Leon Redbone and his group play Diddy Wa Diddy on The Tonight Show (in stereo)

[@wmrustycox]

That sax has more metal than most cars today

[@jeffreid7272]

"That's not going to fit in the overhead sir"... LOL

[@DaveDunning-st1hh]

I always love the muted coronet. Dizzy Gillespie's corenet once got run over by a taxi, his friends asked him why he didn't replace it, his answer......... " I like the way it sounds now ."

[@VinceFanghella]

This is single-handedly the hottest version of this song ever recorded.

[@birddog8140]

I remember seeing him on SNL. for the first time . I thought it was frank Zappa . They looked so alike then

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Me too and I think he sang "Ain't Misbehavin'"

[@tonystone8584]

I saw Leon 2 times live. Genius. I shouted out to play champagne Charlie and he went right into it. RIP Leon!!

[@Dave062YT]

I thought it was Zappa in a hat first time I saw him.Awesome .

[@StevenSpain-l8e]

Same here. Saw him live in John&Peters in Pa. across from Lambertville NJ.

[@brianburton1843]

Back when any genre of music could be popular with young people.

[@johnwilliams7922]

Don't know why this showed up in my feed, but I sure need it now. JBW 12-1-2024.

[@DavidLS1]

I was trying to remember Leon Redbone's name the other day, but I couldn't. Then today, KZbin's algorithm recommended this video to me. Spooky.

[@stingray4780]

I have experienced that....even about thinking of something!

[@allergyahead8128]

Happens allot

[@TheVCRTimeMachine]

I learned about so many varieties of performers and styles thanks to Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" The eclectic nature of the guests he got was amazing. Nothing like it on TV today.

[@ClarenceHW]

True that, plus, the tonight show band was incredible.

[@nathanbarnett6061]

@@ClarenceHWwatching the old tonight shows is almost disorienting. There are at time bumpers out of the commercial where the band gets to play for about three minutes. Unheard of today. The great musical acts I was exposed to from Bernadette Peters to itzak Perlman to Jack Albertson, Beverly sills, placido Domingo, Leon redbone.

[@ighdesigns]

He always showcased interesting musicians.

[@billschwalb9486]

A fine entertainer and musician! Saw him at NYU with Father Guido Sarducci & a subway poet. Fun night!

[@bocephus124]

Wow Johnny mentioned west port play house in St. Louis , I was at that concert to see this man and his band , what a wonderful show it was people dancing everywhere

[@captbiptoe]

This is what happens when great musicians play together.

[@homerco213]

Top notch trumpet solo!

[@EricJohnson-ls1rh]

I love it too, but I think it's a cornet.

[@RollinCoco-Nut]

So unique and talented. Thank you, Leon Redbone!

[@williampalchak7574]

Enjoyed this immensely. It's pure Nawlins.

[@10INCHCRUSHER]

When I was a kid, I thought it was Zappa pulling an Andy Kaufman.

[@pianopappy]

Fun-ny! Thanks.

[@senatorsable]

Seen him by chance in 1978...and like WOW..never forgot brilliance... Just in a class of he's own Forever...:)

[@mitchwakeland3501]

I was able to see Leon live 4 times..thankfully. One of the coolest guys out there. Always talking with the audience. This is one of my favorite videos with the horns and others. RIP Leon, sad to see you go but your music lives on and thank you for that.

[@pianopappy]

Thanks for your comment, Mitch.

[@michaelbarlow6610]

@Mitch Wakeland. That's fantastic that you got to see Leon Redbone perform in person 4 times! I, unfortunately, never got to see him perform live.

[@mitchwakeland3501]

​@@pianopappy wondering if there's a video of Leon playing on Saturday Night Live when he played My Walkin Stick. I've looked but could not find it. That was my first time seeing him. That was such a great performance as well as this video you posted.

[@BHallBrowser]

@@mitchwakeland3501 That's where I saw him first too! I just had to get an album. Probably the only album I ever owned that my father loved as well.

[@LisaMitchellGD]

I loved when Johnny Carson imitated him..and Leon's reaction. I love that he laughed ❤

[@bwilliams463]

The first time I saw him live, his opening act was a juggler. When his routine was over, he said "Leon Redbone's waiting backstage for you all. He's really excited, when I talked to him, he said *mumble mumble mumble*

[@ricarms8168]

He just makes me smile...I miss him

[@morganweast4228]

I was fortunate enough to see him live in San Diego, funny Cat he had a camera and was talking pictures of the audience. A night I'll always remember.

