(BETTER QUALITY!) Living Colour performing "Cult Of Personality" on Arsenio

This is a better quality version of my video of Living Colour performing their hit "Cult Of Personality" on the Arsenio Hall Show in 1989, I believe. I captured this video from my own VHS-recorded copy of the broadcast from back in the day. :) Audio and video quality may actually improve more if you add the extension &fmt=22 to the end of the video's URL.

[@dairenn]

Imagine being a 9 year old black boy guitarist seeing THIS on Arsenio on KCOP. I am a guitar player 3+ decades later because of them. Living Colour literally changed my life. This video shows you why and how.

[@frankcorral4981]

I dig your story. Maybe a kid(s) watches this video and reads your post then picks up a guitar . Play on Dairenn.👍🎸

[@justinmitchell3097]

Vernon Reid is one of the most underrated guitarists ever!

[@frankcorral4981]

@@justinmitchell3097 agree. 👍

[@sunoclockoneday2576]

I remember watching when this came on that night as well . This has been my favorite song since the first time I heard it . Vernon burns it up right here! He is one of the best ever ... the whole band is on another level

[@frankcorral4981]

@@jasonz1771 I'll check them out. Thanks.👍✌

[@Lovy36]

What the heck was the matter with that audience? Living Colour was killing it!

[@kenshinhimura9387]

No shit. I don't understand how they could just sit there when these guys were tearing it up onstage.... I would have jumped out of my seat and started jumping around and headbanging.

[@89801wink]

Look at the age of them, and what they are wearing. I think they misunderstood, and thought Barbra Streisand was appearing live. I would've been headbanging like a MOFO!

[@Ogscottyp]

Just dry old white bread, that's all. When I saw them at the Xcess club in Houston in '91 Corey stagedived(dove?) into the crowd and I, being under the influence of a particular hallucinogen, kept thinking he was being drug around against his will. LOL!! Kids, let this be a lesson. Something I will not be sharing with my children.

[@Seth__Roach]

Not gonna lie, I'd react like Arsenio.

[@saiyaniam]

He wouldn't be able to go through the crowd if it was any more than this, don't you think?

[@gatormouth337]

Corey was and still is one of the best rock singers. He definitely doesn't get enough recognition

[@TheKelsey]

update! he made billboards best rock vocalists of all time list!!!

[@johnkocka3531]

Completely agree!

[@SuperMatrix59]

He got the same hair except white

[@ClassicGoldCigarettes]

I see a lot of comments acknowledging Vernon Reid's playing, and rightfully so, but I can't get enough of Corey Glover here. So much power behind his voice and nailing those notes even while running around the audience. So awesome!

[@madden7732]

This song aint really that hard to sing, the distortion is a bitchy if you've never trained it thats sure, but other than that there's not a significant high note in this song (at least for a tenor like me). I give him props for doing it while moving tho

[@donaldlusk2035]

@@madden7732 Lol whatever

[@blewyd]

@@madden7732 I dont understand what youre saying. If it were so easy, why aren't you as successful or anybody else?

[@madden7732]

Omg i'm not hating Corey jesus christ why are you guys triggered bout what I said? I even gave him props, being the most objective I can. Seems like you seriously can't stand an objective comment about something or someone you do like, I do like this song and the band, I think they are completely talented, but this song isnt hard to get right as far as high notes mean, the distortion would be the hardest part if you've never trained it, Corey has an amazing tone.

[@madden7732]

@@blewyd probably cause some of us don't really want fame to come to our lives and cause nowadays talent isnt always the one that gets the most attention out of the people, sadly.

[@nybakg]

The audience did NOT know what to do with themselves... Legendary

[@Treatsandthreadscom]

Right... That was crazy

[@diegorene5497]

I suppose that they were not ready to that, but his kids will be

[@stevenchalos4829]

Overwhelmed with tone and riff!!

[@psychotropictraveler514]

I dont understand how none of them stood up

[@dalethelander3781]

The Letterman audience was priceless. 😁

[@jomarzan]

Living Colour was my first concert. Primus opened for them

[@davidcollins3906]

Wow. Sorry to jump on the wow band wagon but...

[@ruiner41]

They were my first concert as well. Don't remember who opened, but the concert was in the SUNY New Paltz gym. It was amazing!!!!!

[@theoverunderthinker]

I briefly played drums in a band that opened for them a year or so before they opened for the Rolling Stones one night in a small club in NC that isn't there anymore. They were monsters even in that small venue! the only band that competed with their energy that I saw in that club was Fishbone, and they were killers too! Nice enough guys though, but they were serious about their business and delivered a good show. I am glad we went on before them, because I would have hated to go on after them!

