Keep On Smilin' - The Wet Willie Band | The Midnight Special

[@mikestillwagon5675]

For those who are interested, Blackberry Smoke did a cover of this song with Jimmy Hall (this guy in the video) singing and playing harmonica. It’s well worth your time.

[@DP-wi6hm]

Saw it, it was beautiful !!!!

[@pete1791]

Thanks for the info.

[@skipmessier765]

Most definitely. The Blackberry Smoke/Jimmy Hall version was so on point that it almost surpasses the original !

[@mikebennett7261]

Yes, it was. Thanks

[@davidvos27]

WHAT AN ASSUME LIVE PEFORMANCE BUY WET WILLIE HERE, SO SO BITCHIN🤗

[@dewaynewofford6486]

The duo of women singing background vocals dubbed "The Williettes" were a staple of the classic Wet Willie sound that featured Jimmy and Jack's sister, Donna Hall, and Ella Brown Avery.

[@chevyvandweller2706]

Watched Wet Willie perform and play this song at the Tampa Stadium opening for Grand Funk March of 1974 when I was just 16 @ the time:)

[@davemoyer505]

Don’t get no better than that- Grand Funk and Wet Willy!! Rock on!😁👍🎸🥁🇺🇸❤️

[@chevyvandweller2706]

@@davemoyer505 Yeah, Mark Farner really knocked it out of the park with ' Little Johnny Hooker' !

[@sulj3373]

I saw them 1974 Summer Jam New Orleans. It was raining.

[@allrightnow3653]

lol My first concert was Grand Funk with Black Oak Arkansas opening back in 1971 in Atlanta when I was 16

[@allrightnow3653]

@@chevyvandweller2706 LOL I fixed it

[@redbarchetta8782]

Great band that doesn't get their due. That song is as fresh today as when it was first released. 50 years on, it still rocks.

[@marktait2371]

last month a local antique store was closing lucked out found the ghits capricorn vinly opened but still had the original price sticker and shrink wrap pulled out great condition this and give it to me 7 or 8 lesser known songs recall a few of those think the price was like 3.99 or 4.99 ironic i paid the same as 40 years ago 5 bucks or so jimmy hall wrote the liner notes also i think the halls were from macon or nearby not sure or came there after cap.signed them he says on the notes ididnt know they had 6 or 7 records in about the same time period

[@KittyGrizGriz]

⁠@@marktait2371 You sound just like me! While on vacation in tiny town USA, I always visit their thrift stores and “dig.” This summer I bought about 48 albums for $1 each. Was a happy lady! Keep on Smilin’ ☀️☀️☀️

[@stevelowrey2932]

It has more significance these dark ass days. ✊🏼😏

[@Skynyrdforever]

The Midnight Special was the best show ever. Especially for those of us who dearly love music.

[@pamalexander6180]

Amen

[@mikeschultz5125]

I was in my early 20s back in those days and on Saturday nights, me and my running crew would leave the bar early and hit a friend's apartment that was just around the corner so we could watch Saturday Night Live...which segued right into The Midnight Special...and you best believe we was burning plenty of that special incense!!!

[@chrisdher65]

In Concert and Don Kershners rock concert were excellent too

[@larryhinze8658]

TOTALLY AGREE!

[@kimmysue2259]

King Biscuit Flower Hour!!! :-) and... Top of the Pops!! The 70's .... the greatest music evahhhh!!

[@streetlevel4996]

Groovy song and always loved it and now for 44 years been smiling that I was set free from drugs and emptiness to an amazing relationship With Jesus 😊

[@craigcordes1908]

Same here

[@streetlevel4996]

Oh I so so dig this song and two more really hopeful songs ya may smile at also 😊 " Most of All " video version By Glenn Kaiser and Amazing Grace by Dan Vasc rock version is freakin amazing ✌️ yall in the God of Love and Joy and makes ya smile 😅

[@beeamerica5024]

They call him the southern Mick Jagger 😁

[@robertdubuc4082]

1976,my first concert Civic arena Pittsburgh,Pa.Wet Willie, Atlanta Rhythm Section, and the Charlie Daniels band.

[@beeamerica5024]

@robertdubuc4082 man I know that was a good one 👍😁

[@rgs4x]

16 years old and playing this on my am transistor radio doing my paper route. What a great live performance!

[@AldousHuxleysCat]

I was riding down the street I used to deliver papers on when I was about 14. It's a main road and I can't believe that even 40 years ago somebody thought it was a good idea for a kid to ride a bicycle up and down it to throw papers that cost a dime

[@bhenderson7651]

Pile of rubberbands on the street corner, those were the days !

[@lesliesimmons9657]

Yup!

