Lonnie Donegan - "Jack O'Diamonds" - "live" - 1957

...on "Six Five Special"

[@georgealexander141]

I first saw this clip on the Beatles documentary The Compleat Beatles.

[@ENigma-um8zw]

This is what influenced Lennon McCartney and Harrison and Starr

[@sickagain7541]

NOW THIS IS CLASSIC BRITISH SKIFFLE!!. LONNIE HAD A HUGE INFLUENCE ON THE BEATLES. THANKS LONNIE !!.

[@Austinkungfuacademy]

I think this performance was showcased in the famous Beatles documentary, "The Compleat Beatles"

[@145inA]

You got that right, daddio.

[@Pun2404]

Yeah that's how I remember that, I remember renting that movie from the library when I was like 5 years old. I couldn't get enough Beatles stuff. Lonnie Donegan is the man too!

[@TINML]

I came here to just to see the clip again! #CompleatBeatles

[@egghman1323]

I can still hear the voice over on that particular scene and this song was the background music

[@Stevierschannel]

Yep. Had there been no Lonnie Donegan, there would have been no Quarrymen, hence no Beatles.

[@chazmork8265]

if you listen very closely to this you can hear how much Lonnie inspired Marc Bolan in the years to follow, one helluva inspirational one off legend is mr Donnegan , magnifico!!!!

[@kevgish]

Christ the energy created there from the whole group is unreal what i would'nt give to go back to those.days.

[@jenniegem5338]

Where has this been all my life?!?

[@davidlongfield5090]

A British Rockabilly song. BRILLIANT

[@tappakeggabru2447]

FYI, Lonnie's lead guitar player is Jimmy Currie. I'm not exactly sure when this program aired in '57, but Jimmy is playing a Gibson ES-175 with humbucking pickups, which weren't produced until February 1957. What's intriguing is that UK had import restrictions on American guitars until 1959 so, in '57, they were almost impossible to obtain through the usual channels. A British musician owning a "real American guitar" was definitely a big deal in the late '50's. This must have been Jimmy's most prized possession. Not knowing any more than I do, and unless Jimmy Currie personally traveled to the States, I'd say he must have acquired his ES-175 through an American contact or, perhaps, via somebody like a merchant seaman who bought it for him while docked in the States. This is essentially what happened when George Harrison bought his famous black Gretsch Duo-Jet--he got it second-hand from a former merchant seaman who'd picked it up in the States in the late 50's. I'll bet Jimmy Currie's guitar strings were like telephone cables--matched light-gauge sets didn't exist until the 60's and strings were expensive in Britain in any event. As for Jimmy's amplifier--I can't really tell from the video--a reasonable guess might be a Watkins, Selmer, or other Brit/European-production low-wattage (i.e., no more than 15 watts) amp that would have been available domestically before import restrictions were lifted in '59.

[@Johnnycdrums]

I unaware of all these import restrictions. I guess the so-called "Free Trade" of The British Empire was somewhat of a myth at times.

[@jimmoody182]

This newspaper clipping suggests that he joined Lonnies band because he wanted the opportunity to go to America to "Dig The Jazz" scene - so he may have actually bought it himself in the states. bit.ly/2Tc22lg

[@h.j.mullinerandco.4702]

I think the amplifier used is a Gibson GA20 judging from its appearance

[@MrKenichi22]

It’s awesome to finally hear this, great tribute to Queen Elizabeth II admittedly for me, someone who vaguely knows British Skiffle, ‘cause they played this junk in the 1980’s Beatles Documentary.

[@vincejessel9609]

Great singing

[@安道-d5e]

日本語でコメントさせていただきます。スキッフル音楽の王者、ロニ―ドネガン！このKZbinもコンプリートビ―トルズで拝見しました。 ロニ―ドネガンさんのCDも購入しました。これは正に歴史的映像です!

[@paulbrooker6005]

I wonder how many people in the”audience “ were able to recognize themselves?

[@MediaGrope]

Happy 90th

[@factorylad5071]

liked 88th time (15) also is the Fairport Convention interpretation which may only exist in the odd vinyl collection. or Richard Thompson may have his own version by having heard the original Son House 78 record.. John Lee Hooker was the first LP record.

[@davidlongfield5090]

From 1:50 this is a good as any rockabilly ever

[@jimnfl7134]

By 2:02 it gets a little old to listen to and annoying so i go to a different song, Classic though!

[@egghman1323]

Why did people move fast and synchorize in old videos?

[@Marakesh7]

Lonnie was the nearest to the early Elvis in his stage performance.

[@djrychlak4443]

Those rollicking kids in the audience are horrifying.

[@MoogerTuber]

On the contrary, I think they are awesome unlike frigid crowds you often see these days.

[@HARALDEMANN]

He sounds like Mickey Mouse on helium.