The EXTENSIVE 200 Year Journey of This 1977 Hard Rock Classic | Professor of Rock

Up next, is the story of how a band from Cincinnati name Ram Jam changed an African American labor chant, with a debated origin, into a rip-roaring guitar track that became an international smash and is now a standard of 70s classic rock, having been covered many times since. The stunning transformation & history of “Black Betty” NEXT on Professor of Rock.
Thank you to this Episodes Sponsor, Zenni Optical
Incredible Prices on New Glasses - bit.ly/ZenniOp...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Producer
Brandon Fugal
Honorary Producers
Jacob Flores, Walter O. Wright II, Tom Stokes, Shayne Smith
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check Out My Hand Picked Selection Below
Professor's 80s Store
- 100 Best Selling Albums amzn.to/3h3qZX9
- Ultimate History of 80s Teen Movie amzn.to/3ifjdKQ
- 80s to 90s VHS Video Cover Art amzn.to/2QXzmIX
- Totally Awesome 80s A Lexicon amzn.to/3h4ilrk
- Best In Ear Headphones (I Use These Every Day) amzn.to/2ZcTlIl
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check Out The Professor of Rock Merch Store - bit.ly/Professo...
Access To Backstage Content
Become a Patron - bit.ly/Professo...
Purchase The Albums
Help out the Channel by purchasing your albums through our links! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you, thank you for your support.
Purchase Here
Box Set: amzn.to/2ZolOeW​
Slippery When Wet: amzn.to/36iHGtE​
Click here for Premium Content: bit.ly/SignUpF...
bit.ly/Faceboo...
bit.ly/Instagr...
​#70s​ #RocknRoll​ #Story
Up next, is the story of how a band from Cincinnati name Ram Jam changed an African American labor chant, with a debated origin, into a rip-roaring guitar track that became an international smash and is now a standard of 70s classic rock, having been covered many times since. The stunning transformation & history of “Black Betty” NEXT on Professor of Rock.
Hey music junkies and vinyl junkies Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest 70s vinyl songs of all time for the music community and vinyl community.
If you’ve ever owned records, cassettes and CD’s at different times in you life or still do this is your place Subscribe below right now to be a part of our daily celebration of the rock era with exclusive stories from straight from the artists and click on our patreon link in the description to see our brand new show there.
The origin and meaning of the term “Black Betty” has been contested for well over a century. Research finds that one of the earliest accounts of the expression “Black Betty” goes all the way back to the ’Newton of Electricity’- Benjamin Franklin.
Yes, one of the first rock star personalities, and founding fathers of the United States, allegedly used the name “Black Betty” in 1736 while referring to liquor. “Black Betty” was also synonymous with a bottle of whiskey as early as 17th century London, and the British coined “Black Betty” as the nickname for a specific old-timey musket with black paint.
The Library of Congress has transcribed notes that ‘Black Betty’ was a ‘tree cutting song’ in the 1700s.
Add to the master list that “Black Betty” was a euphemism in the backcountry of Eastern America, a term for a sultry woman, a wagon transferring convicts, and the nickname for a dreaded whip that was brutally administered in southern prisons.
The provenance of the song “Black Betty” is just as debated and interesting as the origination of the expression.
Many historians claim that “Black Betty” became a marching cadence that was chanted, or sang, by African American slaves in the 18th century.
By the 20th century, there was no doubt that “Black Betty” had become a labor chant with some convicts in prison yards & chain gangs in the south.
The “Black Betty” chant evolved into a song that was first recorded in 1933- performed by blues musician James Baker, who was better known in those days as ‘Iron Head’ Baker. The song was first recorded in the field by U.S. musicologists John and Alan Lomax

[@scott_simmonz]

Professor Adam, you're one of a kind! I was born in '66. Thanks SO MUCH for the daily walks down memory lane. I've early onset alzheimers, and your videos open up snapshots of my life that I've long forgotten. "Three chords and the truth, my friend." Sincerely, Scott

[@ProfessorofRock]

You're very welcome! I'm so sorry to hear that. We will continue to create videos of the soundtrack of your life. Music is the medicine...Peace to you my friend.

[@TheTruthseeker59]

rock on man! remember, OLD HIPPIES RULE!

[@rayross997]

Music is medicine for the brain. Will pray for you, Scott.

[@FatherAndTeacherTV]

@@rayross997 I will say a prayer for you too, Scott! Peace!

[@TheNinnyfee]

Scott, your message here is a true highlight in an internet full of fakes and trolls, it's very heartfelt. Take good care of yourself, I hope you get the best care there is and have many more good years! ♥️

[@edminchau811]

Black Betty and Radar Love are the two most dangerous songs for drivers. So many speeding tickets....

[@markfryer9880]

I was just thinking about making such a comment about those two as driving songs and being potentially very expensive for the wallet when I stumbled across your comment.

[@dt1064]

Don't forget Sammy Hagar-" I Can't Drive 55".

