Louis Prima, Keely Smith, Sam Butera & The Witnesses "Just A Gigolo & I Ain't Got Nobody"

Louis Prima, Keely Smith, Sam Butera & The Witnesses "Just A Gigolo & I Ain't Got Nobody" on The Ed Sullivan Show, May 17, 1959. Subscribe now to never miss an update: ume.lnk.to/EdS...
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The Ed Sullivan Show was a television variety program that aired on CBS from 1948-1971. For 23 years it aired every Sunday night and played host to the world's greatest talents. The Ed Sullivan Show is well known for bringing rock n' roll music to the forefront of American culture through acts like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. The entertainers each week ranged from comedians like Joan Rivers and Rodney Dangerfield, to Broadway stars Julie Andrews and Richard Burton, to pop singers such as Bobby Darin and Petula Clark. It also frequently featured stars of Motown such as The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and The Jackson 5. The Ed Sullivan Show was one of the only places on American television where such a wide variety of popular culture was showcased and its legacy lives on to this day.
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#LouisPrima #KeelySmith #EdSullivan #EdSullivanShow

[@zovalentine7305]

RIP Keely Smith 🙏 9 March 1928 ~ 16 December 2017⚘

[@miltoncallan1471]

No one could ever replace her.

[@1968Olympica]

I heard her in concert only a year before she passed. WOW!zah, her voice was still pristine + totally amazing!

[@kevinw9073]

Now that is GOOD music! Louis Prima rocks!

[@thorsden5562]

I am a fan of classic rock, jazz, and country. Now I am a fan of Louis Prima and the rest of this band! What a gas!!!

[@JoeyJustJoking.]

Yes sir just a troubadour

[@anthonypirozzi837]

We knew him as Luigi

[@philipcanevari7223]

Yes, yes, and yes to your musical tastes. Louis and Keely - a genre by themselves - a wonderful one.

[@drg3712]

Can’t believe someone thought this was lip sync!? I guess people today are just blown away by the actual talent that used to exist pre 90s. And Keely Smith…. My God.

[@michelmarigny6221]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@nealbradleigh5069]

Hey, that's MY MOTHER'S TWIN you're talking about, bub! It was scary how much my mother's none dtructure and complexion (well, they did share ethnic bloodlines) favored Miss Smith. Audiences expected TALENT at one time, not empty pyrotechnics. Even the NAIROBI TRIO affected some artistic talent.

[@hole62]

I can’t believe my dad was 14 and my mom was 4 when this aired… 🤷‍♂️😆

[@williamoneill9573]

Have to remark on those, what pair 😮

[@matthewfritz7835]

Incredible stuff. 👍👍👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@Rick-mx5kh]

You absolutely can't listen to Louis Prima and his group and NOT smile.

[@27kjh]

and move. Just wonderful.

[@bobtaylor170]

Keely Smith's little dance with the ridiculous face may be the best performing moment I've ever seen. I'm so grateful to this channel for uploading this video.

[@davidhallett8783]

Love it keely louis and sam

[@allensacharov5424]

what a great rack!!!!

[@wallshootout5616]

Louis Prima was the most exciting Entertainer of all times!!

[@miltoncallan1471]

I was in love with Keely Smith as a young boy. And her deadpan act still gets my gears going. What a great act!

[@jeffreybarkin3177]

S-S-S-h-h-h ! ! ! YOU'RE Gonna Upset Your GREAT GREAT GRAN-KIDS! SERIOUSLY! 😂 ❤ 😅

[@arch_nadith]

yo tambien , tengo 39 años y soy de argentina

[@giuliofochi4110]

que par de lola mamita mia diriamos en argentina...

[@iVenge]

She had to stand relatively still, otherwise her performance would have been indecent by the standards back then.

[@iamfelixthecat7233]

Sonny and Cher made great work of that routine in their 70s TV show. But Louis and Keely originated it!

[@chrisshenzo2594]

A true testament to Italo-American musical genius! And Keely was the earthbound incarnation of an Angel!

[@leealtman]

as wild and fun as the act is, the musicianship is top level. both the sax & trombone solos are legendary and the vocal harmonies are as sweet as they come. Louis Prima deserves a bit more respect for his music IMO. ;)

[@davidhallett8783]

You are correct sir

[@MostlyPennyCat]

We wanna perform this.

[@sideshowbob]

Too bad it's utterly & totally lip synched. Considering tech at the time, prolly had to be.

[@MostlyPennyCat]

@@sideshowbob I don't know you know, the end is ad-libbed.