[@alejandromorales1937]

Primus sucks

[@shiznicks74]

Not my first concert, but I saw Living Colour headline the sold out Aragon Ballroom (about 5K capacity) in Chicago when I was a junior in high school. Urban Dance Squad opened. It was awesome.

[@johncurrie1789]

Never understood why these guys didn’t become mega stars. They’re incredible.

[@iluvjake1000]

Agree! Just today on another platform I saw an old Lollapalooza sign. I asked whatever happened to Living Colour.

[@pcol2915]

they broke up in 95 and it just wasn't the same when they came back together in 2000.

[@bobbybecker6435]

There were people out there who didn't want you to hear this. These guys were decades ahead of their time.

[@Saviol1509]

They aren’t white enough for the big labels to push them to the mainstream. Fuck this system

[@andysalter7192]

I don't think they had enough GREAT singles , I love em but they only had this and maybe Love Rears it's ugly head as Radio songs , not sure if that's the fault of the band or the record company.

[@jakeace2830]

no autotune no backing track just raw talent

[@huascar66]

Amazing, isn't it?

[@hosersupreme]

You have to remember this is 1989 on a late night talk show and this audience isn't there to see them, nor have most of them likely heard of them. And they most probably have no idea how to feel about this face melting performance, as they're likely not even into this type of music. Living Colour is one of the most underrated, talented, and important bands of their time, but I imagine the audience would have reacted the same way if Motorhead or Metallica or some other band they would normally have never given a chance had just performed.

[@bilbobaggins4710]

Yep....Talk show audiences never get emotional for musical acts

[@HetLedie]

@@bilbobaggins4710 of course not. they represent the mainstream which by and large considers itself too cool and cultured to get down to a sick ass jam

[@HetLedie]

@@thaterasound I'm not "projecting" anything. I'm speaking the truth. kzbin.info/www/bejne/moW1fHaOeJV9fMk

[@rustykuntz94]

Best point made in this comment section. The audience is there for Arsenio who probably peaked in popularity in 1989, this also was when this song was brand new and isn't the classic it is today

[@petertahoe]

@Thomas Jeffries They ARE still playing

[@cohaagen90]

This reminds me of the scene in Back to the Future where Marty starts shredding and everyone is looking at him like what the hell. He says "I guess you guys weren't ready for that."

[@Brennan_Dale3169]

Awesome, so true.

[@Otis1194]

Life imitating art without knowing, the purest form of serendipity. They for sure weren't ready for this

[@kindpuffin124]

You sir won the internet award of the year with this comment. Being an 80’s kid and a huge fucking fan of this song I can’t agree more!!!

[@Algo1]

Absolutely true.

[@SnailSlugSlut]

This song was ahead of its time. It wasn’t that 80s pop and to hear this in the early 90s was a shock. This was hair band shit. So it was expected that the audience wouldn’t have fit this demo So good tho

[@anthonyderosa7730]

Hands down one of the best live performances ever.

[@Musiover00]

Corey's energy is unmatched he had so much charisma and confidence it's beyond me. Especially when the new day artists are shaking and barely have confidence to make large notes in live.

[@ChristopherGray00]

another "back in my days" comment, go ahead and check out modern deathcore then come back to me about that

[@Musiover00]

@@ChristopherGray00 who????

[@1man1comment63]

the guitar player came straight from the BMX track to shred on Arsenio. respect.

[@BRMN8R]

Scrolled through looking for this comment 👍 ex bmxer when these guys were popular

[@trippmj]

I'm SOOOO glad that Arsenio at least appreciated that performance.

[@pitpride1220]

Yea cuz the crowd didn't. I love how he's going in the audience fucking with them. You will not ignore this experience!

[@jubankta1627]

Shit I wouldve been up there humping around with him.....whats wrong with people?!

[@jubankta1627]

Jumping that is not humping haha

[@markdaniels7174]

I think Arsenio plays bass; he would've been digging on Muzz Skillings here. And the energy.

[@mgtowarena9636]

@@jubankta1627 Humping around like Bobby Brown!! :D

[@ruiz460]

I would argue this is one of the best televised performances of all time. Prove me wrong.

[@aprylrittenhouse4562]

Princes solo for while my guitar gentlyy weeps

[@stringbender11672]

This IS awesome but ima hafta go with Metal Day at the US Festival '83. 🤘😎👍

[@johnnyluca4323]

James Brown on letterman was a legendary tv performance as well

[@mikecaldwell7992]

Only one I seen that was better was Neil Young and Pearl Jam doing Rockin the Free World

[@hevymetal30]

I dont wanna prove you wrong in any way dude, this was fantastic, but I would just like to add to this…Prince on Jay Leno back in early 2001-02 absolutely blew me away! Wish I could just remember when and how to watch it again.

