Louis Prima with Gia Maione and Sam Butera & The Witnesses "Oh Marie" on The Ed Sullivan Show

[@rosie3256]

Sam was a dear family friend. Louis is my great-grandfather, and Gia is my great-grandmother. All my life, “Miss Gia” (what we all called her) was endlessly kind, warm, and incredibly generous. She got along really well with Keely (Keely Smith), and they frequently wrote to one another, as well as to all the grandkids and great-grandkids. Thank you all so much for the lovely words, for continuing to enjoy Louis and Sam’s music.

[@harribo2005x]

Very nice to hear. I can see you learned from the best.

[@edwardhernandez9992]

Wow that’s amazing Oh Marie is one of my favorite songs they don’t make good music like this anymore 😮

[@ColinLeary]

so lucky that is awesome!

[@russs7574]

I remember when I started in band, back in the 60's. I played trumpet, and while the other trumpet players said they wanted to play like Louis Armstrong or Herb Alpert, I always had wanted to play like Louis Prima....my Dad played his records all the time.

[@harribo2005x]

@@russs7574 Wow!

[@russs7574]

Sam Butera was one of the underappreciated jazz greats of the 20th Century.

[@thisisyaren]

Lol probably the best , these guys ran it!

[@harrytomandl]

sam, es un gato increible!

[@picklesthewise]

Sam and Louie messing around on stage with each other was the best. Heck, everything about this is the best.

[@bzb500]

Louie Prima and his band were awesome. This is Italian style. Oh yeah! ❤💯🇮🇹

[@rhythmfield]

As a pro musician, I can tell you: these cats can really play. They make it look easy and the joy appears to be genuine, even though they played this music, literally thousands of nights. Great stuff, makes me wish I could transport myself back to this time and witness one of these shows.I’ve got friends who saw them live and said this band really cooked

[@EdKazO-Vision]

I once did an interview with Gia at her home in NJ and she brought out Louis’ “Dress Trumpet” which he played only in TV performances (the one in the clip!) and she let me hold it. A life highlight for sure.

[@laurencehoefler8711]

What a wonderful experience and memory to carry with you. I'd really appreciate the opportunity to get her autograph. The videos of her performing shows the great talent she has. She really fit in with Prima's group.

[@ParkvilleLuminary]

Very cool. I actually sang with Keely Smith and it was the highlight of my career. But I don’t hate on Gia. She was sweet.

[@Dev...]

I literally just got home from band practice and was thinking of breaking out a spare (probably better sounding) horn I have stored away for an upcoming gig! Wanted to hear some Louis, this came up, and i saw this comment! Everything for a reason! What a great memory for you! And thanks for the inspiration! 🎵🎺😎

[@smokingbianco85]

Can't tell how much I love them

[@Potatotenkopf]

So true

[@willminkorea2010]

Louis Prima was a master showman. As a young man he wrote "Sing, Sing, Sing", which is one of the best-known songs in the history of popular music.

[@willshaughnessy8515]

Was actually written Sing Bing sing For Bing Crosby

[@willshaughnessy8515]

@@krakinnuts876 I know that..

[@JoJoDrummers]

My dad was Jimmy Vincent, the drummer for Prima who performed Song, Sing, Sing

[@ferriday4ever35]

Yes sir! The great Louis Prima! Gone but never forgotten! Love and respect to you from Mexico!

[@E2kayH]

This was beautiful

[@carolannboyes8058]

They are the best

[@MartaLouWho]

When music was about music! ❤

[@zshakur]

They had SO much fun on stage! I LOVE IT!!

[@rjwh67220]

We watched Ed Sullivan every Sunday and I was exposed to so much great music. And, of course, Topo Gigio.

[@andrebarberis3244]

What a beautiful song and fun too Louis Prima a musical genius

[@laurencehoefler8711]

This is at the top of "The Best" list. What an exciting performance; a great time to be alive to be able to enjoy this anytime you want to.

[@nettie856]

One of the greats!