[@sideshowbob]

@@MostlyPennyCat How the heck are the brass instruments & the backup vocals mic-ed? Way too clear for it to be live, there'd be a ton of echo / "reverb" given the distance to the only mic visible, the main singer's mic. Nowadays live mic-ing this situation could be pulled off, with the miniaturization of mic tech having come a long way, but not in those days. You couldn't, for instance, plant a tiny omni mic in the bells of each sax/trumpet, or on the lapels of all the backup singers. I don't know, I am Flummoxed now. I'd hafta listen to the original studio recording. That doesn't mean they didn't "live rehearse" a lip synched version that was different in the studio earlier in the day or something like that. I just can't believe this is live performance based on the sound & the tech available. I used to do sound for bands on an amateur level in the 80's/90's so I know enuff to be Dangerous lol.

[@synthdude]

You can clearly see how the Disney animators copied Louis' stage persona for that classic Jungle Book scene featuring "King Louis". But that was back when Disney recognized real talent and knew how to use it so creatively. Thanks for posting ❤

[@davidsigalow7349]

After they pitched Prima the song, he supposedly said, "So you wanna make a monkey outta me?"

[@plinthley]

The old guard animators did pretty good until they tried to parody The Beatles as a barbershop-singing quartet of vultures. Showed themselves clueless about youth culture.

[@davidsigalow7349]

​@@plinthley It was like watching a Bob Hope -in-a- Beatles-wig special. Cringe.

[@bobtaylor170]

Absolutely wonderful. And Keely Smith was hilarious.

[@RainDog0680]

The Witnesses in this performance: Sam Butera, saxophone Lou Scioneaux, trombone Bobby Roberts, guitar Rolly DiIorio, bass Bobby Morris, drums John Nagy, piano.

[@AxleTrade]

Keely stole the show. She was pretty hilarious.

[@raycope2086]

No matter how low you feel, or no matter how dark your day gets, these guys will blow it all away. Thanks for all the joy you STILL give us.

[@johnnytoobad7785]

I bet there were a few "Goodfellas" in the audience that night..

[@irafinkelstein423]

You mean dagos???

[@mikeyates7931]

You're not wrong ; we were there

[@mikeyates7931]

​@@irafinkelstein423watch your mouth ! ! !

[@LCSVAGS]

Can someone give me context of the comment?

[@humanity6fl9]

⁠@@LCSVAGShe believes some members of the syndicate(là mano nera) were present that night.

[@bryonbushong7850]

This has become one of my favorite videos. You can tell they're all having fun, and the performance is great. And Keely is just the best. So dry and subversive. Just the best.

[@rty1955]

I worked with him back on the 70s. He held the elevator for me and it was just the two of us. Gave us the opportunity to chat for a bit. I told him i waa going to record him and he said "make me look good kid" i said "no worries Mel, you always look great!" On break i walked into the studio and said to him "how did I do?" He said "ya did good kid" and he smiled

[@snakefinger]

I sure wish someone like this played at the last Super Bowl. Sigh

[@thecolorfulpencil5845]

Respect to Louis Prima and his incredible band. Keely Smith and Sam Buter were an act of their own. Nobody could step to them.

[@mojavequinzel]

Seems like the girl and Luis Prima were having fun with coke

[@lucasocanto58]

@@mojavequinzel so what? that's great you should try !

[@matthewfritz7835]

Incredible stuff!! 👍👍👍👍

[@potdog1000]

Keely Smiths look if indifference is priceless

[@paulrobertz8491]

I thought she held the sax and trombone solos in disdain

[@tw364]

That was part of the act, try to follow.

[@mrinvader]

Keely was the straight man to Louis's clown/crazyman

[@NelsonStJames]

@@mrinvader Yep, a guy as exuberant as Louis needed a straight man to play off of.

[@JohnHenryNhammer]

What was wrong with that chick? Kelly Smith kinda dominated the scene! 😂

[@bobtaylor170]

Every time I watch this, I'm more taken with the flawlessness of Keely Smith as an actor. She was a born star, and knew how to perform those moves perfectly.

[@donaldharrill6265]

Yes. Kelly was great. Louis wouldn't have gotten as far without her addition. They were all top notch .... performer's

[@danwroy]

​@@donaldharrill6265He would have been fine but she's a perfect compliment

[@johndodge8999]

As a teenager she was a big fan of is, and an accidental incident at one of his concert gave her the opportunity to become his next partner.

