In Care of the Blues k.d. lang's first time visiting Johnny Carson! 1987

[@grandcarriage1]

I can't imagine what the audience felt: She looks so unexpected, and that voice is truly just out of this world. Her vocal talent and control is just insane.... Truly unique.

[@davidhuber2679]

Loved it!!

[@dbentleyto95]

It was possibly the same thing I thought when I first saw her. Who the hell is that, and where can I find more? The band was fantastic and they were all obviously having the vest time with their interpretations.

[@laurinnnn]

One of the best singers of our generation. Hands Down!!! ❤

[@kjmorley]

As a Canadian familiar with her work back home, I relished her early appearances on US talkshows, SNL etc. , and the WTF reactions she would elicit, especially from country audiences. 🤣

[@laurinnnn]

@@kjmorley yes, I remember her making a comment about country western and trying to break into Nashville and she said they never really accepted her because she was gay and I liked when she said she couldn’t get out of there fast enough and she headed for the hills and went to Hollywood. She does a great one with, kitty Wells and Loretta Lynn. I really like that video it’s black-and-white. I think you would enjoy it.

[@daryljackson3430]

No auto tune just pure talent . Today’s artist should watch these classic performances and see how live performances should be done.

[@frankpeter6851]

In my day, it was considered the height of boring to say thing that you hear everyone else say.

[@billyboy1093]

@@frankpeter6851 In your day there was no auto tune and this isn't your day, this is now.

[@jramsey9690]

@@billyboy1093Yeah, and auto tune covers up inferior singing, so "back in the day" you really had to have talent. Fuck auto tune.

[@teresasellsatl]

Can’t old ass people just enjoy a a great performance without having to put young people down? There are plenty of great young artists out there who sing and perform wonderfully today. It’s not the artists who aren’t great. You are actually dumb enough to believe that somehow vocal cords worked better “back in your day”? It’s the industry who is keeping them down. The industry just doesn’t allow as many great artist to rise to the top because they want factory made acts that they can control and ALSO they don’t get paid for their content. So annoying seeing this whining about bullshit after watching this great performance.

[@sign543]

MY GOD, that voice. Her singing is practically a food group!

[@lizscott6911]

Food for the sole.

[@harriotteworthington3147]

Eat it up!!!!!!

[@mjrussell414]

@@lizscott6911flat fish or flat feet?

[@conniewolf7300]

😂😂😂😂

[@conniewolf7300]

@@lizscott6911And the soul!!

[@lyndawatson8312]

Proud to say she is from Alberta Canada 🇨🇦

[@barbolson8768]

Absolutely, I'm from Calgary.

[@LovesLakes]

🇨🇦👍

[@joygernautm6641]

Well, I’m glad I Alberta Swan reclaiming her. When she came out as homosexual, her hometown removed the sign that said “home of KD Lang”. Have they put it back up?

[@smallstudiodesign]

Pffft, I remember when Alberta disowned her when she did a PSA about the meat industry (basically criticizing it).

[@27kjh]

Yes 🌸🇨🇦

[@alskjdfsldkjf]

This is simply mind-boggling, stunning, and beyond belief. No one else even comes close to this woman's talent, soul, and power. Amazing! I'm sorry but whoever gives this a thumbs-down is brain-dead... or maybe heart-dead.

[@PatR2243]

Or both.

[@betqpublic9901]

Linda Ronstandt😊

[@napamoonlight9997]

There have been many - but this woman has a uniqueness that is so pure. It is the later years that drew me in further when she just blew everyone else out of the water with her story telling capabilities and her control. Mesmerizing, and a pure soul that radiates white light are descriptors that come to mind when being in the presence of one so gifted. KD embodies epic greatness.

[@sleemercer1942]

A wise and insightful comment❣️

[@janvan113]

I don't expect everyone to agree but in my opinion this was actually THE best musical talent segment in all the years of the beloved Johnny Carson Late Night Show. Hands down. The best.

[@mariewaring8965]

I was in Seattle and KD came and I've been in love with her ever since. All the way back to reading "Even cowgirls get the blues" and then her beautiful soundtrack. Her voice speaks to my soul; I just wish I could tell her how much I love her music, and her spirit.

[@JackieBlanton-g4k]

Possible - and he had the best of the best.

[@myspaceinbc]

One of Canada's greatest treasures. Her version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah is breathtakingly beautiful. ❤️🇨🇦

[@Ghostdog4]

I remember this moment in time clearly. The audience and Johnny weren't ready for KDL. She blew the roof off the TV let alone the theater. One of The Carson shows greatest moments.