[@charliefrisbie3764]

Highway Star ✨ Deep Purple

[@utterfrustration63ryan18]

and red barchetta with all that shifting and drifting mechanical music is guaranteed to get you a ticket when played loud

[@brownsugar2147]

Don't forget "Ballroom Blitz"

[@fhorst41]

I made a music Playlist for my daughter when she was little that I would play when she was in her hanging bouncy seat. Ram Jam's Black Betty was the song that really got her moving. She still gets excited when she hears it at 17. And she's literally been jamming to this song for nearly her whole life.

[@mazterford]

wow,i will try this song to my granddaughter who is 11mos old now,cant wait to see her..

[@darkhorse21xx]

My 3 year old Grandson is mesmerized by this tune. As soon as it comes on the TV, he can't focus on anything but this song and dances till it's over. It is so fun to watch him rock out to this classic.

[@markdittbenner9949]

It will stand the test of time..... Ram jams version is brilliant it can't be matched

[@mikewhitfield2994]

Best and most thorough deep dive I've ever heard of a fantastic rendition of a fantastic song. It's not often that anyone can totally own a song that's been recorded by the great Lead Belly, but Bill Bartlett took that song and did it so well that he forever owns it. He also gets no credit for the absolutely soaring, smokin' guitar solo which is a damned shame. The guitar, the drums, the bass line, everything about this version is absolute rock perfection. I listen to it pretty much every morning in the shower, really wakes me up the right way.

[@amberize9213]

17, 1986, The Black Horse, legendary biker pub southern UK, sun shining, bikes lined up, Newkie Brown and someone plays BB on the jukebox. The happy vibe just got even happier!! 😁

[@TrashLefties]

One of the Lemon Pipers was a neighbor of mine. Had VH1 on the TV playing their video and I could see him outside in the distance mowing. Just one of those moments.

[@kentneumann5209]

Cool.

[@webbtrekker534]

Discovered this by RamJam about 10 years ago when I was stacking music on my iPods. I was in my 60's at the time. Hadn't heard it before and this is the first I learned of its history. Any way, I'm 75 now and still like it!

[@JohnMiller-oz7gv]

Welcome to the party.

[@tamuman93]

Whaaat? You’re 60 and you never heard of this diddy? It was a very rocking tune and was played all over the radio.

[@webbtrekker534]

@@tamuman93 I'm sure it was. I was in the Navy in the mid 1960's and every time we went to sea we missed months of music and groups even. For many years it was very normal for me to hear about music I "missed". It is less common now but still happens from time to time. Like I said I was in my 60's at that time I discovered this. Not uncommon then. I'm 77 now.

[@tamuman93]

@@webbtrekker534 - That makes perfect sense brother. By the way, Thanks for your service.

[@webbtrekker534]

@Karl with a K Well, the "short" version is I have been a "Public Radio" listener for over 40 years. I hate commercials and commercial radio phony "hype". Most of the stations play music that the commercial stations won't or wouldn't. I discovered Noncommercial radio in the late 60's after I got out of the Navy. At sea we'd go months out of radio broadcast range, (besides I was on a submarine and submerged you heard nothing, I went years with out hearing much music that came and went while we were submerged.) I gave up on TV over 6 years ago. Most isn't worth watching and what is is hard to find that is why I watch "programs" on-line. I run 6 different ad blockers on my computer. I NEVER see an Ad or Commercials just what I want to watch.😃

[@amanuesis]

If you ever bought a used car, and you were ecstatic to find a cool cassette tape in the glove box, or maybe even left in the stereo cassette deck, then you're really gonna love this channel.

[@amanuesis]

@snipe69 oh, man! I wish! Cassette tape players are readily available! Buy one pronto!

[@michaelmoraga2926]

Ha! Word... Reminds me of being a young English teacher in rural Japan in the late ´90s when I was given an old "company car" to drive to classes for 6 months. It had a cassette player, but there was a tape stuck in it though it still played... Paul Simon's "Graceland" on Side A and his greatest hits on Side B. Though Simon is not a personal favorite, I was grateful for the musical layers and solid songwriting of "Graceland" .... Sadly, I have no desire to ever hear it again. ; )

[@jonathanstancil8544]

@snipe69 Radio Shack is offering some cool retro styled boom boxes through their online store for around $50 US. Check them out. I just ordered one and will pre-order my cassette of Metallica's Black Album for the 30th anniversary as well.

[@jonathanstancil8544]

@@amanuesis see my above commemt

[@gonzogonzo1854]

Bought a car iit had 8 track in it had ac/dc back in black in it

[@61shotbeehive]

5:46 I love when you recall stories about your dad. My dad was also a big music nerd and passed away two years ago this month. He was also a drummer in a sixties garage rock band who played songs by seattle band, The Sonics

[@islandbee]

Who knew Ned Flanders could rock out like that? DOH! 🤘🤓🎸🤘

[@ProfessorofRock]

That's what I thought! He looks just like him!

