THE ASSOCIATION (1967) - The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour #1

May 28 1967 (broadcast date), recorded two days previously (May 26th).
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour’. CBS TV Show. The band perform "The Machine", "Along Comes Mary', "Windy" and participate in a sketch with the hosts, mocking themselves.

[@CStack2Ci]

RIP Tommy Smothers!! Thanks for bringing us such great entertainment!!

[@jesussaves7973]

Oh. I remember them !!74 yr old woman here😊

[@laurelherold1956]

I saw The Association in concert at UC Irvine in the late 60s when my brother was a student there. The ticket price was $1.00!

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

We alternated sets with the Association at Chicagofest summer of 1983 and shared a rehearsal trailer with them. (We played an hour; they played an hour; we played another hour; they played another hour.) I asked if they were going to perform my favorite, “Time for Living”, and Terry Kirkman said they didn’t even remember how it goes. They had an attractive young groupie named Thomasina (as in the Disney movie) hanging about whom they were ignoring. Then she made a play for our drummer who also ignored her (his wife was present), so as a last resort she spoke to me. I determined that she had never heard of the Disney movie. Back in the day it was rumored that “Along Comes Mary” was about marijuana. Just before they went on, they lit up a joint and offered me a toke (I declined). Then they opened with “Along Comes Mary”.

[@LarryNeie-lj7zc]

I'm 73 and this is my favorite song from the Association. Jazzy pop and later on some spacy experimental rock. Still cool!

[@jamesgordon8867]

Glad I grew up then

[@RobMacKendrick]

My God, was there ever a more 60s-sounding group than this? And they're really performing; no lip-sync'ing. And what a great show. We never missed the Smothers Brothers in my house. The original appointment television.

[@EPA18]

There were MANY more 60s-sounding groups in this one. If you can say such a thing, you did not live through the 60s!

[@RobMacKendrick]

@@EPA18 Cool your jets, son.

[@motorlibro]

they don't seem to be plugged -in, there is no keyboard player etc.

[@RobMacKendrick]

@@motorlibro Typical for the era. They're singing, but much -- maybe all -- of the instrumental is pre-recorded. (On Bandstand the whole thing was lip-synched.)

[@kenshiloh]

Hi. No, they are indeed lip-syncing - at least the instruments were pre-recorded. Check out the drums at 1:35. You hear a drum roll, but the drummer's stick is on the hi-hat.

[@bobkeenan2907]

"Never My Love" is in my top 10. I sing it (poorly) to my wife when she's down and it always makes her smile

[@ibberman]

Lucky wife.

[@bobkeenan2907]

@@ibberman I'm the lucky one.

[@ibberman]

@@bobkeenan2907 👍👍

[@stevenfilley7631]

Nice

[@ray_ray_7112]

came here to watch some of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in lieu of the passing of Tom Smothers, but The Association just took over this episode. I have always been blown away by their talent, and their harmonies. I never realized that Cherish was released before Windy. Windy seems like more of a 1964ish song while Cherish seems more fitting for 1967. Either way, I cherish both songs equally. R.I.P. Tom.

[@jabberyt]

The Association was much better at music than comedy. 😊 And Dicky Smothers looked much more like Tommy when his hair was short. And RIP Tommy Smothers.

[@ray_ray_7112]

@@jabberyt Yeah, and the band member with the mustache and glasses looked more like HG Wells than a musician, nevertheless, very talented.

[@WOV49]

God I loved this group. Graduated high school in 1967 and danced many dances to their music. My girlfriend at the time was Mary.

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

Oh, yes, I remember her well.

[@briseboy]

"All the gassed & flaccid kids" c'est tout.

[@anthonykimball7463]

One of the absolute greatest American bands of the 1960s. This performance was taped & broadcast only a few weeks before the group had the honor of opening the legendary monterey pop festival.

[@jamesbrice6619]

Used to listen to their greatest hits over and over back in 1969 and 70.

[@EPA18]

If you can say that, I question whether you lived through the 60s. This was the type of group your mother listened to.

