Pure Prairie League w Vince Gill: Let Me Love You Tonight

On a CBC Vancouver early 1980s TV series, US country rock band Pure Prairie League, formed in 1965, sang their Top 10 hit Let Me Love You Tonight. Recognize the lead vocalist? It’s Vince Gill, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, who left the group to go solo beginning in 1983. Mark Knopfler once invited him to join his group Dire Straits. He became a major star in American Country Music and over the years has been honored by the Country Music Association with 18 CMA Awards, including two Entertainer of the Year awards and five Male Vocalist Awards. As of 2017, Gill has also earned 21 Grammy Awards, more than any other male country music artist! In his career Gill has sold more than 26 million albums and accumulated more than 50 Top 40 hits. As of 2017, Pure Prairie League are still doing at least 100 shows a year.

[@michaellynch5254]

45 years old. Been listening to this song since release and just learned 5 minutes ago that Vince Gill is singing. Holy shit.

[@brianfurchner]

Same, just today for me

[@michaelsauve1498]

Ditto

[@peppersander2457]

Me too

[@elizabethturner1246]

Heard the song, for first time today on radio, the guys voice instantly caught my ear, beautiful voice, come to find out it was Vince! Had no idea

[@lynndaugherty9025]

Right??? Me too!

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

R.I.P. David Sanborn, who played the saxophone on this!

[@thomasclark3348]

David is barely recognizable with the beard, but his sound and mannerisms are the same. Can't believe he's gone.

[@danielfetchak1865]

Wow this blows my mind I can't believe I never new Vince was their lead singer!

[@chrismulwee4911]

Vince joined later. Yes, he is the lead vocalist here, but on earlier hits, like Amie, the lead singer was Craig Fuller.

[@michaelseay9783]

Craig Fuller was the original lead singer on the first 2 albums (Amie.....what you wanna do), then Larry Goshorn (Two Lane Highway is a brilliant song) on the next 5 albums, followed by Vince joining sometime around 1978. Vince didn’t stay long and eventually Craig returned for many years.

[@davidevans1420]

Yea about 99% don't either. He flew underneath radar. I just wonder about the song Amy. Did he know Amy Grant all those years ago?

[@aimeeparker9736]

Soon as I saw that face I'm like that is Vince Gill and now I googled about him and sure enough wow skinny long hair still got those lips and eyes and sincerity what a guy and he went over to totally Christian music nice voice too I wonder if he knew Amy then that would be a coincidence but I don't think so

[@RobinBQuinn-kv2wm]

The word you're looking for is "knew", not " new". Love! 😎

[@opus2024]

I’m another one who never knew it was Vince Gill singing this song with Pure Prairie League. Such a great song

[@edmchenry3454]

Me too....I'm 71 and just found out today Vince Gill was lead, what d'ya know!!!

[@spiderlegs50]

I'm 58 and just finding out Vince was once lead vocal......for these guys. 😲

[@ryohn5468]

I remember this in 1980. Great sax and rhythm. What happened to music and society?

[@laurlicia]

Techno-cr*p was introduced to make everyone a "star" even if they had no ability. Time to bring back true musicians without autotune and light shows and theatrics

[@metamodernsounds283]

It’s still out there, you’re just not gonna find it on top 40

[@user-ty6do8yz4l]

He had to learn to play instruments like every other musician, but that Golden voice? You can only be born with that!

[@EclecticHillbilly]

True but he had to work to harness it. Singing is hard, too, even for the naturals.

[@jamesparker1063]

a few years later, the chorus of this song was lifted, "note-for-note", dropped down a 1/2 step (to "A"), slowed down, and then used for George Strait, "You Look so Good in Love".....

[@richardr6004]

Wow. I was today years old when I learned this.

[@em7dim9]

Wow! Well, it's only the first bar of the chorus, which is probably how they got away with it. Still very distasteful!

[@iceonthesun8880]

God I love classic rock from the 60's and 70's

[@charliemalloy1023]

Ken Burns documentary Country Music lead me down a rabbit hole to here! I had no idea Vince sang this damn song! Mind is blown.

[@user79592]

I've learned a lot over the years about some of the bands I had never heard of until they changed the lead singer.

[@jasonkellogg388]

Vince Gill is one of those rare voices like Glen Campbell that stirs emotion whenever you hear it. Beautiful.

