John Davidson Blooper on Tonight Show

[@burleq]

I worked with John for a while on a game show project in the late '80s, he was wonderful. Sweet as can be, self-deprecating and generous. I treasure that short time-

[@HandwhistlerBen]

Outstanding!!!!! A true joy to watch and listen to his fabulous voice. What an incredible lovable personality! You were wonderful Jon! You are an outstanding pianist!

[@brockreynolds870]

"Your'e gonna stay there till you remember it"... Johnny's line was PERFECT and hilarious. I remember watching this... Eventually he gave an amazing performance, John is one hell of a singer, I remember my mother rooting him on to get through the song!

[@nancyclendaniel2809]

'Few artists could come back from such a "hiccup" during a performance! Kudo's, John! And thanks for making us smile, all these years later!

[@fool4singing]

He's such a pro, and covered masterfully, and kept it fun, light and entertaining. Performers today can't do this...they just panic.

[@RamsLakersDodgers]

Oh brother🙄This has to be the most close minded boomer/GenXer comment ever.

[@Darloma]

Oh.....I am so glad I found this today! what a wonderful story!!!! I went to see John early in his career somewhere in Los Angeles about 45 years ago...and as he passed me going to the stage, he touched my shoulder! I will never forget that moment and his beautiful smile....

[@lindadominick135]

[@kenhoover1639]

I love this so much! Like another commenter said, I miss John Davidson and Johnny Carson too.

[@123Rockchild]

OMG....I can't believe this happened. And Davidson seems perfectly fine throughout the blooper. Good for him. He kept his head and made light of it.

[@jonathansmith9235]

John Davidson was the most enjoyable entertainer I ever saw at O'Keefe Centre in Toronto. And, I saw them all. High praises for an openly secular guy.(lol!)

[@gdobie1west988]

My first wife back in the 80's used to work for charity at a local hospital. Had John Davidson one year, super nice guy. Always liked him.

[@Dellaluna13]

I heard about this on Gilbert and Frank's Amazing Colossal podcast, part of a run-down on Johnny-era Tonight Show moments. Thanks for posting this!

[@noellesherman4824]

Love him then and now.

[@terrijofilms305]

John Davidson was exceptionally handsome & has aged quite well!

[@rr7firefly]

Check out Reason Rally 2016.

[@stephenacs]

I remember watching him in his first movie, "The Happiest Millionaire" with Lesley Ann Warren. I loved his voice. That was a cute film...of course anything is cute when you're as young as I was.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

And the one after that, the "family band" thing.

[@danoleary6649]

Wonderful thing to share. Davidson a great guy.

[@robertlee8042]

The man is fearless.

[@shellymyers9676]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.

[@MusicMonsterW]

Thanks for sharing this. Great song and a great story to go with it.

[@keithbramstedt4511]

One time I saw John Davidson on The Tonight Show perform a male version of Helen Reddy's "I am Woman": "I am Man"........(lyrics) "I am strong, I am masculine, I am man."

[@swami1]

“You’re gonna stay there until you remember it.” Har!

[@Tmanaz480]

I like the subtle, tight reverb. Nothing overwhelming.

[@normy1471]

I was at John D. show in 1981, would love to see it again ...

[@Zickcermacity]

He is lucky to be alive considering what happened when he was supposed to take the stage at Beverly Hills Supper Club of Kentucky.

[@flaminglaughter]

What incredible talent! He would never do it but I wish he would sing some gospel.

[@john-boy4283]

This is the way I always was when trying to give a speech or sing a song (I'd forget almost everything) Kipling's IF is a great classic, the "treat both imposters just the same (I forgot all of it) line is above the player's entrance at Wimbledon.

[@jameskeno2393]

John is quick. Still active entertaining Club Sandwich.

[@BigMTBrain]

VERY well done!

[@TheMikester307]

What an ironic song to "go up" on. And the blooper made it more inspirational! (And still funny!) And, John, thank you for your personal comments on this!

[@billparthum206]

John has opened a summer venue in NH called Club Sandwich. If you get there in 2022, make sure you request this song! Isn't that cruel???LoL!

[@JimDorman]

John Davidson is performing acoustic (folk) music (I haven't heard any yet.) and is performing this Saturday night at Passim, the venerable coffee house in Boston where Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Tom Rush and others have performed. He looks happy and healthy and will soon turn 75. He is sporting a long mane of white hair - a la Grandpa Walton, but nicer.