[@anthonykimball7463]

@@EPA18 I was born in the latter part of the 1960's and was only 3 when the decade ended, so technically I did indeed live through a small portion of the era but obviously was quite unaware of the music of the time. I realize a lot of people, especially during the 60s, considered (and maybe STILL consider) the group to be hopelessly square, unhip, way too commercial, etcetera...but I stand by my earlier statement. This band produced some of the greatest music of the decade in their prime period (66 to 68). And yes, I know they employed session musicians and didn't write all their own material (though they actually DID put out a very large amount of original songs, contrary to what many assume), but that doesn't change the fact that they were responsible for some amazing and lasting music. I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this issue.

[@jamesbrice6619]

@@EPA18 wrong. I grew up in the 60s and tons of us youngsters were listening to The Association.

[@DonRamiro1]

if this is one of the greatest American bands of the 60's, the bar must've been really low.

[@karenscott7601]

One of my all time favorites!! Saw tham around 1970 in Milwaukee, at Wisconsin state fair.

[@scottmiller6495]

This is fantastic, they were so good one of the greatest sunshine pop groups of all time Period !!!!!

[@clarkrobertson7982]

72 here. Saw the band in Arcata, CA in 1967. Such well crafted pop music and first class vocals!

[@starcloud4959]

"Never My Love' one of all time fave songs along with Buffalo Springfield the Byrds and Forever Changes .The Association were really special ❤

[@gregorycoogle7621]

I got to see the Association back around 1975. They were playing at a lounge for two or three nights... Had their album and could see Terry Kirkman wrote the song, Cherish. He was walking through the lounge near me. I called him over like I was an old friend. And I asked him is that someone you wrote this song for ? He stated no… He came up with the song at 2:30 in the morning and it was written regarding all his disappointments he had with women. Greg

[@Malc2311]

Neat ! Tho’ Terry had left the band by late ‘72, not returning until 1979 so I fear your timeline may be slightly out…

[@amymack1954]

More of my generation's great music. I remember these songs very well.

[@timholbrook7671]

One of the greatest under-rated groups of the 60's!! What a sound! Never before, never, again. NEVER MY LOVE...

[@tallmn1957]

The musicians on most of their recordings were the session players called The Wrecking Crew out of Los Angeles. They played on so many different people's recordings. That's the sound you're hearing. An amazing group of musicians.

[@tonekenny5225]

@@tallmn1957 The wrecking crew is not the sound we’re hearing live. The wrecking crew was fantastic, however, that was (and in some cases still is) the way records were made. Many groups did not record on their albums, though most could have. The Association developed their own sound. The job of the session musicians was not to develop a band’s sound, but rather to replicate it the studio. 😁

[@tallmn1957]

@@tonekenny5225 The Association used the Wrecking Crew quite often.

[@tonekenny5225]

@@tallmn1957yup, but Again, this is a live performance, hence, not the Wrecking Crew

[@tallmn1957]

@@tonekenny5225 Are you kidding? That's your "out"? 🤣🤣

[@lindastjohn5007]

Love seeing Brian Cole in this great video!

[@pacificostudios]

Just imagine that this performance came out at the very start of the legendary Summer of Love in 1967.

[@tjmusa]

the sound on all the car radio in the 60's. what a musical time. also the smothers brothers show was great. what a fun young time. thanks for posting.

[@Dr.scottcase88]

Just takes me straight back to my high school dances when I was in eighth and ninth grade and reminds me of the terrible crush. I had on a couple of girls back then in my class. Every time I hear their songs I flashback to those girls and they were girls at the time and wonder what ever became of them. Nostalgia is great :-).

[@seekingwisdom8]

Lived in Thousand Oaks CA at the time and remember watching this when broadcast the first time. They, like virtually every other band took a back seat to the Beatles. That was the perspective of an 11 year old drummer who worshipped the Beatles. I still loved the radio hits from the association, but living in an area where bands like this got their start, we took it for granted because we could see them for free all the time.

[@disintegrationnation9352]

10 years old in Oxnard

[@regissuchma5764]

You can tell the association are a bunch of down to earth guys

[@neilnash-huggins8180]

Didn’t they play at Woodstock? Or was it Monterey Pop?

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

@@neilnash-huggins8180 It was Chicagofest, summer of ‘83.