[@potn586]

Nearly 35 years later… still one of the greatest TV show performances of all time. As a young, white, metal loving kid… I snuck downstairs after everybody else went to bed and watched this in my parents house with the volume at 2 and silently rocking TF out. I still watch it all of the time. Absolutely amazing

[@hctiwt]

Such a badass riff.. Will forever be one of my favorite songs..

[@teedub127]

Stuart Nelson, mine too! @65 it's still one of my top 5 favorite songs.

[@tiltil9442]

LC - Stain - Never Satisfied 🎸🏆

[@noneyerbidness]

Agreed on riff.. but the soloing is pretty awful

[@kayziix9618]

dudidududu dudidududu

[@noneyerbidness]

@Hermano Antonio It may fit, but that doesn't mean it doesn't suck.

[@jirikrajnak9047]

living colour is my favorite black metal band

[@jirikrajnak9047]

@Thomas Jeffries It's a joke. Black metal is a musical genre.

[@franklingoodwin]

@@jirikrajnak9047 there's always one that doesn't get the joke and turns it into a racial thing

[@ridehunter744]

Try some Bad brains soul craft

[@fedora997]

You genius

[@msg2743]

@Thomas Jeffries You're a god damn moron

[@doreasewalker2043]

Seems like Arsenio was the only one who understood what kind of band they really were that audience was not ready for Living Colour!! Love them!!! They smashed it!!💜💜

[@MM-ig1iv]

Yeah that seemed like one of them fake audiences.. where they must be there for crowd noise only. Clapping and laughing.

[@breuers2gether998]

They did SNL too

[@brianogrady37]

Arsenio loved it. So awesome

[@angeloc700]

Amazing. I think the crowd is totally high. I can’t imagine just sitting thru this epic performance.

[@thebestchannel5456]

They were Horrible dead as hell

[@Mydickinyoursister]

This band shoulda went farther than they did...they rocked with a truthful powerful message.

[@TheDarkDutchman]

Yeah.. totally agree . Onfortunately the leader of the band started doing his own jazzy experimental stuff once he got famous. And nobody liked that.

[@rustykuntz94]

Cult was such a great song, should of been an even bigger hit as it had one of the best riffs ever in Rock music but they never came close to writing as good a song again. Vernon Reid the guitarist has always been legit, amazing player.

[@CesarSandoval024]

They had a whole career lol

[@Cheri461]

For SURE. It's a shame society wasn't ready for them.

[@ewetoo]

Uh what, they're still around, they toured down my way at the beginning of the year. Might not be playing stadiums but they're still playing.

[@JessesAuditorium]

Mint chocolate chip ice cream

[@blackysalamanka]

Why? This was nothing innovative for its time.

[@MikaelLV]

@@blackysalamanka Yeah, great band. Absolutely fantastic live, but there is nothing groundbreaking or new about their sound. Not for the late 80s at least.

[@MikaelLV]

@Grant Lee Like there were no black musicians in the 80s xD

[@johnsmith6217]

Ahead of their time? Have you heard the bs music nowadays? They were in the right time back when the world, music, movies and tv made sense

[@jacobanthonycookkraft8535]

These guys groove their own sound, very ahead of breaking time signatures in a heavy way note for note, they are sharing their light, great musicianship heavy heavy groove then tempo changes too, it is one of a kind live to me they sound almost like Zeppelin ; Bad Brains ; Soundgarden the singer has one of those strong voices that becomes an instrument within itself, like breaking the sound barrier like Sabbath, Janis Joplin or Zeppelin vocally they're lining up with the band itself to create this kind of organic elemental combative noise! This band can be compared to others yet let's face it, they're their own genius creation

[@tmx63]

The musicianship in this band was off the charts. And Glover was the frontman we all wish we had.

[@ryantotten5011]

Vernon's wrist position when he does that tremolo picking looks so uncomfortable but apparently not to him! What a talent! You can tell Arsenio loves these guys! The vocalist walking around in the crowd...what a great stage presence...underrated...rhythm section is tight ..everything is right...hey that rhymes!

[@springbloom5940]

Thats because he slings his guitar high and tight to the body. Thats your natural workspace and thats where people more concerned about control, than looking cool hold their instrument. People always made fun of me being a metalhead and having my guitar way high up to my breadbasket like a banjo.

[@alexkail3]

The only other guitar player I’ve seen play that way is Marty Friedman (Megadeth). Crazy hand position but I absolutely love them both. Such amazing musicians.

