Lou Christie - Lightnin' Strikes Live at Midnight Special

Here is Lou Christies performance beefed up to wide screen, not the best, but still good.

[@valentinmontana9951]

I was in New York in December 1965 when this song was just released. It was playing all over the place. What a catchy melody! It reached the #1 position in the US Billboard. I was 14 at that time. My mom, my sisters and I had come to New York to meet my father who was coming back from the Pakistan-India war. He had been sent there by the United Nations in a peace-making mission. It was an unforgettable Christmas!

[@keithepley2132]

Great experience! I was maybe 8 when it came out. Loved it.

[@valeriefouchey4201]

❤❤❤❤

[@matt8863]

Awesome track...Some love for Clydie King (August 21, 1943 - January 7, 2019) RIP....Clydie's the beauty in gold.

[@Lakenheath73]

I’ve seen her in other videos, she must’ve been really good !!❤

[@maakeklein4073]

God she was one beauty that's for sure!

[@grouchosays]

She is incredible. They are the best together. They don’t sing like that these days

[@jimmyolsen5897]

So sad to hear she was a beautiful woman

[@SteveD-us7re]

Beautiful ladies. I like the one in the white sweater.

[@davidhollinger2987]

Incredible performance. The Midnight Special was indeed special. Imagine a live audience and then the TV audience and most performers seemed to give it their all. Those of us growing up in the 70's had a front row seat to the best.

[@lisadc4681]

This song and most of his songs came out in the 1960's, the decade of the greatest music in history!

[@DodgeDartSongs]

Man, when those voices come together in the chorus how can can you not smile? 😁

[@lahaina4791]

I believe the backup are the "Blackberries", it gets no better.

[@1jackvalley580]

I am so glad Lou trusted himself when some agent told him to stop singing with a high voice or he won't succeed. Some guy who thought he was a know it all big shot, and the guy himself was never a singer, trying to tell the great singer Lou Christie what he should do. So glad you trusted yourself Lou🙏😎🌟

[@davidpanetta6400]

I was just a little kid in the 60s, but I loved all the music I heard on the radio. I liked everything from Dean Martin to Iron Butterfly, but Lou Christie really got my blood flowing. I would love to see him in concert. Hopefully "When I'm 64."

[@Christopher-ii6tr]

Lou Christie knew his vocal range better than anybody else did. I dare say the best vocal coaches back then envied him.

[@geneva1040]

Yeah he sings in that high pitch just like Frankie Vallie.

[@neonfroot]

Falsetto is very popular for love songs especially for more upbeat rhythm-and-blues numbers like these.

[@JudgeJulieLit]

@@geneva1040 And Jay Black of Jay and the Americans. Yet too all three had very virile, seductively sonorous baritones. Lou Christie, as here, was caveman hot.

[@mysticmaverick1]

He's got it goin' on in more ways than one! 47 years later I saw him a few months ago in concert. He still sounds and looks great!

[@joycerichardson1810]

One sexy dude!

[@timfool]

He's really talented

[@mattveteska8559]

Good looking dude

[@lisadc4681]

Yes he is !!!​@@mattveteska8559

[@garypamatat3167]

I have always loved the music of the extremely talented Lou Christie. His voice is gorgeous. I like him sporting that full beard very attractive on him.

[@floatsting20]

Those are the Pointer Sisters

[@conniegibson609]

Agree

[@robertpearlman6089]

Those certainly are not the Pointer Sisters. The singer in the yellow blouse is Clydie King, who also recorded as Brown Sugar. Clydie sang backup for a variety of artists, particularly Bob Dylan who she worked with for close to 40 years. She passed away a few years ago.

[@floatsting20]

@@robertpearlman6089 I was kidding

[@lahaina4791]

@@floatsting20 No you weren't...

[@dawnhennig4323]

Born in 1968 my dad ALWAYS sang this song when I was growing up

[@joelewing4498]

All thru teen years, before I had a driver's license in the mid and late 1960's, I'd spend summers on my cousin's Boone Co. Nebraska farm. An ancient old home even then was where we cousin's lived like Huck Finns and had a flat out wonderful time out there living like the last vestiges of the pioneers. For music, we had just a small am radio on a shelf above the stove in the kitchen. Right at sundown, we'd be able to sometimes tune into Oklahoma City's 50K watt "blowtorch".....KOMA radio. I remember listening to them playing this one quite frequently. Oh Lord I'd give about all I have to just be able to go back and spend just 24 hours back on that Nebraska Sandhills farm and relive the natural joys a bunch of cousins experienced. Now I'm 70.......all 4 cousins still alive and in good health......