[@Don-n6o]

When I was in 8 th grade , I had the album that Windy was on. I would play that song over and over and over. Never would tire of it. Some 55 years later it still is a great song and these guys are still a great band.

[@josephharnett5075]

Great talent and harmony 👏 Love their songs 🎵

[@DSRQ1]

What a time capsule of a hugely popular youth oriented band and TV show.

[@elementrypenguin3116]

The greatest time EVER in music!

[@bobbysfolly]

Beautiful memories of being young at this time in life !!

[@toddcooper2563]

I was three when this was recorded, but I still have very vivid memories of the music then. Most so called music today seriously lacks talent compared to groups such as The Association.

[@crnel]

I was 3 when this was performed! I call it my "inner toddler" music. lol

[@stlrockn]

They did not play on the records. The Wrecking Crew played on all of the tracks. Watch the documentary. really interesting stuff.

[@hlcepeda]

@@stlrockn Same story re The Monkees' instrumentals.

[@stlrockn]

@@hlcepeda You are correct.

[@undergroundwarrior70]

I was 11 in 1967. So I do remember many of the American and British rock oriented songs blasting on the air waves of our local AM Top 40 radio station in my hometown (now NPR) in the 60's. Not just rock, but surf, folk, soul, country, easy listening, instrumental and popular movie themes. Those type of radio stations may still exist here in the US (I for one really do not know that), but rare if they do.

[@michaelthomas7178]

I was eleven also, ditto to your comments.

[@1moredayof]

I still have two of their vinyl albums.

[@littlerover8204]

This takes me back when I ran away from home to live in Greenwich Village and lived with interesting people. It played on my red transistor radio a lot.

[@davidmay8104]

This was their finest hour, as were their performances that opened The Monterey Pop Festival less than a month later. 😉

[@larrylawson2912]

I was 17 in 1967 when I moved onto Vandenberg AFB with my parents. I made friends quickly, and they invited me to go with them to the Monterey International Pop Festival. I had been playing guitar for almost four years, and the chance to see Jimi and Pete Townsend, to of my favorite players was to hard to pass up. I had a great time there, even though the shit Jimi did there freaked me the fuck out. I still have a bunch of old photos that I took while there.

[@jamesmack3314]

They did a great version of this song to open that Festival

[@johnbruenn8755]

Almost forgot how much I love this group! Thanks for the video.

[@thomaslavery7760]

Unlike some modern vocalists they had the talent to sing live as well as they did in the studio.

[@MostlyBuicks]

True, but they are singing to a backing track.

[@dougball328]

@@MostlyBuicks Yep, the drumming licks don't match his hands. That's OK, I still loved this band.

[@Cream1968]

Wrecking Crew…..👍

[@nancyhaddad9182]

Brings back great memories.

[@lancep4164]

This looks and sounds live. Even the instruments. Excellent

[@billyg310]

it is live! couldn't believe it but they are live

[@DIESEL0759]

@@billyg310 This is NOT live...

[@billyg310]

@@DIESEL0759 never said it was but they are great live to whoever you are

[@DIESEL0759]

@@billyg310 So you did not say, " it is live! couldn't believe it but they are live ", post above my first, second total in this??

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

Give the Smothers Brothers some credit, will you? Of course it’s real.

[@johnmedvick8731]

Finding a pretty good condition vinyl of the Association’s Greatest Hits in a thrift store for a dollar is among my greatest finds.

[@1JUSTGOTLUCKY1]

What a great and talented group!!!

[@dongorth9102]

My first concert was The Association and Lovin Spoonful...Took a bus downtown to Music Hall because I wasnt old enough to drive..

[@acehandler1530]

So great to see them doing this ad lib and not lip sync'd! The Smothers Brothers Show was good for that. One of the best shows on TV back in the day. They got canned for controversy, then resurrected due to all the uproar.

[@kenshiloh]

The music was canned. Check out 1:35. You hear a drum fill, but the drummer is simply keeping the beat.

[@acehandler1530]

@@kenshiloh The drumming was always the issue on live TV back in the day. The drummer was so loud compared to everyone else that it was more hassle than it was worth trying to work out the mix, ergo the drummer was often seen being silly...good point.

