Peggy Lee: Fever!

Fever!! A classic recording from the late 60's.Featuring Peggy with Max Bennett (bass) and Jack Sperling (drums).Written originally by Davenport and Cooley , Peggy added her own lyrics and the finger snapping and beat . Little Willie John released this in its original form a couple of years before Peggys version .

[@zolluuu]

She's like the high priestess of cool. I love how she occasionally turns to look at the bass player, like "Ya with me, kid?"

[@hjalmar8550]

Yes, but she should have turned the 2nd time to the drummer, instead of back to the bassist!

[@aileen694]

@@hjalmar8550 Hi, I think the reason Miss Peggy turned to the bassist was because she was indicating a change of key for the next verse. :))

[@jbee6986]

Or she’s just looking back normally no drama at all 😂 it’s normal to look at band mates on stage you know.

[@davitofarito]

@@hjalmar8550 I guess just the bassist gave her fever!

[@hjalmar8550]

@@jbee6986 My point is that she looked only at the bassist, not the drummer.

[@Teezer44]

Despite having millions of fans, I dont think many truly understand the musical GENUIS this woman is. She is shows just how powerful simplicty can be and truly epitomises the term 'less is more'. Many of the lesser ameteur singers out now who riff, run and adlib endlessly to no avail, really need to take a look at this woman. Peggy Lee - A once in a century musical icon.

[@theothertroll]

You shouldn’t think so much 🙄

[@elsunrod3253]

Monk said she had perfect pitch.

[@Shadoira]

@@theothertrollyou should consider thinking some more!

[@beastiekat4562]

@@theothertroll must suck to be you.

[@maxtimon4070]

Johnny Guitar!

[@ronchinoy]

The drummer just blows my mind. So many great female singers have tried to sing this song. Nobody can do it like Peggy Lee.

[@TheOriginalRick]

Peggy understood "coolness" better than almost every other female singer. The current crop hears the Fever word and imagines the song has to be sung uptempo and feverish.

[@williamwhiting6285]

Jack Sperling had tremendous talent. RIP

[@Mrpachuko13]

I'm sure etta james could sing this song just as well without a doubt. As far as coolness, did you ever checkout the original version by little willie john??? She didn't create cool...

[@Buddy_Banquet_Off]

Sarah Vaughan's version - fine.

[@Palios33]

Check Susan cadogan as well as Marcia Griffiths

[@putzputz1996]

Just drums, bass and vocals. They don't make music like this anymore. Amazing!

[@ziedhamrouni5787]

there's is one called Okay kaya. she's on that level

[@doughelms558]

They didn't then, either.

[@paveloknowski1339]

Well , there is a bunch of ,,gangsta and rap...ists " with golden fake teeths and pounds of golden chains , spoting fithy words , and holding theirs privet parts ! thats todays ,, music culture " !

[@cdulez]

Pavel Oknowski thats a culture within a genre though.

[@TheAmericanOne]

No drumsticks even....

[@jeanferret9497]

One of the greatest songs ever. Peggy Lee's voice is like warm chocolate.

[@Romamb]

Messy?

[@aileen694]

@@Romamb No, rich and sweet!

[@savagesnayle7492]

she didn't just age gracefully, she kept the soul of Her voice.

[@gonzalodiaz8731]

The guy on the drums is a master of swing,

[@WorkingTeacher]

+Gonzalo Diaz No kidding!

[@dexterstanleytauvao]

I come back to this clip for inspiration sometimes, Mr Jack Sperling I believe, can't find much else of him on here :(

[@theuofc]

I agree! Wish there were more of JACK SPERLING, such a terrific drummer!

[@bluescanfly1981]

Real life sultans of swing. Make it look so easy

[@birchtree2274]

As a conga player I am blown away watching him essentially playing a conga line with his hands on toms

[@betsylalich4570]

This performance by Peggy Lee is an ultimate jazz favorite. The two musicians are brilliant and MISS Peggy is as dramatic in voice but equally charming in her gestures of subtlety, with facial /eye movements and fingersnaping. In her later years I was fortunate to see her LIVE and in-person. I was fairly young at the time but knew she had long been a legend. I was mesmerized.

[@doughoward6401]

Notice the drummer is just using his fingers to make the beat .?