[@cjcurtis8944]

I’ll never forget this!

[@Candlelightbrill]

I cannot imagine anyone i mean im under a spell with her wow what a talent

[@jodyalbright5179]

Amazing. She had it all from the very beginning. One of the greatest singers of all time.

[@rgg2727]

And don't forget, Nashville threw her the finger. The powers that be couldn't handle true talent, opting instead for Appalachian hillbillies, coal mine' daughters, and baby dolls witr big ol boobies.

[@markwestphal4437]

One of the biggest honors of my life was seeing kd lang in concert. She did 7 encores. Rarely have I felt that I was in the presence of the divine, and this video describes exactly the raw talent and passion of this amazing woman.

[@bretlysle3847]

Watching this for first time in 2024, pissed off at my self for never paid attention to K.D. before. Fan for life after that. Incredible!!!!! Absolutely Incredible!!!!!!! Need to rewatch now.

[@rssphllps]

If you haven't come across it already, check out Constant Craving. It's my favorite of hers.

[@Argonaut121]

You got some catching up to do.

[@bretlysle3847]

@@rssphllps TY didn't know the song, but it was fantastic.

[@your3kidding]

See if you can find her on Peewee's Christmas special. The whole show is fantastic!

[@gailsinclair9937]

Sorry, I meant Roy Orbison Tribute.

[@MeMeDaVinci]

The greatest female voice...and there's a lot of them out there through the years, but k.d. lang is the best.

[@evelynmulvaney173]

Kd, is in a class of her own. God bless her, That voice is unreal. No matter what she sings. Totally goes through my whole body. This is what you call genius vocals. She has to be the best I have ever heard, in my entire life, I'm now in my 70s.Still enjoy listening to KD. Every day. Thank you KD, you make me proud to be a woman. 🇮🇪💚

[@tragicsheepincident1]

We were initially supposed to do two songs on the show but a longer than expected Gore Vidal interview left us with only time for one song. kd knocked it out of the park, it was her first US TV performance and, well, the rest is history.

[@phyllisholmes2120]

Thanks Dennis for adding your commentary! It's now 2019. I loved her then & I love her still. I'm 60 now. God Bless her!

[@madslater01]

She is an incredible talent, thanks for the story...

[@padfolio]

What was the other song you were supposed to do? The Reclines were such a great band! Shame there's not a live album or DVD from the '87--"89 era.

[@salsmith1323]

Oh my one of the best performances I've ever seen. I have seen her live but this blows me away

[@barbee0715]

I remember this-became an immediate fan.

[@bruce8321]

Another gift to the world from Canada

[@edbarker8636]

She is an amazing powerhouse of vocal ability

[@javagirl]

She has no equal. There are other terrific singers, but not like kd. I just love her voice and what she does with it.

[@equanimityzen58]

Up there in one of the greatest voices of her generation. Wow! I forgot how good she is

[@Zihannya]

Her voice is so amazing, it gives me chills in a very good way.

[@chasmenear7130]

Unparalleled pipes! K.D. is one of the greats- within any genre. A treasure.

[@atolm1]

A vocal titan, one of the best live performances of all time ❤

[@VintageFLA]

One of the best VOICES of all time!

[@LolitaDavidovich934]

The voice, unmistakably k. d. lang, gives me the chills.

[@Elise1952]

Wow I don’t even like Blues and that was fantastic. She is a Canadian treasure. What a voice. 🇨🇦

[@blueprairiedog]

It's not the blues. Closer to country pop.

[@johnrltr]

Holy Guacamole!! Arguably the best singing performance on TV... EVER! ...naah, now that I think about it, no argument at all. There are hard acts to follow...and then there are *impossible* acts to follow! Anyone else have a little shiver go thru them at the end of this song? Just...WOW!

[@qazwsxedc87146]

It is overwhelming hearing such an incredible voice. It made me cry.

[@Weegeekatz]

I vividly recall being in a room away from the tv when she started to sing and dashing in to see WHO was singing and remember my mouth literally dropping open in shock when I saw her. Became a lifelong fan at that moment.

[@avadamsadams3411]

Same experience here. In 1988

[@rhumphrey7779]

Being a long time Johnny Carson fan, I don't know how I missed seeing this. Talk about powerhouse singing, KD Lang was born with a supernatural gift. The control she has over her voice is beyond amazing. LOVE this. Just WOW! ❤

[@JP-wg3uq]

Talented to the extreme.

[@richardlefaive1944]

I saw her live a few years before this at a summer country fair festival in a little outpost called Williams Lake in B.C.. Might have been 200 people there ... Could tell as early as then that she was no average country, R&B singer and was going places. Can't believe I got to see a talent like this in a venue like that.

