Louis Armstrong Schools Racist MC on the Dick Cavett Show

[@kokopellispritjourney]

WARNING! WARNING! Racist reference at 12:28. Viewer Discretion is Not Advised, Proceed With Reckless Abandon. SUBSCRIBE Legal Disclaimer: In no way does Kokopelli Spirit Journey imply, suggest, or state that Dick Cavett is a racist. SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE Technical/Linguistic Notes: Dick Cavett is not an MC, he is a host & interviewer. Entirely different. MC is short for 'Master of Ceremonies,' usually an announcer (like Ed McMahon on Johnny Carson) or in the case of hip-hop, an MC is one who rhymes to beats often improvised (freestyle) to energize the crowd, enhance his prestige as a lyrical assassin, and hype the DJ.

[@missladyanonymity]

Not advised🤣

[@makoshark69x96]

IS THAT WHEN LOUIS USED THE N WORD ? YOU SEE THEY DIDN'T EVEN CENSOR IT.... IT WOULD HAVE MESSED UP THE STORY IF THEY BEEPED IT.... PLUS, WHITE PEOPLE WERE STILL SAYING.... WE DON'T WANT THE N*******S IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ON LIVE TV INTO THE 1980s !

[@brendalg4]

Or you could simply title the video something else so you don't take the chance of someone misunderstanding it. Even though you don't specifically say it is Dick Cavett in the title, that's who people naturally think you are talking about. That's because it is weird to think about someone going on a show and talking about a different host to another host

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

@@brendalg4 Precisely. It certainly confused me-even though I couldn’t imagine Dick Cavett as racist.

[@brendalg4]

@@jeffryphillipsburns same

[@PimpLenin]

“I loved and respected Louis Armstrong. He was born poor, died rich, and never hurt anyone along the way.” - Duke Ellington

[@purshottamadevadhikar5035]

Except he used to beat his wife

[@connorbrady5689]

@@purshottamadevadhikar5035well what did she say

[@fkaiba94]

​@@connorbrady5689she said and going to her boyfriend's house

[@dannynysus]

​@@purshottamadevadhikar5035 so did Joe

[@JonErikKellso]

@@purshottamadevadhikar5035 he did not.

[@bored1ca]

This is the first time I've actually seen Louis Armstrong on a talk show and I was completely mesmerized by his charm and his wit. To call this man a legend is an understatement, he's a treasure for both history fans and music fans.

[@snarky_user]

He looked sharp.

[@eromero8190]

Sure did I wish I could’ve met him and talked for a while

[@markbahouth2713]

@@eromero8190 i think of Louis Armstrong as the Greatest American that ever lived . A real Genuine man and Genius Musician . He was so far ahead of his time musically that it makes my head spin . 🎺🎺 ❤ .

[@jevogroni4829]

I've never even seen his face not blowing a trumpet

[@krga94c]

I was getting ready to write the exact same thing, and happened to look down and see you took the words right out of my mouth. 😊

[@Hun_Uinaq]

He said his wife went everywhere with him and because of that, he never had cause to be homesick. Profound. Just goes to show you, home really is where the heart is. Great man.

[@SunofYork]

Not coz she didn't trust him then ? Mr TigerWood should have tried that....

[@Stasiaflonase]

@@SunofYorkTiger is no gentlemen. He’s a player, through and through.

[@SunofYork]

@@Stasiaflonase So am I... but I am a man of discernment.... Nothing for me in Vegas kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZSsZYGdebyMntE

[@milosterwheeler2520]

He used to introduce his wife to reporters and "the woman who travels with me".

[@jahno7154]

@@SunofYork Very rare thing for an American star to be faithful to his wife.

[@farwoodfarm9296]

Dick Cavett is one of the best hosts ever, he asks good questions and doesn’t interrupt his guests, he seems genuinely interested in his guests. Louis was a national treasure and thankfully we have gems like this to remember him by.

[@robinstevenson1098]

Global treasure. The MAN

[@johnsrabe]

What are you even talking about? 30% of every episode is Cavett trying to show how smart he is.

[@farwoodfarm9296]

He's a knowledgeable person, his job is to keep the conversation going, if he does any redirects or says something like "I read one time" or "I visited" etc its not him flexing, he's adding to the conversation which IS HIS JOB. I feel like he and Conan O'brien are the best ever. @@johnsrabe

[@eles2147]

How is Dick Cavett racist????? He's asking decent questions and an insight to Louis Armstrong and his life.

[@johnsrabe]

@@eles2147 To be clear: I wasn’t saying Cavett’s racist. I’m sure he’s not. He’s just a highly overrated know it al. I’m assuming “racist” applies to a story Armstrong was telling, but I can’t stand Cavett long enough to confirm.

[@detritic]

His way of speaking is so wonderful to the ears of an old New Orleanian. It's like hearing my grandparents again.

[@Geoffreydarcy-pv4mq]

You should hear my wife. We're both New Orleans natives, and were both raised by our grandparents.

[@fenzelian]

Yeah people talk like the way he sang was an affectation - hearing him actually talk it's clear it's just the dialect he grew up in and his natural voice.

[@jaredf6205]

I like the similarities to the NYC accent.

[@natashadevine]

Same! He also looks a lot like my grandpa ❤

[@Nohndl]

Man, I shared this video with my family and friends saying it feels like I was a kid sitting around the corner from the old timers talking about the olden days. I never heard Louis Armstrong in an interview before. I did not know he was so charismatic and appreciative of New Orleans' contributions to his life and career. I see why he is treasured down there. He should be.

