Memphis '69: The 1969 Memphis Country Blues Festival | Full Documentary

[@Rodrigo_Sputter]

i don´t have words to describe...amazing!!!!!

[@davidseabury2481]

My sentiments exactly.

[@vimacleod8655]

We ooooo

[@annpowers7135]

My thoughts exactly!!!!

[@oursoullessguide6361]

I know exactly what you mean such a mythic time in music one of the last kernels of music from the 1800s being played in a truly authentic form but being slightly one foot in the future that's always what I've admired about the expansion of blues from like the twenties and the 30s and how it just kept growing as we hit the 60s and even today there is never been an era in blues music where you can say that wasn't very good everything the blues does for the most part as a whole is incredibly authentic

[@jasonbarlow1448]

yezzzzzzzzzz lawd, a-mazing is the only word we need

[@rca6576]

I am so fortunate we lived there back in the day. God the exposure to music was fantastic. Something we took for granted as just "normal" Memphis is special.

[@malcocreative]

big middle finger to youtube for the invasive ads

[@reverendg5937]

It is as bad as regular TV. Disgusting, just makes sic how corrupt.

[@charleshash4919]

Hopefully some of the ad revenue finds its way back to the families of the musicians and song writers

[@toterola451]

Ad free KZbin is included with a KZbin Music subscription. Best $10 a month I spend. Worth every penny. And as for "ad revenue reaching the survivors", this stuff is in the public domain. Advertising is how KZbin pays the bills.

[@OutOnTheTiles]

Get premium,cheapo.

[@Royal-q7b]

Interrupted Billie Beene yesterday 4 different times with adds in a 42 minute show, I go to rumble when possible

[@tomcarl8021]

The band backing Rufus Thomas was the re-formed Bar-Kays. Most of the original band were killed with Otis Redding in December,1967. The trumpet player you see is Ben Cauley. He was the only survivor of the crash. The bass player you see briefly is James Alexander, also an original member. Otis Redding's twin engine plane only carried a small number of people. That meant one member of the band had to fly commercial and they took turns. The night the plane crashed was James Alexander's turn to fly commercial... RIP Bar-Kays. You guys were great.

[@PeteR-ed9nd]

It was a great time in the music scene in memphis, with booker t, the barkays, the sons of willie mitchell, rufus, carla, eddie floyd, Bobby whitlock, and so many more. Glad I was there to enjoy it

[@LEEFORDJAGG]

Incredibly tight.

[@bradh6185]

Thanks for this info!

[@tonyedwards2064]

Damn, Ben was on a Doc i watched not to long ago..Kid's of a prominent Memphis studio musician, then a owned a studio..Kid's run it now..He sat with alot of ole school Cat's..They also brought in some Rapper's, Snoop being one..A class of kid's learning music, an Lady back up singer's from the day..Something by the river i believe? And ya'll know you used "Walking the Dog" on their debut album don't you??

[@tomcarl8021]

@@tonyedwards2064 I know what documentary you are talking about. The STAX museum in Memphis has a music school for inner-city kids. Local Memphis musicians donate their time. Ben was one of them. He passed away a few years ago. What Ben experienced the night of the crash was heartbreaking. He found himself outside of the plane in the water. A seat cover was floating by that doubled as a floating device and he grabbed it. The plane was floating for a while and the lights inside were still on. Ben could see everyone trying to escape but there was nothing he could do. They were all looking out the windows at him as the plane sank. He then used the floating device and swam ashore. He's lucky he didn't freeze to death. It was December in Wisconsin. For the rest of his life he had to live with the memory of his friends faces looking at him helplessly through those windows right before they died. Awful.

[@Ramakeli96]

Всем здравия!😊...я наверное в прошлой жизни жил в Америке, поскольку вся эта музыка мне , как родная...хотя родился в этой жизни я в Сибири в 1966 году.....обожаю ритм анд блюз... рок-н-ролл и *nativ music ".👍🙌

[@mikeg5192]

just an incredible group of blues legends on one stage,we will never see this type of talent ever again.

[@bpivr]

I went for Johnny Winter but there were a ton of great acts. Good memories.

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

14:00 The incredible Jo Ann Kelly, all the way from Streatham, South London. Incomparable talent who never gets mentioned when talk of 1960's female artists comes about. Fantastic performance.

[@paulmichaud7565]

Thanks for the tip. I didn't know there was any footage of her. She always struck me as the real deal in country blues. What a treat.

[@mbsnyderc]

Never saw her before this I was looking around going who is singing.that voice is fairly shocking sounds like Son House.I had to look her up after that sadly short lived life.

