Little River Band - It's A Long Way There (1975)

The Original Little River Band performing "It's a Long Way There" on Australian television Live On GTK.
www.shorrockbirtlesgoble.com
/ graehamgoblemusic
Lineup:
Beeb Birtles - Guitar/Vocals
Glenn Shorrock - Lead Vocals
Graeham Goble - Guitar/Vocals
Derek Pellicci - Drums
Ric Formosa - Lead Guitar
Roger McLachlan - Bass
'It's A Long Way There' written by Graeham Goble.
Appears on the self titled debut album: Little River Band
Unfortunately, the Little River Band that tours the United States today contains NO ORIGINAL MEMBERS. Be aware that they often use our videos, images and audio to mislead the public into believing original members will be appearing. This American band owns the trademark 'Little River Band' and this prevents the original band from performing or touring.

[@hellaintabadplacetobe6300]

One of the Greatest bands that ever walked the Planet.!🌹

[@baird5776mullet]

WITHOUT A DOUBT!

[@evertvanwesterop3536]

i agree!!!

[@indieshack4476]

masterpiece of camera misdirection - whenever there's a lead break by Ric Formosa the camera heads off to one of the two rhythm guitarists

[@borg386]

annoying to say the least

[@marnel7787]

Yeah, no shit. I just got done watching a video from six years later, and it was the same thing. Great band, Great song, but it would be nice to give the lead player his due. A lot of camera people don't have a clue as to who's playing what

[@julierood1228]

@@marnel7787 There ought to be a law......

[@paulgiese4738]

It's almost funny if it weren't so annoying. Nice solo going on by the lead, and we're left watching the lead singer shake maracas and a tambourine... I did notice that the Gibson SG was popular with the band lol.

[@shelfstretcher]

You read my mind.

[@dkerr4077]

Possibly the most underrated group of the time.

[@waynedexter]

The most underrated group of all time are the groups you’ve NEVER heard of.

[@mksland3884]

The most overused expression don’t they have a top 10 song six years straight, which is a record

[@danielstevens18]

They were a very good band from down under. I still like listening to their music.

[@sonsofthunder915]

One of the best live bands ever.

[@ShorrockBirtlesGoble]

You are very kind Sons of Thunder. Much appreciated. If interested, please check out our new online museum www.shorrockbirtlesgoble.com

[@zapkvr]

Okay dial it back a bit. I saw them live at Calder raceway in 77 they were completely amazing but best band ever? I suggest you check out a little combo called the Beach Boys. Quite literally the best band ever. You are most welcome

[@dietmarsimon]

Absolutely yes. Had both pleasure and honor to see LRB with Glenn Shorrock in Germany. Wonderful.

[@jlandon6028]

Saw them live in Red Rocks just outside of Denver. in the early 80's along with Journey around the same time. Both were awesome.

[@bluez4u2]

Ric Formosa was the shit on that guitar. Love his vamps on this. The studio version is one of my fave songs.

[@Andrewkafp]

Dead right.. Ric had a nice tone and some real talent. Too bad the camera operator didn't show him playing...

[@anthonydixon452]

To this day, Long Way There STILL gives me goosebumps when I listen to it. 'Tis truly a rock and roll masterpiece.

[@thegrambsofficial7830]

To me one of the best bands ever. This song is a masterpiece and Ric Formosa Is just phenomenal OMG how much I'd like to go back to 1975 ...

[@GuyMorey]

"Diamantina Cocktail" is BY FAR, one of the BEST albums of the 70s. REAL Music. REAL talent.

[@user-pq4xn5cl8f]

I remember seeing this live at the village green hotel. Rick Formosa absolutely nailed it on guitar. It was mesmerising. Best Australian band ever.

[@albertolopez8859]

remember to see them in Mannheim /Rosengarten ..absolutly great

[@michaelnorman2967]

Christ, Glenn has such a great voice and the harmonies on this song is just kickass!

[@ShorrockBirtlesGoble]

Thanks Michael. We appreciate your kind words. If interested, please check out our new online museum www.shorrockbirtlesgoble.com

[@HoratioFitzbastard]

​@Albert Mojica,Jr. No surprise those guys were all huge CS&N fans.

[@jimmayors2315]

That was an awesome performance! My favorite LRB song!

[@dangremillion]

I met Beebs at a little party in Nashville. We took him down to the stereo room in the basement and played this for him. He did not know we knew who he was. Much fun. We stood there in shock.

[@HoratioFitzbastard]

Not surprising, they are all very humble, unassuming guys. Even now you hear them talking about these days, about how becoming successful meant getting to meet and even play with many of their musical idols. They still sound like starstruck teenage boys trying to make their way in the caper when discussing it.

[@FionaEm]

I've watched this several times since finding it on YT. The playing and vocals are just superb. I'm glad to have grown up in an era that produced this calibre of music.