[@milesfromneworleans]

Both EXCELLENT guitar players too.

[@karenscigliano9787]

Never thought to compare Vince and Glen...but you're so right!!

[@lisayeager1160]

I did not know Vince was in Pure Prairie League.

[@stitchedwithlovebyloretta4684]

Omg I listened to them forever back then and had no idea that was Vince

[@patrickbush9526]

Wow absolutely same here I did listen to Pure Prairie League but I never met no connection with them and Vince Gill then I seen this video and I was in total shock!! I went to the 1974 Music Festival in Sedalia Missouri to hear Pure Prairie League I had no idea that Vince Gill was a part of that until just a few days ago and I'm enamored

[@mikeuher5054]

@@patrickbush9526 , Vince joined in 1978, so you didn't miss him. lol

[@aeolusryder7896]

Me either. I was not a close follower but I did enjoy their music.

[@raysexauer7558]

me either!!!

[@captainkangaroo4301]

There best stuff was done before Vince joined the band.

[@frederickmcdougall3734]

I thought I knew everything about music. 😢 😅 There he is - never knew. Bless Vince Gill's beautiful, musical heart.

[@marthawedge-blake5479]

Ha! I kept looking to see who was Vince. Had to look and listen a 2nd time!!😂😂

[@bobjlv]

Learned that Vince was the lead singer after watching the "Country Music" series on PBS! Absolutely blew me away!!

[@terrygerych7327]

me too! quite a series. all ken burn's documentaries are masterpieces.

[@jeanettesmith765]

I didn't know it either. Thank you , Ken Burns, for your great documentary.

[@paulalangford4576]

Me too! I don't know how many times I've heard this song and I had no idea it was Vince!

[@ps603]

Me too & I saw them in concert twice..

[@alexismspgaming8260]

Vince is truly great, the more you learn about him the more you realize that his is truly underrated in his pure talent.

[@thinkbeforyouvote]

Amazes me to this day that Vince Gill fans have no idea he was in this band and sang this song. So Vince Gill it hurts. What I didn't know until recently was David Sanborn on the saxophone.

[@laurlicia]

WOW, didn't know about David either! I am not a VG superfan but did like his music back in the day. No wonder PPL was so popular!

[@redburban1394]

Wicked 80’s but some 40+ years later. Still a very good song.

[@cowboyluke1706]

Vince joined in fall 1978 while PPL was still with RCA . He recorded Can't Hold Back LP with RCA then PPL left RCA citing a lack of support and signed with Casablanca , They then recorded the very successful Firin' Up LP which included this song and several others which had more country rock /bluegrass flavor and was their third highest charting LP. Gill rercorded a third LP Something In The Night then left to go country in 1981. PPL continued on as Gary Burr replaced Gill. Ironically Burr and Gill were inducted into the Nashville songwriters Hall of Fame on the same day. Fuller came back mid 80's and PPL recorded Mementos in 1985 with several members coming back including Gill who was not allowed to sing, only play guitar since his record company RCA !! would not allow it. PPL stopped touring in late 1988 but started up again late 90's and in 2005 released All In Good Time with Craig Fuller back in action,. They still tour with Mike Reilly and John David Call ( the greatest pedal steeler ) and on occasion Fuller. PPL was very successful with Gill who put on some incredible concert performances on vocals, lead guitar and banjo . the guy was incredible and destined for greatness back then.

[@11UncleBooker22]

Thanks Cowboy Luke.

[@BM-xo7le]

Love it! When musicians actually had talent! Vince has always been great!!

[@tomcoryell]

I rented my Rhodes to these guys for a small gig in WY in the ‘80’s. I had no idea who Vince Gill was at the time. They were nice blokes to deal with. After the show I BS’d with them for a few minutes and then they were off to catch their plane to Jackson Hole.

[@Beachgrl1717]

Back in the day I played their records endlessly! Saw them on American Bandstand etc. Vince's voice is still phenomenal!!

[@ericallen7112]

Love this song, man going back to the 70's-80's just makes me smile.

[@scootover7]

The music was definitely a lot better, and it felt a lot more happier (sure there are some sad songs back then too)

[@abouttime5000]

Just a beautiful voice then and still. Vince Gill, thumbs up my man.