[@philpoop2692]

Crazy how he referred to the 1880’s as just “the 80’s”

[@happydayes]

And crazy how we'll probably refer to the 2080s as "the 80s" too!

[@Losrandir]

​@@happydayes I won't, but someone will!

[@michaelm6948]

Why wouldn't he.....he was born in 1900.

[@wellesradio]

Jazz talk. 😎

[@martinplatt5928]

Seems he was born 4th August, 1901 and not 1900. I wouldn't argue with the great man though. @@michaelm6948

[@kennethnorman8079]

Miles Davis used to say that there was NOTHING he ever played on the trumpet that Louis Armstrong hadn't played first.

[@thenaturalmidsouth9536]

I saw Bob Dorian of AMC tell a story about Miles...he was at some gala seated next to some older lady who has no clue who he was. She asked Miles, "what do you do, sir?" He replied, "I invented jazz, 3 times..." 😂

[@terryasheim9038]

Louis influenced just about every jazz musician that came after him.

[@fretbuzz59]

@@thenaturalmidsouth9536 Exactly. If Miles actually did say something so humble, he was being deferential to an important predecessor. He had a much larger and more sophisticated harmonic vocabulary than Louis had. That isn't not a putdown of Louis, it's just fact. Also, Louis did not appreciate bebop.

[@drvee1983]

If that's true? That is a great quote. I believe it.

[@davidweinstock-y2s]

the usual quote we heard was 'no him, no me', very eloquent.

[@roadcalm3303]

This is one of the best interviews ever. On top of being a phenomenally talented musician genius, Louis Armstrong was smart, funny, personable and humble. What a national treasure.

[@rievans57]

I love how he pointed out the ironies of life with a wink and a smile.

[@jackgrant9301]

Id go farther than that and say he was an international treasure.

[@gabrielgirlz2848]

Louis Armstrong is a sacred national treasure, and as a native of New Orleans we hold him up as a saint! To hear him casually refer to second lines, street cutting contest, and other music traditions from home so lovingly warms my heart! Thank you for posting this!

[@kokopellispritjourney]

You are welcome and blessed for living in the city of saints and sinners!

[@dennisalstrand1316]

Those were the very things I was wondering about. What do they mean? I appreciate any answer.

[@snickpickle]

@@dennisalstrand1316 Mind you, this is coming from a Northern Minnesotan who’s never been to New Orleans, I surmise that “street cutting” might be like a “battle of the bands” or something to that effect, where one musician tries to outdo or outperform the other. I welcome correction if I’m wrong, though!

[@jamesburke9767]

He lived in queens ny for many years

[@woiowoiow190]

I visited new Orleans as a personal trip for my fascination of new Orleans music and I loved it! The people are so beautiful.

[@tomf429]

Everything in modern music flowed through this man. He is not just a personality, he is a giant among giants.

[@93Jubilee]

And such good words, messages.

[@kenmo6]

This cannot be stated loud enough, you're 100% correct.

[@dirtylemon3379]

I always thought the same thing. He invented modern music.

[@andrewhigdon8346]

@@dirtylemon3379he was a lot of things, but that’s stretching it to say the least.

[@jayclarke5466]

1st rep Jazz improviser and I didn’t know about him being 1st scatter…wouldn’t surprise Revered by best musicians and laymen fans as well…that s rare And he was pure charisma

[@davidwalter2002]

How blessed we all are to have had a man such as Louis Armstrong influencing the world.

[@waynehanley72]

... what a wonderful world ....

[@SunofYork]

So today's world is his doing ? Laugh my socks off

[@davidwalter2002]

@@SunofYork If all you see is the negative, I truly feel sorry for you. If you want a better world, be that change.

[@SunofYork]

@@davidwalter2002 Is your god working on childhood cancer ?

[@kellykat8057]

​@@SunofYorkI don't see anywhere that he (davidwalter2002) said anything about God. There are people in this life who make things better little bit by little bit for the whole world just by being, or at least try to make things better by doing their best to do the right thing & not harm others. Now, do you think you fall into this group of people? Negativity can help to identify the problems, but positivity and positive actions are what create a better world for all.

[@steveparish9210]

Satchmo! The world would be a better place with more people like him

[@josephlevendusky7136]

What a Wonder World It Would Be

[@lenzotrumpet]

Oh Yes definitely Louie was the best a person could be , bless his soul..

[@srconrad]

I’m 60 years old and I’ve never had the privilege to hear Louis Armstrong speak before. Very cool. What a humble and immensely talented man that had to live through a lot of racism in his life. I imagine it takes a lot of courage and resilience to live through that and still come out on top. What a treasure he was to America and the world.

[@spanqueluv9er]

@srconrad ^Boomer admits white privilege and ignorance in public with completely pointless and useless paragraph.😳 Also- how in the fuq is this the first time you have ever heard Louis speak?

[@davehoward22]

I'm 56 and I think it's the 1st time I've heard him speak

[@Pravindaswani74]

Godbless KZbin

[@drizzt8965]

I'm 61 and yeah that was cool....

