Jesse Colin Young - Walking Off Johnny Carson (5 of 10)

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An exclusive series of Living Legends Music interviews with Jesse Colin Young. Part 5 of 10. Recorded on February 5th, 2009 in Aiken, SC.

[@arthurtrauer5684]

Jesse sat right in front of me in a folding chair at ground level in San Francisco and played solo acoustic guitar. That sweet voice had me and my girlfriend mesmerized. He was very approachable and kind. What a gifted artist. Thanks Jesse.

[@danh367]

Such a one of a kind fond music memory.

[@garymiller95]

Enjoyed seeing The Youngbloods play at my college in 1968, outdoors. Jesse Colin Young is underappreciated and I hope his music will gain attention from a new generation.

[@brendatanner1259]

Soooooo much respect, to any artist who stands up to the machine.

[@maryvaughn7886]

Oh when it was about being true to your music & not about being manufactured plastic. Bless you for having cajones & standing your ground. Jesse's music still takes me away & I haven't smoked weed for almost 40 yrs. Ridgetop plays & I can feel breezes & smell pine trees. Still. Heavenly.

[@cydkriletich6538]

One of my best memories is of my late sister & I standing right at the stage of the Avalon ballroom in San Francisco, looking up at Jesse & singing our hearts out with him. Occasionally he’d glance down & give us a nod & a smile. We loved him. He had one of the best voices! Glad he stood his ground with Carson, who took his initials J.C. way too seriously & was apparently one mean, womanizing, man. Jesse, so glad you’re still doing music.

[@kennethvoller278]

50 years listening to "Ridge top" and its still so invigorating and rocking and almost refreshing!!! That's my favorite but still listening to JCY music.

[@patriciamays8244]

Me too just figured it out yesterday,more than 50 years which makes me very old. 😂😂

[@Cappy609]

Jesse played several gigs at my club The Hearth in Pipersville, in the late 80's. He was always a big draw, a perfect gentleman to work with, and given that our little place in the middle of nowhere didn't have the perks a performer should expect, he never complained. Good for you standing up to Johnnie. Hope you read this comment and remember all the greats that played The Hearth.

[@mrkeyscolin]

His music has always taken to a place where the world should be peace filled with his songs and so soothed

[@shadowsdad903]

I was working for Union Pacific Railroad and I was in St Louis for some training. Jesse Colin Young played a solo show at a club in LaClede’s Landing. This was about 1984. Unforgettable!!

[@kathleenfay7529]

Good for you ! I love and listened to your music since the seventies! I still really enjoy your songs!❤️

[@marylandria]

Good for you, Jesse. Thank you from the bottom of my hear for your music , which is and was beautiful. I recall hearing you sing "Barbados" acoustically live on the radio in 1972 & it was downright transcendental.

[@livelaughandlovelong]

Had the pleasure of seeing Jesse numerous times @ Bumbershoot and the Aquarius Tavern in Seattle. Great live performer. Always fun.

[@rogermurray8553]

Last laugh to you, Jesse. Who talks about anything Johnny Carson did or said without prefacing their comment with "remember", and a rare occasion it is at that?Youngbloods music moves people deeply to this day and there's nothing that sounds nostalgic or retrospective about it. To me, one of America's greatest contributions to popular music. Thank you so much.

[@jackson4404]

Jesse's music is blues in its roots, not pop, not at all.

[@TGATP]

Both "Sunlight" and "Get Together" are my favorite songs ever!

[@terywetherlow7970]

Sorry Jesse's mom, Carson deserved Jess walking off show. Honor. I have loved JCY music since my teens. At 66 now i love his method. Stand strong w.honor, Sir! Tee

[@robertjasso4501]

The story of record companies ripping people off is long and ugly, my greatest respect go to guys like Jessie Colin Young who stood up to the parasites.

[@terywetherlow7970]

Robert, yes indeed. We never even knew about these con's in record biz. Tee

[@donaldduck2139]

that's exactly what they are, parasites. . live off and steal from the efforts of others

[@kernalsanders6538]

What a great voice Jesse has...the song "Sunlight" transcends time. I love it today like I did when I was 18 years back when it came out. I used to live around Jesse in a small town and it was kind of a surprise to me the first time I walked past him on the street and ended up talking with him...totally easygoing and down to earth.

