articulate his anguish over the assassinations of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., and in essence that is just what its idealistic lyrics do (“There must be peace and understanding sometime”). But it is what comes over Elvis in the studio, the pain and conviction in his voice as he sings of “a better land where all my brothers walk hand in hand,” then practically screams out the last line, “Please let my dream come true - right…now!” that puts the song quite literally over the top. The single not only whetted the public’s appetite for the special, it changed both the climate and perception surrounding Elvis, charting higher than anything Elvis had had out in three years.

[@tomdifrancesco1469]

One of the all time 👍 GREATS

[@trishchapman8095]

Always makes me cry

[@Clovis693]

I get chills and sometimes tear up, they murdered our heroes, Stan😢TFS

[@wilhelmcortes2174]

Its increíble inspiration...is imposible to forgot great men

[@sappermade6012]

This song made this man a legend

[@Majnun74]

Stunning!❤

[@johnkoziol1537]

Along with Lou Reed (May he rest in peace!), no one epitomized New York with the way they sang better than Dion!

[@benschlechter]

And now RIP Tom Smothers. Half of the Smothers Brothers.

[@KathrynDare-e3y]

Amen

[@catkeys6911]

I was in 5th grade when Kennedy was shot. It still feels like it happened an hour ago.

[@justincarney930]

This is the best version of this song !!!!

[@issues9828]

The theme of the song is so epic I just assumed it was 6 minutes long --- can't believe it's only 3.

[@drstevie]

So beautiful.

[@catherineerwin8269]

The reason for the acoustic guiter & the background vocals is because there was a musicians strike. Check out the complete episode of the Smothers Brothers. Donovan & Jennifer Warnes were also on it. Great

[@dfangirl72]

I wasn't even born yet but this style is very appropriate ......

[@barbaragammon5850]

I think it makes the vocals more pure.

[@rsmyth75]

Also George Harrison

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

Oh, Jennifer Warnes. What an incredible talent she is. I love her voice.

[@larryvermeer6170]

Am happy to listen to my idol dion here

[@sderoski1]

Chokes me up

[@AllenGreenfield]

Remembering...