[@RAIN-AGAIN]

I turned 67 September 2nd. As a self taught jazz composer and short story writer born 7th of 10 in Memphis; a family of 5 boys and 5 girls! They all said I looked a lot like him…..??…. 👀 ………. I used to “gravel” my voice to sound like him when I sang his songs.. lol ………. and I’d end each tune…….. with a wavy……… “ OOOOHH……. YEEAHH” ……… lol…… kids got a kick out of that….. lol Little did I know….. that I would be lost in love with the brilliance of lyrics and the heavenly placement……. of the right chord…… at the right time. It’s a long story why I’m just now working on my debut album due out in 2024………… a story that time won’t permit……. But, ….. as a lover of …. and singer- songwriter of ; predominantly “ “ballads “……. it goes without saying, what an honor it would be to have ole SATCHEMO pick one to sing…..lol I was just promoted a high school sophomore a in the hot summer of July 6,1971; …….. the day Mr. Armstrong suddenly died of a heart attack at a young 71 years old! Ironically….. my own father died at 71 as well……… The jazz and entertainment world were stunned at the news that Mr. Armstrong had passed. At 16 years old, I was oblivious to such news … I’m sure……….at 16…. were much to preoccupied with getting rid of pimples and finding a job, At Mcdonald’s…… of course! …. ..a driver license. a car, and…. hopefully a girlfriend 👀lol….. We all grew up on Dick Cavett……. But like most of us …….. I too…. am hearing Mr.Armstrong express himself……. FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME!!! Absolutely poetic!! A language …. within a language……. !! 25,000 heard Peggy Lee sing : the Lord’s Prayer at his funeral. He would be 124 on August 4, 2024……… Sooooooo, for 123 years………..God has blessed the planet with his genius!!!! Yeah………because of knowing him and his work……. …………..we can truly: “THINK TO OURSELVES…. WHAT A WONDERFUL……. ……….. WORLD “ Thank you dear sir… Thank you Continue to rest easy ……. Mr. Armstrong 🕯 🎼RAIN RAIN🎼

[@rickyparrilla2426]

What a blessing to see Louie Armstrong talk about the times when he was a kid and playing with Jazz legends. I've never been a big jazz fan, but I've always admired this man.❤

[@nikolademitri731]

You should check jazz out more! It’s a musical tradition that’s existed for over a hundred now, with all kinds of styles and sub-genres. Seriously, I think anyone can get into jazz, they just gotta find the styles they like! ✌️

[@deanhough8993]

Yes indeed!

[@argonwheatbelly637]

Listen around. Jazz is an entire world, not just an island in music.

[@MultiverseAsheville]

Fun fact: he *hated* being called Louie.

[@garryb5378]

A blessing to see Louis Armstrong on his one and only appearance on Dick Cavett,5 months before he died. 53 years later, Dick Cavett is still with us at 87

[@edwardmulholland7912]

Wow! I don’t think I’ve seen Louis interviewed before. Such a cool dude - and one of the greatest musicians/performers who ever lived. Love him.

[@Spacebanana-im5qt]

I don't remember ever seeing him interviewed either. The word "legend" gets thrown around a lot, but he definitely was! 😁

[@snickpickle]

@@Spacebanana-im5qtSame as “music pioneer!”

[@leoandolino4668]

"What A Wonderful World" - a song that transcends eras - no one could sing it like Mr. Armstrong. Such an interesting and humble performer. He was of the era where the older generation was so interesting, respected, and adored by the younger generation. Full of stories that one could listen to for hours and hours. A rare gentle man indeed.

[@atatterson6992]

There were lots of men like him back then and millions of younger folks who, as you said, adored and respected them. So sad that this seems to be lost on our newer generations.

[@MovieMakingMan]

He did the very best rendition of that wonderful song. It’s so filled with emotion. No one could do it better than Louis.

[@RyanHarris77]

I grew up near Baltimore and the local early morning news played Wonderful World everyday. That song reminds me of me and my dad having breakfast before he had to leave for work.

[@zigzoog123]

Thats the truth man

[@purshottamadevadhikar5035]

A gentleman? Mate he used to beat his wife

[@fourhills9144]

To address the video's title, he left New Orleans in 1922 and played in Chicago for years. He returned to New Orleans in 1931 to perform at an expensive venue. The announcer or MC, refused to announce him because he was black. The MC got fired afterwards and Louis Armstrong took his place.

[@Hotshotter3000]

An MC in the 1930s, at the height of the Jazz era, who refuses to let Louis Armstrong play doesn't deserve to be remotely involved in anything concerning music.

[@thecocktailian2091]

@@Hotshotter3000 And what's more it was New Orleans. New Orleans has always been a multicultural oasis. Guarantee that MC wasn't a New Orleanian.

[@JoshuaM47644]

that's still not relevant to it

[@geraldwestphipps764]

What a humble man. He does not take or steal credit. he shares it...

[@al201103]

I'm lost for words. First of all, thank you so much for uploading this and making it available to everyone who happens across it or seeks it out. Secondly - I'm 53 and often see comment on Cavett videos where people say "this was what chat shows used to be about, the host letting the guest talk uninterrupted" and I kind of think "yeah yeah". But here, that's exactly my sentiment. Dick asked a question and then just got out of the way and let us listen to Satchmo regale us with tales from his life. And what a story teller he is! This was just...it's a gift. Thank you.

[@kendallsmith1458]

Actually only Dick Cavett & Tom Snyder had this style

[@MooyakAttack]

That was so endearing how Louis held Dick Cavett's knee toward the end. I absolutely adore his story telling and how Dick rarely interjected and just let the man talk 🥺❤

[@MrCarltonjsmith]

I saw him do the same thing with Flip Wilson at the end of a song. I think it's something that older Black men would do as they sat around and talked and it was a way of letting you know that you were connected. Fast forward to 3:40 of this clip. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hn7Ml6uLdsxnY6c

[@rievans57]

Just imagine he went from playing for Al Capone to holding Dick Cavett's knee. Awesome!