[@GrahamCLester]

I grew up in Streatham and am a big sixties fan yet I had never heard of her until today.

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

@@GrahamCLester She was the real deal. Her 1969 album Jo Ann Kelly is a masterpiece.

[@kimballard8362]

Met her one time in a beer garden, I was stepping out with her sister Susan for a good while, Dave Kelly of the same name blues band is their Brother.

[@sbluez6444]

Jo Ann Kelly‘s voice is unbelievable.

[@amarshmuseconcepta6197]

🎯

[@gostrum1]

She was wonderful. Sadly Left us way too soon 💫

[@r0cccity]

Wasn’t familiar with her before this. Her entire set I waited to see who was singing until I finally realized it was her. My mind was blown.

[@Ianc1966]

I thought the same. Amazing

[@kennyguitarallen5662]

jo ann kelly's brother plays guitar with the BLUES BAND,from england,dave kelly.

[@tonyjones1560]

Politics can't save us. Neither can religion. But MUSIC? Yo...plug in the guitars, throw some ice over the beer, leave that BS in the alley with the trash and LET'S PARTY! I had an acquaintance who made it home from Vietnam in time to attend Woodstock, the week after being discharged from the army. Nobody called him a "babykiller" (although I know other vets who "busted some beaks" after being called that). But this guy? Dudes shared their "wacky terbacky" with him and several young women did their best to "heal" him of the horrors of war... In any case, *thank you* for this video. Never knew there was such a thing and watching this video has made my day...and it's been a pretty good day!

[@lootbox9465]

Son Thomas giving me those goosebumps. How lucky are we that we get to experience this 50+ years later.......

[@emilianoespinosa9723]

Me pasó lo mismo. Literalmente al escuchar como el slide recorrió el diapasón se me puso la piel de gallina

[@bobbyashmore9036]

All of Gods people coming together in love of such great music. Memphis is where Iwas born and raised. This City has lost alot over the years. Thank God this music still lives in our hearts.

[@johnstrange1382]

I was growing up and living the blues in Memphis and I remember at night sitting out in front of the "Sharecropper" club watching the guy's play ,you could see between the boards of the building no insulation in those days.All the blues great performed there,I lived across the street.

[@rrrogster]

Son Thomas from about 17:50 to 19:00. Incredible!!! Even better than Elmore James or Hound Dog Taylor for Dust My Broom.

[@catdaddy3302]

Ole “Newgene” Wilkins of Moloch. My friend, Lenora, married him twice.

[@DanielMulloy-bg6gw]

Haha.... you go Lenny!

[@bawsack69]

Moloch?

[@cavemanouttheeast2786]

She should be Ashamed of herself And so should he

[@andrewblanton5397]

John Loudermilk's song really blew me away man. wow!

[@brucefournier2391]

A beautiful, fresh take.

[@zu0832]

Tobacco Road

[@gitanoespana7694]

"Mama said to Papa : let that boy boogie woogie, it's in him and it gotta come out." J.L.Hooker.

[@briteness]

This is at least as interesting as the Woodstock Festival which took place a couple months later. Thank you for sharing it here.

[@guttorocha]

Jo Ann kelly, Fred Mcdowell and johnny winter playing a duosonic all in the same video, thank you!!!!

[@MyRobertallen]

God bless Memphis. Sat on bank of MI May '88 looking at pretty bridge. On way to NO. Walked down Beale, saw Sun and Graceland next day, then headed south through pine forest highway to Big Easy. Fried chicken and potato wedges at every gas station. 'If you don't know how to do it ...

[@jerryjazzbo2845]

I didn't expect to find this film, but I'm so glad I did. Enjoyed myself just kickin' back on a Saturday afternoon. Fantastic!

[@竿信修行中]

What a great chance to be back in '69 and able to see and hear James Son Thomas and Sleepy John Estes just sitting and drinking under a hard raining from Japan today !

[@iammattwilhelm]

This is one of the most inspiring things I've ever watched. This is music being played for LOVE. There are so many "OH SHIT!" moments here, it's just fantastic.

[@marlinlittle7708]

i was there the whole time working the coke and hotdog stand

[@michellebeckstrom6110]

The stories you must have...cool

[@tnrc75]

Maaan......memories....

[@kenyanoxygen5801]

the sniffing kind of coke or????

[@jackrucker5049]

And then at 57 minutes in Johnny Winter blows everybody’s mind ! Love it !

[@WilliamHouston-vl7ft]

BRUCE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR KEEPING HOPE ALIVE 🙏

[@MrStreetwalkincheeta]

You had me at Rufus Thomas...what a treat!