[@murrayscott9546]

Squaw - halla. ? Willy's Pond ?

[@JennHolt]

Well, she's from Alberta, so she started out small :)

[@richardlefaive1944]

@ Yup!

[@nickp4961]

That voice…incredible!

[@FrancesLandgar]

Wowzer! My heart just jumped out of my throat and went SPLAT on the ground. Whew. This was an experience.

[@nilsandlexi]

Holy mother, that voice. That delivery. Stunning.

[@matthewmangum6320]

When people say that kd lang is a voice of a generation and the best torch song singers ever, that’s putting it lightly. To be able to see kd lang live in concert is just an experience you have to live for yourself. She gave me the goosebumps! Love kd lang 🥰

[@jamesmacaulay4064]

One of the greatest singers ever, Tony Bennet, has said "kd lang is the greatest female singer since Judy Garland". He should know !

[@TheRealTrididos]

Having seen her on every tour and a few one-offs since the early 90s, you are absolutely right. Every time I am blown away, again, even though I know what to expect. She can touch the soul in unexpected ways. Plus, she's charming and funny as hell.

[@cjcurtis8944]

Got to see her on the torch and twang tour in a fairly good size performance hall and I was blessed with front row center seats! Amazing performance.

[@Starr-rg3yb]

I had the kd experience in the front row at the Wiltern early in her career. She threw down her tambourine in the middle of Didn't I. It shattered and a chunk of it lodged against the monitor right in front of me. Before the encore, I nabbed it. Still have it. LOVE kd!!!!

[@cjcurtis8944]

@@Starr-rg3yb me too! That front row center seat came in handy and I still have my piece!

[@shirley2447]

This is how I remember KD from the 80s the best! ❤❤❤❤💋🌻✌️🇨🇦

[@misschatelaine]

six dislikes, there's something wrong in the world. She is Elvis with skirt. God bless you K.D

[@loriromano6399]

Elvis was one of the greats no doubt. But K.D. even a better one. That power and range makes her a world class singer. Elvis was prettier and had better moves and swagger!

[@ProNorden]

..Um ...Why is Rod Stewart's son wearing a dress ?

[@danelogan1532]

eat shit and get glasses

[@glendametivier6027]

@@loriromano6399 They would have been great together, both had a beautiful voice. I am sure Elvis would have loved her singing.

[@joepeterson2819]

@@loriromano6399 crap

[@clapoutloudclapoutloud]

What a voice, she is good. This woman can sing blues, country, pop, rock, she can do it all single-handedly. And to date, she still kills it the first time around.

[@everardoromero4121]

We don't have singers and music like this anymore. First time seeing this in 2021, better than anything I have heard in the last 15 years.

[@sharonkeasling4403]

What a range!! Wow!! And talk about breath control....so impressing for tons of reasons. Thank you, God, for k d.

[@ViralTuber]

I remember watching this with my dad when it originally aired, and being immediately floored by her talent. Not my style of song, but she makes it very clear she's an amazing singer.

[@ABee714]

I feel so blessed to have seen her. I love everything about her vocals, her style and her personality.

[@Brian-nt1hh]

Incredible evocative performer. This human can sing songs worth a listen. Johnny knew talent

[@JRR0013]

OMG I wish it were 1987 again. K.D. Lang is just sublime!

[@robiny.4395]

She was a surprise to everyone and so different looking, but that voice, wow!

[@MrMarkpark]

I doubt anyone seeing her for the first time was expecting that. She gives you your money's worth for sure.

[@onetuliptree]

Earliest performance I have seen, I discovered k.d. lang when Torch and Twang album came out.

[@mariewaring8965]

Her music has spoken to my soul since the 80s. Just listening to it can make me cry. I just wish I had a way to let her know how much joy her music has brought to me. i'm 76 now (and despite what most people think you can still feel and be sexy at 76).

[@rva]

As soon as she drops to the floor. You knew it was going to be good

[@highbelter]

WOW. Have never seen this clip. I've always thought she was a phenomenal singer, but have never seen her sing quite this way. So, so, so talented.

[@annburlingham4563]

I saw her on Carson and was terrified I wasn't getting her name right. Luckily he had her back almost right away, as I recall.

[@jamesmacaulay4064]

Same here, too. I'm a huge kd fan yet I never saw this before. The Reclines were a phenomenal band with impeccable timing. Add kd's vocals and it's like nuclear fusion !

[@FCEtier44]

kd and Cass Elliott--in a class of their own.