[@yoesomite2199]

I first saw them in 75 when they supported Deep Purple in Festival hall, then when I was a Computer operator in 1976/7 and working shift work in South Melbourne. One night , maybe 2 am, we went to Silver Top Taxi's Cafe, just up the road from Armstrong Studios and they were there getting burgers. They were recording After Hours (I think) and we had a chat. They such a great musical genealogy before before becoming LRB. They were one of the best bands out of Australia

[@jlandon6028]

This song hooked me in 75 and I bought many of their albums.

[@JoeMa-hm5ze]

Rare video with Ric Formosa, the original and best lead guitarist on this tune.

[@larrysroka6367]

I saw them at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh, PA in January of 1979. Glen did band intros in the middle of this and with the solos it seemed the entire song took fifteen minutes. Ambrosia opened the show.

[@paulmeekcoms217]

Great song, but have the lead guitarist and the cameraman had a row? We hardly see the guitarist through one of the longest lead breaks ever!

[@gregghurst4285]

I totally agree. Great music.. weird video. Needs more guitar shots !!

[@black-eyedNed]

Realy, wtf, man. The director is a wanker. Must of not liked the guitarist's hat.

[@peterbrusch1493]

What a fantastic live performance. Love t!

[@gordgraham8426]

This is a masterpiece

[@markpritchard4447]

Can't believe this track goes back so far. Still kickass

[@johnswinburn8528]

Will never understand why Rick Formosa(lead Guitar) and Roger McLaughlin(Bass) left - this song defines LRB IMHO

[@Faultyist]

Thanks for posting love this song. Saw them at the Sydney Opera House along with Marcia Hines. Dec 1975. Was a 21st birthday present from my sister..Blew me away. Thanks again for the memories.

[@nickydenning6988]

The Original and the Best.

[@ShorrockBirtlesGoble]

Thanks Nicky, if interested please visit our online museum www.shorrockbirtlesgoble.com

[@rayarmstrong4350]

Absolutely SHOCKING photography...who wants to see full face Glen Shorrock's nose? Why not some shots of the whole band? Ditto for Woodstock. The screen in 4 sections. All I saw was Joe Cocker's pimples. I walked out. How do these camera guys get gigs? Rick Formosa in this very rare footage is a legend but we never see any shots of him. Rarely dom we see the 8 minute version of this live with Rick.

[@borg386]

yes! so annoying!

[@GlennMitchell-de1ds]

You are very hard to please my friend! Loosen up with it 👍🙂

[@russcalabrese7561]

Harmony heaven, great way to start my morning!

[@seancoutee8687]

Glenn Shorrock has such a great, soulful voice. Birtles and Goble harmonizing with him is such greatness. They are 3 great vocalist. And great songwriters.

[@cheezhead6007]

A wall of SG guitars. Good to see Beeb could found find a lefty back in the day.They were a rare bird!

[@peterbrusch1493]

The best record of this song ever

[@keithc9461]

I adore this Aussie group, they were big but should have been alot bigger, the musical dexterity and harmonies.. Jeez

[@debcotton1746]

I've never seen this one live. One of my all time favorites!

[@mashton6631]

They were so,so so good. Pre internet Australia had some REALLY grotty roadhouses and I’ll bet these blokes have seen em all lol

[@Foxswoop]

My favorite LRB song by a country mile, and they had a few good un's too.

[@billrimmer5596]

I am sure glad I ran across that!! Super song!! And super line up. Pretty much the original group. Thank u for posting!! Love these guys.

[@tychalmers8745]

Amen to that

[@schithead7]

I Have Been Kicking back for decades cranking your music Up here in the N.Y. Mountains ..... WE ALL LOVE YOUR MUSIC : )

[@dkerr4077]

Just a shame that the lead guitar's talent wasn't adequately shown in this video.

[@bertresnik8187]

D Kerr, I know, it sure took them a long time to get around to him!

[@bluez4u2]

Ric Formosa is a kickass bluesy player. My favorite of their lead guitarists.

[@geepa1036]

I thought the same thing.

[@Tom-ok2rh]

No shit…that’s what sets this song apart is the killer guitar work and yet they key the camera in on lead singer shaking the maracas and tambourine. SMH

[@BillyDog707official]

Awesome LRB🎸《☆》This song was getting as much airplay as any of the SKYNYRD Hits were getting in 75-77 in Jacksonville Florida. It's a shame many people don't remember this song or never heard it to begin with✌️😎☮️

[@frankaschuurmans6784]

This song always brings me 'home' ❤

[@tb0yp]

The director should be fired. Formosa is ripping and they’re focused on Beeb’s rhythm among others

[@JJ-qz5gv]

Only a musician could adequately film this.