[@jakobkgl3275]

I apriaciate the fact that although Louis Prima was a "solo artist" he stayed with his band most of the time instead of contantly switching musicians. That shows that they realy had a good relationsship and didn't just play for the money

[@sammyrobbins6848]

Oh yeah, I mean in his songs you hear him constantly screaming “SAM!!!!” It’s Louie Prima and the Witness, he had a band and I think he loved giving them attention too. I don’t think ever ended up a sell out like Sinatra did and that means something to me. When I think Italian showman/Jazz I think Prima first

[@alexhenderson8356]

I love these guys. I've been watching everything posted about them for weeks. I learned Prima wrote the monster swing hit Sing Sing Sing made famous by Benny Goodman. These guys are part of or better yet, made American history. They were the hottest act in Vegas for years. Even Sinatra was envious. Prima's act is why Sinatra formed the Rat Pack, to compete with Prima in Vegas! It took several major stars joined together to compete with Prima. They were proud Italian Americans. Love Prima, Butera and Keely! Gina was nice too. God bless their souls!

[@robratchford2433]

Thank you for including the introduction by Ed! Also thank you for bringing this wonderful Louis Prima treasure forward! Sam Butera could really play that sax! Louis always had fun with his music. I remember seeing Louis and Keely Smith in Las Vegas years ago in a midnight lounge show! Thanks again for bringing this treasure out of the vaults!

[@grossac54]

excellent le duo 🎼🎼😍😍

[@kingdoc3262]

This man seems to have a theme of great joy on the stage for himself and each of his performers. He sang well. Educated others to appreciate different languages at a time of English only ignorance intolerance. He featured the talent of others and danced harder to their music. I am 62 and not aware I knew him then but I sense my mother or foster parents knew and enjoyed him. Now I enjoy them. Seems like family man.

[@TeachinTV]

This was like...the third incarnation of The Witnesses, of course with Sam Butera being the constant. Lou Sino was a real character, a great player, singer and dancer.

[@rockindaddy6535]

WOW...... !! 💖 Fantastic song !! Rock n Roll will never die....

[@bobdillaber1195]

Sam plays like Louie sings. Louie sings like Sam plays. Over the top exciting performance! Love them both!

[@attiliofiordirosa2977]

To All The MARIE'S IN THE World 🌎 God Bless You ALL ❤️.

[@germanico4401]

Escucho la voz de Louis prima...y regreso a mi niñez.por allá por los 60....Rip. Lois prima Sam Buttera....👍👍🌹🌹

[@ianwilkinson2731]

One word Awesome 👍

[@DrDWHot]

love it

[@Bruv234]

Now that’s entertainment!

[@josephdugan4797]

Louis Prima was great!

[@jimrich4192]

Sam was THE MAN!!!❤❤❤

[@klauhshenry1993]

Um espetáculo de carismas e talentos. Como se divertiam. Obrigado. Tks.👉👍👈

[@TomElvisSmith]

An excerpt from Prima's last appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. I never knew that he featured another female singer after Keely Smith! Louis was always a lot of fun!

[@EdKazO-Vision]

Gia Maione was Louis’ wife after Keely and remained with him until his passing.

[@umajunkcollector]

Keely was irreplaceable, and Louie knew it more than anybody.

[@bichosolto101]

Wonderful band

[@jalarcon1061]

Maraviglioso

[@benson8916]

Wonderfull !!!!

[@romicatutu5092]

The best..best..best...!

[@mizar6250]

Che grandi che sono !! Mamma mia !!

[@toeantjemani]

legend

[@erikaperelli7555]

I'm an italian girl and i love Louis Prima! If you want I can traslate what he said in the italian part😁 Edit: Italian part, sicilian dialect: Oh Marie Quantu sonnu (How much sleep Aggio perso per te (I've lost for you Famme addurmì (Let me sleep Famme addurmì (Let me sleep Una notte, una notte (One night, one night Una notte, una notte abbracciato con te (One night, One night hugged with you Una notte abbracciato con te, abbracciato (One night hugged with you, hugged with you Una notte, una notte abbracciato con te (One night hugged with you What's the matter Sam? etc Oh Marie, oh Marie, Quantu sonnu (How much sleep Aggio perso per te (I've lost for you Ha ha ha ha Famme addurmì (Let me sleeeeeeep

[@sonalyiglesias9883]

Yeah, can you translate plis ?

[@OttoByOgraffey]

Yes please!

[@erikaperelli7555]

@@sonalyiglesias9883 done!

[@erikaperelli7555]

@@OttoByOgraffey done!

[@OttoByOgraffey]

@@erikaperelli7555 😉

[@juanmonge7418]

Gia- from New Jersey.

[@zurabmaghlakelidze653]

best

[@dce040186]

I don’t know if that’s Sam’s real laugh or if that was a fake laugh but it was hilarious. Contagious laugh that makes you laugh just hearing it.