[@mdperkins1482]

…and Johnny Carson WAS Tonight Show. Thanks for this video of him & Leon Redbone. Fantastic!!!

[@georgerigberg4335]

AND Jack Parr and Steve Allen were...

[@richardpetty9159]

Yeah but they were before my time and there was no KZbin back then. I thought Carson would live forever and always show up after the nighttime news.

[@jerrysalfi4474]

Thanks Leon for keep the music from that era alive. Great musicianship all around. ✌️

[@ClarenceHW]

Very cool post, much appreciated!

[@gigspigs]

WOW... what a band, what a performance. LEON!!!!

[@narlycat]

You know I never did find out what Diddy Wah Diddy means? And I've known about this song since he released it back in the late 1970s after Leon was on Saturday Night Live.

[@stevefaure415]

I bet to anyone under 30 this must seem like some bygone age. Me, it feels like this was on yesterday.

[@JLKDOOM]

I'm 33. I love this stuff but I bet this looks as old as the "vintage" wild west photos we used to take. 😂 my kids think I was a real cowboy from the old west when looking at my stuff. When I look at pictures from when I was 19 though, I had such a weird old style that anyone would probably think I was from a bygone Era though and I guess we kinda are lol 😂

[@Rolbell]

Crazy enough, he’s only 38 in this video.

[@davidbrennan6072]

Many thanks thats put a big smile on my face watching from uk be lucky !

[@matthamilton3906]

Thanks for posting. My dad loved Leon Redbone and all these years later, so do I. RIP

[@TheNeeenha]

I always LOVED HIM and ALWAYS WILL

[@gigspigs]

Trumpet player is BAD ASS!!!!

[@pianopappy]

Thanks for your comment, yo. I believe his name is Scott Black. He's actually playing a cornet, which is smaller than a trumpet.

[@michaelweber7848]

Awesome! Seen him in Milwaukee years ago.

[@myhouseimports]

Absolutely gorgeous!

[@grene1955]

You can't listen to Leon Redbone and not smile! And what a guitar player too!

[@gerrymcguire7521]

He is fabulous!

[@stefanobresciani670]

Ho visto Leon nel maggio 81 al Lone Star cafè di NY......arrivavo dall' Italia x un viaggio negli states . Ho saputo x caso del concerto.....lo ricorderò x sempre. Adoro Leon...oggi mancano questi personaggi!

[@postalplasty99]

Love Leon Redbone...Thank you for posting. He will be missed...

[@NefastusJones]

If it rains, they can all take shelter under the saxophone.

[@BrianMusak01]

Never heard as tight a music❤

[@nelgstuart3442]

Thank you for making this video. This version of Diddy Wah Diddy is the best I have heard, and the other video of this same performance was very poor. Thanks again, we needed this video.

[@pianopappy]

Thank YOU for your comment , Neig. Best version I ever heard too!

[@charlesklein9169]

Leon’s music has always been unique. Always loved it. 🎶🎶🎶 😎🎶🎶

[@niccymak8243]

No Pro-tools. No Autotune - just people who love doing it and are superb at doing it.

[@niccymak8243]

Love real music, hate AI music.

[@LisaMitchellGD]

Amazing. He's Armenian/Cyprian /Canadian yet he sounds like he is from down in the New Orleans bayou

[@BlueDevilG10]

*Cypriot, but yeah I agree with you 100%

[@califdad4]

He was a teenager when his family went to Canada, his parents lived in Jerusalem but fled to Cyprus in 1948, where he was born in 1949

[@jameshepburn4631]

⁠@@califdad4 His family didn’t “flee” to Cyprus. They calmly left for the then British island territory just before the British mandate in what became Israel ended in May 1948. They wanted to keep British Subject passports to make it easier to get to Canada, which they did. Leon was born in British Cyprus in 1949 of Armenian ancestry. His birth name was Dickrun Gobalian. The first name is sometimes given as Dickran or other spellings trying to match the Armenian sound. When the ethnic squabbles heated up in Cyprus before its independence in 1960, the Gobalians wisely followed the British exit and went to England. They reached Toronto Canada in 1965 when Leon was a teenager. Leon was a unique and tremendous talent. Also had a great sense of humor that made his live shows a lifetime memory. Words can’t express how much he’ll be missed. By the way, he had his name legally changed to Leon Redbone. Remember it fondly. You won’t see another like him again. In some form, however, we’ll meet again where, as the old gospel song goes, the soul of man never dies.

