Playing To Win - Little River Band (Solid Gold) (1985)

Written by John Farnham & Graeham Goble
'Solid Gold', Los Angeles, California, USA, March 26th, 1985.
Band: John Farnham, Graeham Goble, Wayne Nelson, David Hirschfelder, Steve Housden, Steve Prestwich.
Further info at www.graehamgoble.com
Link to iTUNES: bit.ly/jXnXx4

[@cyclonicleo]

John Farnham is one of great singers whose live performances match his recorded ones. One of the great Australian voices if every there was one.

[@jamesatkinson7517]

I think John Farnham is the greatest male singer that has ever lived bar none

[@mekurri2007]

Bloody Oath Mate

[@tod3msn]

Farnham is great and this song is great too. Well played and written and sung.

[@Mario-ch5qy]

As good as he is, that's a bit of an overstatement. But I will say that this performance would have to be his absolute best. He looked good, and he sounded good.

[@paul-Ess]

I don't think,I know!

[@Johnny_Thunder]

@@paul-Ess tom jones said he was one of the best white singers ever. He is amazing even today.

[@vickyjara9529]

John Farnham surely has the whole package... what a Legend! 💕

[@bettybabberl9608]

I was so fortunate to see John Farnham perform w LRB in Des Moines, Iowa twice and one of them was their Playing To Win tour!!! 💜

[@Aussiesher2011]

His voice is effortless. Love you John ❤

[@robertlennox3607]

I thought I recognised Steve Prestwich on drums there. Always loved this song, Farnsey did it heaps at his own shows too.

[@dawnthomson9269]

Mate you are right I didn’t realise it was Steve either until you pointed it out.

[@bogan-slayer7469]

I saw this line up with Prestwich, live outdoors at Tamworth. Blew me away.

[@nopharksgiven]

How good is JF's voice, appropriate show title

[@karenreardon9635]

This performance is explosive! Bravo!!

[@tod3msn]

This is a great pop song and well written and performed. The musicianship is top notch and singing amazing.

[@billbrimmer1739]

The guys had a different look and as this song demonstrates, a whole different musical direction. I believe John was out of the group a year later, and I'm happy for these videos.

[@consciousbeing1188]

It was much less than a year later... 1985 was also the year he went solo and released the famous "Whispering Jack" album.

[@traviscarlson6718]

Omg Yesss John Farnham its good he went to America to perform this Hit when he was with LRB Let America wake up to the power of your Voice John your my inspiration thanks for inspiring me and for all the inspirational songs Especially the song You're the voice ❤😍

[@GENX.80SGIRL]

GEEZ JOHN LOOKS SO DAMN SEXY IN THAT OUTFIT.. DAMN JUST A SHAME THIS WAS HIS ONLY APPEARANCE ON US TV... he shouldve made it everywhere but they didnt see what all us aussies saw puurree talent. and one of the best voices ever...their loss our gain js

[@tonyb4115]

Your right their loss, but there are pockets of recognition like the RAD soundtrack etc. Americas different because they pick and choose. Sometimes smack you in the face singing talent is not enough. It helps if you a good record company backing you. Again their loss and thankyou to all the devoted John Farnham (american ) fans for being a light amongst blind.

[@jondunmore4268]

True that he should've made it everywhere! But in the States during this time, the scene was in upheaval with the metal movement, so they couldn't fit LRB into any pocket - maybe the Huey Lewis/Cars pocket, but their management, I'm presuming, was not aggressive enough. There are so many factors that go into "making it" - who knows the tribulations the mgmt company and Farnesy went through to try to push through?

[@SuperBenblake]

Funny that I watched Solid Gold avidly and also Little River Band when I was a little boy and despite a photographic memory think I missed this gem. Voice of Gold just brilliant!!!!!! John Farnham has such an amazing voice and this and No Reins are the best with him in the group. I don't like "The Other Guy" which was kind of a leftover and a fluke huge hit in that it was nowhere as strong as what came before or after it. No, Farnham proves his legitimacy in the band with this amazing song and the later stuff with him is incredible. Also, Glen Shorrock is an amazing singer and writer. Love this band and wonder how I missed out on this at the time nice to hear it now!