[@RÅNÇIÐ]

Stupid, rocking Flanders

[@redsologlass8768]

LMAO🤣👍

[@strangeworldsunlimited712]

LMAO! 🤣😂🤣😂

[@PipoPhefunchal]

🤣🧠

[@nicolaiitchenko7610]

As an Australian...Black Betty by Ram Jam fit in perfectly with the rise of "pub rock" here along side such luminaries of the art as Bon Scott and ACDC

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very true! Thanks for watching!

[@markfryer9880]

@Sub if you are against Antifa and BLM The common theme with both bands was that their front men used to get the ladies into a frenzy.

[@michaelwaynemartin3291]

@Hermes Trismagistus and Spiderbait i think.

[@Spankedchicken]

@Sub if you are against Antifa and BLM have you given Cold Chisel a try?

[@roberthouston6562]

@@markfryer9880 make em froth. Hehe.

[@FatherAndTeacherTV]

I am so grateful to this channel for giving the history behind the song. I just remember my father singing the classic rock version by Ram Jam to me when I was a kid. One of my earliest memories of hearing classic rock music. Thanks Dad!

[@kellyezebra]

True grace in a musician: go outside your comfort zone and make a beautiful cover true to both your style and the original!

[@timmungenast]

The thought that keeps coming to me whenever I hear this song is "practice much?!?" Holy cow, this band was tight, tight, tight! And I love the fact that the Lemon Pipers' psych-pop axeman was the one making Black Betty's big riff -- that reminds me of how the Strawberry Alarm Clock's psychedelic fuzz master Ed King went on to fame and fortune playing a totally different type of music with Lynrd Synrd. Moral: It pays to be flexible!

[@CCRider5312]

I heard it when it came out on the radio in the 70’s ! Just one of those songs that makes you wanna shake your head and get your groove on! It’s a feel good song, plain and simple

[@ericjustice5742]

My 4 year old will randomly belt this one out. It's simply amazing.

[@SonjaFroneman]

Classic song! Legendary!

[@pdmullgirl]

I have always loved this song! Seen this video of Ram Jam countless times. Them throwing down in the backyard, looking like they are just having a cookout and a jam session breaks out!! What fun!! Can only imagine how fun it would of been to be there during this session! Backyard fun at its finest. Enjoyed the video Professor! ❤️💜💚

[@timkramar9729]

Definitely during the 70s. Look at the fashions. I grew up during the 70s.

[@dodgeramsport01]

That song stands up, lights a smoke, and struts around the room!

[@jongroubert4203]

I'm an old fart, never heard this song back in the day in '77. Then again, back then, I was still listening to WNBC, a strictly top 40 station - I had not journeyed to the dark side of album oriented rock just yet (WNEW). Even so, I absolutely recall the very first time I ever heard this song. It was while in the movie theater watching Blow, a forgettable Johnny Depp vehicle, except for the fact that Penelope Cruz was absolutely unforgettable in that movie. Black Betty came on. "W. T. F. Is. This???" Holy crap, I was blown away. I had to hear that song again. I waited to the end credits to be sure I found the info on the song. It's been an absolute favorite of mine ever since.

[@meandean222]

I'm a US Army vet1980-'88, maybe that's why I love this so much. Misery loves company!

[@clockguy2]

Fun fact: The band in the Ram Jam video is actually Starstruck, not Ram Jam. It was filmed on Long Island on a Sunday Morning at the base player's mom's house for a "British Client" according to Bill Bartlett. He said he never saw the video until years later, when at the Dentist in Ohio, they were playing it on a TV in the office. Bartlett claimed that his added lines to the song were inspired by the 50's pinup girl, Betty Page, not a black woman.

[@sylviaross5486]

LOL - my mother's name is Betty, & I used to sing it to her to aggravate her. I was born, raised, & still live in Alabama, graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, so I LOVE this song.

[@patriciaadams-rl4iz]

Hi I was born in 1952 it was a time when music was slowly coming about. The 60's-70-'s was an awesome time when we were trying to find ourselves. Black Betty was a go way of getting myself ready and geared up. Hearing this first thing in the morning would really get me going. Actually, it got me really pumped up for work.

[@juliaflanagan4148]

The radio play version less than 3 minutes leaves you feeling like you’ve been on the wildest rollercoaster ride of your life. It never stops and your mouth drops open as you ride the rhythm and lyrics.

[@OjiOtaku]

I love how you mix stories of your dad into the music history to add the personal touch that makes everything more interesting!

[@MEGAFLYGIRL626]

My 5 year old son was singing this song this morning! We played it on our way to school. Bad a$$ jam. This little kid has always had a good ear for some throwback music. He’s a really cool kid!

[@suedesilets5660]

So fun, cruising in a '77 Trans Am with this song blasting. Friend took her dad's screaming chicken back in the day and we cruised Gratiot (Eastside of Detroit area) and local rock station had this song on rotation.

[@markmarshall7939]

WABX, WLLZ & WRIF back in the day! I still live at 9 1/2 (Stephens) & Gratiot Ave.

[@suedesilets5660]

@@markmarshall7939 I still have a WABX tshirt. 😄

[@debraengdahl1980]

WRIFor wheelz?