[@kevinramsey417]

Music is the only real magic in the world, and this isn't a song, it's a healing spell.

[@redbarchetta8782]

❤👍

[@John-ro2ir]

Come to find out…reality is stranger than fiction.

[@beefheart67]

I call it Joyful Noise😊

[@deaneawilliams2272]

Indeed❤

[@kenkrausse3624]

It’s worked for me ❤

[@Dr_Paul_Proteus]

I love The Midnight Special for introducing me to so many great artists that i was unfamiliar with.

[@wildwoodandonyx]

My wife had never heard this song. We are both around 60. How was that possible? It was one of my favorites as a kid. We grew up in different radio markets 180 miles away from each other. Unreal.

[@rb343]

Me and my guitar teacher both admit we're old, but we saw the BEST bands cranked straight into full stacks of Marshall's & Peaveys!!!

[@rb343]

Me and my guitar teacher both admit we're old, but we saw the BEST bands cranked straight into full stacks of Marshall's & Peaveys!!!

[@DisposableEgo]

Payola was the primary factor in regional radio airplay.

[@trailwindz7833]

I never heard it live until today. It's powerful. Love the background vocals.

[@davisonh1]

Ohh I know, I remember hearing it the day it came out but Boston and New York are huge music markets

[@sgg6927]

Good vibes positive message. I love 70s music

[@artisticbloodflow]

Freaking love this song. Thank you for posting so many amazing performances!

[@Joshua-o5u9s]

@artisticbloodflow Nice. But what do you mean? Do you follow my comments on KZbin? I know that it's out there once posted, but do you follow all of my comments?

[@artisticbloodflow]

@@Joshua-o5u9s I don’t know what you are talking about, I’m sorry. I am not following your comments

[@dougconley]

Love seeing all of these live performances of songs I grew up listening to on the radio. What a treasure Midnight Special is!

[@JimAlderson-cn6ek]

During the housing market crash was laid off for a while having trouble keeping my new house vary dark times this songs was my anthom it pulled me through any time down I put it on I'm retired and still have my house thank u wet willy 😊❤

[@fredziffel3443]

Met Jimmy Hall a few years ago in Muscle Shoals Alabama. Still puts on a GREAT show and a true hearted, truly grateful man. As down to earth as they come.

[@williamtippins3651]

Wet Willie is still the pride of Mobile, Alabama !

[@christianman73]

Born and raised in Gadsden here, and I love Wet Willie! I still remember their song "Weekend" being played on the local FM radio station *every* Friday around 5 pm. Good times!

[@loydmcintosh3131]

From a suburban town just outside of Birmingham, and our local classic rock station played the heck out of this song and they played the Wet Willie song "Weekend" at 5 p.m. on the dot every Friday well into the 90s.

[@loydmcintosh3131]

@@christianman73 been to Gadsden a little recently and love what y'all have going on downtown. I think Gadsden a really cool city.

[@christianman73]

@@loydmcintosh3131 Thanks! I miss downtown Gadsden. I left Alabama, in 2000, to move to Maryland, but I still go back to Gadsden, and other parts of Bama, to visit family sometimes, and I definitely have some great memories of the area! 🙂

[@tracycase4520]

Midnight Special, SNL, and Monty Python were my 70's go to on the weekends.

[@Olivia_Sam-z9t]

Johnny Cash Show was good.

[@waldoparsnip1025]

And a dose of Benny Hill with some fast motion T's and A's !

[@lovemytide45]

Still play this song at least 3X a week while driving around doing errands. What a fantastic song from a fantastic generation of musical talent. Long before the Freak Off parties, auto tune and favoritism in music.

[@warrenrayledbetter9957]

Saw them two- or three-times years back. They were always great! That's Jimmy Hall's sister helping with backup vocals.

[@russelstrings9978]

I played guitar and sang this song in a battle of the bands in 1974 age 14! Never saw Wet Willie until I saw this video!

[@russelstrings9978]

We came in 2nd place against 18 year olds and up🎸

[@unclekennymusic]

Great performance... Wet Willie had it going on!!!

[@joevanseeters2873]

I loved this song back in the day. I still have it on my CD's in my cars to this very day.

[@rbcrain2469]

Great performance!

[@christopherwinkler4451]

Terrific! Always loved this song. Such positive vibes about what it takes to just get through life, or sometimes just through a day or an hour. Tough times and confusion will come and go and we all have to just keep pluggin' away. Thank you The Midnight Special for all the memories of these great bands and songs.

[@ronrice1931]

Great. And really live! Had the pleasure of singing this in a lounge band back when. Turned out I was a bomb, not a star. But it was fun for a while!