[@pslamba]

Unreal. Never seen a drummer play with his hands (without sticks) and that too, so damn well!

[@lynnmiller3937]

No stix!

[@donaldpeterson1091]

Oh and Peggy Lee was no slouch

[@clubhaney]

Joe Morello was one of several big name drummers that occasionally played using just their hands. :)

[@boomerguy9935]

@@clubhaney I have a feeling that Jack Sperling and Joe Morello were probably best buds. They played very much alike. Jack is now my second favorite drummer of all time. Joe is my first favorite. I could listen to these guys for days while I could only listen to Buddy Rich for 5 minutes.

[@clubhaney]

@@boomerguy9935 I saw Buddy do this, drumming with his hands, with Peggy Lee in 1959. Joe Morello once told me that there wasn't anything Buddy couldn't do on drums. He also told me that there was no drummer with more talent than Buddy, and that's being said by one of the all time great drummers. I remember a Ludwig drum clinic that same year, featuring Buddy. In the audience was Joe Morello, Louis Bellson, and several other well known drummers. Before Buddy had a chance do demonstrate some drumming "tips", a guy yelled out: "if you're so good why don't you reverse the set and play it like left hander"! Buddy had a drum tech do just that and he proceeded to amaze the entire crowd playing like a left hander! Joe and Louis just shook their heads in disbelief and they both said that there was no one like Buddy anywhere. They were right about that, there was nothing Buddy couldn't do. If he heard it he could play it! P.S. I was born in 1926 and my Uncle Everett was a big band drummer in the 1930s. Because of him, I was able to see many of the really good drummers of that era, including Chick Webb when I was 10. he told me to just enjoy all the great drummers for what they were, and NOT try to decide who was the best.................good advice, but I never saw ANYONE who could match Buddy. Sorry, Uncle Everett!! :)

[@incog99skd11]

Peggy Lee picked the artists she played with with care. She knew their instruments as well as they did. In one recording session, someone in the band put a penny into the piano. She stopped the session and said that there was something wrong with the piano. Her ear was that fine.

[@rph111745]

It was said of her that she never sang a note out of tune and never sang a note out of time.

[@boomerguy9935]

@@rph111745 She looked like she could just walk into a room and radiate tranquility. Wow!!!! There are not enough words to describe her talent. This arrangement is perfect.

[@jorgerobles9484]

Jack Sperling, a great underrated drummer. Peggy Lee, such a wonderful singer.

[@philippapay4352]

@Jorge Robles - Due to your comment, I am wondering if you know the answer to the following: 1) Who was the arranger of this particular performance with only the musicians present, and 2) as the camera pulls away to the close there is a black musician in front of her who appears that he might be actually playing something, so was he not shown due to the TV disinclination to have mixed race groups onstage? I think this was in that pathetic time. I was never aware that anyone performed, but the 3 we see, but the chap in front of her is in a performance tuxedo.

[@solal94]

thanks for the name! I wonder who it was

[@boomerguy9935]

@@philippapay4352 I think you're overthinking the "pathetic time". Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and many, many other musicians were always on TV at some time. I know, I watched them regularly. Were the times perfect? No, but I think you are trolling.

[@philippapay4352]

@@boomerguy9935 I was watching these in real time as well in my ill-spent youth. I am not overthinking anything. It was a question, not a statement. It may be that the chap up front was in concert attire because he was working the sound and could be seen. I never understood this to be anything other than the 3 performing, though I said all of that already. If the fellow up front was in some way performing, it could have been part of the apartheid of a portion of mid-20thc. when TV became more common in private homes. I do not recall the date of this classic performance, so cannot say. I think I'd made that clear, too. I was seeing by the late '50s & '60s many casts that were mixed racially on shows like Andy Williams, etc. And even on some TV specials. A major part of my exposure to Ella, Frank, Peggy, Tony, Bobby, Rosemary, and others in the pantheon was TV, radio, and whatever recordings my folks had. Jack Benny, of course, had Eddie Anderson aka Rochester. But, Jack Benny was quite advanced for his time with doing drag and some other things ahead of their time. Not trolling. Thank you, I guess, for trying to answer my queries.