[@donkehoe7842]

yah

[@starcloud4959]

JCY wrote some some of the finest songs of all time and one of the greatest singin voice as well, he's certainly entitled to go his own direction.true artist.

[@bunnybubs757]

Someone stole one of his guitars at a show my uncle attended. .’Someone in the audience yelled it “ sing SMILE on Your brother “ and he yelled back all Pissy “ smile on your brother yourself “ 😂

[@ciarraibuzz]

Very pleasing to know that they didn't let people take advantage of them.

[@grenda5]

damn right on, Johnny Carson, so what, you are a noble man Mr Young and your integrity is more important than riding THE Carson thing, bravo!!

[@edwardkrzynowek241]

Yes, integrity is the word that came to my mind.

[@tabaks]

Who is that Carson guy?

[@p52893]

Brilliant man! brilliant voice

[@msl01106]

Haven't seen or heard him since.................! Loved him back then.......was one of a kind. I wish him well and hope he has found peace.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Good for Mr Young for staying true to his beliefs ! A shame more people in this world aren't as noble when it comes to their convictions ! Bless this talented & classy gent !!

[@PhilosopherOfFafoism]

It's good to hear truth and honesty from an original. The industry is a steaming sack!

[@eddieherold3882]

He is telling the truth, an honest man , he is describing music business traditions that have been handed down .

[@Solarshoji]

Jesse (Perry) has more class than most people I have ever met in my life. I salute you!

[@jonstrider3300]

Great interview. The truth. Nice!

[@jackson4404]

I've loved your music since your first album. I am glad to see you standing up for artists' rights.

[@Eidann63]

Good for you; more singers/songwriters should have stood their ground as you did... also had the standards you lived up to. Many sang it, but didn't live it.

[@DeanHaasJr]

Back then, bands were treated like dirt by promoters and TV shows, with a couple of exceptions. Mike Douglas, Smothers Bros, and Dean Martin were good to the bands. Johnny Carson and Ed Sullivan didn't like the hip groups, but liked the audience it brought them. I would have walked off, too. To the commentators on here who obviously don't know anything about JCY beyond the 'one hit', guess what - the Youngbloods had more albums, a large following, and were never the type to 'crank out the hits' - go listen to your top ten bubble gum groups. Jesse had a very successful solo career, and still performs and records.

[@charlesterry2407]

Frank Converse I guess you never heard Ridge Top??

[@SusieVKaufman]

I'd like to put a LOT of the blame on Fred de Cordova, who was a self-righteous snob and humorless with most musical guests. He was really not a nice person.

[@hivicar]

+Dean Haas, Jr.That makes me think of the time The Ed Sullivan Show had the late, greatly accomplished multi-reed giant Rahsaan Roland Kirk on to perform with his band. Sullivan introduces him as "Ramsan Roland Kirk"!

[@SusieVKaufman]

RE: Rahsaan Roland Kirk -- Oh, god, no! I'm really, really glad I either MISSED that night or totally forgot about it! That's just crass.

[@NOMQN]

I think one other noteworthy exception as a sympathetic major TV host would be Dick Cavett who genuinely seemed to be just as much a fan as interviewer when it came to many contemporary guests including Hendrix, Lennon, Harrison, and several headliners immediately following the Woodstock weekend including still hung over members of C,S, & N. Still makes some pretty entertaining viewing

[@spinmancorner7543]

F’em & Johnny Carson Too! ~ Much respect to Jesse!

[@carolvota8619]

I remember that so well, Jesse states it fact by fact trust me

[@lagodelbago]

LOved Jessie Colin yOung with the Youngbloods and with his band afterwards. The album Song For Julie is a tremendous album. What a voice! I heard that he is growing coffee in Hawaii.

[@mikemillwood1564]

Right On! Jesse Colin Young. We need more people like him around today to save the music industry which has been taken over by amatuers and money-mongers.

[@donnafanning6155]

We saw him in the 70's at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz. Great show, once he got there, the people were getting way fed up when he was over an hour late. He had just got married and once he got there he was fantastic.