[@JoeCracco]

Louis Prima, the man that made Sinatra so jealous he went out and formed The Rat Pack! Only thing missing from this for me is Keely! I’d invest almost everything to bring this entertainment back and be part of it…

[@umajunkcollector]

...and the RAT PACK sucked, only Sammy and Dino were great. . Louigie was far above the rats.

[@JoeCracco]

@@umajunkcollector it was different, but they ran Vegas and everywhere they went after that.

[@franklyterrence4860]

These Cats had FUN!

[@Swayzeo]

😮

[@bubbaschwartz]

Prima was over 50 years old with his 19 year old wife Gia.

[@rinobisesto3705]

Anyway, it's not italian, it's napolitan dialect: Oi Mari' quanta suonno aggio perso pe tte Famm'addurmi' tutt'a notte abbracciato cu tte

[@taylorgeorge6169]

They packed all of that into 2 minutes.....

[@angelajohnson9542]

😄 🙌 ,❤,🌷,❤,🌷,❤,🌷,❤,🌷,❤

[@danielabdelnour8232]

SAMMY

[@md1960md]

Back when the goal was entertainment, not rating/money/clicks.

[@eNigma011]

That's what caused Keely to divorce him in 1961, his "high energy" lifestyle. Keeley was more calm and reserved. They were like fire and water. Your great grand mother must have loved him very much to be able to tolerate his antics. It doesn't seem like there was any animosity between the three of them just Louie's energy tended to 'burn out' Keely.

[@CriticalListener]

Am sure Gia Maione was nice, but I missed seeing Keely Smith with them.

[@jimmyrants4342]

Gia was wonderful, and super talented. A different singer than Kelly for sure. Gia was a great friend of mine, and I miss her dearly.

[@madogblue]

Before or after Keeley?

[@laurencehoefler8711]

After

[@manfredilamarca8697]

More after

[@vincenzorussotraetto6800]

Il *Belìce* è un fiume siciliano che ebbe ai greci il nome di un Dio, *Ὕψας **_pronuncia (Húpsās)*, dagli arabi, durante la dominazione saracena, il nome di *al-Qārib _(il vicino)_* e dagli *Arbëreshë di Sicilia* il nome di *Honi* perché nasce nella *Piana degli albanesi* e dagli *italiani* una pronuncia sbagliata di cui il Dio del fiume se ne amareggiò. Durante il terremoto della valle del Belìce del 1968 _(370 morti di cui 10 soccorritori, 1.000 feriti e 90.000 sfollati)_ i giornalisti della RAI commisero un arbitrio: *_spostarono la cadenza dalla seconda sillaba alla prima per cui il Belìce divenne il Bèlice._* *E questo fosse niente.* In questa valle vi è *Salaparuta, il luogo più importante nella storia del Jazz. Se Salaparuta non fosse esistita, mai esistita, se i *salitani* non avessero mai fatto parte del genere umano non avremmo avuto *Nick La Rocca* nato a New Orleans (figlio di Girolamo di di Salaparuta e Vita De Nina) che nel 1918 sostituì la parola jass in jazz nel nome della sua formazione, che divenne così il primo a farsi riconoscere con il nome jazz: *Original Dixieland Jazz Band*. La Rocca, da molti, è considerato un pioniere del jazz classico, uno dei primi interpreti in assoluto. La sua arte influenzò tutto quello che venne dopo. *E questo fosse niente.* Non avremmo avuto *Louis Prima*, nato a New Orleans, ma nipote di Luigi Di Prima emigrato da Salaparuta nella seconda metà dell’Ottocento. Louis Prima era molto orgoglioso delle sue origini, e ad ogni esibizione non mancava di far sapere al pubblico che era italo-americano e di New Orleans. Nel suo modo di cantare e di suonare erano evidenti molte influenze dell’Italia Meridionale: la teatralità dei gesti della sceneggiata o dell’opera dei pupi, l’arte scenica e le feste popolari del sud. Iniziava i concerti sempre con: *_“My name is Louis Prima, I'm from New Orleans e song’Italiano”_* Dal pubblico rispondeva sempre uno - non si sa se era lo stesso di sempre a New Yor, a Los Angeles, a Miami - *_“Uè, paisà”_* Lui scoppiava a ridere e iniziava con *Keely Smith* o con *Sam Butera* al sax un duetto, una macchietta. *E a volte per una pronuncia sbagliata noi roviniamo tutto: Belìce, Belìce non Bèlice.*

[@mohammedcohen]

...kinda dangerous - all those guys in the band were witnesses???