[@jeffkahl]

Live vocals done to a track. Standard thing back then.

[@jeffwilliam4367]

We should all get on our knees and thank God Elvis returned to live performance a year later!

[@ex-engineer6657]

Aah, memories. Thanks.

[@BegToDiffer99]

Just great! Saw them live here in Detroit with Lou Christy (lightning striking again), Felix Cavallari and The Young Rascals and Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Can you even imagine such a lineup?

[@jeffclark7888]

Great! When?

[@jeffclark7888]

My father was raised in Detroit.

[@nancyhaddad9182]

I grew up in Detroit in the late sixties. The music that came out was lightyears ahead of what it is now. There was girl and boy bands all over the country that the young people now can't touch when it comes to talent.

[@jeffclark7888]

@@nancyhaddad9182 my father was raised in Highland Park.

[@nancyhaddad9182]

@@jeffclark7888 I know it well.

[@jetstream3528]

Many bands should be inducted into rock and roll hall of fame......this one and grand funk railroad come to mind.

[@bengomez3610]

The Association are a great band to see,even now. Unfortunately, it must be difficult to get to touring or even just one night only performance. They're a little older, some no longer with us. However, the music is and will always be great to listen to. They are bad ass musicians.

[@williamboylejr.9098]

That is true. Del Ramos is doing an excellent job of keeping the legacy of his brother Larry alive, as is Jordan Cole Carry on the legacy of his father Brian Cole.

[@williamboylejr.9098]

I don’t know if it was the wrecking crew or Brian Cole doing the bass guitar intro but it is great.

[@williaml.baptiste3597]

They would make their appearance every year at Pasadena High School and play at the Ice House in Pasadena...always a great show.

[@jtcorey7681]

Interviews aside, that is awesome. What a great era for music. Wow.

[@TheRedDevil_NC]

they look like they just met each other. Legendary song

[@lindaambrose1334]

This band was a little before my time, but I love them!

[@williamboylejr.9098]

I wish there was a documentary or a movie made about The Association

[@n0jy]

"Windy" is forever a favorite of mine, it ties to a specific time and a girl in my junior high school life such that a half century later the PC that I have for running my weather station, lightning detection, website, and related stuff is named "Debbie" - because the song "Windy", as in part of weather, is the tie-in to the girl and the times and the memory. You have to appreciate how music can, as "Windy" does in the song, "capture a moment" - in your life, forever. Hmm, and their name was (The) "Association" - wow, just realized that fits in this musical memory game, too!

[@AZdudeAZ]

The Asian member of the band was introduced as from Japan. He is Filipino-American from Hawaii.

[@barrywainwright3391]

But he looks Japanese

[@williaml.baptiste3597]

He has a lot of class, a sense of humor, and is very articulate with wit.

[@edgarcook9607]

I thought he was referring to the low rhythm generator. That Bass guitar was actually made in Japan.

[@halweiss8671]

The other band members weren’t computer programmed robots either.

[@luishumbertovega3900]

We all know that, it was a very well received joke, considering Larry's aspect and the fact that Japan manufactures so many devices.

[@supernaturalagriculture6261]

Taking my dates to the IceHouse in Pasadena to see The Association was the best...great memories 👍

[@royrice6656]

If you had told me 55 years ago I would be watching this on a hand held flat tv on tv waves from a world wide audio/ video transmitter I might not have believed you……🤔😳

[@briseboy]

We would have thought you werestronger than Arnold, crushing tvs with one hand.

[@mellow5123]

Windy was the favorite song of my best friend and I when it came out. We were 7. I'll send it to her now. :D

[@timgutierrez2211]

Thank you for this wonderful piece of history.

[@bruschmidt9943]

Very interesting outfits for c1967. I thought everything would've been shades of grey or browns with white shirts & dark ties, similar to the Hosts. Well executed!

[@hayman-lx2ze]

DEVO definitely saw this when it was first broadcast

[@Jwango44ggie4]

....frickin' cool!! One of the best 60's bands for sure!

[@jospinvanraat8730]

Fabulous!🎼🎵🎙

[@thecottage4493]

Sounds like they're playing live. Sounds great!