[@broncobrian2620]

Donna Fanning The Catalyst, LOL is that place still open?

[@cb1504]

Donna Fanning Catalyst was the BEST! www.catalystclub.com/

[@TheIrishrogue68]

+broncobrian Still open...same location...still booking big acts.

[@andyweis5194]

Still open... but it's changed. New owner.

[@rossdemarco1206]

Saw them back in the day always a good show

[@makahaj341]

I remember watching that Johnny Carson show live (guess I'm showing my age). My recollection is that Johnny said something to the effect of, "They didn't like the fact that they could only do one song, they didn't like the their position in the show, they didn't like the set... So we told them to wipe their noses and go home." The audience applauded. I've always remembered that, and decades later, I appreciate now hearing the other side of the story. Who knows what the truth is, it probably lies somewhere in the middle.

[@ciarraibuzz]

I'll go with JCY's version.

[@terywetherlow7970]

@@ciarraibuzz I'll go with Jesse's version as well.

[@RicardoRoams]

I watched the show that night too. It was shocking to say the least. I’m glad to finally learn the truth.

[@haskellbob]

This guy gave some of the best live concerts imaginable in the mid-seventies. They played their hearts out, and for a good long time. "Light Shine" and "Song for Juli" have more bang for the buck, more songs of real quality and musicianship, than 99% of all albums ever recorded. They never hit the level of Super Fame, and it's probably best that they did. He does look a tad different, though!

[@landlinesandpercolators8822]

I read years ago that Carson would not have rock bands on after that incident. BTW the first three Youngbloods LPs are fantastic.

[@slacker4206]

Carson’s loss....

[@bigpun7916]

Carson seems like a phoney prick to me . He got divorced so many times ....he deserved that turmoil .

[@ebsenraptzski9522]

good for him standing up to the bullies and shysters

[@catherinetodd]

Great interview!

[@anthonyyoutubefan7567]

Funny, I don't think I ever knew of him, or his music, BUT, I've heard some of it recently, and, after seeing this, I respect the HELL out him! That doesn't paint Mr. Carson, OR his staff/management, in a good light.

[@jackieoman6695]

Carson was a mean mean man !! Good for you sir !!

[@lastrada52]

I don't know how he did it but the only rock artist who successfully retained his publishing rights was Dave Clark of the Dave Clark 5. Maybe he had been a CPA before being a musician, or there was a lawyer in his family, but he owned his songs, his masters & controlled all publishing. I guess Epic Records thought they'd never make any money off the DC5. How wrong they were.

[@58jumps]

Sadly, too many think the music or book industry favors the artist, but it is seldom the case. Good for you for standing up for your art and business!

[@tmo7734]

Jesse: one of the greats.

[@tswrench]

The ego-driven side of the entertainment biz is always pulling crap like that, even to this very day. I've experienced it, and believe me, Jesse handled it the best way it can be handled, which is to stick to your guns (the contract), and be prepared to walk if you have to. Just because you perform for money, doesn't mean your integrity is for sale.

[@jpksculpt1]

Good for you Jesse!

[@aspierunner1725]

Dan Fogelberg and Tim Weisberg did a great cover of "Sunlight" on their "No Resemblance Whatsoever" CD.

[@beink]

This blows my mind. I was the Fillmore show in June 1969, and later saw the Youngbloods and Tim Hardin at the Fillmore in August 1970. Actually the Zappa set was somewhat of a disappointment for the 15-year-old me (preferred the June 1971 show with Howard and Mark), but Chicago really rocked my world. Jesse and Co. saved the second Fillmore show as well, as Tim was beyond wasted. It was rather unsettling for the 16-year-old me.

[@robertcartwright563]

They only remember your newest LP. Great Live Show 🎙️

[@georgefeist8190]

Johnny Carson was the KING OF LATE NIGHT.... millions of people including me...stayed up for his 90 minute show...millions of people would have heard you and maybe just maybe they would have bought more of your records...bad move.

[@jmb92555]

So you're a sell your soul kinda guy?

[@msl01106]

I don't know how I feel. He was adorable and talented back then.

[@douglasgrossman6200]

Soul of A City Boy was a terrific Album!