[@tohara6636]

Early 80s pop charts were such an in incredible mix of genres - you could turn on American Top 40 and hear Vince Gill, Gary Numan, Elton John, Debbie Harry, Chrissie Hynde and Michael Jackson - no wonder Gen Xers have eclectic taste in music.

[@marcelobarreto9927]

Clássico da Ouro Verde FM de Curitiba.

[@Tinkermari60]

Saw them at Disneyland in July of 1980 and never knew Vince Gill was with them. My girlfriend & I sat in the front row to see them. They were there during Disneyland’s 25th Birthday Celebration.

[@bboomer1948]

I'm 73, between marriages when this song was a hit. My gosh, brings back memories of lovely women I dated in Reno, Nv back then in 79, '80 '81. I am married now, 34 years, to a sweetie twelve years younger than I and think of Pammy every time this song is on the radio, or Sirius XM. Pammy and I saw Vince and Reba at a Antelope Valley, Lancaster, Ca, Fairgrounds Concert, way back in Mid '90's.

[@mikelliteras397]

Learn something new everyday. Now that I know it’s Vince Gill, it’s obvious

[@scottshea4681]

That fabulous mane!

[@callunah1664]

Better hair than I had in those days! :)

[@1besieged]

That fabulous singer!

[@ronaldcarmony3068]

I did not know that Vince sung with Pure Prairie till just now when I watched a video of them in an interview with Dick Clark

[@jscountrygirl85_326]

Like many others here, I remember hearing this song on the radio when I was little, but it was just a few years back that I realized it was Vince Gill singing lead. I think the reason why it's a surprise to so many is because not only was Vince a huge star in the 90s, a decade or so after this song was released, but this song is also a very different style from the popular country songs Vince is best known for. I don't think too many people would guess that the same person who sings this was also the same person who sang "When I Call Your Name," "Go Rest High On That Mountain," "One More Last Chance," etc.

[@sheiladaniels9552]

Is that Vince Gill?! Who knew?! Always loved this band!

[@lisamushow5974]

Had no idea that was Vince Gill singing this!

[@davidcochrane7599]

That was Vince singing Amie too. He sure was a pretty thang. I love Vince Gill! By the way, I am not a guy, lol

[@bobfenster]

No, he didn't sing on the recording of Amie. That was Craig Fuller.

[@alwaysluvmymusic5110]

Never knew this, Vincent Gill was the lead singer, wow!

[@Daehawk]

I didn't even know Vince was in PPL until he showed up on Today this morning and they mentioned it...and this was a huge hit when I was 11.

[@rdnysal]

me also i just watched it i was only 12 back then

[@juniperandlamplight]

Bread Climp brought me here

[@Doc_Paradox]

Best sitcom of the 80s!

[@debbieoxby2196]

Loved this song when I was young. Wow Vince sure had the hair!

[@walksthesehills]

Vince Gill was known as a great bluegrass musician even before then.

[@EclecticHillbilly]

@@57mab He was in Bluegrass Alliance and Boone Creek (with Ricky Skaggs) in the mid 70s.

[@Strangleholdintn]

Vince Gill !!! IMAGINE THAT!!!

[@davidquinn9476]

Great sax 🎷

[@bossfan49]

It's David Sanborn on the record. It's hard to tell if that's him under all that hair.

[@glenmay7479]

Vince Gill "killing it"

[@JerryDayton]

I knew this because when I started playing at age 21 in the bars my lead guitar player told me about all the songs we were covering in our band by Pure Prairie League were as he used to say: "this is Vince Gill before he was Vince Gill!" Lol

[@buzzardneckseahag]

This song is a masterpiece

[@adelissahunsley]

so is the hair!

[@publikenemi49]

Never knew he was in PPL. Damn !

[@PlumbNutz]

Epic fro mullet and matching stash on the bass player... Great song.

[@danielr4640]

One of the best songs from early 80s. Pure Prarie League rocks

[@bethcoddington2150]

I saw Vince Gill in the late 70s before he was a star. It was no surprise when he became one.

[@yankeeladee02]

Still crushin on Vince 😍🤩🥰

[@melissapresley3179]

Same!

[@phyllisbean5830]

Oh yeah! That wink drives me crazy! 😍

[@KalElvis]

Never knew that Vince was lead singer of this group.