[@yoshialmighty8324]

Whoever did the sound engineering for this performance deserves an award. This was awesome, holy shit

[@SecondCitySaint97]

Sounds like on the CD but better

[@goosegaskins]

I was about to say, Yeah, but what about the bass? and then I heard that incredible bass line break through the mix. Absolutely agree, what a fantastic sound.

[@heylad]

I remember when I went to upload this video years ago, the audio on my VHS tape from the original, televised broadcast sounded extremely thin. Once I converted the video to digital, I extracted the audio and did a bass boost on it using my audio editor. I reinserted the audio back into the video and it was perfect. :)

[@vergedrums]

@@heylad Wow, it really came out crisp and punchy!

[@heylad]

@@vergedrums Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@thomasandrews114]

One of the tastiest grooves, great drumming.

[@rickdavenport9538]

Will Calhoun.

[@MrWonderSquid]

Corey Glover steps up in a BIG way. It's almost like he knows he's got one of the best bands of all time behind him, pushing him to slam his foot on the gas pedal. Even after almost 40 years he still kills it every time without fail!

[@timothyvaher2421]

As Rap had just taken off, Living Colour was overshadowed in the background. Discovered by Mick Jagger they critically are one of Rocks greatest bands. This owed to absolute Core Rock fanatics. They are Rock n Roll Royalty!

[@andrewlisting7310]

Agree 1000%, if Mick hadn’t walked into CBGB who knows.

[@kennethkelly708]

Goddamn right!

[@tommitchell4570]

Funny part is that I'm not really a Stones fan, but I will always be grateful to Sir Mick for strolling into CBGB's and checking these guys out and helping to get them signed --- that's classy as hell

[@eadler5929]

thanks for the info

[@MichaelGrubbEvolvedMinistry]

Have you heard the other songs on this album? They weren't very good. But, this one song was amazing. I wish they had stuck with this writing quotient.

[@A.I-GAMING]

Aresenio's reaction was a textbook perfect reaction to this song. it was indeed correct.

[@rg2027x]

exactly.. 👍🏽

[@musicfan6575]

Vernon Reid was a monster on guitar the whole band was great, they were so underrated.

[@micklouck8328]

Vernon was the black Eddie Van Halen !

[@jameslawson2663]

I was just learning to play when these guys came out and immediately recognized Vernon as one of the best out there

[@ruckus19]

Agreed, but unfortunately, they were black. Especially living in the late 80's.

[@OGWonkavisionHD]

This is pretty Fucken solid for a tv performance....

[@stephenjones1488]

@Dartgame 340 one hit wonder..lmfao. moron.

[@truthhurtz8517]

This band won two Grammy Awards in the 1990s...🔥🔥🎵🎵

[@zulu5157]

I give a damm f... on grammy or music awards . They won my ears and heart.

[@rawanduncutreviews9655]

I dont think people understand how big this song was at this time and period

[@scottskinner577]

Lil Nas X - "I'll end racism with one song." Living Colour - "Hold my tights."

[@kaydgaming]

Jimi Hendrix - “Hold my Stratocaster”

[@scottskinner577]

@@kaydgaming thank you lol

[@lucasa4891]

Lil Has X is a joke

[@luisbautista5176]

Wtf is a lil nas x .. sounds like a failed name for a fast and the furious character

[@ATthemusician]

Can't even come up with an original name. Nas is a million times better than someone that goes by the name of "Lil" and "X", nevermind the clear name stealing just for easy recognition

[@someguy4505]

I'm guessing that recording the vocals for the record didn't take too many takes. Dude has some pipes.

[@GoHard4000]

For real it sounded better live than the recording... truly amazing

[@MrSiandMrSi]

He still has 👍👌🤘

[@MichaelGrubbEvolvedMinistry]

You're right in the fact that his voice was impeccable. But, i bet it still took a ton of takes. That is just how the industry usually does it.

[@davidmiller9485]

this is old but... Vernon Reid once said that the song was written during ONE practice session.

[@fullmetal_3961]

@@davidmiller9485 written and recorded are two separate things, my dude.

[@offdaystv]

The vocals live are so good!!

[@bradhb73]

Ferociously great performance. I watched it as a 16 year old bass player who was already a big fan of LC. Watching this back decades later...Wow!!! Corey especially. Vivid and Time's Up had a major impact on my musical perspective.

[@MrFlyersfan1999]

96% of the audience were either stunned or falling asleep . They missed one of the best Live performances I've ever seen. Thanks for posting this !!

[@heylad]

Dan Addesa, Haha! You're very welcome. 😃

[@zwiastunburzy7188]

Vernon Reid, one of the most underrated guitarists ever. Actually, this whole band was underrated.

