Don Kirshner Rock Concert New Birth

[@MrCarltonjsmith]

Leslie Wilson doesn’t get the respect he deserves as one of the greatest soul vocalists to ever stand in front of a microphone. New Birth was always an exciting live act. I used to see them destroy the Apollo theatre back in the day! They always brought the house down. I am so glad to see this video. The other vocalists Londee Loren and Alan Frye along with Leslie’s Melvin were also fantastic. Then there was the band. Also known as the Nite Liters - they had a big hit “K Jee” - they were a wicked unit on par with the JB’s and early 70’s Kool and the Gang as far as tightness and showmanship. Leslie, Melvin, former Marvellette Ann Bogan also performed as Love,Peace and Happiness. All of this was under the auspices of former lead singer of Doo Wop legends the Moonglows - Harvey Fuqua(the man who helped to bring Marvin Gaye back with “Sexual Healing”) . New Birth released brilliant albums on RCA records. Much respect to this legendary group/band!

[@anthonygreen3331]

1000 pct right on.

[@brentcarterandfriends]

I concur! He is one of my all time favorite vocalists! He's up there with Sam, Donny and Marvin, but rarely do you hear him mentioned with them! ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@brentcarterandfriends]

Mr. Smith, you're a tough act to follow yourself sir!

[@anthonygreen3331]

@@brentcarterandfriends The younger generation missed some of the greatest music in history . We are so privileged to be born at that time. Just look at all the Frontmen.

[@beigenegress2979]

I was a really young and heavy into New Birth! When I say “young” I mean before I started 7th grade. I was going hard with New Birth early when I was 9 or 10 yo! I bought the “Been a long time” album, Love Potion, and Mighty Army! I was a little New Birth “stan” waaaay before I got to Jr High School! Around 1974, I was about 10 yo. The never performed in my town, so I never saw them perform live. 😢 PS : I had no idea they originated “K Jee!” I just recall it from my father’s Saturday Night Fever album soundtrack! I must have really been even youngun to hear or recall K Jee the original by New Birth!

[@kirkleaphart-stankybleapha7248]

They came from very humble beginnings. They used to live on Delaware Street in Detroit Michigan and I was living around the corner from them and used to visit them at their home while they watched Soul Train on Saturdays in between touring. My contact person among them was Tony the horn player. I was a young child, but nosey.😅.

[@essiejames9492]

In 1974 i was 21 years old now at 71 in 2024 still listening to this beautiful song and appreciating music like this ❤❤🎉🎉

[@andrenaetrammell2711]

in 74? I was 5. I remember listening to this as I cruised over to my ole lady's crib. See I had 2 rides, a Big wheel & a Green Machine. Handed her some now & laters. Told her she's a gentle flower , she's my kindergarten sweetheart flower. LOL Peace

[@ijgibbs]

They are a band who was truly under rated, but was simply fantastic

[@Purpledawg-d9s]

He took it to church! 2024 and still jammin

[@Mystique2u]

The 70s was the era for live R&B music! New Birth, War & Mandrill always performed on the same ticket in Philly back in the day as "The Battle of the Bands" tour. Thanks for some great memories...🎶💖

[@julianscott-vc4xu]

WOW. 1974 . MEMORIES OF MY TEENAGE YEARS. 50 YEARS AGO, WILDFLOWER , CAPTURES THE ♥ HEART AND SOUL OF MY GENERATION. THANK YOU 🆕 BIRTH . ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉.

[@timcox2818]

OMG - SO MUCH ENERGY - watching this brings back memories of how powerful Soul Music was in the early 1970s - PRE-DISCO . Remember, New Birth and the Nite Liters were never considered Disco groups - they were strictly Soul - offshoots of James Brown, Bobby Womack, Eddie Levert and other great soul men. Leslie Wilson was/is a major lead singer - obviously with a gospel foundation, much like the Rev. Al Green, "Jesus Is Waiting." Isn't this a powerful live performance. Thankfully, they played their two most popular tunes, Wildflower and I Can Understand It (a Bobby Womack composition). Wildflower was originally performed by the Canadian band, Skylark. Ojays also covered it on their Live in London LP from '74 - but no one can match New Birth's rendition - especially the way they did their thang on this live TV show. Don Kirshner's Rock Concert was the bomb. So much better than today's music shows; the Voice, American Idol and all the rest of 'em, put together. So refreshing to see and hear such bonafide soul music, once again. So gritty and REAL. And the hornmen were stepping hard as the lead singers, and still blowin their axes. Thanks for taking us back down memory lane - so the youngins can really see HOW IT WAS REALLY DONE 50 YEARS AGO !!! ...TC

[@brentcarterandfriends]

One of the best to ever do it! I'm rarely star struck, as I have met a good deal of my idols. However, when I met Mr. Wilson, I was at a loss for words. Legend comes to mind. This live performance is pure magic!