[@suedesilets5660]

@@debraengdahl1980 I have to say, I favored WABX, I didn't necessarily like Athur Penhollow on RIF. Didn't hate him, he just kinda gave me the creeps. Lol.

[@brianbrown543]

This is one of those songs that elicits an irresistible Pavlovian response... The song comes on and you just can't help but reach over and crank it up!

[@davidaustin4910]

I love all the young kids on these reaction videos listening to the song I remember when it was released

[@johngerson7335]

Saw Ram Jam in between Mother's Finest and Styx (during their tour for "Grand Illusion") on a three act bill at my local auditorium in a small 'Burg in S.C. It all rocked, but the singular bit I remember most was Ram Jam just _killin' it_ with Black Betty. The other very memorable thing was all the kids hoppin' outta their seats to dance in the aisles to Mother's Finest's set. When the security guys asked (and they _asked,_ they weren't jerks about it) them to sit down, the kids politely ignored them, at which point they left the kids alone and let 'em dance! Great memories, I really miss those days.

[@jonbutzfiscina1307]

I was in college when Ram Jam sang this song. I love the purity of their version that is timeless.

[@flavellinator]

Professor, I can't believe how many songs you pull out of the hat that I don't know... And I grew up in that era for this one!

[@punkisinthedetails1470]

not even a particularly large hat either. amazing

[@Bacchus69]

This is one of the few jams that will always pump me up and get my adrenaline in overdrive. I'd like to thank my father for introducing me to this classic jam. I love the history and story behind this song. Maybe it's one of the reasons it withstands the test of time because it is truly timeless.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I think you nailed it.

[@katetarot]

Oh good grief. I'm nearly 60 years old and I just found out that the "dream tambourine" was a "green tambourine". Love the channel. Thanks Prof

[@debraconner3884]

I know how you feel.... I thought Fire Lake was Tiger Lake. I loved it! Tiger Lake in Mason County, Wasington State is where I grew up. Finding out I was wrong didn't chsnge anything for me....I still sing Tiger Lake😁

[@llamasugar5478]

I was 40-something when I learned that it *wasnt* “You and me and Leslie” groovin’ on a Sunday afternoon.

[@manstersr]

My wife thought VanHalen's Panama lyric was "Had Enough", I asked her "what's the name of the song?" POR should do a segment of misheard lyrics just to straighten out all these people. Good thing there are all these lyric sites now. Settles many arguments.

[@greensage395]

It is odd what can stick in our head. The Song "Peace Train" by Cat Stevens, I have only ever heard the words "Beast Train"...it sort of freaks me out, always has! It seems to be Truth!

[@marisadaniela6]

@@manstersr I thought my hubs was singing with the Beatles about "Desmond and MOLLY," which is our daughter's name. I thought he was being funny and putting her name in the song. Turns out, no, to my dumb millennial self, Marley is a totally normal name for a girl in the 1960s.

[@bobblowhard8823]

Here on KZbin is a guy who did a recent telephone interview with Bill Bartlett, the lead singer of the popular tune. According to Bill Bartlett, HIS version is about Bettie Page, the '50's pin-up model. Of course, she was white, but she was always in black garters, etc. You should check out that interview. Bill seems like a pretty cool guy.

[@bobblowhard8823]

@chi sam He did state that he never lived in Alabama. He had no reason to lie. Clearly, you're an incompetent man with no common sense.

[@bobblowhard8823]

@chi sam Perhaps you should look at the interview before lookin like a damn fool.

[@bobblowhard8823]

@chi sam It doesn't matter that Page never lived in Alabama. That's who Bill Bartlett was referring to in his version of the song, moron.

[@chuckoerter4188]

I read that interview and it was great. Bartlett did say he grew up in Dayton. I had no idea. Back then most of us thought he was from Manchester, England and when he penned a song titled, "A Bit of All Right" that sealed it for us.

[@NotIfWhen]

I miss real bands. No fuss. Just great musicians playing in the yard. Imagine that.

[@clayparcell3582]

Im an aussie and i reckon the Spiderbait version is fantastic! I can remember dancing to the original at school dicoes back in the 70’s💃🏻🕺 Fabulous song still…:))

[@michaelsteven1090]

"Music/shows" suck today..you know what I'm saying..

[@frotobaggins7169]

i love when Kansas comes on, always kick ass music

[@yannikoloff7659]

What do you mean "no fuzz"? Look, solist have a fuzz

[@EddieWinebauer]

Here in Seattle our new bands still rock, hard. With 2 music collages and 50 music venues we're rolling in cool shows and great local bands...no none with enough celebrity status to hypnotize the ignorant hordes of brainless half hearted lemmings. But good music by great musicians. Because that's all that matters right. Not the trappings of fame and celebrity worship right?

[@paulrosebush9137]

Thanks for taking the time to do the research and for loving music from our time and putting down these clips. Much appreciated.