[@garymiller95]

Sadly so many interviewers today just want to hear their own voice.

[@MooyakAttack]

@@rievans57 I thought Ol' Scareface kidnapped Fats Waller for his birthday party or something.. I haven't heard about Louis playin for him but it seems plausible.

[@MooyakAttack]

@@MrCarltonjsmith First of all, thank you for that Flip Wilson clip, what a trip to watch. Also, I like your explanation for Louis' body language. Lastly, it takes me a while to respond on here 😅

[@larrydrozd2740]

He speaks in music. His voice and cadence are music. He was an American treasure.

[@ThePeacePlant]

Lmao, I am convinced all these emotional comments are trolls now. For a second I thought you were actually a nerd

[@jeanneratterman4174]

Still is a treasure! 🥰🎶

[@deniaridley]

Yes, yes he does speak musically!

[@mattkeller5388]

@@ThePeacePlantKZbin comments has been a weird echo chamber for years.

[@michaelburgess6556]

Louis - one of the people l would love to have met. What a gift to humanity. Rest in peace, Maestro, and thanks a million for the music, the laughs and the memories. From Ireland 🇮🇪

[@michaelcrockette8694]

can’t listen to this great man whether he’s singing and trumpeting or just talking without a big smile on my face. thank you God for gifting us with this one of a kind legend. there will never be another.🙂

[@DippyHippie]

@@trekkiejunkreread the comment,my dear,he said I can’t listen to him without smiling!😊I’m an atheist though so I don’t agree god sent him,he was magnificent on his own!

[@briancannon3987]

This attitude is what keeps us seperated

[@SoulDaddy33]

Give it a rest. And correct your spelling, too.

[@ravenshadowz2343]

So you cannot stand to listen to him?

[@johnnymomascaro]

My thoughts exactly! I just noticed Ive been grinning most of the interview. He was a joyfilled man

[@jokerswildio]

"We was the Indians" ..😂😅, a true legend you are Mr. Armstrong

[@naiskal581]

And nothin wrong with that

[@rievans57]

An irony of life.

[@The_One_Cosmos]

Louis Armstrong seemed so full of life, joy and gratitude. "What a Wonderful World" is literally gratitude in the form of a song, from a wonderful soul and beautiful being

[@urbangorilla33]

It just flows out of him. A credit to humanity.

[@StanSwan]

Everyone knows his amazing voice but I never heard him speak so candid before. What a nice man.

[@petermacmillan6756]

I met a woman in Yarmouth, Maine whose father managed the entertainment at Old Orchard Beach in the 1920s. The local rooming houses didn't accept black guests, so her father had them stay at his house. She used to sit on Louis Armstrong's lap while he played their piano.

[@jesseroggio7260]

You can't get any further north than Maine and still be in the USA. Yet when people think of racism in the 20th century they always think of the deep south.

[@tmajec]

@@jesseroggio7260yep. That’s the typical deflection used by the noble northerners, as though racism had a border/boundary line.

[@jeffdawson2786]

From the dirt floors of New Orleans to the palaces of world leaders. He was a musical genius who became an international superstar and diplomat. His music and legacy will continue to inspire forever.

[@philmaier70]

I could listen to him tell stories for hours and hours. Beyond a charming, hilarious storyteller, and certainly one of the greatest there ever was. ❤

[@abrahamsandwich3542]

The affection from Louis to Dick tightens as the show goes on. This is one of the kindest gestures I've ever seen

[@Chessdaddy]

He was always such a charming, humble, interesting guy with a great attitude. Impossible not to just love Louis Armstrong.

[@r.j.wheels6755]

He really was. A true legend.

[@carlitosortiz2870]

There was no internet back then to tell him he was oppressed and a victim and that he would never amount to anything because of his skin color...lol

[@hookR2]

​@carlitosortiz2870 In the video you are commenting on, he tells a story of a man who refused to do his job of introducing musicians because of the color of Mr. Armstrong's skin. He faced racism & oppression regularly. An insane amount of talent got him through life, not your ludicrous belief that racism only exists because the internet made it up... lol, indeed.

[@FRLN500]

​@@hookR2Louis would not agree with you. He often said that most of time the majority of white people treated him with respect and admiration. Of course there were moments of racism but very little.

[@jayclarke5466]

Louis like most great musicians were integrated 140 years ago.Musicians don’t care about color…Let me hear ya play! Louis, Ali, Pele, MJ, Maybe Sinatra , Jordan and Elvis…those are know in every pocket of the planet in their time

[@MajidAndary]

I love this man's face whether he's singing or just talking. He was a true gift that the world needed and he came at the right time. God bless Louis Armstrong.

[@portiamatthews9654]

He was just a joyous and humbled man. RIP Louis Armstrong.

[@ThePeacePlant]

Stfu. You are just fishing for likes. Instead of looking for love online, you need antidepressants. You don't know anything about him.

[@hotlicksrhetoric9658]

Class, genius, kindness, this man had it all. Truly a gentleman.

[@christopherward5065]

His greatness as a person shone out! He had a great generosity and his abilities as a a musician made him peerless. Great to hear him interviewed. We learnt a lot in those very few minutes. Brilliant!

[@DavidBensonActor]

An utterly adorable, honest and brilliantly gifted man for all ages. His voice and music are still very much with us. Great interview by Mr. Cavett.

[@v4v819]

Adorable? He's not a pet made for your amusement... This is one of the most racist comment on youtube i have seen all day!!!!!!!!