[@VILJL]

Lou Christie is celebrating his 80th birthday today, February 19, 2023. He is an American singer-songwriter known for several hits in the 1960s, including his 1966 US chart-topper "Lightnin' Strikes," (1965) "The Gypsy Called" (1962),"Two Faces Have I," (1963) and "Rhapsody in the Rain" (1966), among others. He was born in Pennsylvania on February 19, 1943

[@noraleebauthuesstewart1936]

Thank you 🥰

[@jimmyolsen5897]

Loved all of his songs, especially lightning strikes

[@cigsbutt]

@@jimmyolsen5897 Another hit he had was I'm going to make you mine.

[@jimmyolsen5897]

@@cigsbutt I remember it well 1969

[@cigsbutt]

@@jimmyolsen5897 It's kinda funny,but later on while listening to it I thought wow people today would probably think it was stalking.

[@samanthastephens1907]

Good lord, he's beautiful!!!

[@brendab.5111]

He absolutely is beautiful. I love the beard❤️❤️❤️🤩🤩🤩

[@grouchosays]

You know he’s homosexual right?

[@pdunc1976]

he is now 80yrs old.was married at 1 time to francesca winfield but not sure status now.i think they had 2kids.as for his looks back then,he reminds me of eddie rabbitt.

[@grouchosays]

@@pdunc1976 lotta homosexuals are married with children. He is obviously homosexual.

[@brendab.5111]

@@pdunc1976 He reminds me of John Ritter(RIP).

[@brandondickie3456]

One of the things I love about this song is how the chorus almost comes out of nowhere, like the chorus is in a different key and in a different mood than the rest of the song, it’s wild

[@tomthomassony8607]

Agree. Two different songs on one ‘single’.

[@maakeklein4073]

Brilliant analysis.

[@sharonann3344]

Him in that denim oh my god I wish I was young again.

[@lahaina4791]

😂❤

[@Megan-1017]

Lol!

[@franciscojaviergonzalez4120]

I bet you can still be young again, that never departs from us. You have a Mind that remembers everything, be young again

[@Bink316]

Lou is handsome & he fills out those jeans nicely.

[@grouchosays]

Best live version ever!!! He is fabulous here. Starts out like he doesn’t really want to do it. But then he goes ballistic!! The band is incredible. Look at that drummer kill it. The girls are sensational. This is 100 x better than the record.

[@LarryHinze-q9b]

It is out of sync like a Japanese war movie.

[@thomasgarbe8354]

nice! someone as enthusiastic as you

[@boogingtonthunderwood8969]

Drummer is Gary Malaber. He’s on “Moondance” by Van Morrison, all the hits by Steve Miller, the early big Eddie Money records like “Two Tickets To Paradise”. Great player.

[@grouchosays]

@@boogingtonthunderwood8969 All true. He’s really young here. But he plays great. This is probably around 1975. So, am I correct that he had already done the Steve Miller sessions? Fabulous drummer.

[@boogingtonthunderwood8969]

@@grouchosays Some if not all. The “Fly Like An Eagle” album was cut around this time, I believe.

[@jaya.0069]

Ahhh, the good old days. Best music ever and The Midnight Special was great also!

[@Johnmag1976]

❤ awesome, every time...great and beautiful back up singers..

[@xandercrosse1920]

He's just happy to see everybody.

[@soniaray7166]

Love that song! Never gets old!

[@Muswell]

I thought he was hot in '66 & '69, but, wow, look at him here !

[@kimberlymorley-pigg494]

bootsamou I never thought 'he was put together so fine" ! damn!

[@odincoulombe706]

oh gay guy huhh,,cant seem to escape from you peeps..