[@toneyhorton3703]

Extremely soulful ,Nice Stage Presence ,Tight harmony ,Expierence soulful musicians who know how to play to The Lead singer and background .. !!! That’s how i played drums behind Millie Jackson,The late Betty Wright ,Rick Sheppard Drifters , The Magic Touch , back in the Day !!! Them “boys are “ BAD “ !!!

[@beigenegress2979]

S/O to you, good sir! 🙌🏽

[@derrickbrennan1478]

I love the New Birth the best in R&B. Rick Brennan from CHANGE N Philly love always peace guys. 333.Rick

[@anthonygreen3331]

Nobody done it better than these guys. Very underrated. Leslie Wilson was the dude.

[@anthonygreen3331]

Nobody done it better than these guys. Leslie Wilson never got the credit he deserved. He set the bar for this song it nearly impossible to cover. He replaced Jeffery Osborne with LTD. Great video .

[@toneyhorton3703]

“ That boy” got a whole lot of Church in Him !!!!😊

[@toneyhorton3703]

He called on Jesus !! I knew it !!!!!

[@John60s70s]

I think New Birth also performed on In Concert on ABC. I remember seeing them singing live Dream Merchant, Granddaddy and some other songs. I hope those New Birth videos are still intact.❤

[@Purpledawg-d9s]

New Birth rhythm and horn section was as tight and funky as any that ever did it! Vastly under appreciated group. Then they took it to church on em! That’s how it’s done

[@beigenegress2979]

Soul is #1! Soul is eternal!

[@beigenegress2979]

What I would give to see footage of a live, non lip sync of “It’s been Such a Long Time!” 😢

[@TheDwdude]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@BRINABOO-s2k]

MAN THE RAG MAN (DISC JOCKEY GARY INDIANA) LOVED THIS GROUP BACK IN THE 1970’s. I LIVED SO FAR EAST OF CHICAGO I WAS ABLE TO PICK UP HIS BROADCAST FROM GARY INDIANA EVERY-NIGHT BACK IN THE 70’s AS A CHILD. HE WOULD PLAY THE WILD FLOWER SONG EVERY NIGHT BY NEW BIRTH THEN PLAY THE ORIGINAL BY FIRE FLY. HE WOULD PLAY I CAN UNDERSTAND BY NEW BIRTH AND THE ORIGINAL BY BOBBY WOMACK. YES HE WOULD PLAY DREAM MERCHANT BY BOTH NEW BIRTH AND THE ORIGINAL BY JERRY BUTLER. THEN ASK CALLERS TO CALL IN TOO SEE WHO DID THE SONG BETTER AFTER EVERY SET?! WHATEVER IGNORED READ.

[@PamEdwards-k5g]

Is Lesley, still ALIVE?❤❤

[@larkiboy5]

Yes

[@vaughnholmes4080]

In my mind, at the top of their game they would give Earth Wind and Fire a serious run for their money.

[@jazzluva3437]

They are absolutely fantastic, but you are going too far. EWF IS IN ANOTHER STRATOSPHERE!!

[@thurmanjackson4044]

New Birth did Stop, look, listen to your heart better than the stylistics. They Also did Dream Merchant better than Jerry Butler did it!! that's just my opinion!!

[@creolegaudet]

Hold up there now... I'll agree that "Dream Merchant" by The New Birth could be argued that it was a better cover than the original "Mr. Dream Merchant". I'll concide that I like The New Birth's version a tiny bit better, not by much, but they are both magical in their own way. I love both. However, to say they did Stop, Look and Listen better than the Stylistics is a bridge way too far for me. Ha! Yo! You trippin! But, you have your opinion, my friend, and I respect the heck out of it. Have a great day and the best of heath, thumberjackson4044.

[@JahlilBlackhead]

Drunk champs need Leslie wildson

[@jazzluva3437]

It's Drink Champs, and his name is Leslie Wilson, not Wildson.

[@kevinwillingham-hf2hn]

Mr Wilson is up there with James Brown Otis redding and more

[@nathabrown3469]

Do your homework Leslie Wilson brother Melvin passed in 2023 not him.

[@julianscott-vc4xu]

WOW. 1974 . MEMORIES OF MY TEENAGE YEARS. 50 YEARS AGO, WILDFLOWER , CAPTURES THE ♥ HEART AND SOUL OF MY GENERATION. THANK YOU 🆕 BIRTH . ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉.

[@beigenegress2979]

I was only 10 yo for the majority of 1974, but already a New Birth “stan.” I am so sorry I never got to see them perform. I purchased “It’s Been A long time” album, “love potion,” and “Mighty Army.” Can’t reacall timeframe of Might Army LP, but I was playing the 💩 outta the first two before I started 7th grade!

[@charlesmays4703]

When I heard the song “Pain Of Love”❤️ I knew this group was one a kind.