[@GLORTHAAK]

Dude they were on guitar hero

[@dethteck2263]

They won a Grammy for this song

[@herocity1165]

@@GLORTHAAK 😂😂

[@dethteck2263]

Not really underrated if you ask The recording academy

[@Baziachi]

And still slaying it.

[@hoogachoga]

Arsenio Hall had friggin great bands on his show. Dude has great taste in music

[@tommysuhlami6241]

I really have to say this.. arguably one of the best pure guitar songs. Easy-ish riff. Absolutely mind numbing solo's. Just from a instrument perspective it's a BADASS song. Not to mention the vocal performance!!! Wow!!!

[@thomasanderson9202]

NO ONE consider his solos to be good. NO ONE. They sound like shit.

[@philc4520]

💯% agree with all you said & totally badass. Rock & soul supercharged!

[@georgea8298]

That riff is awesome. Call it easy is if you want. It's what makes the song so good.

[@101whitechocolate]

Vernons face at 3:13 “I don’t know how much longer I can do this for” Epic.

[@moonlit6311]

Absolutely.

[@acidwaste00]

looked like he was checkng out the crowd and how uninto they seemed and hes cringing at the singer running through the crowd when even he can tell during a full shredding solo that they arent lol.

[@101whitechocolate]

alex c damn I didn’t think of that, yeah fuck that crowd

[@geostillo78]

HAHAHAHA!

[@joelwoods5039]

All fucking day long lol

[@JoshAintSoCool]

That dude definitely has his own picking style. I’ve never seen that before.

[@mrmisterman999]

lol you've never seen marty friedman or shawn lane? You must be a drummer

[@mrmisterman999]

@@johnford6725 he's ok

[@JoshAintSoCool]

MrMisterMan I just watched Stevie T’s weirdest guitar licking styles and I think he agrees. Nah I’m a guitar guy through and through. I guess we all just have our different styles

[@billwren5033]

I agree he is picking really high on the lower neck. very strange

[@peachmelba1000]

@@billwren5033 Frank Zappa did the same thing. The pick bottoms out on the fretboard and actually makes it easier to play faster because you can't dig in too far.

[@Lakesidephotography007]

The AXO motocross gear on stage…. What a legend 🫶🏼 song is so timeless

[@whitneyestate1402]

The AXO gear is crisp

[@phatboy417]

“Guess you guys aren’t ready for that yet, But your kids are gonna love it!” 😂

[@happydayz7857]

His solos give me chills every time he’s so damn good!

[@tomslater8374]

he holds his pick weird, it clearly doesn't matter tho damn, his playing is sweet

[@auntjenifer7774]

I could only imagine what would happen to you if you heard David Gilmour or Stevie Ray Vaughan solo😂🤣

[@SEiMEi_EXiSTS]

@@auntjenifer7774 They'd be like, "they're playing 2 notes per minute" lol

[@billwren5033]

That bass is cutting through like freaking thunder

[@danafreeman8235]

Glad I'm not alone on that haha

[@5000rgb]

Muzz Skillings is amazing.

[@taunokekkonen5733]

I know, I can't hear it either.

[@TeslaChad]

The mix on this is perfect

[@TheBigScreenPictures]

Definitely one of the best live bass tones I've ever heard

[@grudeman]

Good lord what an absolutely breathtaking performance, 😳 insanely talented and underrated group, way ahead of their time.

[@vinray89]

I wish I had been able to see these guys perform live back then, but I did get to see them recently and they are still getting it done. Corey still sounds great and none of them have lost a beat in my opinion. SO glad I got to finally see them live!

[@dshadow3173]

Such a great song! Afterwards, he should have told that audience, " I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet, but your kids are gonna love it!"

[@jasonrackawack9369]

I always thought Vernon Ried had such a unique tone and playing style, the paint job his guitar is so 80s but it still looks bad ass in 2021!

[@Bignaqc]

Everything about this performance is crazy and hits hard

[@bob4analog]

We need some more of this today!

[@Notnannette]

I remember watching this when it aired on Arsenio and was blown away by their performance. Always been one of those songs I crank up loud and still love to this day. It's still relevant...and still rocks.

[@hungerinamerica]

Yup!

[@GhostDrops1]

not ready for the revolution

[@jubankta1627]

FUCKING AWESOME SONG!!!!!

[@MrJRYLANDER]

Notnannette I agree it is more relevant today than ever

[@moonlit6311]

Yes!!💛

[@pr9039]

Is nobody going to address the fact that their bassist solo-simulated a three-part harmony just off the cuff like that? ....just sayin', that's kind'a awesome!

[@cobra1995xx]

The Madrummer pretty ridiculous.. guys awesome

[@mitchelperkins6723]

The drummer was singing on a headset Mike too. Freaking awesome band.