[@antoninarivituso8594]

the italian could be pronounced better lol looks like their joking around

[@cbalducc]

They were born in the United States.

[@vincenzovolpe5570]

La canzone é napoletana,

[@larrylarry1]

Not the same without Keely.

[@ParkvilleLuminary]

Drastic. Zero authentic energy. Keely was the key.

[@badmamjamma]

Wow, Sam had some great singing pipes too!!

[@billmitch920]

(from Bolivia) it's 2024 - this music never dies

[@PinballLunatic]

Great show!!

[@jameelahbutera381]

My uncle Sam is truly the best

[@tonyducks1121]

Definitely 👍✌️

[@rogeralsop3479]

Wonderful!

[@markluera4347]

If that doesn’t get you going... It’s too late you’re dead

[@williamgallucci9913]

Well said my friend haha

[@sillyguy459]

1:03 UNO NOTO‼️‼️‼️ WHAT THE MATTER SAM⁉️⁉️

[@tenorbanjo4]

Satchmo had and still has an army of imitators who were also technically very accurate and good but, in my opinion, Louis Prima is the only one who managed to present not only the technique but also the musical spirit of Louis Armstrong.

[@LUCKYDUCKIES]

Spectacularis est musicus Ludovicus Primae.

[@Drew_D]

Sam was a great saxophonist and singer. I'm neither, but I try.

[@orosei58]

grandi italoamericani

[@jackcarter-to5gx]

why is sam actually kind of a good singer? He sounds really good let me prove it 1:14 and also he has it for a bit 1:30 here

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

Gia must have been ecstatic over that introduction ... NOT!

[@hundestall]

das beste vom besten das war eine zeit wunderbar

[@THOMAS1945STO]

Wow What a fantastic show !!!!!

[@scottboelke4391]

What was the chick there for?

[@Brace67]

Where is Keely Smith?

[@denabergman6543]

It’s that much fun. ❤

[@曾美鈴-p8g]

求歌名😅

[@jeanmariebasset2544]

Trop bon,trop court

[@محمدالبلوشي-د9ذ4غ]

😅😅،١٦/١٢/٢٠٢٣

[@jasmin-elizabethblakeney4169]

I met Mr. Sam Butera back in 1996 when he was playing at the Showboat Casino in Las Vegas, NV. I was an 18yr old kid who immediately fell in love with both the man & his music. I wasn't technically old enough to be in the casino at the time, not being 21yrs old yet, and Mr. Butera must have guessed it. He had noticed me watching his performances from behind the escalator eaves (before security would run me off, which I'm sure he also saw) for over a week straight, and one night on band break, he approached me. He asked me why I kept sneaking into the casino and show area, knowing that security was just gonna keep running me off? I answered him honestly, saying, "I really like how you play the saxophone. My Dad was a saxophone player too, before he passed away, and it reminds me of him when I hear you play, Sir." After that night, Mr. Butera would have a special security guard keep an eye out for me to show up, and when I did, that security guard would personally walk me right up to the front of the stage, and set me down where Mr. Butera had placed a small table & chair with a placard on it stating "Special VIP Seating", and if anyone questioned about me being there, he would simply tell them "She's with the band", then he'd wink & smile at me. He was a class act through & through, and they don't make them like him anymore! LOVE YOU FOREVER MR. BUTERA!! 💯💖🎷🎵🎶🙏

[@rehobothwell]

Fun.

[@Plants28]

I wouldn't have known who this guy is without the jungle book. Thank you disney. Then i did deep dives and love this kind of music now.

[@opdawg817]

These Boys could jam!

[@petertaylor3600]

Looking likje your suburban greengrocer. "Whasamatter you, eh?" Oh, I'd forgotten Louis. God blessim!

[@petertaylor3600]

PS: Are the words 'A great little star', ever so sloightly patronising? But when you're coming up you have to take it.

[@J0hnny8ravo]

Some of the greatest entertainers ever!

[@normabreazile5500]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏

[@jillfriendship1054]

Sensational . Many thanks'

[@jacopodipietro1406]

Oh Marie famme dormì, famme dormì

[@MrBubyV]

Entertainer Extraordinaire 🎺

[@carolannboyes8058]

I love them. I

[@Wixom2200]

This is a partyyyyy!

[@robfullone1071]

Anyone know the date of this broadcast?

[@MostlyBrenda]

in description

[@alansmithee7730]

As the description says, it aired on 28 October 1962.

[@larrybaker9924]

Louis should have gotten rid of the cheap rug on his head.