[@bricaaron3978]

*"...with the flawlessness of Keely Smith as an actor"* _Actress,_ sir.

[@bobtaylor170]

@@bricaaron3978 ah, you, like me, are an old fashioned person. I delight in saying "actress," but I had a moment's succumbing to the crummy spirit of the age.

[@nanettenn9734]

Great show ,brings back memories of days gone by .My dad loved to watch Louie Prima and all those singers and band leaders.He had all their Albums to I remember my Dad singing along with them and dancing with my mother.I was just a kid,nothing like the good old days.

[@horseyhorselips3501]

I remember my Mom & Dad would steal the dance floor at wedding receptions back in the day. They are Both Dancing among the Angels 👼 in Heaven these day’s

[@nanettenn9734]

My Parents also are dancing to beat the band up there Michael.Hope their all having a grand old time.

[@wanaraz]

My Dad also had all the albums. He loved Louis and Keely and the band. Every time they went to Vegas they would see them.

[@honda197056]

I am truly blown away by this performance. I now have a new respect Louie and Keely and the band as well. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@fredrictengstrom9522]

Perfect syn just like me she is there i just missed her märkligt❤

[@righty-o3585]

He was also the voice of King Louis in the Jungle Book 🤘

[@gordonswatson2394]

she's priceless !!

[@jzzr345]

I've watched this video quite a few times I watched it today and just noticed how the drummer really rocked this song .

[@richiemarasco57]

30 years of watching this and it still makes me smile from ear to ear, can still hear my grandfather singing this ❤️

[@nealbradleigh5069]

We kids used to follow my late mother's lead on this, attempting to imitate the stage presentation! Priceless!

[@luishumbertovega3900]

I'm smiling while hearing this, 😁 Louie and his musicians are great, love Keely, what a beautiful voice !!!

[@DairyAirGunners]

One of kind.

[@jefferyrightmire9520]

LIFE WAS GREAT !!! These are performers, on top of anything now.

[@lubormrazek5545]

50s/60s Las Vegas is a place I'd kill to spend a week in, just because of the music 😍😍

[@sueraymo3239]

Totally agree! I remember my dad saying he used to go see Louie Prima and his band at the Sahara club in Las Vegas back in the 1950s and his music would "bring down the house"

[@martinslagle3061]

Keely just standing there whle Louis bops is fantastic.

[@eddiet2]

He's was one remarkable entertainer. His wife, Keely was perfect with her dead-pan act.

[@EnquiringMensch]

My parents brought me to a Louis Prima concert in the mid 70's when I was a teenager. I didn't really get the schtick but when the band got swinging it was a revelation. A few years ago I bought my teenage daughter a Prima CD and it became one of her favorites.

[@patriciaadams-rl4iz]

Ed sullivan, had the greatest show in the world. You won't ever seen entertainment like Ed had.

[@WildBillCox13]

Iconic work. This is what a consumate entertainer is like. If you're any good, you don't need dancers, writers, producers, or LASER light shows. David Lee Roth paid this performance an homage in his remake, but did not approach Louis' excellence . . . because he needed vignette writers, satirists, multiple takes, studio musicians, light shows, and dozens of dancers and costumes to make his stab. Louis and his band obviated the need for all that flummery.

[@Evan-tp9lr]

Fire song

[@jmhproductions7335]

I was born in 1980, I was a little late to the party, but this stuff is why I cannot dance with modern women.. who has this much swag these days? “No body”

[@roadtrip2943]

This lounge act played in Las Vegas for the price of a few drinks. Louis was a tiptop dixieland horn player and keeley lives on in great recorded tunes.

[@coinneachmaclellan3121]

Louis Prima wrote the song, "Sing, Sing, Sing", that Benny Goodman turned into a swing jazz classic at the famous 1938 Carnegie Hall concert.

[@Paul-yc1gc]

Unbelievable great music and performers

[@Doctor_Clump]

I consider this one of the first true music videos. It wasn't just a musical performance, they made a full act and put it to film.

[@russs7574]

I don't think it was shot as a music video. This was from one of their appearances on the old Ed Sullivan Show. I am going to guess that before this was posted as a YT video, it was included in one of those "best of" DVD sets you see advertised late at night. (Might have 10 or 12 discs in the set...maybe more) Johnny Carson's estate has marketed a "Best of the Tonight Show" DVD set, too.