[@clintfarris2003]

Muzz Skillings, the bass player is a MONSTER. The band wasn’t the same after he left.

[@poltergeist3194]

Clint F Not to sure I can agree with you on that. Yes Muzz was awesome and very talented. But the man who replaced him, Doug Wimbish was already an accomplished player before joining .

[@clintfarris2003]

Polter Geist, I wasn’t talking from a technique standpoint. Muzz was a key part of the songwriting process. His input kept songs structured and fundamentally sound. After he left, the band got much more experimental and lost a good bit of their fans.

[@nicholasskridla2475]

This song makes me feel old and young at the same time. Absolutely one of my all time favorite songs. Love that bass tone. Vocals. Drums. And. that. voice!!!! Gritty clean scream.

[@QuinnJACKSON-zx1dx]

I heard this song over ceiling speakers in a North Carolina rest area last weekend. It was in the middle of nowhere with only a few travelers. The song stopped me in my tracks and grabbed my attention with a hard grip. Especially where that transition from the riff to the chorus/break... 'Neon lights...noble prizes...when a leader speaks, a leader dies...." Considering what is going on these days my heart sunk to the floor. Amazing freaking masterpiece!

[@PjPerez]

Living Colour should have been one of the biggest bands in the world.

[@mula8431]

They were pretty big in their prime

[@Parrish_Muhoberac]

They always were... and they're back in a big way. It just takes support from all of us during this horrible time and age and era which may be an EON to actually spread all their hard work to others, and the upcoming generation... it WILL COME BACK..

[@MichaelGrubbEvolvedMinistry]

Based on 1 song??? Have you heard the other songs on this album? Not the best stuff. But...Cult of Personality was great. If they could have tapped into that same genius with all of the other songs on the album, then you would have been correct. But, they didn't. The other songs were average at best.

[@Parrish_Muhoberac]

@@MichaelGrubbEvolvedMinistry I can play and sing every single note on every single instrument on every single song on every single album Living Colour have ever released since I was 15yrs old until now. And believe me, it is difficult. If I didn't have the musical training from such a young age, it would have taken much longer. Not bragging or whatever, just stating fact. Also when you say "THE album"? you must be aware of all the other albums they have, including the newest one? Time's Up is a fantastic album too. 1989.

[@chuckenmcnuggets4464]

They should’ve but they did inspire bands in the grunge movement and pretty much the movement kind of destroyed them along with James addiction. Them and Janes Addicton came out way too late in the 80s.

[@JohnSmith-fe7nf]

I'm 60 , I still love this high energy rock. Gets me moving.

[@tupu_683]

Now this is how you truly earn a Grammy. I know that the Grammys are basically all about record sales but this was well deserved.

[@peatpage4131]

Got to see them in Sydney this year , 2023 . Was an epic gig and well worth the wait . Just as powerful as the first show 30 something years ago .

[@jonnuanez2843]

People weren't ready for Living Colour. Everyone talks about "diversity" and "inclusiveness"...well, here ya go. It's on a golden spoon for you. And Arsenio's reaction is priceless. It's what the audience's reaction should have been.

[@stevencastellanos8063]

It's like the audience is thinking "why aren't they playing basketball." 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@oscarchuquillanqui8574]

Mmmm I don't know if this audience is a reference to estimate something like that, I only see old people, no one is young or even less than 40

[@twr412]

@Nick Milligan I'm sure you're intimately familiar with leftists, since you speak with such authority.

[@sonidamara5018]

people see Jimmy hendrix photo n video often.... and see these band ass a weird thing?? they play metal music realy good .. i am from asia jakarta

[@Gravyballs2011]

Nick Milligan Go be dumb somewhere else.

[@drophatmusic]

I love Cory Glover. He played "Francis" in the 1986 movie 'Platoon'. It won picture of the year that year. Then a few years later he plays in Living Colour and wins a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance. What an exciting time for him. The dude can sing. Flat out. I miss the Arsenio Hall show. The best show on TV back then. Vernon Reid rules.

[@ghostrider1827]

DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTH you just dropped knowledge on me!! I didn't realize that was him in Platoon!!! thanks for that gem!

[@wyganter]

Another bit of trivia: Vernon Reid played on one track on Public Enemy’s debut album.

[@Upside_Down_Guitar_Guy]

One of the best live performances I’ve ever seen; thank you to whoever preserved this in such incredible quality!!

[@holomatrix]

OMG, that was genuinely incredible. Corey's vocally just SMASHING it (as always) whilst Vernon of course destroying worlds and the entire band just getting into the groove. You can tell by Arsenio's reaction he's like FUCK YEAH!!!! Epic.