[@sharonann3344]

bootsamou bloody hell never seen him wished I had

[@sharonann3344]

Sorry but still looks hot here what do you look like now

[@MusicLoverPearson]

WTF FUCK MAN?YOU MUST BE INTO MEN TO CALL ANOTHER MAN HOT SMH

[@JoeBrone100]

LOVE this song too!! Born early Nov in 1970. He's Sicilian btw. LOVE the Black girls too.... SUPER HOTTIES!!.....👍😁

[@christocr]

They ARE gorgeous!

[@errol-ih4jy]

great voice, Lou is the man.

[@55marise]

I live in the Uk, this guy has been in my head for over 50 years,,, I never get tired of hearing his songs , a amazing artist , he can sing live as good as the recording,,, that takes some doing. Respect LOU

[@garyberuck5636]

Those sisters harmony with Lou is breath taking ..! Yes I do agree he look dam good with the beard ... the 60s an 70s were a some great 👍 music

[@samiraziz7840]

The drummer was outstanding!

[@grouchosays]

Gary Malabar

[@jasonpp1973]

@@grouchosays Also played with Van Morrison and Steve Miller Band.

[@grouchosays]

@@jasonpp1973 yup. Played on a Bruce album too.

[@Christopher-ii6tr]

This is the only Lou Christie song I ever heard and I always like it. My oh my he has a set pipes on him that even the Tenors could not touch!

[@Trabug1071]

Check our Rhapsody in the Rain! Another good one. ⛈️⚡️❤️‍🔥

[@jimmyolsen5897]

@@Trabug1071many more

[@andrewps84]

I have his greatest hits album somewhere; there’s lots of great music in it.

[@michaelsnider5293]

​@@Trabug1071 The Gypsy Cried and If My Car Could Talk too

[@joanlembo7845]

What a great song. ❤️❤️❤️

[@corinnerobinson4949]

He was so handsome,,love the beard,,awesome voice too.

[@jackiemreekie4637]

What a good looking man he was!! 🥂🎉💐🎊♥️💋 And a great singer into the bargain!! 🥂

[@davidoverholt251]

Lou, you were my Italian Boy making music! No more on the street light corners in Jersey or Philly! Come home to our fans that love you!

[@joannmedina1098]

Memories of my childhood!!! How I miss that music!!!!

[@janlink9040]

Brings back a lot of memories of my teen years!!! Love it!!

[@brafya]

such a performer and stage presence, beautiful voice

[@lyndaoneill7813]

Looks great,sounds brilliant.Oh he was so gorgeous.Thus still sounds fab in 2024

[@mlevi1467]

I am going through the tops hits if ‘66, my birth year, and was happy that I knew this song, along with a dozen other hits from that year. A good year for music.

[@brucemcclure3466]

Great song! But the song's magic also depended upon the backup voices of the singing sensation known as The Delicates.

[@gcdtrek1]

These are not The Delicates, they played on the studio version.

[@gabeplankton1291]

Think about it Bruce. This guy could carry a tune. At least give him that. At least we agree it's a good song✌

[@JudgeJulieLit]

@@gabeplankton1291 He said "also."

[@Henry9459]

Me too! Thought all these years it was Frankie V thank heaven for Midnight Special! It’s all we had in those days & Don Kirshner.

[@justiceleague3000]

I was thinking the same thing - I'm kinda shocked to learn that this is not Frankie Valli, after thinking that for decades.

[@nanettenn9734]

Lou Christie and Frankie Valli are The Only 2 Singer’s That Could Hit High Notes The Way They Do 🎵🎶🎼 They Are Both Fabulous and Remarkable Singer’s and Entertainer’s 🌹🌹 Love Them Both ❤️❤️👍👍😊

[@regularjoe2994]

Good Tune! Those 3 ladies are so Beautiful and charming!

[@sm0kedetec0r]

I can't remember where I heard this song but I'm in love with this specific performance, and The Delicates (backup singers) are stunning.

[@princenotprincess]

That’s actually the Blackberries. Clydie King, Sherlie Matthews, and Venetta Fields.

[@michaelalic3647]

I love this song it just gives me the nicest feeling

[@cruisematt8585]

The way he sings the lines, “Won’t you wait” and “…settle down, I want one baby on my mind” is just so beautiful. Also glad to see Lou doesn’t have a problem showing off his lightning rod lol👖

[@bethweeks5943]

He’s Italian 🎉

[@tutiotkd]

Always great to watch LouChristie's videos

[@reybarreto7979]

The only other male singers I know that can hit such high notes are Frankie Vallie and Barry Gib. All great singers.