[@toyman77]

Little did they want to admit, the artist has the power and the audience. Walking off was the right thing do. I guess you have to get everything in writing.

[@donaldduck2139]

respect . . . do what you think is right for you,

[@HunterMann]

I agree. Years ago, I did a thing in the film biz and got a call from People magazine. They were going to do a 2-page feature on me. I told them no and hung up. I was hoping for a respectable film magazine to do the first news piece. I told the story to another filmmaker and he said "Are you crazy?! People magazine is HUGE!". He was right. I blew it. Reality check: An artsy film magazine has 4,000 subscribers. People sells about 400,000 copies each week, maybe more. Whoops!

[@MorrisonElvis]

Very small world indeed! I must not have known about the Fillmore show (looking it up, I see it was Aug 21-22). I would have wanted to give Tim Hardin another chance; but from what you say, it was a repeat of the Carnegie Hall performance. Thanks for the info; now I will have no regrets. I saw Zappa at least five times over a few short years, and that '69 Fillmore appearance was probably the 2nd. My ticket was for the first "show" and time was limited. The late show (11 PM?) was sold out.

[@Mondo762]

Not surprised what Jesse has to say. It further explains why Jimi Hendrix went to England or why the Dead rejected fame for so long.

[@ziblot1235]

The Dead didnt reject fame. They just were too country for most of the middle road who wanted to hearshort hits. The Dead were a live band. They Jammed and featured a lot of steel guitar, banjo, etc.

[@Mondo762]

You are actually agreeing with me. The Dead had that opportunity to go commercial since they already had a big following. They chose to stay with their own brand of music and avoid being dictated to by a big recording company. I am from San Francisco and have seen the Dead many times going back to 1971. They could be described as the anti-pop group.

[@jamesfitzgerald6636]

Jimi was brought to England by Chas chandler and nicked The Who’s act and dressed from Carnaby Street!

[@thomwessels2281]

He bought a Revcon Motorhome in 1971. Too cool, and a rebel back when.....

[@RicardoRoams]

I distinctly remember watching the Tonight Show that night. I was really looking forward to the Youngbloods performing. I was very surprised at what happened. Johnny Carson came out and on camera before a nationwide audience ripped the band basically implying they were prima donas, way too demanding, etc. The image he projected was very negative. It was rather shocking! I’m glad after all these years the truth has come out.

[@jeffdawson2786]

Good for you. We look up to you.

[@richpayton7162]

Jesse, I didn't write this little piece of wisdom in Latin, but I think it relates to your story nonetheless. Non Illigitimi Carborundum And thanks for blessing us with your music,

[@jennifer86010]

Jesse's description of walking off Tonight Show was a muddled pathetic explanation of what really happened. I was watching the show that night they supposedly walked off the show, but in fact they didn't walk off The Tonight Show. They were kicked off the show. Jesse started eluding to what really happened, which was he and the band were complaining about the sound monitors, the lighting and other technical things they didn't like. They were used to a sound/lighting set-up for live concerts, not TV shows. They knew nothing about how to perform on TV, but they argued with NBC's technical staff so much, that despite NBC's attempts to educate them about performing on TV, they refused to listen. So, this battle was discussed with The Tonight Show management and NBC management, and management decided to simply kick the band off the show. This was just another pop/rock band, and what the band didn't respect was the fact that they were part of the lowest rung on the food chain in show business. By this, I mean the totem pole in show business looks like this: Top: Movie stars. Middle: TV stars. Bottom: Music people. When the show aired, Johnny Carson looked into the camera and said they had originally booked this band to be on the show, but the musicians didn't like "our sound, lighting or anything else, apparently what we have is not good enough for them, so we asked them to leave" The studio audience applauded, but the important audience (5,000,000 people watching TV) didn't get a chance to see or hear the band. This was pure ego on the part of Jesse Colin Young and the band, and one of the worst career mistakes ever made in show business. He minimizes this blunder in this video, but his arrogance about the band's booking on The Tonight Show cost him several million dollars and a far greater career in the music business. The Tonight Show was the dream show that every comedian, band, actor, writer, or entertainer wanted to appear on. It was seen by most of America on a nightly basis, and if you performed well and acted well to the staff and Mr. Carson, you would be invited back...each time your paychecks would double, triple, and offers for gigs, projects and career advancement would pour in from all over. You would go from making hundreds or several thousands of dollars per gig to making tens of thousands of dollars, with offers lining up. Doing the Tonight Show was a life changer, which could make your career of playing dumpy clubs into a dream of playing stadiums and arenas. Carson was the king of late night television, and The Tonight Show was his castle and court. I had friends working on that show, and everyone knew they had one of the greatest gigs in the industry, and you never did anything to screw up your job, because you knew there were plenty of talented and skilled people waiting in the wings to replace you. Carson made star after star on that show. He literally made the careers of singers, all comedians, musicians, writers and entertainers. He was the godfather, and if you respected him, his show and pleased him, he would make you into a multimillionaire. A very famous multimillionaire,in fact, and for life. Jesse and the band sabotaged their careers and earning power severely by acting like brats. This had nothing to do with a business breach of contract. It had everything to do with arrogance, ego, immaturity and stupidity.