[@thewayneflyinghigh9128]

Benjamin Blake Mitchner I liked the song the other guy however it's not as good as playing to win, so you hating the song the other guy is OK by me. Wayne from Sydney, Australia.

[@allymayful]

My favourite Little River Band song, while John Farnham was in the lead. NB the keyboard player, David Hirchfelder.

[@juieandersonJHLA]

Wow, Solid Gold! One host of that show was Andy Gibb. That's when music was music.

[@juieandersonJHLA]

Lead singer voice almost as good as Lou Gramm! Sounds a bit like him.

[@allymayful]

l don't know of lou Gramm. l'll have to hunt him up.

[@juieandersonJHLA]

Foreigner Lead Singer.

[@juieandersonJHLA]

I am making more lists private and setting 21 age limit. If you look at private post you'll understand.

[@whiteapple2313]

Love David H. Great talent.

[@mattrixx_audio]

Love this so much .. thanks for sharing' Graham

[@DavidSweetnam]

This popped up today and wow, really enjoy watch these clips from early 80s LRB! Hope there’s more out there

[@Ariovistus1]

My Fave Song from Little River Band! This Rocks!

[@thomo74]

Solid gold ! Solid hairspray !

[@adriang6259]

Great singer, great song. Great band.

[@paulnewman4624]

In the style of music that John plays ie soft to hard rock, I don't think there's a singer in the world that can touch him. I can only imagine that his lack world domination came down to the fact that 1. he didn't want it and 2. whilst the songs were good they weren't great. If you look at Bon Jovi and Aerosmith and compare the quality of the songs , well there's just no comparison. That said, vocally, he could sing them all off the stage. The Voice , which was a world class song was the closest he came to it but nothing to follow after that. I'd give anything for that Voice though.

[@jondunmore4268]

I think both your points are very valid. You can't just have The Voice - you have to 1) WANT it (and I think John's down-home attitude may have been off-putting to the international mgmt companies that might have wanted to sign him - not that he was arrogant or ungrateful, but just that he didn't want to commit to world tours and 1 million promotional appearances to make his star rise) 2) you gotta have the GREAT songs to showcase that Voice (and LRB had SOME great songs... but someone should have hooked John up with an American songwriter to hook into the charts - again, maybe Farnesy just wanted to get back down under to his farmsey).

[@aussiekat6379]

@@jondunmore4268 John had had enough of touring with LRB plus there was a lot of in fighting within the band and he missed his family and Australia.. he went back to his sole career here in Australia and we are so glad that he did John career has spanned over 50 yrs and he is well loved and is just a bloody legend. American powers to be said he was too old and did don’t know what to do with him.. john was happy to stay in Australia he didn’t want to conquer the world.. he sings because he loves too and loves to sings for he fans. He has had a hit in ever era he’s CV stands for itself.. He is The Voice and no one come close to him as a performer.. and as far as song go John has some of the most amazing and beautiful songs every written to sing. He has written a few himself.. some e.g of sings that are just the best. Burn for You, Reasons, Please Don’t Ask Me, A touch of Paradise, Age of Reason, Your the Voice, See the Banners Fall, The time has come, Help just to name few. 🧐😊🇦🇺

[@cathrynboag6474]

So good...never seem this + I was in this Aussie music scene....

[@margierogers1815]

Wows!

[@paoguy118]

Nice glasses, Graeham.

[@cheerband1]

🤓🤣

[@mrtorino351]

Epic piano/guitar man!!!

[@dokkenroll]

grande john la voz no le ha cambiado!!