[@laynedoon7437]

i am only five mins into watching this and i feel i want to say thank you for sharing this with us,,Rufus Thomas with The Bar-Kays performance was mesmerising,full of energy and positive vibes,,i was dancing around my bedroom and moving bits of me that aint moved in years,,and im not ashamed to tell you that it felt so good,lol

[@sherrard5492]

Yep. RT and the BKs have me all warmed up to enjoy the rest of the show too. Outstanding!

[@savage22bolt32]

5 minutes in & I'm looking for my earbuds!

[@davidr6991]

Absolute gold dust. The real McCoy, the like of which we won’t see again. A happy and respectful audience.

[@dhsumana407]

Quite a Gathering toward the very late 60’s in the South - white , black , young ,old , police, male and female - all of us passing through rubbing shoulders moving on - ~Many thanks and Appreciation to everyone involved both then and now

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

Funny, you don't see all those "categories" as people. People. Naked of their nonsense, they are people. People like you better not meet people like me.

[@kyrilsolntsev2381]

Rev. Robert Wilkins & Family blew my mind!! SO SIMPLE but SO POWERFUL and SOULFUL... All other bands are great too, indeed

[@owenwilberforce6138]

John Fahey is quite a remarkable part of this. Rufus Thomas and the Barkays, Bukka White? This is some dynamite footage of some super real deal artists.

[@gracewoodard9134]

From Silver Spring/Takoma Park. Wonderful. Montgomery Blair High School should honor him .

[@blucheer8743]

Fahey sounded like he was playing a band in a box

[@djtdub1]

Same here. The dictionary fails to describe this film. I read a festival review in Downbeat at the time. It's a relief to know that 1969 Memphis had a hippie counterculture. Jim Dickinson: Total genius hipster.

[@catdaddy3302]

Memphis had a folk music culture. But we weren’t about “Puff the Magic Dragon” and shit. We’d go to the coffee house and see the same ole prewar bluesmen you see here. The Bitter Lemon was the spot!

[@danielstoddart]

To me, this is so much better than the Woodstock movie. It's just the right length, and incredibly well-produced and edited. The director, producer, and editor deserves a lot of credit.

[@geoffpoole483]

Not as up itself as Woodstock.

[@wildeman1253]

Less LSD and Coke was involved, I'm sure.

[@oursoullessguide6361]

Woodstock was massively overrated and blown up into mythic proportions, Memphis blues festival, let's just say more people need to be into the blues and the less thing to music to take drugs too, too bad most of the legends are long gone

[@oursoullessguide6361]

@@wildeman1253 I'm pretty sure there was quite a bit of Coke, blues Man weren't saints

[@Retards_Do_Airsoft_Beach]

@@oursoullessguide6361 I was gonna say I've heard allot of the older blues folks probably indulged in Grass and even speed perhaps in the early days but never once were open to such indulgence or phases

[@tnrc75]

Come on - Furry Lewis, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Sleepy John Estes, Nathan Beauregard, Jo Ann Kelly, Bukka White and MC Rufus Thomas - you had me at hello.....goodness. Thanks for the upload Fat Possum! I thought I knew country blues but there were a couple artists whose estates I'm going to have to make a little richer. Thank you all the way from South Korea.

[@johnmitchelljr]

Too short. Nothing like blues played on a dirty guitar missing a peg. I'm selfish Can never get enough of Mr. McDowell. Thanks very much for sharing.

[@jasonlynn1017]

There most be more footage as even single songs are cut, including McDowell.

[@ianng5098]

Never felt so much warmth in my entire life.

[@elwin38]

When this was performed, i was only 13mos old growing up in South Memphis✌🏾👶🏾

[@ponnywarcat3478]

One of the best concerts I've ever watched. Really good days back then

[@TM-jo4wz]

I was 14. Just starting. Great music. Thanks for posting.

[@memphisweirdos3283]

Thank you Fat Possum and everyone. This is Memphis!

[@Stewkeithmtb]

oh my god, what an absolute treasure this is.

[@paulbgraham4936]

So glad I found this - this is great. I was listening to country blues back then starting as a young teenager - that's why I still like to play it! And I always preferred the Memphis Stax sound over Motown. Stax artists were the best.

[@baronoflivonia.3512]

Mississippi Fred McDowell, fantastic record of his performance. And Rufus Thomas with The Bar-Kays was a blast.

[@catdaddy3302]

I was there! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Thanks for sharing this. I see friends long gone now. ❤️

[@jimicmore1895]

Did you see yourself in the vid

[@michaelhauser6440]

I just wanna say thank you to Fat Possum Records for turning me onto the blues. I've always hated it but your documentary of the Hill Country Blues turned me on. You also helped a lot of those old musicians to get into the spotlight

[@gabydersch1482]

Best music ever. 💯 1960's Great. One of the best music documentaries I've had the privilege of watching. Lots of soul and great talent. Love the movie cameras they were using. I was 17 in 1969. Thank you. God bless you. 💗➕💗

[@Hot_Cold_Blue]

54:00 Moloch's singer drummer is something else.