[@mikewillett5076]

I think Along Comes Mary was played live, and Windy was lipped.

[@khayes1995]

They sang live to a backing track.

[@seeburg220]

The Bass player and guy who does the intro speech, Brian Cole, died of a heroin overdose in 1972.

[@jacksmith5692]

They were great!

[@kellywilliamson2187]

Very original, amazing.

[@MrLittlebuddy]

Ahhhh, back when music didn't suck.

[@EPA18]

Their music sucked. No one except one's parents were into The Association

[@markofsaltburn]

@@EPA18 They gave music-haters something to do until Chicago were formed.

[@Jerry-dr5ln]

Great band lost some of their members that can never be forgotten ever.

[@50buttfish]

Took a girlfriend to dinner and concert at the Lagoon, in UT, 1968. They put on a great show, and no "dead time" someone in the group was always emceeing, and making the audience laugh.

[@aircraftsandamericanadvent269]

The best 60's. Band in the world...........

[@dlanodrelda]

Russ and Larry on 'Windy' is vocal perfection

[@jondoe8889]

Real music, played live. The Brother's show was the gold standard for 60's music! Or mostly live, in this case.

[@penty264]

"Listen.... to what the flower people say...." :)

[@iamtpac8335]

Was that on Smell the Glove or was it Shark Sandwich?

[@Closertotruth2]

Loved Cherish. David Cassidy covered it and did well with it also.

[@PlateOshrimp499]

This is a much better copy than was previously on KZbin, I think: Thank You!

[@tonymario8118]

The great together nes of this band . I'm a jazz guitarists and your the best Rock Band and very hip and creative and l am from there future and this is the first time I have ever heard them perform Dec twenty two (2022)"*****"

[@Legnerps]

Love it !

[@jeffnaslund]

I remember watching this when I was a kid

[@TralfazConstruction]

Thank you very much for this.

[@jasongordon13]

I love this never saw it I have Every album they made the best one…. Double live!!! But they are all great!!

[@leesanna7835]

In those days, groups would mix two versions of their hit, the complete version and a version with just the backing instrumental track without the vocals which they would bring to the TV gig, this was called 'The TV Mix', they would then sing live and mime playing the instruments...

[@caryheuchert]

I remember hearing “Windy” often on the radio in 1967. I started kindergarten in the fall of that year.

[@LIBREPUB]

I was born in 72 but sure remember these guys’ albums being played at my parents cocktail parties.

[@BlackStorm555]

Sweating to the Oldies with Richard Simmons. Very tiring exercise to, but great song!!!

[@rexlex1736]

If they are still living, they are in their 70's.

[@beandipcartography]

Boy, they sure were groovy.

[@barbaraolson600]

My cousin’s favorite group ! Great memories,love The Smoothers Brothers.

[@carlgranieri4942]

Love the Association

[@brianlebrun2382]

Hearing Windy always brings me back there.....

[@dannolson6661]

Best rock concert i ever went to!!!!

[@user-we8ow6lj6l]

I love thete song 6 man band

[@mathewfranco3211]

That was a very cool video. Thanks

[@lanceevans1689]

Great stuff!

[@mc76]

"When the morning of the warning's passed, the gassed and flaccid kids are flung across the stars." Ah, the lyricists of the 1960s.

[@TheDeastman13]

they didn't write it, but i agree...it IS one of the great lyrics of pop...

[@comments_from_me]

You can still see this band on the “Happy Together Tour” 2022.

[@rev.markcarrier1894]

The music seemed so much more intelligent back then. And you could sit down and discuss it, like something by the Beatles or Simon and Garfunkel or CCR or The Association. Look at how the members of The Association are dressed and the lack of theatrics and fireworks that abound these days. The music was the thing and everything else was dialed back to let it stand out.

[@boco1951]

Really good songs!

[@BradBo1140]

Omg it live! Love it!

[@chuckdieselkicksdisks2380]

thanks for this Great association content, great to see the comedy bits too

[@micksbiggestfan4006]

Had no idea of their sense of humor. Fun to see!

[@bartwaggoner2000]

Besides the obvious intelligence of the band members, what really strikes me is how wholesome they were - especially compared to modern youth