[@boomerguy9935]

@@philippapay4352 OK, I understand better now. When I think of the pioneers like Benny Goodman, Dave Brubeck, Dave Brubeck and so many others who were "color-blind", I am stunned when someone brings up this issue. I grew up in an area that was first integrated in the 1950's when I entered the first grade and I never really understood bigotry, even though my father was "old school". He didn't understand me and I didn't understand him. We never came to terms, sadly. I loved Dr. MLK, Jr., from the first time I ever listened to him and I still feel the pain from the day he was assassinated. It's too bad that my country is trying to forget him and his message of love. But, I digress.... Thanks for clarifying your comment.

[@jessicalovitt7788]

I love just how elegantly and effortlessly she sings. Being able to dip in those high notes without a build up of body or anything, just doing them off the bat, amazing. Beth Harmon got me hooked on this song, and I just can't stop listening to it.

[@Kelly-nm4kw]

Hello Jessica, How are you doing?

[@joachim595]

Agreed. Most jazz singers these days just mimick stuff and try to “sing jazz”. It’s more like: sing. Don’t focus on old stars and a genre.

[@hckydad]

I totally agree with you. Jack Sperling was an exceptional drummer. He played with such fire and conviction. Just listen to some of the things he did with Bobby Darin...awesome playing! I had the pleasure of meeting Jack and playing on his drums for a show that I was doing in Palm Springs some years ago. I got to talk with him for a while,helped him pack up his kit,and he and his wife actually gave me a ride back to my hotel. I still listen to his drumming for inspiration. RIP Jack.

[@chuckrhodes6282]

Loved his style. I've backed singers on Fever and didn't come close to his creative sound.

[@jmcdrummer]

that was Jack Sperling on drums...a friend and mentor to me when I was starting my career as a drummer 45 years ago.He was staff drummer for NBC TV shows. Very nice man...I subbed for him in a jazz trio at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, Ca., when he would be out on gig with Les brown. Anybody know where he is now?

[@kalki3060]

Did you find him?

[@saxon-mt5by]

@@kalki3060 Jack Sperling died in 2004.

[@kalki3060]

@@saxon-mt5by Aww okayy :( Thank you for telling me

[@patriciaotoole5930]

Lucky 👨

[@masongarrett3066]

You have a very blessed life to have known Jack Sperling and subbed for him! I probably could talk to you for hours about your life!

[@philippapay4352]

A jazzy torch singer, a standing bass player, and the perfection of this drummer. A holy trinity.

[@deirdre108]

And doing it with her voice and only a rhythm section behind her! Superb!

[@philippapay4352]

@@deirdre108 Really, the definitive version of this song, isn't it?

[@deirdre108]

@@philippapay4352 Right?! “What a lovely way to burn.”!!

[@philippapay4352]

@@deirdre108 I was watching this again, so I could tell someone where to find it and reread your comment. kd lang said of Peggy Lee that she was the only singer she could think of offhand who managed to be totally cool and completely hot all at the same time. You are right: it is a lovely way to burn through music.

[@deirdre108]

@@philippapay4352 Great comment by kd lang. To be "totally cool" and "completely hot" all at the same time--how many can pull that off? I'll have to remember kd"s phrase.

[@tkaefring]

Peggy Lee was a goddess! We are so lucky that our lives were blessed by her.

[@TheW.I.N.K.]

The amount of "cool" in this is off the scale! 🔥🔥

[@clintwilde1048]

A bass, a drummer with no sticks, a snapping finger, and a great voice...all sounds better than 99% of the music made today.

[@lindseyhutchinson6250]

Listn’n’ n lovin this - from the UK in April 2024… which proves my point… music is timeless and has zero barriers 💜🤘🏼💜

[@user-os7cl4tj9n]

女王然とした気品と格調を保ち、可憐で、エモーショナル………何度見ても飽きることない〈Golden Performance〉です💛❤💛………。そのボーカルを支えるバックのMax Bennett (bass) も堅実でハートフル、Jack Sperling (drums)のFinger Drummingも素晴らしくひときわ印象に残ります………。

[@oliviacruz9606]

I've never seen anyone play the drums like that. He's great.

[@RobSmith-mv6rz]

I remember my parents getting all dressed up to go see Peggy Lee at the Imperial Room in the The Royal York Hotel, Toronto.