[@galaxywolf969]

@@v4v819 Adorable: inspiring great affection; delightful; charming........so yeah, adorable.

[@Dominos-el7qr]

Man, some people inevitably find racism in anything. Gee, white people love Louis Armstrong, put the white hoods on, let's burn a cross. Or maybe we just see a man, a great and gifted genius. Oh, and adorable too. Do da.

[@rosshoyt2030]

"adorable? think you missed the part he was talking about strippers, meeting Al Capone and playing at brothels as a teenager... Louis is more than just "A Wonderful World" family friendly fun 🤣

[@StonefolkNetwork]

Poor choice of words, but I’m sure it wasn’t your intention. I’d venture you meant “endearing.”

[@ZenBiker]

Louis Armstrong once came up here from New Orleans on steamboat to play, he influenced a youngster here that grew up and became a pretty good Cornet player named Bix Beiderbecke the pride of my hometown Davenport Iowa.

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

We have an old near derelict swimming pool in Hull (England) he came to play at. If you see the place and think of him there its a bizarre contrast

[@kokopellispritjourney]

Bix is right up there with Satchmo as far as I'm concerned. Had he lived longer he would have become a legend.

[@w1jim]

Very cool. This was shot just after I turned 16 and my folks took me to see the Dick Cavett show. I believe I was in the audience just stage right of the central runway that extended into the audience!

[@silverstem2964]

That was very cool plus a healthy dose of seriously cool! Brushes with fame are fun. Richard Nixon wrote me a letter 50 years ago. I wish I still had it!

[@loilt5091]

At about, 16:00, Louis explanation of NOLA’s, uniquely singular, Jazz Funeral & Second Line tradition… 😆🎶🎵🥁🎺🎷💃🏾🕺🏾👍🏿

[@matthewgabbard6415]

I bet that was a good time

[@ajk]

What year was this? Do you know? Louis died in 1971, so it couldn't have been too long before he died.

[@loilt5091]

@@ajk 1970

[@neilsmith9473]

Never seen him interviewed before. What an amazing character, mega-talented with a great sense of humour. The attitude he described towards him at the event he spoke of was utterly shameful. I'm genuinely humbled by his grace and strength of character to rise above it - it made him the bigger man by far in my eyes. A great man and a genuine legend who gave an awful lot to the world through his music. RIP, Louis ❤

[@hamburgerdan101]

Back when artists lived what they sang. The man oozes charisma. Great interview

[@bmkbmk4469]

As a white middle aged ...working class Welsh guy....Mr Armstrong in my humble opinion was one of the greatest, if not the greatest entertainer on the 20th century....his playing his personality..him being him...RIP

[@swanvictor887]

wow, you beat me by 14 hours: I too, am a Welsh, middle-aged white dude and I regard Satchmo as a gift from God, too.

[@alswedgin9274]

💯

[@SunofYork]

@@swanvictor887 God should gift us freedom from childhood cancer

[@clydeb7713]

If Mr. Armstrong was alive he would be 123 years old!

[@montyrayza7220]

who cares if you are white, black, green or purple - we are all the same ...

[@censusgary]

“A wall-to-wall bed.” When I was a kid, we called that “a floor.”

[@christopherpardell4418]

He likely is referring to a King Size bed. In a smaller bedroom, they go wall to wall.

[@seanconlon2773]

Aired February 22nd, 1971 just a few months before Louis' death

[@eivindgjengstjohansen9625]

Smoking killed him...

[@stupendous1068]

This had to be one of his last television appearances.

[@jgq2881]

It is a treat to hear Louis Armstrong speaking at length, at ease. Listening to him is a lesson in humanity. He knew how to live. I am glad he learned about Copyright early on. As a kid, it was always funny to talk like Louis Armstrong.

[@dojinho]

What a treat it must have been to interview this charming man, just like a treat it is to watch this interview some fifty years later.

[@mikebland4935]

Could you not just listen to Armstrong all day and night long. What a treasure he is and was.

[@carlitosortiz2870]

Not me I was scratching my throat 2 mins in

[@ThePeacePlant]

I don't think Armstrong would appreciate such a fake comment. I am sure he would want to beat you like he did his wife. Screaming women in pain was his specialty

[@borisbabich]

It would be so amazing to have a long, long conversation with Mr. Armstrong. He loved telling stories about the time so different from this. "The radio was about five years in," saw "Al Capone may times," and so on. He could also shed light on a part of the tensions in the US.

[@markcannon3899]

I'm 60 now and grew up with jazz musicians playing in our living room and sometimes around the kitchen table. But from the crib on up I was raised listening to some of jazz's greatest artist and Louis Armstrong was one I always admired. So much so that I hounded my father for 5 years straight between the ages of 5 to 10 to buy me a trumpet. It never happened, but I still love jazz and Louis Armstrong. What a rare talent and total class act!

[@MermaidMakes]

My mother is in her 60s, and my grandmother and grandfather were well known local musicians in Southern Florida when she was a kid. They played with Dizzy Gillespie a few times. Mom called him Uncle Dizzy, and he would have her and my uncle sit in his lap while he showed them how to cross stitch. I grew up to be a jazz drummer, how I would love to have had such an honor. The stories will have to do!

[@craiglizt8074]

This is solid gold here! Never knew this even existed.

[@marktestoni6483]

One of my mother’s favorite songs sung by the only person who could sing it correctly. My mom passed away 33 years ago and his rendition still brings tears to my eyes

[@billy_werber]

What song?

[@SlickArmor]

​@@billy_werberthat's not important.