[@johndavis7533]

The Lemon Pipers were and still are very underrated

[@peterlewerin4213]

Sometime in 1980, I think, I was sitting in the backseat of a SAAB 94, tagging along with a couple of older kids to visit a friend. It was a six-hour trip, we were listening to mixtapes. Mostly music that I didn't care about. Then, a driving beat, a burst of guitar playing, some kind of gong sound... it was the radio version of Black Betty. I sat upright and asked what it was, but none of them knew. We all agreed that it was good. The song ended and other songs followed. We stopped to eat, and when we came back I asked if they could play "that song" again. They found the tape and played it for me. We finished the trip, spent two nights and three days, and when I got home the song was still beating in me. I have no idea how I learned the song's name* or the name Ram Jam, but months later I was browsing LPs in my favourite shop: the 'R' tag had been added to my list of tags to check. And there it was. The LP of the record of the band of the Song. *) Ok, the title turned to be what you would guess. But still.

[@MrBoz1968]

I love watching young people react to this song on KZbin, their reactions are epic because the song is epic. Love that you broke down the history of this as there is a ton of mis-info being posted to this types of vids.

[@jdhalvo]

I'm glad I'm not the only one with this guilty pleasure. Watching Millenials hear, and especially see, Janice Joplin, SRV, The Animals, and similar artists for the first time is so entertaining! The moment when their eyes go wide....

[@wilywascal2024]

_'Black Betty'_ by Ram Jam was an instant classic rocker. Never knew it was created by Bartlett with Starstruck (or even heard of Starstruck) until this video. Never really noticed the gong at the beginning and end of the song. Didn't realize Bartlett was the voice and guitar behind Lemon Pipers either. Decades later, both _'Black Betty'_ and the psychedelic _'Green Tambourine'_ still remain among my favorite songs. Thanks for the knowledge, Professor, which enhances the music even more, while gaining the appreciation for Bill Bartlett he richly deserves.

[@b5maddog]

The Boston Bruins use Black Betty often to pump up the fans. Love this song!

[@mistermurtad2831]

I remember listening to this on a top-40 rock station out of Little Rock about 10:00 at night soon after it was released. I was immediately wowed, but never heard it again on that station, I think because of the heat it took at the beginning. I am so glad I can now listen to this whenever I want now.

[@martyjones7225]

Back in 77, my family bought a house and I found a 45 of Ram Jam's Black Betty in a closet. I ended up playing it to death.

[@ProfessorofRock]

What a great discovery. I remember finding a Pink Floyd 8 track in the field behind my house and it still played!

[@robertgrant4501]

That was a great house warming gift

[@markpotemra]

@@ProfessorofRock Young people today would say what's an 8 track. My first stereo had an 8 track player and turntable. It was an old Lloyds

[@dramoth64]

@@markpotemra I remember one of my mum's cars having an 8 track in it. I think that the car originally belonged to my grandfather.

[@kaithorenfawkes8312]

@@ProfessorofRock Ah, the classic 8 track! I remember them fondly, but I'm really glad they fell out of style. Vinyl is always great and cassettes are alright. But with all the different forms to get music on, 8 tracks are rather crappy. I seem to remember listening to the Bay City Rollers 'Saturday Night' on 8 track. Ah, the good old days! I can say that with complete honesty because I was born in September of 1967. Not the greatest year, but close enough to hear all the best rock and roll! So sad that my Boomer parents never appreciated Led Zeppelin and other classic rockers like I did. My mom only ever listened to Stairway to Heaven. I told her that Zeppelin did a lot more than that. Try using the beginning of Immigrant Song as a wake up alarm! Even more alarming than hearing Robin Williams shouting 'Good morning, Vietnam!' in your ear because your cell phone alarm went off next to your pillow! 😳😂

[@WaynesWorld69]

Sitting here learning about Black Betty, watching with my Zenni glasses, and having a ball! Love PoR and the passion about the music of my generation.

[@ProfessorofRock]

What a great time! Thanks for hanging out

[@jdubvdub]

I didn’t know these guys were from Cincinnati. I’m proud to say I am too. 👍

[@abelgarcia5718]

I remember back in the late 80s,i bought my first pickup truck. After getting a battery and damn near blowing up the carburetor, it finally cranked over. I drove it home and to my surprise there was a cassette tape in the tape deck. So i decided to crank it up and low and behold the amazing sound of Ram Jam's Black Betty blasted and then and there my mind was blown!! I still see myself and my dad just jamming out on the drive home. That was along ass time ago but i remember it like it was yesterday!!

[@briansherman659]

Bill Bartlett was in a band called Starstruck when I first heard Black Betty in the college town of Oxford Ohio. He was probably the fastest lead player of that time I had ever heard. I use to sit on the corner of the stage to watch his fingers on the fretboard. He wrote Black Betty. Ram Jam became famous on the back of Bill Bartlett. He lives about 6 miles from my house and is roughly 81 years old. I’m 71 and never forgot how awesome of a talent he was.

[@erikjanhobma]

Alfred Lagarde was a Dutch D.J. who played this song on the Dutch radio called Hilversum 3 the show was called boton uur ( concrete hour ) It was the first time I did hear the song and I still like it.