[@amonteflores]

At the age of 16 I was truly, really in love with John Davidson. I met him in person about a year later and he sang me a song! He was the most gorgeous, handsome man in the world and his voice was amazing. He did not look at all effeminate then.... I can see a bit of that now.

[@markjohnston1516]

Yeah, I was in love too, but no chance, I'm a guy, lol Truly on great looking guy, back in the day, oh, me, something I can't help.

[@HandwhistlerBen]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Davidson_(entertainer)

[@marymactavish]

I had a sweater a lot like that one, around that time.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Oh my that's so funny 😁

[@conniedoan6917]

Leave it to Johnny to end with the statement he did. 😂😂😂😂

[@bankler1]

Awesome!

[@christianpersson4956]

Very nice vid, thx Jonathan. I am a real Carson buf so this was fun to watch. I want to leave a Seinfeld remark also (no one should be surprised ha ha). I would argue that your theme song for Seinfeld is even more recognized that the actual actors, aside from Jerry himself. The theme song is something that triggers my Seinfeld nerve quicker than anything else associated with that series. Great job Jonathan!

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Thanks for noticing, Christian. Often on my assignments, I'd attempt to summon the Pavlovian powers of theme music. Sometimes it actually worked!

[@christianpersson4956]

Really? Pavlovian? I am very familiar with Pavlov experiments, but I had no idea you as a composer worked in a Pavlovian way. I would love to hear more about that in depth.

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Dog conditioned to associate bell with food. Viewer conditioned to associate fave sitcom music with funny. (As the composer for 75 series, I learned a thing or two.)

[@kencarole8415]

Check out John singing The more I see you You will listen more than once

[@lifeinlimbo2186]

I wanted to make fun. But,i know what it's like to forget words to a song in front of an audience. He was strong about it and had way more lyrics in this song than i had in mine. Kudos John!

[@preciousjey]

That's Incredible! You fuffed up! Lol! That's enough just take off your clothes. If you can mest with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same.

[@WilliamHindin]

Vic: The song is based on the poem by Rudyard Kipling called "If." You can Google it and get the entire poem. I am not sure who set it to music. I would have to go back and look at my conductors score to see if someone is credited with the music.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

Never heard of that game show. I wonder if he recorded this song.

[@justwaiting5744]

Great story.

[@ajkillemall2075]

He was alright , He definitely had control of his show .Without going into too much detail ..He Kept one if his production assistants from bugging me and my then first wife while we were in the studio audience. She was trying to get us to ask a stupid question about kids on the air and we didn't have any kids Soo he saw that we were getting uncomfortable and heard me tell her No! numerous times.Well she just wouldn't give up so he came down and apologized to us and told her to leave us alone.so we were able to enjoy the rest of the show.... Good on ya John!!

[@lesliebell4189]

That background was on $ale of the Century.

[@rr7firefly]

Freddy De Cordova must have been offstage tapping his foot and frowning. "Get on with it, damn it! America doesn't really care."

[@preciousjey]

What year was this? I have one of his records.

[@jonathanwolff962]

Hey there! SeinfeldMusicGuy here. Thanks for checking out my OLD KZbin vids.. Update: I have abandoned this channel in favor of a NEWER and BETTER one. Here's the new KZbin address: kzbin.info/door/oLjXLSBSpUrx31dvb1m3gA OR.. please visit me at www.SeinfeldMusicGuy.com and "Like" me at facebook.com/seinfeldmusicguy

[@Toribot]

SHAGGIN!!

[@generic53]

I just read where he admitted he's an atheist.

[@ShaggyDawg]

How do you get to be JD's Musical Director and conducting the Tonight Show orchestra at 19 years old?? Amazing.

[@letitride702]

No

[@ShaggyDawg]

No what?

[@dianawoodrow2016]

Jonathan, I remember this Carson performance .. I loved it .. I could not have loved John Davidson any less .. (I think that is how I want to say it).. I loved him and his singing and still do.. You did a Wonderful job playing piano and conducting at 19 .. What a great memory :-) By the way what was the date of this performance I can't remember?? But I do remember watching it live because I NEVER missed Johnny Carson.. What is the name of the Poem and where can I find the song. I will look into JD songs that he has sung. It might even be on one of my old Albums .. that would be a plus :-)

[@johnsjohnson448]

Was this John Davidson's final appearance? Or, after he "allegedly" kicked his amp after he messed up the lyrics to a song and ALL of the power in the studio went out. The Network had to schedule a "Best Of 'Carson.'"

[@GERONIMORE]

What a pro...really mean it?

[@russelldolter]

January 4 1985

[@gratefulstanleys]

Thanks to Popular Culture I still have nightmares about John Dildoson.