[@billy_werber]

@@SlickArmor No, but it is nice to know.

[@SlickArmor]

@billywerber9117 I was teasing I kinda would have liked to know too.

[@Z-ManTheOriginal]

Amazing. He was one of one. Thank you, Mr. Armstrong. Satchmo!!!

[@nazfrde]

A musical genius and a true ambassador of good will. I'm thankful to have seen this.

[@justtrust426]

He was such a talented man. His smile was wide but his eyes always at least to me look like he was fighting tears. RIP Mr. Armstrong .

[@chestermarcol3831]

Greatest jazz trumpet player of all time. The GOAT. Caught myself, just sitting here, with a big old grin on my face during this whole interview, and didn't realize it for a long time. Just sheer joy,; basking in the warmth, humor, and charm of Mr. Armstrong

[@schwaarnkreddy7805]

👏 Superbly Articulated!!! This ever-living Legend richly deserves every syllable of your praise!!!

[@mwj5368]

This is amazing! So great to hear Louis tell stories and Dick Cavett again such a great interviewer. I quit watching TV in 1968 and my brother used to call me to the TV to watch Dick. In my volunteer work on Pine Ridge Lakota Sioux Reservation in South Dakota I knew Joe Horncloud. He said one of the great moments in his life was when he was very sick as an Army soldier in NYC. He played trumpet in a Big Band and they were all Native people and on his living-room wall he had a big b&w picture of their band all wearing war bonnets. The hospital staff asked him what was any great wish he had and Louis was playing in NYC so he said if Louis would come to see him. He never expected it to happen but he came to his bedside!

[@jeanneratterman4174]

💜🥰🎶

[@snickpickle]

What a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing it.

[@mwj5368]

@@snickpickle Thank you for your kindness! Joe Horn Cloud is smiling too!

[@gcdtrek1]

I worked with Herman Thunderhawk who was from there and knew several others when they moved to Wyoming. RIP Herman.

[@mwj5368]

Thank you for your kindness too! Joe was amazing and his dog, "Blackie", an old graying around the mussel black lab, used to follow me around. I would soon notice and tell him to "go home!" but in a nice way and he'd obey. I was at the major Pine Ridge Powwow at night with many cars zig zagging to and from the powwow, kind of crazy with a lot of dust in the air. Blackie came through the haze of headlights and dust. What is the meaning of "loyalty"? I was really afraid he'd be hit so I carefully walked him home. Joe's house was next door to where I was staying at Project Recovery, a counseling center in a very old BIA office/house where they used to gather to get their allotment pay. I imagined Chief Red Cloud going there, standing in line for his check. One of my great moments was meeting Sioux Nation Chief Oliver Red Cloud as I knew his Son-in-Law. Oliver was a vibrant spirit like I'm sure his father was. Pila Maya! Oh, Joe was a "Takini" or survivor, a title of honor. He was Hunkpapa Sioux, not Lakota. His father was of the three that survived Wounded Knee by running up the meandering Wounded Knee Creek. They would raise the white flag but the Cavalry chasing them would only open fire. They made their own cave and had to eat meat raw and have no fires as the Cavalry would have located them. They eventually created their own small community north of the town of Pine Ridge. So there I was, standing with Blackie at Joe's back screen door. I hadn't met Joe yet. It was warm and I loudly knocked several times on his screen door. Through the screen I could hear the faint in the distance voice of good old "Satchmo" singing away and there was a dim light from a far-off room, a beacon not necessarily a beacon, more a beacon's beacon... I was afraid of frightening him and honored his space in the universe. It was a kind of moment that always remains with you, like a sunset over the Plains, or Oliver's smile, or how quiet is quiet when you're alone in the vast expanse there like sitting along the edge of the Badlands in the far reaches of Nellie Cuny's ranchlands legs dangling over the edge of eternity before the buttes and canyon-lands as the faint drum-beat of the Ghost Dance comes from everywhere and from nowhere. "Cuny Table"... They did dance the Ghost Dance on the plateau there you know. Anyways... worried about Blackie, I opened Joe's screen door and let him in. I was betting Joe would wonder if Blackie had a new skill, could walk through walls. Well I think for a brief enchanted moment I would get to know, besides Blackie, someone who could. Later over the story Joe's laughter blasted away the how quiet is quiet and it sparkled too, transcended walls, took flight somewhere high above my fears, somewhere beyond white flags and sparkling nights! It all said to me, "seek the beacons in life!" Hoka hey! Wanbli Gleska! Pila Maya!

[@DippyHippie]

His rendition of “We shall overcome”(1971)is magnificent. My mother was in attendance!

[@Button215]

What a joy and privilege to listen and see this man talk about a time in American history that books don't share. To hear his voice and learn his story. One of the greats for certain. In my youth, I knew he was special but never knew quite why.

[@JJJZANESVILLE2]

I think what sort of gets me is how this shunned race, to this day shunned, is still trying and wanting to get along. I saw, in this tape how many times Mr. Armstrong grabbed Dick's arm or leg. As much as his family, himself and his children were looked down upon by too many (but not all of us, I hope) he/they still love/loved America despite so many prejudices and seemed to be trying to get along. Does that make any sense?

[@JJJZANESVILLE2]

And by the way, another example of clicking. I didn't see any real evidence of Mr. Cavett being racist or Mr. Armstrong 'schooling' him. I only saw two real people discussing the past. Honoring Louis Armstrong's accomplishments.

[@Rick_MacKenzie]

@@JJJZANESVILLE2 Did you watch the entire clip? The racist MC was in one of his stories. It did not refer to Dick Cavett.