[@Storm331]

Most of the audience didn't get it, but I can tell you back here in NYC, it was the only thing we talked about for weeks! This performance put Arsenio in the "cool" map.

[@shiznicks74]

Holy Smokes. This is a masterclass.

[@goober22100]

the energy in them all is amazing. idk how the audience stayed seated the whole time.

[@trinidadvelasquez1898]

This band, to me, stood out. Breaking any barriers in front of them. Very talented individuals. Song with a message. I love them.

[@oskarbergstrom5365]

Metal + Jazz Fusion + a splash of R&B = Living Colour

[@tommywd40]

Uhhh jazz fusion is not this at all

[@oskarbergstrom5365]

TommyWD40 A bit is yes.

[@skatarest77]

This is alot closer to rhcp or faith no more funk metal.

[@gabrielbarbosa8681]

Listen to funkadelic

[@spkoftdvl]

A splash, very accurate yes.

[@cobra3158]

Corey was more active in 4 minutes than I am in a week.

[@chillywhack]

It’s criminal how underrated these guys are

[@howardtyler7]

I photographed Living Colour around this time in London. That evening they played The Marquee in Wardour Street and my jaw was literally on the sticky carpeted floor. Incredible band and sadly under appreciated!

[@BACO1029]

In my opinion, the lame crowd sends an even stronger message, and that is: the bend doesnt care, the singer especially, he is so into the song and enjoying it! And thats a great thing to learn and master and implement in our lives :)

[@dewdude2112]

Its an early evening entertainment show and LC blew their minds!

[@detroitlionspistonstigersr6735]

I dont wanna say its because theyre all white and old but....its because theyre white and old. Thats why theyre so lame

[@falsedragon33]

It was a TV crowd strolling in for free tickets, not people specifically looking for a certain content. You're looking too far into it.

[@tuddlearmy767]

To say they were 30 years ahead of their time is an understatement. These guys are kick ass!

[@gc8972b]

@@detroitlionspistonstigersr6735 bs, you wanted to agitate. lots of blacks in the crowd

[@Mr6stringchaos]

This song still continues to blow my mind 32 years later.

[@ky8hu]

I wish they had done more of this type of music and had stuck around longer! Phenomenal

[@davidg.9932]

Open Letter To A Landlord the second best song by Living Colour.. Listen and learn.. It's a fantastic song..

[@shaunreinert5202]

They're still around. I'm seeing them tomorrow night (2.8.24)

[@healthybeans3161]

Extraordinary performance. One of the greatest songs of a lifetime. Insane talent.

[@mattolson714]

Tom Morello owes Vernon Reid a Rolex or something. Still rippin after all these years!

[@faunaflage]

Yup, except Vernon was doing it all with his hands - no need for a Whammy pedal.

[@SubversionGarage]

faunaflage Vernon could have launched a rocket with the rig he used then.

[@jesseenger9614]

Deffinintly sounds like Rage spawned from this

[@tpp5151]

Reid makes Tom Morello look like a school girl on the guitar

[@ExploringtheKawithRa]

Word

[@timzuch4212]

30 years later.... still ahead of it’s TIME!!! One of the BEST bands EVER!

[@raha243]

Tim Zuch I Totally agree with you I just hope those shorts never come back in style.

[@raha243]

kiki the gerbil they sounded like sevendust before sevendust.

[@raha243]

kiki the gerbil well if you don’t know by now then you’re missing out buddy.

[@jaytelford4890]

Amen

[@hellobooom]

@kiki the gerbil Everyone's got fans somewhere, I really don't like em though.

[@jacksteiner6645]

I was 7 years old when I heard this for the first time in 1993. My mom played it for me in the car on the way back from baseball practice. It was in a 1989 Caprice Classic station wagon. It was on cassette tape. It changed my life forever. I absolutely love this track.

[@lonewizzard8456]

Tearin' it up. So much emotion and soul. The entire band is unreal.

[@philc4520]

Agree! Absolutely killing it!

[@skip3778]

my man can play the guitar.

[@hegemonycricket2182]

vernon reid is the shit. look up "lightning in a bottle" it's awesome generally, but my dude vernon gets to rock on stage with buddy guy, on a hendrix tune, it's epic af. the whole show is epic. radio city music hall, produced by scorsese, all the living American blues legends in one show...a tour of the blues... (circa 2004 I think)

[@shootermcgavin398]

Sorta his picking technique is trash lol

[@hanswurst5183]

Awesome Performance! Who is watching in 2019?

[@WALTRIPFLAIR]

Just watched it. Best performance ever of this classic Rock song.