[@terri-b7492]

This was my favourite track when I was 9 I am now 57 and it still remains as my favourite ❤️

[@KerrieRedgate]

Hearing Peggy Lee singing this song on the radio, when I was 5 years old, was the greatest influence on my decision to become a professional singer right then! She was my first influence. I still love this song! She had a great swing voice.

[@KerrieRedgate]

The909stranger Fantastic! Keep the music flowing in you! I'm sorry now that I quit singing decades ago - was the most fun part of my life! But I'm doing a little bit now.

[@666finnegan]

+Kerrie Redgate Jack Sperling's drumming too!!

[@petclark1]

Drums, a double bass, and Peggy Lee. No snythethizers, certainly no voice augmentation. Quite simply, class, which we never really see these days-musical or otherwise. Thanks for posting this treasure.

[@boomerguy9935]

This is a perfect example of why, "Less is More".

[@beeenn649]

BAD ASS all the way!

[@blake.henderson]

The drumming in this song will never cease to send shivers down my spine 🥶

[@saltydawg7078]

"Fever" belonged to Peggy alone.

[@danpreston9451]

Drums, an upright bass and an incredible singer…WOW!

[@Teezer44]

There is something wonderful about a great singer who can but refuses to overdo anything. She gives you just what you need, never showing off or screaming at you. Wonderful

[@angelgr696]

wow the drummer is amazing

[@HerbertHoover69]

yO MAN, LEE required asbestis gloves, she was hot lady

[@thebohemian.]

I've never seen/heard drums played that way before! Superb!

[@kat35lulu88]

-AngelGr- He’s good looking too!

[@BeachBumRAP]

And he did it all without using sticks --- just his bare hands.

[@martinbreeson9637]

Jack Sperling was no joke. Great drummer. Great performance from all 3 of them. Peggy Lee is a musical Godess. Unreal.

[@Raughwe]

She had swing and coolness with intensity. Big fan!

[@theuofc]

JACK SPERLING on drums is fantastic! I wish there were more videos of his superb drumming. Thank you.

[@CaryCotterman]

I could listen to and watch Sperling and Joe Morello all day and night.

[@13c11a]

I love Peggy, but I want to give special praise to her two wonderful musicians. I am especially mad about her drummer. Fabulous!

[@boomerguy9935]

As a jazz drummer who is still learning after 55 years of playing, I couldn't agree more!

[@jacucool7894]

The percussion!!! wowwwww!! PERFECT!!

[@redspyderbr]

This woman is AWESOME !

[@vanu49]

Miss Lee still gives me "Fever"..from the late sixties and still not outdated and what a great drummer, Jack Sperling!!

[@Timo-15]

*HOW COOL IS THAT!* What a performance....by all 3 of them. The essence of *'cool'*. Peggy Lee forever!

[@gerardleary7355]

Best female vocalist and song of the last 75 years.I was born in 1946.Peggy's songs are ageless

[@666finnegan]

Jack Sperling's drumming though..... dang daddio!

[@TheHenrygene]

Not only was I born in the same city (Jamestown ND), I saw her live in Toronto in Fall 1988-incredible still @ age 68!

[@EHYHDY]

That drummer is beyond stella!

[@wolfmantiptip6218]

Jack Sperling on Drums is Fantastic ...................

[@fraserkatz2081]

Peggy Lee is one of a kind. Her phrasing always reminded me of Sinatra. Sugar and Spice is my favorite album.

[@16Sirens]

This classic is a stunner, just love how the beat of it keeps one held in suspended time & place....🦋🌻🕺✨️💃🌹🌻👌🏽

[@paulshubsachs4977]

I hope videos of this calibre stay out there forever. I have absolutely no musical knowledge or skill, yet the perfection of artists such as Peggy Lee speaks directly and convincingly so that one is instantly educated.

[@nylascrews9552]

This is completely mesmerizing.

[@lynnmiller3937]

drummer just plays with his hands!

[@redthorpe]

That drummer... 👌 wow...

[@christopherbowen3055]

Really cool. . . .the drummer is really having it his way.

[@andreawilkerson2006]

Love Peggy. We worked with the great Jack Sperling in LA. He was the best.

[@MrPARKBRAU]

Hard to find words about this great lady that haven't been said many, many times before. The sexiest voice on the planet.....My opinion of course. Fantastic post.....Thanks

[@EHYHDY]

He is hypnotic!