[@RoccoGalata]

What a clip..thanks so much!

[@JJJZANESVILLE2]

Yes, I read your comment earlier this am. I stand glad to be corrected. You were perceptive than I. Thanks!@@Rick_MacKenzie

[@christophergerety1263]

Louis Armstrong operated on a higher level. A monumental talent. Like an Astaire or McCartney - he was not only the most popular but also the best.

[@SimmeringPotpourri]

This aired February 22nd 1971. In March he had a heart attack in March and then had another heart attack on July 6 where he died in his sleep so probably one of his last interviews.

[@mgtocrateezspeaks3971]

Absolutely love his voice. Usually, deep, gravelly voices can be scary, but his voice is so soothing whether talking or singing.

[@Nickster_P]

Surely must be one of the nicest men in showbusiness ever, with such interesting stories to tell. Coupled with an amazing talent, makes him extremely special.

[@Zee-et4rd]

Best part of this interview is when Mr. Armstrong touched Dick Cavett's knee. That was a soulful connection.

[@ivanhajncl8833]

That was a warning to the interviewer not to interupt the story before it was finished

[@2tfts]

If more people were like Louis Armstrong, "What A Wonderful World " it would be. Dick Cavett was such a skilled interviewer who knew what question to ask which would always get the guest to "rambling on" with fascinating stories.

[@kaponkotrok]

The pace is awesome, it's also allowing them to talk!

[@antoinepetrov]

Took the words out of my mouth and expressed it very elowuently

[@Nickster_P]

Yes, Cavett is one of the best ever. He'd just guide the conversation then let the guest do their own thing. Brilliant.

[@Wellsy1957]

The best talk show hosts ask and then listen. The worst make it about themselves.

[@starwarsrebel2006]

So, what's with the title of this video? I don't see Dick Cavett being racist at all. He's just asking questions.

[@Mack-bc4qo]

An honest conversation about race. How refreshing.

[@bohemi2001]

First, I didn't know the phrase "The Okie doke" has been around so long. Also, I was taught only a snippet about Mr. Armstrong in school and I really wanted to find out more because he was such an impressive figure that was full of great surprises.

[@MCW1955]

Started listening , then couldn’t stop. I wish this was hours longer. Look how far we’ve fallen.

[@leafyleafyleaf]

If we were limited to three TV channels and no KZbin etc., we would get back there. It has gotten stupid because every broadcast method is vying for our finite attention.

[@MarthaWoodworth-f9s]

Satch = joy. As a little kid I would sing “It’s A Wonderful World” to keep my spirits up.” What a wonderful man. Cavett, too. Charming, fascinating guys chatting.

[@Nicksonian]

Armstrong doesn’t get enough credit for being one of the greatest, most original musicians of the 20th Century. Besides being an authentic character.

[@Button215]

You're the first person that I've read that says that. We have always known that he's one of the father's of American jazz music. The definitive sound of America. It is the only cultural export that is founded, created and unique to this country. Everything else was copied from Europe and it's truly the product of the African Diaspora. A product created by and for black American enjoyment and pleasure.

[@Nicksonian]

Really? Today, who even remembers Armstrong other than jazz aficionados? You sound like a music professor who thinks that everyone knows what you know. I shouldn't need to explain that many, including blacks of the 60s and 70s, dismissed Armstrong as nothing but an old-time, step-an-fetch-it character. Those characterizations were ridiculous but existed nonetheless.

[@Simplyveej]

Everyone who’s an adult knows he’s one of the greatest. Maybe kids don’t.

[@Picasso_Picante92]

You must be young. His place in music history is set in stone. Maybe you mean that his music isn’t popular now or that the kids don’t know who he is. That might be true. But that’s true for anyone 50 years after they’ve dead. People gave short memories.

[@Nicksonian]

@@Picasso_Picante92 You are just plain WRONG. I'm 66 years old so don't give me that ship. I will prove it. This is a quote from an article in The Guardian from three years ago: "I cannot think of another American artist who so failed his own talent. What went wrong?” asked one biographer of Louis Armstrong. “The sheer weight of his success and its attendant commercial pressures,” answered another. The popular opinion of the trumpeter and gravel-voiced singer of What a Wonderful World is as a genial, foundational voice in jazz. But the jazz establishment - and many African Americans - reviled him as a sellout or an “Uncle Tom”. When he died in 1971, he was seen as having peaked in the 1920s with the Hot Five and the Hot Seven, a series of inventive small-band recordings, and been in decline ever since. A new book, Ricky Riccardi’s Heart Full of Rhythm: the Big Band Years of Louis Armstrong, charts this apparent fall from grace, but shows the reality to be far more complicated.

[@richardwhite3924]

I met Louis at Small's Paradise in NYC's Harlem in 1960. I was 8 years old and appearing 4 shows a week in "The Sound Of Music" as Kurt Von Trapp (another boy did the other 4 shows due to Child Labor laws). My mother, myself and some of the pit band from our show went to a jazz jam session there and my mother and I has so much fun we would go there regularly. Finally, one night I got up and sang and Louis came over to our table later to compliment me. I was in heaven - Louis Armstrong telling me how much he liked my singing!

[@michaelmcdonald3057]

A life well lived and brought joy and a sense of humility to millions. A simply wonderful man.

[@Thetoad738]

What a beautiful and humble man. He would invite local children in Queens to sit on his stoop and learn the trumpet. Truly the greatest.