[@CanuckFluter]

Sadly, their first album has not been reissued on CD for quite a number of years. There needs to be a reissue of that album. BGO records, how about it?

[@KevinSmith-yo8qb]

There is a 2022 Re-mastered version on QOBUZ. 24 bit / 48kHz. Maybe on spotify etc as well?

[@jameslester3861]

This song has such a CSN&Y sound to it.

[@errYuck]

"Anybody here familiar with the uploader "Real Music Observer"? His name is David J. Spuria and for years he was putting out videos hating on the original members of LRB - describing them as "losers" for the name debacle and "nothing special" in regards to their vocal and musical ability. He also made childish jibes about their names and historical significance, He was on the receiving end of some free cds and concert tickets from Wayne Nelson of the current "fake" line-up and subsequently praised the current line-up as "just as talented" as the originals and as heroes for continuing legacy. Fast forward three years and "Real Music Observer" has a change of heart and posts a video calling for the originals to be inducted into the HOF - Graeme Goble sees this video and thanks him for the video and agrees to an interview with David J Spuria (now uploaded). Now I'm pretty sure that Graeme would have had no idea of the opinions that Mr Spuria had expressed about LRB foe some years and Mr Spuria, realising that Graeme might see some of that content quickly removed about a dozen videos before he could be exposed for the two-faced phoney that he is. Spuria's "Real Music Observer" is nothing more than a long-winded nobody posting opinions about classic rock - with comments closed because he doesn't want to hear opposing opinion. He claims to have been a DJ at a radio station in the 80s and 90s and when I posted an email from that station saying that he was never employed by them he shut the comments down on his video for the first and final time. Mr Spuria hasn't worked for 15 years and it has been his plan to survive and support his family by doing these videos from home. His income is small and sporadic and he relies on his wife working full time to make ends meet. You would think 15 years is more than enough time to realise that he should just go and get a job and keep the videos as a hobby. Living in the richest nation on earth and begging for $1 on Patreon is a very bad look" *Nobody attacked his family or his son with "special needs" as he describes him, as he claims. He is lying and is making excuses for his poor behaviour in his videos - nobody even knew he had a wife or 3 year old child (at the time) until he claimed that his family was being attacked. He wasn't able to produce one email or comment that backed his claims. He then went on to make claims that he was suing individuals and had a "legal team" working on it.

[@bak-mariterry5180]

I've watched his channel a few times. Not impressed with him either.

[@kevinkilroy3909]

lead guitar the best..no focus on him...what the hell was the cameraman doin? geez

[@karent3004]

My favorite band probably ever.....❤️

[@rentabomb]

I can't believe this came out in 1975. I thought it was much later. I was in primary school in grade 6 at the time. Truly one of Australia's best ;)

[@tonystiglic6268]

Fantastic band glen shorrock is a fantastic musician I love their music

[@bobconnor1210]

Outstanding performance. Rivals the studio recording.

[@paullepage9484]

Absolutelynbrilliant. Major talent. This song is on my all time favorite list for sure. Seen them twice

[@alisonnelson161]

Thats some SG power right there

[@jameygray]

I’ve never seen so many SG‘s since my favorite Frank Marino from Mahogany Rush

[@brettseddon8652]

takes me back to good time i wish we could relive

[@jasonking6892]

The 70s 80s were Magical 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@rsharmaosi]

One of my all time favorite songs! Ric Formosa was amazing on the lead guitar. Wondering what he is doing these days.

[@bluez4u2]

I read somewhere that he lives in Italy and is still active in music.

[@stephenperring8163]

Fabulous track by a really great band. Lucky to see them once a few years back.

[@cloverhoney-wx5sw]

They could go on a nd on with this forever as far as im concerned

[@stavford]

This has be the Highest the band has ever been.

[@lindacamacho1567]

Greatest band EVER!!

[@doowop6409]

BEST SONG ever!!!

[@johns126]

Oh boy - seriously great!

[@1953purdie]

God I miss this band.

[@tomtracy5396]

A favorite guitar solo of mine!

[@thegreatstrogannofski3418]

In the conversation for greatest Aussie song of all time

[@panamacitybeachbum]

Greatest

[@allansbullet]

One of my favourite all-time bands! Vocally the best ever! Years ago, I saw LRB at the Christchurch Town Hall and met 3 of you when you visited Musical Specialists where Bob "The Oz" Mould worked on Colombo Street. The guitar solo on this song is one of the best ever - unlike the other shredders and pretenders who think they're guitarists!!

[@donnayoung8279]

Is Beeb the one hitting the high note? It’s terrific. Love this version of “It’s A long Way There.”

[@tarakai2]

yep thats him

[@brissiegeoff]

I always thought Graeham was the one hitting that high note.

[@mfisher702]

Classic

[@baird5776mullet]

What a great live performance.