[@gwonya]

@@jameshepburn4631 That's about as detailed as it gets when it comes to Leon's pre-Toronto experience. He was definitely influenced by his friend Mose Scarlett who was also a great player and character. I was so fortunate to take a few guitar lessons from Mose in the mid 80's. Look him up on KZbin if you're unaware of his huge talent and warm disposition (which I suspect you are James. They were friends and amazingly both passed on the same day after long illnesses. I miss them both but yeah... soul never dies.

[@robertbro.....6076]

Carson was and still is the best night show on T.V. back in the 60's n 70's had really cool guest,, ❤😮

[@michaelbarlow6610]

Leon's guitar playing style on fast songs reminds me of the great Roy Clark's style! Two of the greatest acoustic guitar players ever! Miss them both!

[@lindapendleton9176]

He always played these tunes exactly as they were written with the intro and all.

[@maxtib]

Fantastic. Thanks for uploading this. I have been hoping to see a higher quality version for years.

[@pianopappy]

Thanks for you comment. I'm glad to know that one of the "treasures" in my attic pleased so many people.

[@davef.2329]

Marvelous!

[@goodcitizen-qp6um]

BIG FAN OF THE MASTER R.I.P. ONE OF THE GREATS . ❤❤❤

[@christinehills9905]

Back in the mid 70’s, my boyfriend and I took my parents to see Turk Murphy at Earthquake McGoon’s, so much fun.

[@Dr3u959]

Perfecition

[@TomSpeaks-vw1zp]

Absolutely. Pitch perfect timing.❤

[@jeffthrow6892]

This guy was a special, unique dude......R.I.P.......

[@micahdembo5140]

Toooo much. Genius.

[@garyf4912]

Hot damn!!!!!!

[@waynedean8]

I want a baritone sacks.I cannot play a bear sacks.I just think of baritone saxe is cool as hell if I had one I would hang it on my wall and admire it

[@ThePopeDr]

I saw him at Park West in Chicago. Don't know if it was the date Johnny mentioned, but I remember it was a great show. It was just Leon and a tuba player.

[@svescovo725]

It was a treat to see Al Vescovo on the steel guitar

[@CBeard849]

LMAO! Leon's musical style is/was unmatched!! That Baritone Sax was outstanding!!

[@bwilliams463]

One of my favorite artists of all time. Just wanted to let you know that the tin telephone pole is a BASS sax, not a bari. If you want to hear some more great playing, check out Vince Giordano (who frequently recorded with Leon) and his Night Hawks.

[@vipermad358]

Bass sax.

[@roscoegoad2193]

Nobody could do the variety of music anywhere close to what Leon could do

[@gilbertachsen4734]

Thanks so much for uploading this!

[@richardslater677]

Sensational

[@sethcrook4374]

great

[@notreallydavid]

Party like it's 1929.

[@michaelbarlow6610]

Leon Redbone must have had a large collection of acoustic guitars! It seems like every performance he played a different guitar!

[@joelton77]

Fan-F…N-tastiC!

[@walterspence4370]

Listening to this masterpiece while waiting for them to open the celebrity list in the Diddy files...😅

[@TomSpeaks-vw1zp]

100% class entertainment. Sadly, it’s gone. 😢

[@EmperorGary1971]

Makes me wanna have a mint julep

[@NaTaS-]

It is 100% Scott Black on the coronet. And you should hear his stories about being on that show. :D

[@peterlarsen1000]

Super! Rosa Larsen

[@michaelbarlow6610]

Johnny Carson did a very good impersonation of Leon Redbone! I wonder if Carson ever played the drums during one of Leon Redbone's visits to "The Tonight Show"?

[@ronwade2206]

I diddy wah did it!

[@DonOnAMeme]

These guys must have played a TON of Cup Head!😂😂

[@rjwh67220]

That’s interesting, the album Johnny is holding is a cut-out.

[@Bob-d5j]

Is it just me or does Leon look like Inspector Clouseau played by Peter Sellers? Love the way he sounds.

[@jimpalmer2981]

Two people will never know what Ditty Wah Ditty means.

[@johnnymader9950]

he was smoking that nite

[@Wotsitorlabart]

Blimey! I never knew Murray Hewitt the Deputy Cultural Attaché at the New Zealand Consulate in New York was such a mean horn player.