[@mrfrogbutt1]

She's like Annie Lennox, those 2 can sing ANYTHING and do it with such style, elegance and take over your heart...

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

All I know is if people don't react to her emotion and vocal skill, they are from another planet!!! Chills from 3:20 to the end!!

[@MerleBowers]

From the first note!

[@leslyeramirez9395]

i loved this performace!!!

[@lindaburton1633]

VIDEOHEREBOB Or deaf!

[@coreymoraes8235]

And that is the difference between Canada and the US, and I’m Canadian and American

[@louiseroman1145]

In perfect vocal form here. That pure, soft, beautiful, voice can also be SOOOOO powerful when she unleashes it. Too much of a character, sings with her soul and her entire body. A young k.d. not holding one thing back.

[@janetcarlson31]

She's like the rest of us, gettin' too old to be hitting the floor with those knees, LOL

[@davesittler8244]

The best🥰

[@vocalistpianist2639]

Unique, passionate, defiantly individualistic. Don't ever change, you're perfect the way you are!

[@philthomas8351]

She sounds good with her Band!

[@Candlelightbrill]

give her every award ever avail in history

[@bobrosenburg988]

The best singing ever, bar none!!!

[@vgcrashnburn]

+Bob Rosenburg AMEN!!! she should b on top of this WORLD!!

[@deanmartell5726]

+Bob Rosenburg Yes,kd can sing her Tail off,i'm NOT a c/w fan but have always loved this lp and the 2 following it,i was done after Torch & Twang.

[@bibigems]

+vgcrashnburn So agree. This song heals me and how she sings this. AMAZING!

[@TheLadrowski]

Karen Carpenter came a close second.

[@chewie2055]

Her voice is powerful …but it’s not the best….come on now….

[@sandranelson7153]

I remember being blown away by this performance and hoped to see it again . She is fabulous !!

[@RisoSystems]

And a nod to the late, great sound engineer Ron Estes for capturing her sound so expertly.

[@carolcraig1654]

Joey Riso sounds like a very BLESS MAN.

[@ednaatluxton4918]

From Canadian country twang, to this blues then pop. She never ceased to amaze people with her voice.🇨🇦♥️

[@kennethswartz5425]

wow-she is a force of nature!

[@melissafernandez79]

That voice, that magnificent voice!

[@wildoceanappaloosawomangay2535]

When I saw her on Johnny it made the hair on my head stand up I immediately went out and bought her records and played them over and over Her voice filled all the space and hit every note perfectly 💚

[@Charlesguzman-q9u]

Yes, I too as a big Johnny Carson Tonight Show fan caught her first appearance that night and I was BLOWN away to put it mildly. You just knew this was someone who was going to be a big star !!!

[@Daphne-ys4ue]

Me too! I was watching that night and could not believe what I was hearing!!! I had goosebumps, and I felt tears stinging my eyes!! K.D. Is the best vocalist there ever was!!!

[@Navillus.55]

Whooeeh, she belted out that song !!! How great.... You'll never see anything like that performance again.

[@goof260]

I was 29 when I saw this. I still remember how blown away I was by this performance.

[@patcook4010]

The first time I saw her on Johnny Carson I was in shock.

[@roshakasravi1989]

Dido... Shock, Is RIGHT ! WEARING a skirt & odd lil Boots, no make-up & a Butch haircut ... only i thought it was ... ☆ " Down to my last Cigrette" ☆ Amazing Song ☆☆☆ Like liquid Warm Smokey Velvet being poured over your head slowly working it way down your body. Speechless ! ... .. had to have the song the next day. Bought it at Tower Records in Sherman Oaks in SF Valley, So Cal.

[@stevesmith5687]

Agreed! Was like what the fuck! How amazing is she!!

[@cornelia9778]

I saw her perform in those days. She was performing in large bars in very weird clothes but that voice was mesmerizing.

[@murielleleblanc1337]

My friend that passed away many a year ago simply loved her. Her name reminds me of him. God bless Albert Jarocki.

[@brianclare9884]

Nobody....I mean NOBODY...better!!!

[@TheMrChrisO19]

Wow. I honestly don't see how that performance could be improved upon.

[@waltermirren7957]

Young K.D.!!!!! That voice!

[@mikej70]

KD and Aretha perfect singers not just the quality soul technique and more buts its the putting everthing in the performance with all your effort that makes them even better

[@patcook4010]

I have liked her right from the first time I saw her on the Johnny Carson show.Her voice is amazing.

[@watchcity2068]

omg we were so young back then

[@onetuliptree]

Earliest k.d.Lang I've seen, what an amazing voice.