[@nancywiggermans]

Fantastic! Thanks so much for this. This one is the version they'll play when i'll go.

[@nancywiggermans]

I hear you. My people know. Love you .

[@user-ff3tb3oh5l]

Me 2 I love these guys it's Gunnar b played at my passing ❤

[@karenwilkerson582]

Love these guys ❤️lovin this today ❤️4/30/21

[@larrybethune3909]

' 62 SG's and MXR Phase 90's; Don't leave OZ without 'em!

[@thelegendarysweendog3171]

One of my favorite bands of all time

[@Bryan-oo5kw]

This is simply outstanding!

[@dylanarcher827]

Speechless with wonder !

[@mvl_5.31]

Ahhhhh this is such a masterpiece👌✨

[@CoCotheTurtle]

We need more rock stars named Beeb.

[@jesusarmando4306]

Sin comentarios... Solo escucho está buena música!

[@c.moorejr190]

Nice song . . .

[@derek5168]

They match it with any live band

[@marisaelenenadiejamusiccom3974]

Love it

[@gordgraham8426]

The greatest band ever

[@roofus53]

Rick Formosa.....marvelous player!

[@zapkvr]

The best album was the Adelaide festival theatre in, was it 76? Completely amazing

[@borg386]

Dang this song is hard to sing. They sure nail it though. Thanks for posting.

[@etookapupu1021]

I have just linked my 2 favorite Aussie bands within the imagery of this video... sacred G shit

[@warriordragonify]

LIVE. LIVE. I was beginning to get pissed until at 4:00 or so they finally showed the work of the lead guitarist...

[@michaelseay9783]

Yes, Ric Formosa!

[@Bass_Playa_Two_Point.O]

LRB is my guilty pleasure . . . So many quality songs. The fact that these gentlemen cannot tour as the Little River Band is a travesty of a mockery of a sham of a mockery of two mockeries of a sham.

[@KevinSmith-yo8qb]

Interesting that this is the full album version not the radio "edit"

[@philspence3093]

Class is class Simply awesome

[@patrickirvin1486]

Saw them in the 90'2 with my wife Jane. She got hammered and I had to carry her over my shoulder out of the Grizzly Rose. Jane was a model and the bar were definitely looking at her fine butt! Great concert in so many ways. One of my favorite bands while in the military

[@patrickirvin1486]

90's

[@stiffarm67]

One on my favs. The guitar solo on this was out of the pocket for most of it. Just noodling. Still cool to find a full live version of a great song.

[@Ken5244]

I agree completely. Ric's lead guitar on this version is notably disappointing. Poor choices of notes that don't really say anything. Like you say, just noodling. Every player/singer has an off day now & then, and this was one of his. *shrug*

[@skrewfacebase9202]

Always Loved this Song Yall Cranked the Hell Out of that ..the Type of Song that'll Give You a 2nd Wind

[@vatryllrainie1546]

This Song Reminds Me Of Friend's Aunt, Her Name Was Vanessa Hackney Who Pass Away 5 Yrs Ago. R.I.P Vanessa

[@toms6756]

Somehow this song came up as a song I would like on Spotify and it is awesome! I think I'll be checking out all the music of the Little River Band. I don't know how I missed this in my misspent youth! Thank you!!

[@lindacamacho1567]

In my opinion, the greatest band EVER! Make sure you listen to the album rendition of It's a Long Way There from the album titled The Little River Band, not from their greatest hits album. They do the short version on that one. Their albums The Little River Band, Diamantina Cocktail and Sleeper Catcher are 3 of their absolute best albums. Check them out, you won't be sorry!

[@toms6756]

Linda Camacho Thank you for putting me on the right track. Definitely not a fan of any short versions of songs! All the best to you.

[@scottwhite2757]

A lot of people did 😊

[@lindacamacho1567]

@Tom, let me know what you think on those 3 albums! Just great music!

[@whaghht]

An Australian band who made it big in the US before they did at home.

[@timperrin1196]

Another great LRB song! I always thought this tune had a CSNY vibe to it, anyone else think that too?

[@troysvisualarts]

Fantastic song and great to see this GTK performance exists too! Thanks for sharing!

[@Paolo8772]

This wasn't even dubbed like Top of the Pops style; it was all done live.

[@maquismark5852]

@3.34 Cool as you like! Love everything about this track. So grateful to my brother for hooking me up with this a few weeks ago. Cheers for posting this video. It's a brilliant and seriously cool performance 😎✌️

[@halbunner8899]

And that kid's is how it's Done. The real LRB

[@denisehedden5108]

🥀Amazing Performance Guy's Thank's for posting this video it's priceless and unbelievable🥀✌

[@banmaga]

:) covid can't stop the music.!!

[@davidwynne3289]

Roger the best bassist