[@borisblade564]

what a performance by the drummer...magnificent

[@jorgeestomba9888]

Wow rhe drummer gets as much praise as Peggy !! Ironically , i know who he is, but that lick is a a dine a dozen in South Florida !!!!

[@davidbrown8763]

Great performance.

[@ivh1968]

Peggy lee, Ella, Sarah, Vikki Carr, Bassey, Nancy Wilson..... What do all these great artists have that captivate us that is missing with young singers? Answer...... " CLASS"

[@mikebrzostowski8183]

This IS her song and no one else should be allowed to sing it!

[@maurcrut6879]

Actually, it's not her song Research Little Willie John for the Originator.

[@CaryCotterman]

Unparalleled cool and hipness, and no tattoos!

[@richmarsh5029]

Amen

[@cdulez]

10MPlayer theres plenty of artists like this though.Its just not top 40

[@REBBEORNOT]

Cary Cotterman ja!ha!

[@cam5773]

How would having tattoos change anything? You must be 55+ saying something that ignorant.

[@Ethony]

This is the way to sing, effortless. Real talent.

[@TheVineyarder]

oh man Peg! you were THEE ONE! God Rest you dear LADY!

[@AtomicFall]

Peggy Lee was just the definition of style and elegance...She looks so composed and classy up there, and that drummer/bass is phenomenal..Literally her every moment is perfect and complements the song amazingly...There's just no words for it!

[@donstillingsuser3515]

Jack Sperling communicated Miss Lee's soul. Together they created one of the classics of all time. Brilliant!

[@cherylrobinson6718]

He is killing the drums

[@MitchellMaichak-ze7mr]

I added my " thumbs up " to many comments posted on this site . Many of you complemented Mr. Sperlings prowess on the drums ( and rightfully so ) but NOBODY mentioned his double bass drums ! I , myself , thought this was an innovation of rock music . The first time I noticed such , was with the late Ginger Baker , of Cream . Baker came to play with the power trio from a jazz background , so NOW it all makes sense to me ! ( point of reference ) I played guitar in " bar bands " , and over fifty years ago , with one group in particular , we performed this song ! And dancers responded favorably to it then !!!

[@victorw4056]

Without a doubt, and I say this with utmost conviction, Peggy Lee must be the best female singer of all times! No yelling and screaming, and trying to show how high she can go in hitting the notes. What an unbelievably lovely voice, and a lovely lady...

[@pap4456]

Yes, Sperling was one of the true masters. He is sorely missed.

[@theuofc]

Wonderful! Also one of the few clips of the great Jack Sperling on drums, a master at work. Thank you.

[@marycigarettes]

so complete,and yet it's just drums ,bass and voice....and how great is that drummer?!..i LOVE his little intro....i miss this style of television where thing were less shrill....simple sets and lighting..i watched some lovely old bobby gentry and glen campbell things and thought the same thing.peggy lee lives on.

[@Belindagirl13]

theres no other version that is as good as this . i llove this song so much! to bad we dont have singers who can sing so smooth and sensual like this with simple music.

[@MrciMudo]

So cool !! This kind of music never DIES !

[@puglet7]

Hi . The drummer is Jack Sperling . You're right....he's the best!!

[@DonyaLane]

Jack Sperling on hand percussion - killin' it!

[@Danyelll]

love how she has such a good control over the song and her own voice...awesome

[@williamwhiting6285]

Absolute perfection. Jack Sperling was classic.

[@SamWight89]

Absolutely compelling. She just soars effortlessly all the way through the song. A true talent!

[@thahypeizreel]

Came here for Peggy. Overwhelmed by drummer's incredible talent 🤯

[@maxmason6053]

Yeah,what a lovely way to burn...............Big kisses Peggy may you rest in peace angel.Who's going to match this voice today?...............nobody.

[@thomasminker6277]

Been coming back to watch this since it's been up and as much as I love Peggy, especially on this live version, it's Jack Sperling who utterly steals the performance. Every time I watch this video I always watch him. He was a fine, fine, creative percussionist, man. But, any way one looks at it, this performance by all three, the great bassist Max Bennett, Peggy and Jack, was one of the finest, coolest, groovinest versions of Fever I've ever heard. Low key but totally on fire, burning with a cool, yet white hot flame.