[@Doctor_Clump]

@@russs7574 that's.. why I said "I consider this" not "this is"

[@louisbadillo2734]

I would like Director Martin socreses do the story of jazz musician Louis Prima and Keely smith . And of cause Sam and the witness band . HBO Thank You .

[@zovalentine7305]

RIP Louis Prima 🙏 7 July 1910 ~ 24 August 1978⚘

[@cynthiamartinez2106]

I wish I would've had the opportunity to witness him live. Being 51, I know for a doubt I would've been his biggest fan, more than I am today. Thank you Louis for making me smile every time I hear you sing.

[@sandramalone3522]

They were all fantastic musicians. Keely Smiths voice was amazing.

[@AngelGarciaCidoncha]

Que barbaridad de bueno

[@TheBaylor22]

Terrific. Never gets old!!

[@jesseoliver4397]

They were the Wildest act in Las Vegas! 🎺🎷🥁🎲🎲🍸

[@recordguy4321]

along with the Treniers

[@ronaldsmith531]

At the Sahara

[@spacemissing]

Louis Prima tended to stretch things almost to the breaking point, sometimes Really Too Close, but he was still great. Keely Smith (real name Dorothy Keely) was a super songstress and deserves more attention than she ever got.

[@scruffyleon7383]

One of the best entertainers ever! You can't take your eyes off the group. It makes me happy every time I see them.

[@marshabonforte6963]

Keely Smith was amazing.

[@mrbillhicks]

Keely Smith freakin rocks

[@darylrepokis8191]

These cats could jam nothing fake here

[@bforreal7689]

❤️

[@figmo397]

The whole act was a hoot. Keely Smith was amazing. There's one point where she turns her back because she's starting to crack up! LOVE this!

[@ReformedGoldBug]

Wiping her nose after rubbing Louis's is hilarious. I wonder if her rubbing his face was improvised?

[@TomElvisSmith]

Very entertaining performance! These two songs might be the most associated with Louis Prima today even though, as far as I know, this medley was never released as a single, and therefore, was never a chart hit. Many people don't realize that "Just a Gigolo" and "I Ain't Got Nobody" are two different songs since they are most familiar with Prima's combined version. David Lee Roth, inspired by Louis, also combined the songs and had a big hit with the medley in the 1980's. There was a revival of interest in Louis in the '90's or early 2000's.

[@michaeltuz608]

WNEW Radio out of New York City used to play this medley back in the seventies and eighties, but I don't know what their source was. What a _great_ station that was!

[@recordguy4321]

David lee Roth couldn't shine Prima's shoes!

[@alansmithee7730]

@@recordguy4321 He did, however, copyright Sam Butera's arrangement, preventing him from making any royalty money. Years later, when Sam met David, he simply asked him "where's my money?" and David walked off!

[@genefogarty5395]

@@alansmithee7730 Sounds like Sam didn't have a great business manager, that's not Dave's fault.

[@chaos.corner]

There's a Village People version out there too.

[@happyshopper1806]

Wow

[@michaelfoort2592]

The thing is that they were ROCKIN!

[@svjim1]

The orangutan in Disney's Jungle Book.

[@bangoash]

King Louie

[@GuppyCzar]

Masterful performance!

[@xi6493]

❤❤❤

[@gamerboiche8189]

1:23 this part was amazing like the rest of the song

[@corinnepmorrison1854]

“I Got It Bad...and that ain’t good...” I was too young to see them in Vegas...but my parents would drive from So Cal to see their show... I listened to their albums...for hours...and that is how I became a fan!! ❤️

[@alansmithee7730]

"I got it good and it ain't bad!!"

[@markratte]

David Lee Roth, EAT YOUR HEART OUT !!! (even though his version was a GREAT TRIBUTE !)

[@sharoninglima1217]

Love them…Louie is amazing. I saw Keely Smith and Sam Butera in LV and they were so great! ❤❤

[@KingOFuh]

When Keely brings her milkshake to the yard She's like, "It's better than yours Damn right, it's better than yours I can teach you, but I have to charge"

[@robsmith6087]

He's probably got a '59 Les Paul !

[@Zinovy-x6g]

Великолепно! Аж дух захватывает. Вот это были люди с голосом умом и песней!

[@SZPILTTMAN]

Fuck I love Louis prima

[@liamryan6546]

These guys knew how to have a swell time, King Louis, no one, no one like , no on like you

[@othercarib]

I think Louis Prima had way more talent and soul than Frankie and Dean Martin. Different styles I suppose. I hear the roots of rock'n'roll in some of this swing.