[@jasperburchfield2028]

Long live Wet Willie.

[@suburban60sKid]

One of the best and uplifting Southern rock soul songs of all time, and a great band as well who were under appreciated. This was their only top 10 national hit

[@muskybites505]

I just added this to a playlist after hearing it once a few weeks ago! What a song, just keep on smiling 😊

[@markminer7390]

The song encourages what it says.... Great music... Miss the 70's....

[@rickyf243]

This song brings me back to the 70s. Real musicians performing live, and great vocals, with no autotune. The backup singers are outstanding!

[@lockedonlaw]

One of the great songs of the 1970's. And that backup singer is a real looker. Great voices all around.

[@jonr191]

And gorgeous harmony

[@davisonh1]

I remember watching this at midnight (my brother had it on) in 1974...I was eight,lol. On a B&W 12 inch tv

[@ronvaliquette8798]

I had to start a new list of songs to save called "My 70's music"!!! Driving my '68 Cougar listening to these awesome songs...

[@eric_in_florida]

Just a fantastic song.

[@jeffreyplanck2208]

I had the platform shoes like hes wearing, mine were brown. I love the 70's music, this song brings back some great teenage memories.

[@rogeratkinson592]

I definitely grew up with the best music.

[@davidfitzgerald8065]

Loved this song while growing up in the 70's!! Still have the record.

[@TheHonudiver]

Jimmy Hall is a legend!

[@DP-wi6hm]

AWESOME !!!!!

[@publicthoroughfare]

A lot of soul up there on that stage. Still smiling through the pain in 2024.

[@mundicojr]

From your latest videos 1974 seems to have been a great year for music. Thank you for sharing these wonders and cheers from Brazil.

[@billthornton7603]

Saw them in 1971 on the Boston Common. They were great. They opened for the Allman Brothers Band. What a night! Sadly, Duane A. would be gone in 2 months….

[@RobinE-m3h]

Yes!!! It was amazing!!! ❤

[@pattyneff4624]

❤💙 😢

[@loydmcintosh3131]

From the great city of Mobile in my home state of Alabama! Roll Tide!

[@Montyhugo]

I've played this video performance probably 50 times in the past month! And I'm probably "low balling" it🤷‍♂️ KEEP ON SMILING 🤗

[@Montyhugo]

Haven't heard this song since I was a kid. I love this song and especially this inspiring performance 🤗❤️🥰

[@johnapplegate1289]

I saw Wet Willie open for Grand Funk in 1974. They kicked ass and raised hell!

[@beefheart67]

@@johnapplegate1289 southern rock was so cool there's a big list of great bands

[@Floridafisherman5000]

Have two of their albums!! A great underrated band!!!!

[@curtisphilumalee1447]

Killer tune. Looks like the bass player setup is a Sunn amp through tan Ampeg 8x10. Dig his Dan Armstrong Lucite bass too. Never been a fan of platform shoes but love the denim coveralls. Thanks for the upload TMS.

[@Hopalong..75]

Back then all the shoes were platform shoes. I wore cowboy boots just to be different.

[@curtisphilumalee1447]

I’m 6’5” at fourteen I was 6’3” so platform shoes was not needed for me. Just a set of black high top Converse. But I was all about coveralls.

[@bernardk5189]

Such a great song. Loved it. You have no idea what this song meant to me. Going through some bad times back in the day. Listening to this brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. Always listening to it as I was getting my life back. It's a Beautiful thing.

[@deaneawilliams2272]

This is one of my inspiration pick me up songs 😊

[@beatleographer_10-51]

Wow, I forgot about this gold. Gotta save! Thanks for sharing.

[@plentinough7222]

It’s great to know that when I need to hear this song; here it is. And that harmonica…

[@KittyGrizGriz]

I love this song, what a positive message! 🌹When The Tedeschi Trucks band performed in Tulsa, OK back in June, they did this number very well!

[@paulmolkenbur5546]

Absolutely amazing gosh those guys were great

[@kenmericle409]

Just a great version of this song.........

[@b.nunn.2702]

Pure live TALENT !!! Dang if this performance isnt as good or maybe even better than the radio version!👍👍👍

[@BrianKliewer]

Makes me feel young again 😊

[@davemoyer505]

Awesome song! Never get tired of it. Good performance too👍🎸🥁🇺🇸❤️

[@jamesmartin7595]

I remember watching this in the day room in the barracks back in the day.

[@leefreed2060]

One of the coolest songs ever. Love this

[@rjs2005]

I'd love to see a Midnight Special video of Wet Willie performing "Street Corner Serenade". Such a great band that never really gets their due.