[@MsRelias]

I remember watching this - she opened her mouth and my skin fell off I was in love for life

[@HotPeridot2]

I was blown away watching this when it first aired - she reminds me of some of the buttery smooth voices from the soul jazz torch singer era from years and years before I was born (I'm in my early 70s now).

[@jswjanjan]

Saw her live in Montreal in '86. Chills constant chills up and down my spine - that voice!😊❤🎉💔💫

[@categurl3967]

Simply an amazing talent, love listening to her

[@maggierae9918]

The girl is bad to the bone !!! Would love to see her in person because I do love Kd Lang. She is one of the best !!!

[@rosearnold4376]

This song blew me away the first time hearing it. Great song with great words with a great singer singing it.

[@garyneilson3075]

It's as if every great voice that ever existed is pouring out from her. ... I hear them all in her incredibly inclusive voice.... She is music....

[@jamestreible4545]

In case there are any Rush fans seeing this, the guy immediately to her right playing what appears to be an electric mandolin, or something similar, is Ben Mink, who played the awesome electric violin solo on Rush's song "Losing It" from their Signals album. FYI.

[@MichaelAuthorAllAges]

One of the greatest voices of our time. Just astounding!

[@gracedamore8186]

Carson knew how to pick ‘em… he had a knack for pure talent. The first of many appearances on his show. Girl crush forever ❤ kd is the best!

[@christerry182]

Best vocalist EVER🤍

[@JohnSmith-rr2kt]

That curtsey at the end is so darling and endearing.

[@catherineboyd1539]

Her voice - like liquid velvet - is so powerful she holds the mic well back from her face.

[@funathome123]

I remember that show, clear as day. One of best performances I had ever seen on TV. Her vocals were out of this world.

[@stevesmith5687]

Same, she is absolutely amazing!!

[@deborahchapman222]

This is where I fell in love with k.t. I was blessed to catch Johnny that night. I rarely watched him. I was instantly huge fan.

[@Nummymuffincocobutter]

Would love to see the concert she did on Austin City Limits around this time or early or mid 80's..she did this song on ACL,too..

[@hopediamond4real]

Sing your song!!!! Best voice on Earth!!!

[@harriotteworthington3147]

I was sleeping with the television on… my heart was lassoed. Still is. She’s magnificent!!!!

[@blancatorres1047]

I always wanted her Ingénue CD and for some reason never bought it. I found it a couple of days ago at a Goodwill store… I left and came back to get it, her voice is so silky and powerful. A rare talent.

[@sorrelconnor7690]

Wowza!! I’ve loved kd since 1985...she was my first concert! Lucky me!! This performance however is THE MOST AMAZING PERFORMANCE OF ANYONE, ANYWHERE!! I can’t wait to see her for the fifth time in Seattle at The Moore Theater!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I love you, kd!!!

[@gayle1599]

you're so lucky

[@PrinceKlutz]

WHAT A VOICE!!!!

[@marykoch9315]

She actually played at my University pub night in 1984. How lucky was I

[@946jean]

Excellent penformance and what a voice !

[@asalane20]

No one can deny that voice

[@berlynify]

..damn...damn...Damn! ..those are some mighty fine pipes on k.d. lang 🩷 ✌🏽 🙏🏽

[@langley269]

I sure wish she would do this one again...wow been a fan since

[@TheLadrowski]

kd lang is amazing. It was so sad to lose Karen Carpenter kd Lang has a similar voice I would of loved to heard them both sing together there voices would of soothed life's problems away. I love the wholeness kd Lang puts in her singing it touches your soul. I havent heard a better voice. Seriously I can't think of anyone today who can sing as good as kd Lang.

[@shaannun]

Now that's how you do it. This was her big chance to show Canada and the States what she was made of and boy did she show them. She knew what was at stake with this performance and gave it more than her all. It was her defining moment and the rest is history. So lucky to have seen her perform several times. First time was a cold rainy autumn evening on the Canadian prairie in 1985. A place called Caloway Park about forty mile west of Calgary Alberta. Only about 40 people were there but she played to the crowd like there were 40 thousand present. We all knew that night she would be a star.

[@kgrant3184]

Oh man - I missed her when she performed live in 1985 at UBC for Homecoming Week. I was working for the Welcome Back BBQ. We heard her/ The Reclines on loudspeaker, but, not the same. Too bad my shift was at the exact same time as HER/ THEIR performances. I have been impressed ever since by her phenomenal lives. Amazing, God-given talent!

[@ginachiodo3178]

KD sings the Blues from her heart and soul. Damn she's good.