[@GreenDragon11]

Thomas Minker; Wow your words are like melted butter and I mean that in a good way! You described how I felt watching him on those drums, never seen anything like it!

[@melaniemorales4371]

Her voice ❤️ I wish i could sing like that

[@raywarman]

Passed nearly 12 years ago and still makes my skin tingle, what a legacy.

[@sunburst1889]

Classic! And I love her deep and powerful voice 🤍

[@redhawke22]

this version is PERFECT!! enough instruments to enjoy without covering up her voice and her amazing style!!

[@Talista]

One of greatest jazz vocalist of all time

[@IKatchSkams]

What a VOICE!!! She sang this song with her eyes, too....oh yeah! FEVER!!!! FEVER...what a lovely way to burn....

[@Kelly-nm4kw]

Hello Mary, How are you doing?

[@robertmarggraf1708]

Miss Peggy Lee Forever

[@shintopig]

Her voice could melt any grown man.

[@avwill]

This is the best upload I've been able to find. This voice has haumted me all my life.

[@bradforddrake8633]

FABULOUS! Peggy Lee gives me a fever on the Fahrenheit,, Celsius and Kelvin scales! This song really siZZles!

[@HeelsOnHoliday]

You know a song is good when you can listen to it half a century later and it still has all the smoldering heat it had when it was first released. ;)

[@puglet7]

Yes...you're correct! It's late 67 , and it's from the second " Something Special" that Peggy recorded . Glad you enjoyed the clip!

[@rogerhonore]

So she was 47 years old.

[@indiebb7788]

love you, peggy lee

[@RavenMarx]

DAMN! That voice gave me chills

[@garywildman1273]

Everything must change, they don't produce music like this anymore, the one and only , Peggy lee.

[@darqjade]

Everytime I see this performance I can't take my eyes of the drummer. All respect to Ms Lee who owns this song hands down, but his skills are superb! Also......shout out to my second favorite version of this song..... Animal and Rita Moreno :)

[@borisblade564]

Agreed what a superb performance

[@songsmirth5316]

Thank you Gareth. A lot of memories pop up. She is/was exceptional. I didn't know she wrote so many of my favorites. She was a hero to my older sister who sang this song for many an audience all over the world. Looked like her too. My sister used cans to help style her hair! (Mini-secret). Wish she could have lived to see this and so many others on KZbin. R.I.P. Anna and Ms. Lee.

[@puglet7]

Thanks for your comment Songs Mirth . I'm pleased you enjoyed this clip , and that it brought back happy memories for you .

[@puglet7]

The909stranger Thanks very much for your comment . It still drives me mad too , and I think you're so right . It's a masterpiece !

[@lynnmiller3937]

Drummer puts his sticks down at 8 seconds! What a song!

[@searayser]

It is Great to have this performance captured for, well, forever! I wish the Double Bass Player could have acknowledged the Drummer: there is never even a glance... I wonder if he feels Upstaged...

[@MartiGrant-jc2gn]

Love you Uncle Jack. RIP. You are up there with the greatest of the greatest drummers. Classic, classy, too cool for words. Family reunions are so boring now except when Uncle George gets drunk.

[@Paganel75]

Strange how this song is so intemporal. It could just as well have been released last week, I think nobody would find it "old" (at least in its original version, where the basses sound like basses)

[@boomerguy9935]

Acoustic instruments rule. "Less is more".

[@WildWomenOfSong]

Fever actually started as a blues standard, but Peggy Lee added some of the verses that we all still use... Romeo and Juliet, Captain Smith and Pocahantas....she certainly transformed the song! Please check out our latest episode of "Pamela Rose presents Wild Women of Song." We've brought on music researcher Veronica Klaus to discuss the history of legendary music icon, Ms. Peggy Lee!

[@rumisersh]

i just love the way she sings..the way she pronounces the words... it just has so much allure and attitude...and she does it so effortlessly!

[@BeemaBros]

It is not a shame. Keep learning the words to classic songs like this. You'll stand out in a good way.

[@puglet7]

This was available commercially some years back . I've collected the rest over several years . Glad you enjoyed it Bestsun . Thanks for commenting. Gareth.