[@midnighttraintogeorgia9304]

Just as good now, as it was then ❤ memories 😊

[@georgekray640]

Wet Willie in somebody’s hall of fame down there in Southern Rock Land ! Great Band !

[@johnmoyer5515]

Legend has it Jimmy Hall meant exactly that 👍

[@ronfriedman8740]

I grew up in the '70s and back then I knew how ridiculous the fashion of that time was. How did Jimmy ever get talked into wearing that outfit with those shoes? 😊

[@ratbone79]

Another great version. Thanks for the upload

[@ronaldtiracchia2017]

Great song. Always loved it.

[@JohnDoe-pm3oq]

Good singing voice and great stacked sole shoes!

[@hollywood3190]

Defines a special era in music.....never to be again

[@tricko321]

I met Jimmy Hall he is down to earth great guy.

[@Boblobblaw88]

Overalls w a red silk shirt, and platform shoes!!! Wonder if anyone has tried that since??? (great song!)

[@GreenManalishiUSA]

The coveralls and platform shoes is a look that screams, "Are you a farmer? Are you a star?" 😂. I love this song, and I love Wet Willie.

[@Boblobblaw88]

@@GreenManalishiUSA I like that----"farmer or star?" And if they WERE a farmer, what were they growing? Flowers? Weed? : ) Leo Sayer used to dress like that. And so did LOTS of 70's female singers.

[@ronm6585]

Thank you. 👍🏻👍🏻😊😊👏🏻👏🏻🎶🎶

[@derekpierkowski7641]

Good times Great tunes!

[@brianmoon1058]

how i preferred my singers. talented. no technology to enhance their voices, except a microphone!

[@firerock1611]

Oh the memories! I can still see the matchbook under the 8 track to keep it from skipping in my 65 mustang

[@johncronk3939]

Their other hit Street Corner Serenade is great as well. Love Jimmy Hall Love the high heeled sneakers.

[@carloslozada470]

Great stuff man

[@ggusta1]

Drummer. Killing it

[@Alice-k7s9b]

Jimmy hall is a very good singer n puts on a great show!

[@billymusselwhite5256]

Love this song ❤️. Girl work that tambourine😂

[@markporter9421]

If not mistaken,the girl working the tambourine is the lead singers sister!!!

[@waldoparsnip1025]

Ha ! I remember the platform stacks with elephant bells and a 4 inch cuff ..." Keep on truckin'"

[@hollywood3190]

1974 cool 😎

[@mesaeddie]

Saw them many years ago in San Diego opening for Freddie King and Beck Bogart and Appice such a great show.

[@bruceg9519]

Saw them open for Grand Funk back in the day!

[@ericgautreaux1752]

I saw them and Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1974,opening for Foghat in Laffeyette, La.

[@williamwagner557]

Love me some Willy

[@bigjoe8922]

Those ladies on back up vocals got some range on them they held that note for like a minute

[@judmcc]

I saw this group in concert about this time. Except that I think there was an additional guitarist.

[@DonSkelton-ez7vr]

I saw Wet Willie in L.A. back in 1974. He opened for BTO, he was definitely the best group that played that night. I had gone there to see BTO.

[@FYMASMD]

Back when radio played requests and were independent. Good times.

[@Joshua-o5u9s]

There was only guy in sunglasses that grooved to this performance. I think it was Greg Allman. Front row. Haha!

[@MichaelSSmith-hs5pw]

That’s Jimmy Hall (lead vocals,harp) his brother, Jack Hall (bass guitar) And their sister, Donna (Hall) Foster, background singer, tambourine & original Williette.

[@randyvick593]

One of the Honkettes, Lesley, sang with them.

[@MrMojolinux]

Fu*in still great after all these years!

[@colinmacey7015]

One band I would have loved to see live. Not sure if they ever made it to England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@fled25]

I saw them a few months after this, September '74, when they opened for Uriah Heep, Suzy Quatro was also on the bill

[@halbertking2683]

Go to Allman Brothers live Pittsburgh , Pa. January 1971 . To quote Duane " Wet Willie spit some chewing gum . "

[@Paul-s1u6d]

The two female back up singers sang back up on the "Locamotion with Mark Farner during on of Grand Funk's Los Angeles show circa 1975.

[@Edward-k6l]

Today , i smile groovy even for the hardships of yesterday and i laugh about it To"!!!

[@THE-HammerMan]

This band was so good, I can't say enough about them. Get Left Coast Live with LUCY WAS IN TROUBLE. Damn fine live album.

[@rogertemple7193]

Ed Ames my favorite singer and actor especially from Daniel Boone Mike Douglas was an Oklahoma.🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶

[@richardgray8593]

So many shows back then made the bands lip-sync their records. Love that this is actually live.