[@conniedunn2629]

I was a teenager in 80 maybe 16-17. This was a big big hit. Girls loved it on the radio. It was a pop song not country hear that sax . Brings back good memories. Cruising parking music

[@jimayers4913]

Yes I love that saxophone music it’s great

[@Trix897]

I was 8 when this song was initially released, but now as someone who is about to celebrate 50 trips around the sun, I have grown to LOVE this song. It's easily one of my favorites now.

[@publikenemi49]

We are same age, and Im looking back on lots of music from our childhood’s differently these days.

[@jeannebyesb4079]

Sweet, sweet Vince!

[@lisalyon4951]

I never knew either! Love Vince Gill!!

[@deanwhite4190]

That was quite a different sound back in the 1970:s. Vince Gill's vocal evolved a lot over time. It's hard to imagine ever having hair that long but that long overstyled hair was the fashion back then.

[@Matt-xv2cp]

When I first heard Vince Gill singing country music in the early 90's, I thought, damn this guy sounds familiar.

[@shawngilliland243]

A favorite song from my high school days; what a voice has Vince Gill! Never before today had I seen him wearing his hair anywhere near this long! Love that beautiful band name, too - Pure Prairie League, It's almost a tongue-twister.

[@sandyjuntunen4088]

Their style is a lot like Exile and other groups like that. I can see why Vince went on his own. This style was waning, and country was turning homeward to traditional music again..to hear Vince go country really shows he made the right choice.

[@JClaus1221]

Exile was not having country hits at this time, they had first country hit in 1983. This is 1980. Pop country has always been a part of country, and it really peaked during the years 1980 to 1984. Exceptions of course were still having hits, but it pretty much ruled the charts. Strait, Judds, Travis, ushered in the rebirth of traditional (not really but not the pop), but the real change for Vince came after the 1989 coming of the Hats. Black, Brooks and Jackson. They changed the entire market, and Vince went from midland artist on RCA to Megastar on MCA. Just for reference, Vince's first two singles for MCA, flopped, both were more guitar based country. He released the ballad in 1990, and everything changed. Much credit should go to both Tony Brown and Tim Dubois, they were key to his new sound and direction. Vince always had talent, he just needed the market to come to him, and it did.

[@Tomes23]

He turned down Dire Straits!

[@andyinoregon]

This was the musical era when every rock ballad featured a saxophone solo, provided on this album recording by the legendary David Sanborn.

[@ImForgivenToo]

there hasn't been music like that since then...also, they had talent unlike now. 😒

[@ellenlumpkin8735]

Look at that Hair!! Stii LOVE you Vince!!!😊

[@Tejaye777]

I'm 47 in 9 days time and I can't remember when I first heard this song but it just rings in my ears over and over. So smooth it just makes me remember gentler times. So peaceful.

[@jimayers4913]

I knew this was Vince Gill when I heard the voice but wanted to assure myself

[@lisab5904]

Had no idea Vince Gill was lead singer for PPL! I loved their songs as a kid, and later a fan of Vince Gill, but no idea of the connection.

[@chuckyanus3563]

Vince Gill was the original lead singer on this hit. He was not the original on Amie, but he still sang it very well, sounding very much like the original. Just like Kenny Rogers made a big turn to pure country, even though these songs were relatively close to a country sound.

[@createone100]

I love this song, and Vince Gill is just so doggone cute! 💖

[@artvandelay8090]

Great song, great vocal performance that takes me right back to 1980. Gives me goose-bumps to hear this song and be brought back to those times.

[@howardfrazier877]

My daddy loves this song Listen to it in the morning before work

[@tammywatson897]

I can't believe it' was vince it til I heard him sing he's always been a great singer

[@ottomatic3123]

I remember this song from when I was a kid. I just learned that Vince Gill was in this band and sang this song! As far as I knew he wasn't a thing until the 90's. LOL, before I hit the "COMMENT" button I read the two visible comments below to see that that's what other have said.

[@normafowler6044]

That voice! Consistently Beautiful!

[@jazzgal5631]

I knew Vince was lead singer/ guitarist but can't get over how young and different he looks compared to now.