[@koonaklaster42]

Thanks Fat Possum. Thanks Gene "Adelphi" Rosenthal. Thanks to everyone who made this happen. Australia loves you all!

[@johnlattimer350]

Love me some Fat Possum! Thank You!!! This is the music and musicians I heard too many decades ago that keep me playing today. Music is life. At least it's life affirming. ;) Thank You, Jeff Esworthy and WKSU for exposing my mind and soul to the music that keeps me going 40 years later! ;O My gratitude is eternal. This music has been the salvation to my soul and sanity through many trying times. The last couple years being some of the most trying.

[@jeangenie68]

Thank god someone had the foresight to film this.

[@mistylavender714]

So glad to see this here!!! I was there in 69 and I can not get over how beautiful the sound is!!!!

[@georgeredhawk1996]

It’s a real treat to see this vid. I read somewhere that Derek Trucks has Bukka White’s steel guitar. Said the Bukka White is BB King’s cousin.

[@tmcsweeney3104]

Sunbrella girl for Sleepy John !

[@monmixer]

Those old guitars just blow me away. the old electric Harmonies, tiesco, etc. they are hard to find and some of those are very finely made in japan guitars.

[@monmixer]

@@ciccioaporta3774 I know where there is an old Washburn Montgomery JS-6 Electric Guitar. Like 335 with the trap tail piece like new with case for 450; If it was stop tail I would buy it in heart beat. Wes Montgomery signature model

[@jasonlynn1017]

Fred McDowell needs to have his own DVD issued from this performance, as he is Godly, as is Sleepy John, JW, et al.; this documentary is a dream come true and should get the same coverage as Summer of Soul, Fat Possum needs to go on a propaganda spree...

[@oilycanvas8374]

Agreed!

[@mysteryjesus]

I would bet that what you saw is all the footage there is.

[@rebbeshort]

@@mysteryjesus All the footage that's fit to print, anyway.

[@macarius8802]

Amen!

[@masokotanga7356]

As a damned good guitarist; this is a treasure I've just discovered. The sound is beautiful for its age. Sounds great.

[@richardfinlayson1524]

Fantastic, cool to see the insect trust in there, and Joanne Kelly, excellent

[@RiffChris]

This is holy freaking footage! Thanks to Fat Possum from Denmark!

[@rapidrhinoplumbing-monrovi3269]

An amazing document of this time and place. Thanks for the spots an John Fahey and Johnny Winter. I met and talked to John Fahey In L.A. in 1969. A brilliant and really nice guy, and quite learned in music.

[@njuham]

So good picture quality and the colours so vivid.

[@CuttingEdgetools]

What a Mind Blower opening Act-Rufus and the Bar-Kay’s!!!! The Bar-Kay’s were the tightest Blues Fund Band on the Planet in 1969’--What a Treasure of The Roots of Blues/Gospel. So much Soul pours out of every act-Thanks from the Bottom of my Heart for putting this Amazing Treasure out here for posterity. -Please Keep it posted!!!!! I’ll be feasting on this Manna as long as it’s here❤️🇺🇸

[@songpoets-ramcey]

Unreal!? What a treasure. I only wish that it were 12 hours long and featured more songs by each artist! - Ramcey in Nashville

[@threeg6966]

Johnny Winter is AWESOME,...I consider myself lucky to have seen him perform twice.

[@johnpearce3714]

******* Rufus Thomas & his band , Just Superb !! ----

[@shiva1742]

Wow, I was at that concert! Thanks for posting ! I wish that they had not brought in a big name like Johnny Winter with his high powered amplifiers and everything. It just changed the vibe of the whole place. Maybe there was a value in it in that his fans got exposed to some of the old blues masters whom they otherwise might not have ever seen.

[@volkerjanssen7905]

Oh Maaan! That opener with Rufus Thomas really kicked my ass! Thanks for sharing this beautiful piece of music history.

[@philipcox5041]

Appreciate You 👍

[@GOMF-eq4qc]

Thanks, Fat Possum. Seen a lot of blues in my 67 years living around Chicago. Some took these guys for granted at the time. If you could bring them back you could fill a major stadium.

[@davidbusen545]

Of my friends that never made it you could fill a stadium. God Rest their souls.