[@terywetherlow7970]

Monopoly, Jennifer. Just like today....2022

[@ianforsyth4994]

Youngbloods did an amazing show at Strawberry Fields Mosport Festival. Sly didn't come on stage till early Monday morning and was a complete flop. anyone know where the footage is for Strawberry Fields? all of the music and vibe was filmed along with an 8 track audio.

[@TheThaggs]

Hey, I was at that festival, summer of 1970. Great weather, I lived on the free cheese on white bread sandwiches. Thumbed home to Boston even though NY state troopers kept throwing us off the thruway.

[@cheryllynch142]

Classic

[@teenonator]

I remember Young walking off stage in Seattle after playing for 35 minutes, and saying "Thanks, like they say, 'take the money and run'"

[@rlbrown1009]

Good for you!

[@fosbury68]

Jesse what part of "Play your hit and GTFO" do you not understand?

[@indy_go_blue6048]

Two great bands/singers played the game their way and instead of having great careers, they have peace and integrity: Jesse Colin Young and Don McLean. One great band that I know of played the corporate game and two of the four killed themselves: Badfinger. I'll have to go with Jesse and Don's way.

[@betseyr.9081]

Jesse and Robert, 2 nice guys from the rock world…

[@tnekkc]

Most people in the rock biz in the 60s are dead now. Jesse is one smart healthy guy.

[@wavepainter]

He's right. He's so right. Jesse and his music is here now. Johnny is gone and so are the record companies. That steamroller exists to this day, but now it's banks, insurance companies and Wall St. Thieves and pirates. Arrogant creeps.

[@crazybobdj]

Just one key unlocks them both...

[@Byzantine41]

Loved Carson show growing up but the last dozen years we hear how petty and mean Carson was. Wayne Newton straightened his ass out lol

[@benvye6934]

That Wayne Newton story about him hitting Johnny for saying he was gay keeps getting more melodramatic as time goes on. Wayne has told several different versions throughout the years. I've always been curious about what really happened.

[@popoahi99]

it was 1978 a small club in makawao maui just me n a friend were flying on an once of pure colombian flake..we were making so much noise n going to the head jesse was laughing at us while he was playing...was served a complete gourmet dinner all we ate was couple of strawberrys n a couple bottles of wine...one of my greatest memories

[@donnaschimming]

Kyle: that was the 'time'. People weren't so caught up in themselves. they were about the principle of the thing.

[@axgoat]

+Donna Schimming I don't know Donna, this was my era - JC Young is my contemporary and I don't think younger people should make it out to be more than it was. I don't wax nostalgic about the time and most of the really well known music from then really isn't my music but I do like to listen to it occasionally. People were still people and there were a lot who were just following to be followers. Don't forget about all the talented people that did themselves in because of drugs (and still do for that matter).

[@HunterMann]

I love Jesse's music, and also always liked Carson(who, by the way, is one of the only celebs who had the good sense to retire when he was on top). In the bigger picture, I think that Jesse and his group would have benefited MORE from playing the Carson gig as requested. Carson got no enlightenment from it anyway. Unless musicians can afford to tour with a corporate attorney and a musician's union rep, they should just be thankful they had a gig on a major TV show.