[@kellymcclendon6601]

I was a trumpet player in high school band and 26th Army band in NY in the 1970's. Mr. Armstrong has always been one of my favorites.

[@rickeybillings9229]

My wife goes with me . He was rockstar before rockstar but he celebrated life with his wife ! Class !

[@W.O.P.R]

Reading through a ton of comments, it seems no one has anything negative to say about him. Love it

[@IowaTower]

Other than bits on records w/ Ella, I'd never heard him speak before. What a charming man! I wish i could have seen him in concert.

[@pablozewoppa]

What an absolute pleasure. Thanks for posting... 🙏🏾

[@kokopellispritjourney]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Manormouse-04]

What a delightful gentleman. Such a rarity to see him outside of his recorded musical performances.

[@michaelj.bolanosdavis6693]

Amazing person. His expression shows the goodness of his soul no matter how hard times could be. One of my favorite musicians.

[@GTX1123]

What a class act and a great musician to boot. Back then you had to be a REAL musician to have any success and Louis was one of the BEST. There was no doctoring bad vocals with digital equipment. He was not only a great musician but a great entertainer to boot...

[@carlitosortiz2870]

so who was a fake musician?

[@GTX1123]

@@carlitosortiz2870 That's the point. There weren't any back then...

[@billgilchrist2401]

This should get an award for the most misleading title. And that’s a shame because it’s a wonderful snapshot of an artist.

[@Lige]

I'm still waiting for the "racist" part.

[@Bhakti-rider]

Not to mention the schooling part...@@Lige

[@johnplink]

@@Lige 12:30

[@ChrisCypher]

Yeah, it's at 12:30, but it still is definitely click bait. I guess on the plus side, more people probably clicked on it and ended up hearing his stories than otherwise would've happened. Still it's a shame people always have to resort to clickbait (especially THAT sort of clickbait).

[@elsabean6791]

Did you not watch the video at all?? He very clearly tells a story about exactly what the title says.

[@northernbohemianrealist]

I saw Gunhild Carling last night and Louis showed up on stage. Mr Armstrong is a personal hero. He never once used, "Louie," always Louis. He was devious, so on the Hello Dolly recording, he stretches 'Louisssss.'

[@jamescampbell2521]

Amazing man & musician. I'm sure he understates the racist b.s. he had to put up with.

[@roddyboethius1722]

He knew the deal. He knew how to negotiate with the situation he was in and did well.

[@Flixartist]

What a treasure this video is! Thanks for posting!🙏

[@kokopellispritjourney]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Geoffreydarcy-pv4mq]

🔥💙🔥 👏

[@melotone3305]

Fortunately, Dick usually knew when to shut up and let his guests speak. I'm so glad he let Louis develop the flow.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

One of the very best talk show hosts……in the Uk Michael Parkinson came close. But Dick was a fantastic interviewer.

[@loucontino4804]

If you see anything but a beautiful spirit in Louis Armstrong, then you don't know God, cause Louis was Blessed.

[@chakajohnson6464]

🙄 You only know his public face. Keep God out of this because you don't know what he did behind closed doors.

[@loilt5091]

@@chakajohnson6464 😂

[@bobgarner44]

I'm really impressed as to how I was able to comprehend every utterance, as well as those of the great Satchmo

[@malcolmnash6023]

Satchmo. One of a kind, bringing joy to music. Bringing joy to life. I was young when he was old, but got to see him on TV, and he is missed. I have my CD's though, so he's still a companion. Be well everyone.

[@garyberger9257]

This video is an experience. Thank you for uploading. I've been listening to his music since I first heard it as a small child. I honestly never knew he was such a likeable person. Such a spellbinding storyteller with comic timing, and so enlightening.

[@katfishkobain8809]

Heard him playing from outside, in a club on Bourbon Street in the middle seventies. He stopped the outside foot traffic and there was a crowd listening.. Always

[@milosterwheeler2520]

I love Louis, always have. First time I saw him, I was surprised that he was only 5'2". Never knew giants came in the economy size. I wish I could hear the full interview.

[@Dominos-el7qr]

He was short, but not 5 feet 2. I think 5 7 or 8.

[@jeanneratterman4174]

5’6” according to google search

[@sundayoliver3147]

That's amazing! When you see him playing, on film, he looks like 7 feet tall, his presence is so big!

[@anonfornow359]

I just loved this. His love of life is so obvious. I really appreciated his wisdom. They dont mourn, celebrate.

[@dr.buzzvonjellar8862]

What a spirit! I love him. He taught me to love jazz

[@ozzie-sk9dh]

Misleading title. It’s a story Mr Armstrong tells. Dick Cavett doesn’t say anything racist.

[@donreid6399]

So many black performers from those days were deathly afraid of talking about racial issues on television for fear of losing business. It's nice to see that Louis was okay talking about it, and Dick was okay broadcasting it.

[@eparkhunter]

There’s something reassuring of his voice

[@RobertIandolo]

I guess this was the late ‘40s early ‘50s Louie lived in Corona Queens NY. MY Mom lived on the same block and told me how nice his wife was. She baked cookies for the kids and stuff. Good memories for my mom.

[@iffracem]

I knew he was a genius horn player and musician, but had no idea he had such a wonderful wit and humour. WOW, The esteem I have for him has increased in magnitude.

[@HotSauce-mn1mp]

Him being in the 1960s-70s referring to the 1880s as simply the 80s is wild to us but we are damn near in the 2030s still referring to the 1920s as simply the 20s is even more wilder

[@2kt2000]

Never heard him really speak....he was one cool cat. Even to todays standard. thanks for the history.