[@jonperrizo4447]

Ram Jam album was one of six records I got as a prize for selling magazines at school to raise money for prom, I think I also received Fog Hat, Best of BTO, The Grassroots Greatest, The Best of the Guess Who and I don't remember the last one. Recorded them to a 8 track tape so I could jam to them in my 73 Plymouth Cuda'. Love this channel, keep up the fantastic work Adam.

[@gibson9516]

Ram Jam Black Betty video is epic!!!!

[@shawnmiller9570]

First time I heard this song I was in fourth grade in 77.. Was at a friend's house, he had and older sister and my buddy goes listen to this... It was Ram Jam.. I was blown away must have played that 45 a few dozen times.. Hooked on hard rock from that day on...

[@raypreseau5360]

The drum work in that song is criminally underrated i think. We used to interview drummers that way. Can you play black betty? No? Sorry then.

[@markfryer9880]

What do you think of Spiderbait’s version then?

[@raypreseau5360]

@@markfryer9880 i liked that they addard a bit of aggression, but hate that they left out all the subtleties, and i especially thought they could have done alot more wuth all the double leads.

[@bigham1jb]

The beginning of Stargazer would be another good test.

[@peterlewerin4213]

@@bigham1jb Only if you want to weed out all drummers of the human species.

[@ldolphin34]

I have been singing now since 1993, and this song is the one that gets my audiences fired up the most. I attended the funeral of R&B singer Eddie Hill, who had hits in the 1960s, and he heard me sing this song in the 2000s, and I had to sing it every night he showed up. We also would do it when something is wrong with my baby, but when he died I sang Black Betty instead of a sad song to the Celebration of Life gathering at our bar. You should have seen the reactions and the appreciation for what my man Alabama told me was one of the best versions of that song he ever heard. RIP Bama, and thank you Professor for the background work.

[@DukesMusic84]

Black Betty is a banger! You still see kids wildin' out to this one, gotta turn it up on a road trip!

[@aramessurrinam6120]

my favorite is the expression of emotions by the band. But ESPECIALLY by the ladys in the background on and by the bike. they are the real queens of that clip. love em.

[@neil2945]

I remember back in the day the DJ played it three times in a row because he was getting fed up with people requesting it (dam I'm getting old)

[@stephenlandry9343]

Aren't we all. Down here in New Orleans a D.j. did that too. I was 17 I really miss those days. Old enough to know better but to young to care!

[@ilonarosenason2475]

First became aware of “Black Betty” when watching movie “Blow”. Awesome song, awesome vibe😍

[@mangot589]

You should do “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”. That’s got quite a story.

[@jerrybrooks870]

I'll second that.

[@satanslittlehelper3]

Whim-o-weh gets lost in Translation from Zulu

[@mangot589]

@@satanslittlehelper3 But sounds so cool.

[@davidcantwell2489]

A very, very sad story.

[@runrig97]

At least Pete Seeger turned over all the royalties from his version when he found out who the original writer was.

[@alandalaku719]

I used to play this song in a bad called Druulu. LOVED IT, as did the audience!

[@rapfreak7797]

I can’t hear this song anymore without screaming amberlance in my head!

[@ericthompson3551]

Amber Lamps dude.

[@barndawg77]

where the damn ambulam?

[@davidburroughs2244]

I guess you hear it where you hear it. How and where others hear it is just part of the fun.

[@DickDiamond74]

i sing Miranda Lambert for no reason

[@markklein437]

Slice it any way you like it remains one of the tenderest love ballads ever sung.

[@ScottWaldenGuitar]

Looking forward to this episode. Love this song.

[@ProfessorofRock]

It's a great one!

[@peterschuetz8802]

I love your attention-to-detailed-trivia analysis of so many great songs and their backgrounds, along with the characters involved in their release. Epic stories that always inform. Magnificent work, Professor!

[@jamesspencer9586]

There IS an album version of Black Betty..Very intricate arrangement!

[@netmusicdotcom]

I discovered this song from a promo 45 that was given away in the Seattle area (and perhaps in the rest of the country as well). It featured other artists too but I can't remember which ones.

[@jaytrace1006]

There are a variety of black KZbin contributors that have reacted to this song. Every one I’ve seen is completely surprised by what they see, and they start MOVING, as do I. I am not immune, as I drive down the boulevard in my black Dodge Ram pickup, appropriately named “Black Betty”...

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha. Black Dodge Ram would definitely fit the title.

[@jaytrace1006]

I dare say, this song is my Ram jam.

[@bigham1jb]

I am having decals made for my Ram Black Betty!

[@RJ-bn5uw]

Black Betty and Little Feet's - Let it Roll , have been in every road tune playlist of mine since as far back as I can remember .

[@josephgioielli]

I've studied firearms for over 30 years. The only similar nick name I know of for a musket was Brown Bess. Never Black Betty. I think it was a misunderstanding someone put into the Wiki and everyone just kept repeating the error.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I don't think it's a Wiki. I remember my grandpa calling one of his guns a black betty before the internet.