[@acemase3960]

Good for him for staying with it. Seems like a not so great song at that, lol.

[@ritter89]

What the hell happened to John Davidson? He was almost everywhere on network TV during the 80s/early 90s. It seemed as though you couldn't change the channel without seeing his grinning mug somewhere, whether it be commercial or game show. But somewhere around mid 90s, he completely vanished from the scene and was never heard from again. I was never sure of his exact talents or the reasons behind his TV fame. He seemed a jack of all trades but master of none. It's kinda weird how these people just fade into obscurity. Anyone know what happened to the guys in Menudo?

[@ArsPraestigium]

+ritter89 In recent years, Davidson played roles in touring companies, and a little whole back, on Broadway. He's still alive, but not working much these days. Exactly a year ago, he "came out" on short KZbin video series called "Openly Secular" as, despite being raised by two ordained Baptist ministers, being an atheist his entire adult life.

[@sandymcknight]

i just finished producing his latest recording. he's still got it!

[@kathyhoward9223]

He went on to theatre in Branson and cruise ships. Broadway. Hes the ultimate entertainer. Oh and he also made board games.

[@groovydakota]

oi !

[@popgoestheweasel95]

Wish he was our president!!

[@legasiguy551]

I guess there were no teleprompters in the 1970's.

[@punchline43]

This would've been the mid to late 80s. I was there.

[@itstheburnz]

OY I know he was not a phony, but what was it, he was always doing "Cutesy" on these shows or something.. which took away from the power of his voice.. and big F up of the lyrics.. not his best moment..

[@magpie-nn5ob]

He was a nuisance. Constantly on TV looking like he was trying out for a shampoo/toothpaste commercial. Then one day hr came out and sang Helen Reddy;s song "I am Woman" and I never saw him again. Thank God. A fitting end. He was always awful to hear and to look at. He represented the worst TV had to offer at that time.

[@1948DESMOND]

did he ever get married? has he got any kids? is he, you know, er, um. has he recorded any religious albums?

[@cluvsonj]

I am a long term fan and I saw him in person finally about 2 or 3 yrs ago. Yes he has been married twice. He was married to the 1st one for 15 years and had 2 children with her. His son from that marriage appeared on later versions of HOllywood Squares with his dad and his daughter a professional ice skater. John has been married to his present wife for 31 years and they have one child together. And no he is not er, um LOL. Although he grew up in a religious background with both parents being Baptist Ministers he has not recorded a religious album that I know of but has done a CHristmas Album.

[@1948DESMOND]

*****- BUT HE does come across as a bit effeminate, do you not think?

[@dianawoodrow2016]

Dassoon Fitz ---- He is married .. he has a wedding ring on in this video..He and his wife live in Mexico they built a home..He does an interview here on KZbin about it..Also has children he mentions that they were empty nesting after the kids went to college so that's when they decided 2 move and build in San Miguel which a lot of Retired Americans move 2 .. International Living ..

[@markjohnston1516]

Yeah, but he IS or WAS one great looking guy. Maybe that is what you think is effeminate. Just TOO dam good looking to be straight, lol

[@redwatch.]

He also says, that though he loves women, he is also attracted to men. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ani0eGpjnrF9aMU

[@lenovovo]

I come to find out that John is an old Queen, yup, he's admitted it .... I do have to say that he was cute back in the day though ... I'm sure pretty soon there will be some delicious stories coming out about him, I believe that he outed himself before the others started to blackmail him. Good for John

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

HA! Nice try. JD once convincingly played the part of a murderous female impersonator on "The Streets of San Francisco" He was so good that perhaps some folks (like Lenovovo) assumed him to be gay. However, that is not true. (Thanks for throwing in though)

[@lenovovo]

@@SeinfeldMusicGuy Hey Jonathan Wolff, hold on just a second, and I will give you the link where he say that he likes guys and girls, he likes BOTH, he says he ALWAYS have, you will see it for yourself!

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

@@lenovovo See now? I'm curious! Like the meme says, "Change my mind" Lenovovo

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Well, my friend @LENOVOVO - I'm still curious about it. However.. No link from you to that statement, so I'll assume that maybe you were thinking of someone else (perhaps Jaye Davidson). After spending so many years as the music composer for Will & Grace, I became fairly aware of the LGBTQ celeb community. If your comment was true, I'd have probably heard about it. Cheers.

[@kathyhoward9223]

No, not true. He is heterosexual all the way. Why would you just make that up? No gaydar at all.