[@stevie68a]

Smokey Robinson has a falsetto, too.

[@JStarStar00]

Lou Christie was born in 1943 so he was like 32 here. Not sure about the all denim look, but whatever works, man.

[@kattrakee]

Ahhhh , memories of my youth, how I love this song thank you !!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️♥️♥️♥️♥️🎶🎵🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎵🎵🎶

[@barbarasmith4735]

I love this song 💓

[@arturodelagarza9028]

CINNAMON QUEENS ARE BEAUTIFUL

[@tracyford9429]

cinnamon queens???????????????

[@lesleyroyle600]

I think this was his best look! Very sexy!

[@rwboa22]

"Canadian Tuxedo".

[@wonderawhile5832]

This song dates back to 1966. When did Midnight Special begin airing? All I can say is this is a real special Midnight Special; it crossed time barriers.

[@anthonybarber3872]

Midnight Special started airing in 1973, ran until 1980 or so.

[@denyseduran5547]

Wonder Awhile he's older here. You can tell by the lack of enthusiasm for the song he's done it for years

[@peterbowling950]

Lip Syncing , much ?

[@Janster59]

@@denyseduran5547 I bet he could sing that song in a coma...love him...

[@pcno2832]

@@peterbowling950 I don't think so; he sounded a bit hoarse. Fortunately, there was not auto-tune back then.

[@michaellazzeri2069]

AHHHHHH , THD 60'S & 70'S LIVE ON, 4-EVER & EVER ! =-------LOU LOOKED SO 70'S HERE, BUT THEN, WE AL DID .----FANTASTIC SONG, IRRESISTIBLE ! ---MJL, 77 Y/O

[@cherylfitch3183]

Great song, brought back so many memories ❤️

[@paintblisterer2411]

Best voice in rock. Wish hed done covers more. In your face fireworks.

[@Wormhole798]

I see he's wearing a Canadian tuxedo.

[@bobleroy1924]

Wish I was there to see it live. Incredible song and performance

[@smacwhinnie]

Judging by the clothes, 75 or 76. Lou is wearing it well

[@tomrucco6490]

Oh yeah looks good looks good

[@ManOfThePeople75]

I'd give my dog up to be able to pull that fashion off.

[@michaelbull4344]

Those denim outfits never go out of style

[@danstevenson6612]

The build up to the chorus is so great!

[@johnphelps6652]

Great song, great artist! Love the backup girls!

[@rossbrowning5201]

Isn't one of the singers La Wanda Page???

[@stephenhowell2573]

classic song it has class , remembered for ever'

[@missymissymiss5192]

Love this song! Sounds good live.

[@jacobedwards4942]

sounds like there wasn't much of a rehearsal but the tune is so strong. the smoking hot back up girls bring the chorus bigtime

[@FuntastixBand]

Most of these show they made the artists use records. Not this one, not 3 Dog Night, not The Guess Who.

[@helierhefortuneteller]

Probably got together that night.😆😂

[@grouchosays]

They pulled the band together and probably went one time through. But everyone does a terrific job. A young Gary Malabar on drums. He played with Steve Miller, Eddie Money, Van Morrison and everyone’s boss Springsteen.

[@Jennifer-dn3jq]

I like what’s in his pants

[@lahaina4791]

Quarters for parking, space was limited.

[@sharonann3344]

Still going in his seventies though drugs never got the best of him

[@GJoeJ010841]

Luigi Sacco!

[@ZJ-ne9kn]

What a voice lou has an all timer for sure. Wasn't an easy song to sing back in his prime he still does an amazing job even today. Never ceases to amaze me I've seen a lot of artists from that era many now pushing 80 yet they just have a love for there art and still in such great shape many of them..

[@actionsub]

I did notice the falsetto started to give out toward the end. He's got my respect though; I don't think I could have held out singing that high for that long! What a voice!

[@annaniedzialek7205]

You are from my era very handsome and talented Those were the good old days life was easier. I miss those days. 💘 you you are great

[@tomrucco6490]

Again and again lightning LOU🌪⚡🔥

[@janetperkins2194]

Have always loved this song!