[@josephgioielli]

@@ProfessorofRock Never heard of any "kind" of gun called a "Black Betty" Suicide Special or Saturday Night Special were common types of guns. Would love to know the whole story. Interesting. The wiki article for the song posits it may be a musket, which seems to be a misnomer.

[@xScooterAZx]

@@josephgioielli I grew up with it being called a Black Betty, And I'm 68 now.

[@xScooterAZx]

I knew it as a Black betty since I wa s little,and I am quite old now.

[@ChipmunkRapidsMadMan1869]

The first time I heard Black Betty I had just left for work on my bike and had grabbed a cut out rack mixed tape I had just found at a swap meet. Most of the songs were really good. Then I heard that razor cut distortion (Prof I’m sure you know, for the rest of the class, bands would razor cut old speakers to get that certain buzz in their music). My legs found the beat of the drums. I cut through the morning traffic faster than I ever had before. I rewound it at the University Ave traffic light and got back at it. It got on my riding tracks for bicycle and motorcycle and I still use it at work as a massive “pick me up” when the coffee is just not enough.

[@michaelhawkes5110]

I’ve always been curious of the story of the Ram Jam and Black Betty! Thank you for this video!

[@JankoFrancisty]

Wow this is crazy, i just listened to this song today(by KZbin algorithm suggestion) the Ram Jam version witch is the best one if you ask me.. The guitars, the beat, fills, and the SINGERS VOICE... WOW !! The most Kick Ass song ever made.

[@JankoFrancisty]

@chi sam Apology accepted 🤝👍✌️🍻

[@JankoFrancisty]

@chi sam Why is that ironic?

[@johnhoward9689]

I'd listen to the K-Tel cut every day in the 70s, on my grade school lunch time. It was years before I heard the full version. Was never really a fan of the extra middle section, but this song is etched in my rocker heart forever, nonetheless.

[@theodoreritola9758]

Songs that pump u up At sporting events RAM JAM ,, WE, WILL ROCK YOU , ,WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS , All 3 songs from the 1970s , 1977 BABY

[@tygrkhat4087]

@@theodoreritola9758 Yeah, but you can only play "We Are the Champions" at the appropriate time.

[@sweaner]

I vividly remember the very first time I heard Black Betty. I thought, "What the Hell was that?" I went on to absolutely love it, and still play it often. It puts me in a good mood!

[@shawn1432]

Loved it, I’m 70 and just got a educated lesson

[@jerseycurl]

@Professor of Rock - In honor of The GoGo's finally making it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame please do episode on them. :-)

[@ProfessorofRock]

We've been trying to nail down an interview.

[@ZebraActual]

@@ProfessorofRock How is Pat Benetar not in the R&R HoF??

[@ProfessorofRock]

@@ZebraActual Because it's rigged.

[@admirathoria0073]

I agree POR!

[@flavellinator]

@@ZebraActual Agree!

[@chuckoerter4188]

I started college in 1966 in Oxford, Ohio. There were a few pub/bars in town but the main two were the Purity and the Boar's Head. I believe it was that year that in went into the Boar's Head one evening but it might have been '67. It was was a long time ago. I heard something completely new and different. There was a band playing that included long guitar bridges, something totally new to me. Keep in mind I hadn't even heard of Eric Clapton yet. I was completely mesmerized by what I heard, absolutely, ground breaking and unprecedented to my ears. The band was the Lemon Pipers and the guitarist was Bill Bartlett as I was to find out. I was completely hooked. Everything they played was phenomenal. Not just Black Betty but Bright Lights, Big City by Jimmy Reed and others in addition to their own music written by them. It was during this time that I also saw on a few occasions the James Gang with Joe Walsh. Also, an exceptional group but I have to tell you that I preferred Bartlett's playing, particularly during long jams. It was a fantastic time brimming with explosive talent. Unfortunately, the Lemon Pipers signed a contract with a label that insisted they do "bubble gum" rock. What a travesty to have discovered hard blues only to see the Lemon Pipers energy wasted on such nonsense. I say this despite the Irony that the one " "bubble gum" was actually quite good, Green Tambourine even though it had nothing to do with their style of music. I do not begrudge Joe Walsh's success at all. He is fantastic. In fact, he hooked up with another greatly underappreciated genius that you need to do a show on, Ray Wylie Hubbard. Hopefully you will and you should explore his music and song writing. But Bill Bartlett was an under appreciated genius, high energy and totally new. One last thing. You have the resources and capacity to delve into music history. I was flying on Virgin Air once from Austin to Dallas and watching a documentary during that short flight about the The Talking Heads and David Byrne. During the documentary, they were playing Green Tambourine as background music which made no sense to me. The narrator at one point said that the original vocalist for the Lemon Pipers was David Byrne. I have never heard that before and cannot find any reference corroborating this but I will say that Branson of Virgin Air knew his stuff about music and I can't dismiss this out of hand even without any corroboration. Hopefully, you might now something or can at least find out.