[@jamesatkinson7517]

I think John Farnham is the greatest male singer that ever lived

[@Toto99fan]

this is gold! thanks!

[@rrregan]

so handsome here

[@cantworkitout]

imagine if John Farnham was into metal... he'd be awesome as a singer, haha, too bad this song was about as close as he got to metal

[@jamesatkinson7517]

Hey if you want to hear johns metal scream voice play one of his early hits from the early 70’s I can’t dance to you music

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

...he used to play Donington in the early 90s - I've got a Metal Hammer mag from 91 where they review his performance alongside Judas Priest. He could mix it with the metal singers.

[@TiltBrook]

Seriously!!!!!

[@petermeter8221]

Here you go...kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpmulXqXiqqNrZY

[@geerterri]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJfQg4SLibeUfsU

[@karenberry7119]

😍😍❤

[@oldmanJ]

Graham Goble only origginal here.

[@kaylene2508]

For every survivor of divorce - This time I'm playing to win!

[@pattomuso]

Twin Strat Attack!

[@NoApologiesTeam]

Was America asleep and missed this awesome musical invasion?

[@jondunmore4268]

I know Farnsey's a great married family guy an ' all - but I bet he got his pick of the American groupies during his stint in the States, with those blond mullet locks, that heavy Oz accent and - of course - that golden throat!

[@gotchyer6661]

Hi. if this is Graeham... thanks for the Great music over the years. met you couple times back in the day. once at Shelter Island Pier CONCERT BY THE BAY series inSANe DIEGO. John ripped it up. Wayne Spot on. saw him at MR. MISTER ... Del Mar Fairgrounds GRANDSTANDS. Anyhoo ... you are the solid rock vocally and Rhythmically. Didn't get lost on me and My Friends. we all play... so... anyway... if not the REAL Graeham... have a good one too. DG

[@allymayful]

It is the real Graeham , but he rarely responds to comments. But l love reading any comments from international fans that value our ORIGINAL LRB.

[@pattyasmus1877]

that's not true that this guy never had other U.S. appearances. BUT, for me anyways (and maybe others), Glen is the "real" LRB in my heart, soul, and joy

[@jjhuckester]

Great song and proof keyboard players should stay put

[@robertlennox3607]

Hirschfelder was an innovator

[@the-Salty-Slayer]

I wonder if Glen and the other original guys cried or threw up when they saw this shit. LRB was awesome until '83.

[@tod3msn]

Who cares what Glen thinks because I don't! This song is representative of the 80's and is a good pop song. John Farnham did a great job and I think LRB petering out hit wise had less to do with John Franham and more to do with times changing but this particular song is just fine.

[@dawnthomson9269]

@@tod3msn thanks Uncle Elmer, my thoughts exactly. In an interview Goble said that John blamed himself for the lack of US success for LRB while he was in the band but Goble said that was far from the truth, so many other factors were to blame. Goble loved the energy & vocal range that John brought to LRB.

[@voxac30withstrat]

Huge props to the lads in LRB for taking John onboard. Without them John would've faded into obscurity. Let's be brutally honest Australian radio absolutely sucks.

[@modspell]

Yeah, all great musicians but no LRB in my book.

[@CoreaKixx420]

I'm sorry, but this is everything that I despised about the 80's. The MTV look, and the sickly, commercial pap. And I'm the biggest Little River Band fan I know. But this is horrendous. So glad the 80's are long in the rear view mirror.

[@Pussycatfeathers]

i also hated the 80`s style, the clothes and hairstyles were horrendous!!....but this is great music, and john farnham is second to none !

[@asherouk7308]

This is a spectacular song...and you just sound like a wet fart!

[@bobbyjovi]

Yes the 80s were horrible weren't they? Music about having a good time with your girl down at the beach and fast cars and partying. Yes now go and enjoy Kanya West and all the great music we have today you muppet

[@DavidSweetnam]

And yet he’s singing live and the song has become a classic in Australia