[@edwinkirkland8856]

Keeley,till the end flawless..rip queen

[@that70sgirl90]

They are Wild... that's for sure ! Thank you for sharing! 💖

[@hectorrdz11]

Charro, no hables ni grites de más, ¿será que "chafeas" tu conducción?

[@kendavis5853]

He was a Vegas show regular. And he also sings the I Want to be Like You from the original Disney jungle book.

[@mbogucci1]

He was the voice of King Louie

[@martinferrer6601]

Why Scorsese has naver made his Biopic?

[@manfredilamarca8697]

because he is a big fan of louie and keely

[@Nccasmexth]

it always warms my heart when he just spits gibberish. only this guy will litterally spit minecraft enchantment table and just go "I KNEW ID GET YOU I KNEW I GET YOU HAHA"

[@jackwsanta1793]

sonny & cher were influenced by K&L...gotta love it.

[@billschiff2528]

Louis and Keely were so good. Their recordings were much better than their television appearances - I thought - because Louis seemed to get a little crazy around a live mic.

[@recordguy4321]

and thats why they were the best act in Vegas and why the Rat Pack and anyone who was anyone always caught their show. Even after keely left and Gia Maione came aboard they were unbeatable!

[@ap5088]

Yeah, it's funny to see Louis let it all out and dance around while Keely acts like a statue.

[@ShawnPatrickOHare]

I really enjoyed Keeley's facial expressions during the song.. she seemed like she as either bored or simply putting up with Louis nonsense... 😊

[@harrygleed423]

I can describe this in one word ‘CLASS’

[@kenvarnold3659]

used to love Louie Prima and Keely Smith...she was so funny in the background...laughed even when I was a kid...

[@ridemfast7625]

Luis was active on and off stage - married 5 times. hahaha

[@craiglachman1379]

Keely didn’t do too badly in that department! A who’s who of who was.

[@MomIrregardless]

stupid YT your as bad as years ago when we had to hold a mike up to the radio to get our favorite songs recorded, and the durn disc jockey spoke over the end of the song!! here we are, watching these treasured clips, and YT has to put the pop ups over the ends of the songs!!!! geeze!!!

[@bzb500]

Louis Prima was a classic performer. I have that song on my work out list. It still rocks!

[@mikena55]

Folks don’t have no fun like that no more …

[@drummmmerfish]

why this band is not in the rock in roll hall of fame is beyond me.

[@Richard-wp6ep]

🤔umm cause it's not rock-'n'-roll?

[@drummmmerfish]

@@Richard-wp6ep sam cooke, nat king cole, the everly brothers, simon & garfunkel, johnny cash, dusty springfield and ricky nelson are all inducted. just like louis prima, all laid the foundation for r n' r.

[@mohavoc7154]

bro NWA is in the rock n roll hof so i dont think its only about rock at this point@@Richard-wp6ep

[@petermastronardi6641]

Since when did Emerald Lagassi start playing the Saxophone.

[@aaroncharpentier6130]

I just got done with the Dave leerth for 1985 and I am so happy that I can see the 2 signers do that song AT same time I am so proud of them. I'm at a loss for words so on that note 🎶🎵 I will have to say, THANKS AGAIN FOR LETTING ME TEXT TO U ALL AND HOPE YOUR HAVEING A GREAT MORNING SO FAR. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. GOOD DAY

[@orosei58]

grande sam butera.

[@robertgodinez9132]

You can see where David Lee Roth got his act from. I always enjoyed Dave TV.

[@Bear_58]

What an amazing performance! Talent, real talent! David Lee Roth can learn a lesson from this 😂 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@FrankStein1]

I have loved this song for so long. As a kid i used to sing it and my mom loved it. She liked this version from MrPrima and she liked the updated version from the 80's made by David Lee Roth.

[@wanaraz]

Oh MY God! My Mom and Dad never missed a show when they went to Vegas which was often but I must say my Dad loved him and Kelly the MOST!!! They had the magic.

[@Richard-wp6ep]

The pointy bra stole the show for me😳😛 ayycarrammba

[@davidporco3779]

I love listening to Louis Prima and others like this. First, you really don't see talent like this anymore (no doubt there are talented musicians out there...but it's just not as common). Second, this brings back SO MUCH memories. My grandparents had a lot of this music on 8 tracks (some may not know what that is), as well as some "Live" Jonny Carson shows, and I would just sit there and listen to them all day. Ah...the good ole days!

[@juiceIb]

never seen this live version. he's so cooooooold w it!