[@eddierayvanlynch6133]

1. One of THE best debut albums. 2. Saw them open for the Rolling Stones in Indy. Corey head - banged so hard, he fell off the stage, scaring 80,000 ppl half to death.

[@RichM0410]

Absolutely!

[@lowboy1one1]

Im watching it in 2019 and asking myself why music like this can’t and won’t exist ever again!!!!!

[@brownsworthy7323]

This shits timeless!

[@mattglascock7178]

Why can't all music be this incredibly awesome?

[@caleshtcincredibles]

One of the great rock riffs of all time !

[@PedroPetracco]

Drum sound is WAY ahead of its time.

[@canuckz]

Sooo freaking flawless of a preformance! So cool how he walks into the crowd too. People complain about the crowd, but you don't have to act and scream like an idiot to show your appreciation for a band. Honestly, I like the idea of white collared people going in for a comedy show and then having their socks unexpectedly rocked off and their faces melted xD

[@robertsupersexykeineahnung8914]

playing that kickass bass line and do the backin vocals at the same time is so awesome!!!! What a great performance!

[@jcooloti]

Underrated song from a sweet underrated rock band. That shit fuckin’ rocks.

[@turdferguson9190]

Man that guitarists technique makes my wrist hurt.

[@BigJackGameplays]

Marty Friends sends his regards.

[@Gwmcmi02]

There's a beautiful grace at play here. The very point of the song is their complete self-awareness at being anomalous, particularly within their own culture, yet having the confidence to put forth their unique form of self-expression anyways. The fact that this performance is spun gold and the audience has no idea what's going on is breathtaking today. It's that sort of Marty McFly "...but your kids are gonna love it." energy.

[@nsamu]

Amazing performance. Fully live, groove and skills for days.

[@luismagana9784]

ONE OF THE BEST LIVE PERFORMANCES ON NIGHT SHOW HISTORY

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

You *KNOW* it's going to be an epic performance when you see the glitching video at the beginning as the VHS heads are adjusting their tracking. Add that to Arsenio and Living Colour and that is vintage classic rock n roll!

[@kylekaminski4326]

He’s like the black Anthony kiedis that can actually sing

[@ritvikkarra1916]

Lmaooooo

[@jaxeiii]

black hot Chili peppers

[@OhhJTrix]

Im so dead cuz its so true 😂😂😂😂

[@homerocolombo1142]

HAHAHAHAA yeah this guy at least can stay in tune

[@Vor_Tex_Sun]

He has way more technical ability than Anthony

[@televinv8062]

Always loved this tune. Great, great version here. 🙏👍🙏👍

[@adammckay3299]

God, the "Nobel Prize" at 1:13 is BEAUTIFUL.

[@marleyjunior3583]

And the "Neon Light" even better

[@aaaaannndddyyy]

The most savage thing besides this performance is an American band using British spelling during the 80s. Gotta love Living Colour.

[@giuseppecatha]

The guitarist is british if im not wrong

[@AMK316]

@@giuseppecatha he is British born

[@tylergodspeed82]

It’s spelled ‘colour’ in Canada too. Maybe because they’re from NY state they took inspiration from that?

[@Centrifuze]

Vernon started the band, and he was born in Britain, hence the British spelling.

[@patrickfoster4586]

The only reason they did it was to separate themselves from the TV show "In Living Color" which was HUGE at the time. In their video promotion of "Vivid" they said "Hi, we're Living Colour, THE BAND! Lastly, if Vernon Reid was British born he never mentioned it in interviews and it certainly had no bearing on the spelling choice. The reason given by the band was for distinction from the TV show as I said.

[@krisbishop7279]

Vernon Reid is a monster, so underrated as a player, he was always a really innovative guitarist. The whole band are incredible, nice to see them start to get the credit they deserve. Nothingness is a personal favourite.

[@Virex99]

Yeah.. He has dimebag energy!

[@paulspecht5165]

I wish he would of stuck to the recorded guitar solo version that was on the record he kind of shredded a little to much confusing melody.

[@RockerNate81]

Heck yeah! "Nothingness" is a great song!

[@darrylehm]

STAIN is their best album, but "Nothingness" is definitely a quality tune. LC then had the balls to go on hiatus, THEN come back and kick ass like they never left.

[@darrylehm]

3:36 Corey: "Hey Muzz, we just burnt this stage down, let's do some 'Sly & The Family Stone' dances." Muzz: "Done."

[@eddiemachetti6862]

This would still cut through iron walls today. Solid, powerful and badass. Great band.

[@johnnybailey989]

We need more of this rock! Music is the sound of all emotion! It makes you feel! Good or bad! It’s an art!!