[@mikejones-go8vz]

😂

[@suzphillips8162]

This clip is from 1987.

[@jeffreid7272]

Johnny sounded just like him!!!! LOL

[@jeff15116]

They gave Johnny a freaking cut-out to hold up?

[@zerklang]

That's one powerful moustache.

[@adp5R3x]

... try it at 0.75 speed 👍👌

[@gregt6798]

Who is that on cornet?

[@pianopappy]

I believe his name is Scott Black. He can be seen and heard in this clip that I just found on KZbin, where he is identified: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHnae4Gjm9-ilbs

[@christopherbright1048]

Well cornball no way a very accomplished guitar player and fine singer introduced old music to a new generation quite an accplishment

[@michaelbarlow6610]

Who is the cornet player playing with Leon on the great song, "Diddy Wah Diddy"? Superb cornet player!

[@pianopappy]

I believe that superb cornet player is Scott Black. His solo is very similar to Joe "King" Oliver's solo beginning at one minute and twenty-five seconds on the record, "Dipper Mouth Blues", recorded in 1923: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEF9Q It was also copied by Louis Armstrong and others on records of the same tune with the title, "Sugar Foot Stomp".

[@michaelbarlow6610]

@@pianopappy . Thanks for the answer to my question! I love Leon Redbone's rendition of "Up A Lazy River", but my favorite version of that great song is The Mills Brothers' version.

[@pianopappy]

@@michaelbarlow6610 The Mills Brothers are a favorite of mine, Michael. You might enjoy my post of two of their tunes from a televised appearance with the Boston Pops in 1980. The second song is "Up a Lazy River". kzbin.info/www/bejne/laDGpKGpisaVjbM

[@mitchwakeland3501]

@@pianopappy just checked the Mills Brothers link you posted, very cool. With the Boston Pops to boot!!!

[@michaelbarlow6610]

@@pianopappy .Thanks so much for the link to the videoclip of the Mills Brothers with the Boston Pops. Sorry I took so long to respond to your previous posted response! message.

[@BillGrowney]

Frank Zappas doppelganger

[@BMWLDRider]

Whats with the drummers hands?

[@EscobedoRamon]

Is it Don Vappie at dobro?

[@nathanbarnett6061]

Is that Abe Laboriel on drums?

[@dinosway]

Who was the bass sax player? Vince Giordano?

[@pianopappy]

Could be; but I really don't know. I've been able to determine that Vince played with Leon on several of his recordings. However, I saw "Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks" twice in person in New Jersey; and, I don't see a resemblance to the sax man in this ensemble. I hope you're right! How about it, Redbone fans?

[@pianopappy]

I had posted a reply to you earlier where I said he did not look like Vince Giordano when I saw him in person a couple of times on gigs with his Nighthawks. I did a Google search on "Vince Giordano images" and compared them to this clip; and, I came to the erroneous conclusion that It's Vince. I now defer to the opinion of @chris-co3fu, expressed below, that it is John Gill, his brother, on bass sax.

[@dinosway]

@@pianopappy thank you for the confirmation. He sure plays like Vince. I got to see the Nighthawks at the old Iguana gig about 5 years ago. What a sweet band. I thoroughly enjoyed that night. Keep swinging.

[@chris-co3fu]

His name is John Gill, my brother.

[@dinosway]

@@chris-co3fu Thank you Chris. John is a fine player on this tune with Leon and a rather historical TV appearance. May I ask if he still plays? I hope so. Do you recall what if anything he had to share about performing with Leon?

[@yorgdridgeblern3550]

Who knew Clint Eastwood knew how to play the baritone sax?

[@sjv855]

What kind os sax is that?

[@oximore111]

Baritone Saxophone

[@roop46b]

It’s called Diddy Wa Diddy !!!

[@pianopappy]

Thanks roop!!! I corrected it.

[@roscoegoad2193]

I saw this long long before I ever heard of a shag contest and it was not quite as professional is this one is but that's what people did way back then before they ever knew what folk soul shag dancing today......

[@kevind1931]

Carson was pretty good aping him

[@stewgotz1]

It’s Frank Zappa ( incognito)

[@JamesFolkers]

So what does Diddy Wa Diddy mean? Leon never did!

[@1jodiemartin]

WHAT THE HECK IS UP WITH THE TINY HANDS ON THAT DRUMMER!?!?

[@bwilliams463]

I don't know, but he's having more fun than anybody else on stage.

[@adp5R3x]

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