[@bethlast4269]

Thank you so much for posting this video. I really enjoyed it! :-)

[@danielnarvaer4013]

Lou is loaded like nobody's business.

[@lahaina4791]

Extra large vocal chords!

[@robertpearlman6089]

Not any more. This performance is 45 years ago. He's 80 now.

[@rubbersole79]

Maybe he was just a little excited.

[@lahaina4791]

@@rubbersole79 Yes, that explains it!

[@jaya.0069]

@@lahaina4791 Double sock!

[@jimmyolsen5897]

What a fantastic video everybody did a great job

[@sharonann3344]

Rather listen to this music then the shit that's brought out now days

[@michaeldavis6607]

They were killing it. I love it

[@maakeklein4073]

Something about this song majes me so emotional. Love it!

[@-.Steven]

LIGHTNING LOU CHRISTIE! OH YEAH! LOVE THIS SONG!!!

[@katepowers3909]

LUVVVVVVVV LOU CHRISTIE AND THIS SONG!!!!!! 60s 70s MY MUSIC!!!!! MAGICAL TIME!!!!!!!💯💯🔥🔥🔥🔥💜

[@MrJpartridge]

pop music at its best

[@dgar3164]

Awesome song about a young man growing up

[@divermike8943]

For the longest time, I used to think this was a Four Seasons song. I used to think, "Gee. Frankie Valli sounds different". LOL

[@fromtheend4253]

Everyone's talking about the girl in the middle and the girl in yellow but what about the girl on the left with the white top shes just as hot as the other two!!

[@JStarStar00]

From the end: She's fine, but she has her back to the camera most of the video.

[@wendystewart1867]

Good Lord luv the pants

[@rgreene152]

Love him!!!

[@jessevasquez6388]

Wow ! The riffs on the guitar outstanding!

[@LouPop13]

It would be better if it was in sync...

[@lindastjohn5007]

Love this!!! ❤

[@nanettenn9734]

FABULOUS ,FABULOUS SINGER / ENTERTAINER 🌹 LOU CHRISTIE and FRANKIE VALLI THE GREATEST HIGH PITCH VOICE’S EVER TO BE HEARD 🎼🎶🎵 BOTH ARE TOTALY AWSOME 🌹🌹Love All Their MUSIC and SONG’S ❤️❤️😊

[@tulessaslone5592]

Hunka hunka burning love!

[@JefferyClifford-js8dj]

Hello Tulessa. Hope you’re having a great day?

[@garrettdavis6500]

Such a cute song. Well produced.

[@doloresytuarte6807]

Love that song n Lou wil always be my favorite

[@jimmyolsen5897]

This was #1 for multiple weeks in New York

[@Mr85fordyota]

For all those people that say this him lip syncing, well your wrong. It's just a crappy upload of the video. The Midnight Special would never air something this bad. Most of the stuff was live. Any prerecorded stuff was spot on. Try this link to a quality version.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJazlqdjdsSfbJY

[@doriscoronel3333]

hes got that whole jean look going🥰🥰🥰 those girls are so cute

[@eddiekay9019]

I feel like the original version showed us how versatile his voice was while this one with a chorus kinda let him show more of what he could do when singing in lower tones.

[@maricarmenhernandez5510]

por muchos años buscando este canción bellísima y lo qué le sigue recordar es volver a vivir

[@aileensmith6806]

Love this

[@lindaszatkowski321]

One of the best singers of all time ❤

[@Kurrently]

"Dude, If you let me play my violin I turn you on to some bad ass Tai."

[@Salamander676]

Is it just me or does Lou Christie have 1000 faces? He looks like a different fucking person in every single live performance I have watched so far, it's shocking(no pun). Haha I'm glad to see I wasn't the only person who thought he looked like Chuck Norris in this video.

[@clhclm]

two faces has he :)

[@raywaggener6323]

Salb814 I totally agree.

[@TornSilencio]

I really wish there was a collaboration with Lou and Klaus...i love this song lol

[@Elizabeth-os9tn]

Amazing ‼️💯♥️

[@peterewski]

I only watch this to watch the late Clyde King but I do like the song and the drumming.

[@tracyford9429]

Who are the backup singers?

[@RockRoseMusicPRTV]

The Midnight Special: Flashback to 1974 : Movies & TV Lou Christie: Lightnin' Strikes