[@AladinSarsippiusSulemanagic]

Can't explain it!! Only 4/5 hours ago I was thinking 'why doesn't someone talk about Black Betty' definitely one of the most rocking songs and riffs ever and look what happens. Thank you Sir Professor of Rock PS Anything in the pipeline for a Thin Lizzy song? :)

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure. Love Thin Lizzy.

[@carldavis1407]

First band I ever saw in concert. They opened for Wild Cherry...true story, lol

[@SnarkNSass]

Communication is Key. 🎵💥🎵✌🏻

[@sarge6870]

WOW!! Heard this song a zillion times and never imagined it had such a long following. Thanks Professor!!

[@chestrockwell8328]

The value in P.o.R.'s videos is amazing. In my book Adam, you're right there next to Live From Daryl's House as a damn national treasure to music. I'm early 50's, life long Buckeye state resident and just learned of two more groups with Ohio roots. If money were on the line I'd said Ram Jam is from Alabama and The Lemon Piper's are from England.

[@xScooterAZx]

Nope. Ram Jam is from New York, NY.

[@chestrockwell8328]

@@xScooterAZx Hi Sandra, perhaps there was a time when members of Ram Jam were in NY, but listen to Bill Bartlett himself in this interview, even his 105 year old dad is from Ohio having worked at Wright Field, now Wright-Patterson Air Force base named for the the Wright brothers which I'm sure you know are from Ohio as well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2jVdKmIiK-dl80

[@xScooterAZx]

@@chestrockwell8328 Interesting because when I search where the band is from,it says NY.

[@chestrockwell8328]

@@xScooterAZx I understand, as most media outlets these days they are lazy and just parrot what they find on google. Listen to the interview, it's not even Ram Jam band that made the actual recording, Black Betty was recorded by a different band (group of people) that Bill was in at the time.

[@xScooterAZx]

@@chestrockwell8328 Yeah,I know. Bill was in two earlier bands.Their names were The Lemon Pipers,then Starstruck.

[@cranniemorgan]

Love this song. When my son was young he was introduced to this song through the TMNT movie with an awesome fight sequence. It is now one of his go to songs.

[@thehedgehog37]

The story of how Black Betty came to be is almost an IRL version of AC/DC’s Let there be rock!

[@ss67camaronut]

Same year I was born 66 and I'm 55. Body is 15yrs older than me according to the docs. Still young at heart man. Rock till you drop bro👍✌♥️🤘😛😎

[@javierortiz82]

I met this song playing Need For Speed Underground, the version by Spiderbait, and the version by Tom Jones came a bit afterwards and rotated quite well on some local music channel, did a bit of backtracking and found the version by Ram Jam, didn't look back beyond that, thanks prof! This video gave me a lot of Whiskey In The Jar vibes as well, I love Thin Lizzy and that song originates from about 400 years ago, that's incredible.

[@ProfessorofRock]

200 years from now people will be saying the same thing and rediscovering a lot of the 70s and 80s classics.

[@territucker7143]

I just love that song. Thanks for the memories

[@MrKhushrenada]

Leadbelly did my girl made famous by Nirvana as well. 😉

[@ProfessorofRock]

Yep, Kurt Cobain had his guitar.

[@dawsonl]

Thanks for the history. Truly appreciated

[@b4ucmego]

I was born in 63 and I definitely remember this song in 1977 as a 14-year-old boy. The mid to late 70s had great rock bands like Foreigner, BTO, Foghat, AC/DC, Led Zepplin, and the Cars to name a few. Black Betty was a one-hit wonder but a real jamming song.

[@vcv6560]

In '77 a promotional EP was released with this song, that's how I first heard it. Titled "For Students Only" Tower Records was giving these away. My good friend came over with it and we played it a dozen times, just this song. The others, including Stone Cold Solber by Lake were forgettable. Ahh the glory and indulgence of teen years. Many years later watching King of the Hill and Peg talking about her secret dessert recipe called "Black Betty" I thought of the song, and that earworm burned into my memory.

[@MichaelPiz]

I have no idea how it could have happened, because I followed rock pretty closely through that period, but I somehow never heard Black Betty in _any_ version until I started singing karaoke in 2008 when I was 47 years old. Now I can rock it really hard - I even get requests for it. LOL (Then again, somehow I had never heard The Doors' Roadhouse until my first day of college in August of 1979. Go fig…)

[@peterbrazier7107]

The British Army's Muskett was called Brown Bess, not Black Betty.

[@DanDarden]

It brings back my freshman year in college. Always loved it.

I still listen to Black Betty a couple times a week. I'd love to see you do some videos on Montrose, that album kicked some serious guitar work.

[@BROU-bb2uc]

Get on that bad motoskoooter.

[@mightymikethebear]

The late great Ronnie Montrose rocked. I am glad I got to see him play a few years before his passing.

@@mightymikethebear Yes he and Sammy just went effects crazy on Bad Motor 🛵

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

I love these backstories. Thanks man

[@penelopegreene]

Carry on your wayward, Prof.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Rock on!