[@Normalhowaboutyou]

Great

[@davidscott6201]

Nice, but move the mic closer.

[@MrCretemaniam]

hope he got his money

[@susantyrellfans]

Yes!

[@nickmcdonough8774]

Nice

[@bush1tman]

@spacetunes Thank you for that info. :)

[@NathanIsLame]

Conflicting stories from the latest Carson Podcast with Michael Brandman. Take Jesse’s version with a grain of salt. Rockstars have very delicate egos.

[@AngelaPeraltacubana]

Some of you didn't get it! He paved the way for for songwriters. They were treating us like dirt without any respect while stealing our money!. Arrogant was Johnny Carson if you ask me. Like the way he treated Joan Rivers. As if he were God Almighty! Glorifying a "Talk show host" Instead of a brilliant songwriter! That's America for you. In Europe and the rest of the world artists are revered and treated as special people. Here if you are talentless and have a fake big butt( LOL) or made yourself famous for whatever idiotic reason, and have money then people look up to you!

[@porflepopnecker4376]

Waaah....

[@ronaldosanchez9018]

The reason is that the United States is a Corporate Capitalist hell-hole where superficiality and shallowness are king. The least common denominator who has no talent but lots of money is looked up to. What does that tell you? That is why every form of art in this country has gone to the shit, because it's Corporate shitheads who call the shots based on a money formula, and everybody buys into it.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

No, it isn't.

[@Athensucksassalready]

Angela Peralta I've been a pro musician for thirty plus years, and no matter what level I have been at during any particular time, I and my bandmates have been crapped on by 'business people' who dont play and/or cant play and have no clue what being a good musician requires - be they club owners (the worst) or so called 'journalists', TV people, record company dorks, etc...and just as you stated - such a shame that people like jazz greats from the US had to go to places like France to get the recognition they deserved. I dont think Jesse is being an arrogant whiner at all - just telling it like it is. Most musicians dont realize that the 'music business' is part business and most businessmen cannot understand that they are cretins if they practice 'art as commerce' and suck the ART part out like vampires. It should be a balance of the two.

[@lrealestate]

Plus they never 'bought the ticket', 'played ball', 'sold out'. His music stands the test of time 👍🤗

[@beckyannaldersonornold7512]

One of the greatest talents that a woman ever born!

[@altal777]

well said

[@rockyracune1779]

He really looks different. Wow.

[@tripjet999]

Wanting the world on a silver platter? get in line...

[@MaxStax1]

His choice of coarse, but considering Johnny Carson would always hold up a copy of a group or musician's latest album and give it a plug and also announce any upcoming shows they may have,so it seems like asking them to play their hit song that everyone wanted to hear was trivial.Again,getting your latest album plugged to millions of people seems like a good thing.But he showed them who's boss,and then some other guess that night would have gotten to be on air 4 more minutes.

[@teenonator]

How about Young walking off stage in Seattle after 35 minutes, and saying "Thanks, like they say 'Take the money and run' "

[@thehathouse]

exactly right

[@kevinbergin9971]

That is the problem when you realize the record company is not in the business of helping make YOU rich.

[@kevinbergin9971]

Doesn't sound like this was negotiated via Johnny Carson himself?

[@huckhockey]

i love jessee.......but they didn't actually "walk off Carson" the headline makes you think they walked off during the show. they walked off during rehersal........but good for them.

[@HunterMann]

As beautiful as Get Together is, the song was also a "product", make no mistake about that. Jesse might have opened more doors that day in his life & career, but instead he closed the door...slammed it. I think he may be in denial that he screwed up, so he has to bring it up during interviews, in fact it is probably on his publicist's list of "suggested questions" they provide to the media before an interview. It's all show biz Jesse. Go play on Haight St, if you can't handle the biz.

[@MorrisonElvis]

If Carmen MacRae could get bumped, a lightweight like Jesse Colin Young.....well, I'm surprised he was on the schedule in the first place. I don't understand your comment; it's not clearly written. Maybe you should post in your native tongue.

[@keithkuhn9365]

IT IS ALWAYS A FIGHT & STRUGGLE KK