[@paulwellard4206]

cannot believe i have never heard this before ? Am 74 , still finding amazing music thanks to those that found and posted this GEM

[@flynnt1953]

Greetings from England. Thanks so much for sharing, it's great to see some of these true blues legends.

[@kelhard5632]

wow. Just.... WOW. Amazing stuff. Hoping there'll be an extended cut maybe twice or 3 times as long!!!! This footage is simply priceless!

[@meredithcarter7559]

I have wanted to see this for decades. Even though I live in Memphis area, I have never found a source for viewing it all. Really appreciate you finally making it available!

[@imannonymous7707]

I remember listening to blues specials on the radio. And youd often hear the fat possum label mentioned. How bout Johnny winter playing that Mustang. ..wow..what a talent...worth the price of admission alone

[@guitarnickbluealgroovyrus]

Great line up! The umbrella held by pretty young ladies was also a great idea.😎💙

[@craigroseburgh9348]

Johnny Winter’s solo was just abt everything. Bad man!

[@matthewwilliams7735]

Take it easy on them Booker! What a master craftsman.

[@derekemrie2987]

death Letter Blues by female artist, very good rendition, Nice reworking of R. J. classic "Crossroads Blues", and love that gospel blues of the Reverand Robert Wilkins, lot more too!! GThanks for posting!

[@dannywalshbanned]

Man what a scene with Fred McDowell, cool to see the dude there recording it too :)

[@kynismos]

What a treasure! Thank God for KZbin (despite everything)

[@l214laus]

What an excellent line-up of groups for this concert!

[@LEEFORDJAGG]

Beyond ‘cool’. I heard about the Blues Festivals at The Overton Park Shell, These performers are the real deal, refreshingly corporate free, may I conclude? Memphis Tn. Thank you so much for posting.

[@johnpaulsecond4626]

can get a sense of what is going on in america then just watching this unbelievable footage; nathan has to be the greatest; hope to see you up there man with all the greats;

[@lesliestevenson5261]

Wow…Rev Robert Wilkins…whole set? Absolutely brilliant and far too short! The whole thing is good but deffo my highlight.

[@stephenperry67]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@artboy11000]

I was there! And this truly captures the event!

[@davesiler4064]

I graduated from Memphis State in January, 1969. whoaaaa!

[@bethbartlett5692]

Class of 81' 🐾

[@davesiler4064]

@@bethbartlett5692 Smile!!!!

[@jimicmore1895]

I remember Memphis St (Larry Finch) v UCLA (Bill Walton) '73 nc game

[@charliereavley9130]

A tremendous piece of work, and wonderful to see such legendary blues maestros. Also seeing Jo Ann Kelly an absolute bonus, she was a sad loss to the blues.

[@starcloud4959]

Oh my only concerts be this good once again.

[@markscalise]

I am beyond words here. What an incredible document.

[@osiruskat]

a great historical document. Some people in the crowd I recognize which is pretty funny. It's been 50 years...wow.

[@georgebethos7890]

God bless you 🙏

[@jasonayres]

I've seen the name John D. Loudermilk on the back cover of many records, writing this and co-writing that, many years ago, but I've never actually seen him perform anything, until now. Interesting. Thanks.

[@GreasyFilms-qc1xo]

I'd love to see that 8mm film footage the young woman is shooting as well. Great documentary--thank you Fat Possum!

[@jimmysanders4813]

A scene from Memphis in 1969.Thank you to the people who recorded this.

[@Juliasblues]

And I've been a Blues fan, tried and true, exactly since 1969 ! Big Love.

[@jeffreyconyers8735]

The musicians throwing down. Salute to these talented legends

[@mariorenato674]

Many thanks to Fat Possum for upload this gem. I'm grateful. ✌🏻🍄🎸

[@brotherchunkymusic950]

Lord, thank you for this footage ! This whole doc is amazing, but the Jo Ann Kelly song gives me chills.

[@金丸与志明-t3i]

はい。見ました。

[@tnrc75]

Where does her voice come from???

[@brotherchunkymusic950]

@@tnrc75 I don't know, but her voice was amazing.

[@brendamorris7882]

!!!!!WOW!!!!! So grateful that this is available for us to experience. THANK YOU 🤎🤎🤎🙏🏾👏🏾👍🏾

[@DanielMulloy-bg6gw]

This was my first full month on the planet.... I was born May 24th, 1969.

[@GuajoloteGonzales]

I never thought that Insect Trust's and Moloch's archival footage ever existed!!!

[@KenneyCmusic]

Oh man, I've never seen this before. So good. I was stoked when I heard them announce John Fahey.

[@qwazysymbiote4931]

Man I’m speechless! Thank you for finding and posting this!!!