[@terryhall687]

Vince Gill 🎉❤

[@mollyputts]

knew it then and know it now...still listen

[@thomasrose38]

Vince Gill came on board a Pure Prairie League and gave them their biggest hit they ever had with his great guitar playing and fantastic voice Let Me Love You Tonight came out of nowhere and went right to the top 1980

[@nickbigd]

Was it a bigger hit than Amie?

[@Anthus.]

@@nickbigd I still hear Aimee playing on the radio now and then. I haven't heard this song on the radio since the early 1980s. Vince Gill wasn't with pure prairie league when they recorded their biggest hit, "Aimee". Its a matter of opinion I guess. Idk which song actually charted higher or sold more records. I only know which song is still getting radio play, and is widely recognized as being PPL's song.

[@casey4602]

How ironic, wonder if Amy Grant is inspiration for PPL song Amie...

[@nanlev613]

I’m pretty sure he didn’t even know Amy back then. But also I remember hearing that someone else wrote Amy.

[@richardbrown3876]

@@Anthus. "Amie" is their best known song, but it only reached #27 on the Hot 100 and #20 on the Adult Contemporary chart. "Let Me Love You Tonight" reached #10 on the Hot 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The "Amie"-era lineup was fronted by Craig Fuller, who left the band when he got drafted for the Vietnam War. The group began touring again in 1998 with original member Craig Fuller. Vince Gill came on board in 1978 but left in 1981 to join Rodney Crowell's Cherry Bombs. The rest is history. PPL still is doing shows in 2020 with over 100 shows a year.

[@scootover7]

This song is so freaking awesome

[@wrightmegolyngdoh2176]

Wow Vince's Golden voice & harmonies....just heaven to hear this song....

[@brendakrieger7000]

Vince Gill is just amazing!

[@Onehappyworlds]

Still a great song. Lyrics & melody is what this song has. Todays music is crap. I NEVER tire of this song. Was only 10 in 1980 when it came out. Had 2 copies on 45 vinyl single. Vince Gill worked his way up that's why he eventually broke huge in the early 90s. Vince is a great vocalist, songwriter & guitar player. No wonder why Eric Clapton invites him to his Crossroads guitar festivals.

[@revelationakagoldeneagle8045]

Memories of my youth

[@auhs70]

real music with talented musicians

[@bennylai3425]

I only knew today Vince Gill was a member of PPL and he sings this song.

[@smokiebird06]

Does Vince ever put this song in his sets these days?

[@retired42002vz]

Now we all know what The Eagles heard & what they were thinking when they tapped Vince to join them. What can’t Vince sing?!?!

[@Brian-mp2mv]

Nothing like stepping back in time! Kids now-a-days just don't get it.

[@tonyloignon5300]

yeah! 🥰💕🔥🎸

[@pinman0181]

I'm 55 yrs old and I'm just finding out this was Vince Gill.

[@makenasnana]

LOVE Vince!!

[@chowder1682]

I’m probably the only person who thinks this, but all I hear when he says “Let me love you tonight” is “You look so good in love” by George Strait. And when I was little I thought they were one and the same, I couldn’t differentiate those two songs. I guess my brain just hears what sounds alike and puts them together.

[@m.k.osborne3553]

Great song ...my hats off to Vince

[@lockedin60]

One of the best voices that can sing so many different genres. Immensely talented guitarist . Even though he became a solo artist in 1983 he still has worked with so many other people.

[@tammywatson897]

Vince is awesome he was always destined to be great

[@sirvayr]

simpler times...wish I could go back.

[@kimlandon6097]

Vince was great then and even better now ❤

[@damamae950]

I just learned tonite (after singing backup on ‘Amie’ with some local musicians) that Bince fronted Pure Prairie League. Wow! I had no idea he had those country-rock chops before he hit solo.

[@cylentkills]

He didn't sing Amie that was Craig Fuller

[@abelincoln3287]

Vince came after Amie, but fit in well with this group

[@donmenza147]

Bince!

[@leonardshevlin7260]

The Artist Formerly Known As Bince

[@chrispybattyone5937]

Vince’s hair !!! Wild !

[@sonialeigh9112]

I never knew Vince Gill had long hair!

[@jeffrodrigues3176]

Had no idea he sang this and was in the band ❤

[@oterrinice6803]

Great hair Gil

[@barryparsons7874]

24 / 6/2022 is the first time I heard this song ... And loved it immediately . Love the classics 🙏