Ray Charles & The Raelettes (feat. Billy Preston) "What'd I Say" on The Ed Sullivan Show

[@Rayal1979]

*Me randomly watching a Ray Charles video after a Saturday morning KZbin spiral." ME: Wait...is that Billy Preston on the organ? 🤯

[@lawrencelewis2592]

"Ray Charles is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." -Ben Franklin.

[@cedricliggins7528]

Say it again Ben

[@bomani7543]

If James brown is the GODFATHER of Soul Music,,then Ray Charles is THE BIOLOGICAL FATHER of Soul Music...facts.............There will never be another Ray Charles....REST IN PEACE KING 😔🙏🏿🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🕊🕊🕊

[@altowatts1325]

Absolutely true 👍🏾💯. Ray Charles is still alive because of his ageless music. Ray Charles is The Daddy of Soul Music. And James Brown is the Daddy of Funk Music. James Brown taught The Funk to Bootsy Collins who then taught it to George Clinton. R.I.P. Ray Charles and James Brown.🕊️🕊️

[@bomani7543]

@@altowatts1325 Yes Sir,,u are absolutely correct...Thank u for Commenting...Peace & Blessings 👊🏿🙏🏿...

[@altowatts1325]

@@bomani7543 Thank you Brother. Continued Peace and Blessings to you and yours 👊🏾🙏🏾. These are some crazy times we're living in. Stay safe.

[@oldbeatpete]

yes the kids like Brown, but when they mature they will see what a genius Charles was!

[@bomani7543]

@@oldbeatpete Yes Sir,,I agree 👍...Thanks for Commenting

[@theelvisguru9490]

Don’t forget Merry Clayton. Standing nearest to Ray. She sang on “gimme shelter” for the stones and recorded her own fantastic version

[@Martiniization]

Ed was even beside himself after Ray's performance. Ray could bring the dead back to life. He WAS music, itself.

[@claudeabraham2347]

That version of "What'd I Say" had amazing energy! I love it. In 1967, I was 12 years old. That Sunday night, our cousins were visiting. My late cousin Pete, age 13, told me "Ray Charles is on Ed Sullivan tonight". We tuned it in. During that song our living room was silent. Ill never forget seeing this live when it happened. Ray just had that magic.

[@NinaSofia_]

❤

[@CDub-ur1jl]

Surely yall wanted to get up and dance but times were different ❤

[@camiloespinazo]

it's fantastic being able to live that moment, as a young person.

[@diamondblue5327]

Billy Preston reached the epitome of his career when he was fortunate enough to perform with Ray Charles.

[@you_tubeslonelyheartsclubband]

Plus: playing on The Beatles Abbey Road and Get back/Let It Be.

[@rickydenotredame]

Yeah... and then he played on Let It Be

[@revpgesqredux]

Will it go round in circles tho?

[@larryn2682]

Rolling Stones

[@magovenor]

Dude on the drums was a monster!

[@rgf0618]

And he's doing it in a suit ... class!

[@bobmichals7651]

Milt Turne worked with Ray Charles from 1957 to 1960 -- long enough to be the original drummer on "What'd I Say" studio recording. But I'm pretty sure the drummer on this video is Billy Moore, who was Charles drummer from 1965 to 1968.

[@brianbonn6534]

Amen

[@claudeabraham2347]

He was good. Nice strong pocket, drove the band very well, & great fills & improv. He had great drumming skills.

[@whodidit99]

I noticed that too. The cymbal work was amazing. Very cool.

[@lubabalomahlombe451]

Billy Preston was the icing on the cake

[@hottub2249]

This had to have been the same show where they performed 00soul!

[@lubabalomahlombe451]

@@hottub2249 yea it was.

[@havefaith4358]

Yass, Sir!

[@nelsenadelard802]

I read Ray's autobiography. There's a chapter that talks about writing songs. "What I Say" was written on the spot a live show when they had run out of songs ( that they rehearsed and were willing to perform) and the crowd was asking for more. So Ray just starts this riff on his piano and says to his back up singers "Just follow me" and he started to do that call and response and the back up singers followed and the crowd went nuts! The rest as they say is history.

[@isaiahdorvil1959]

In the movie Ray they showed that pretty incredible

[@bfettrules1239]

Yes definitely a highlight of the film for one of his biggest hits. This song just makes u want to rock out & dance.

[@Spoonology]

He stole material from Margie Hendrix in this song. N pretty much every song he stole either Margie Hendrix or from Lincoln Chase.

[@argotero6545]

This is true, I’m a professional musician and this happen with many artist…

[@TrapTech]

@@SpoonologyMargie didn’t write. She helped arrangements which is what I do but I happen to write and specialize in hooks and bridges. I write in the last 2 Jodeci albums and arranged the vocals and harmonies. Only Devante Swing is credited. I got paid. I didn’t get credit. Doesn’t mean he stole it, because I still get royalties. But some people demand credit for their works or any small contribution that they make. I just require my check by on time😂😂😂

[@Janeair41....]

Oh and let's give the cinematographer some credit too! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🌟🌟💯

[@archangelvvv]

The Legendary Ray Charles! He was only 37 when he appeared in this video on the Ed Sullivan Show. Born 9/23/1930

[@brendadufaur37]

UN-FREAKING BELIEVABLE. Billy Preston is gorgeous, charismatic, and an incredible dancer. Ray Charles and a young Billy Preston together are like exploding dynamite. INCREDIBLE. The women in their red gowns look wonderful.

[@andreacheney3593]

Dayum! Billy Preston really “got around!”

[@bigrod8975]

Ray Charles wasn't just a recording artist, he was also a businessman who understood that the music business is just that: A BUSINESS.

[@joeemick1891]

Always some stupid Goddamn comment

[@jerrykitich3318]

He had a lot of people in his musical family to support

[@jennifersman7990]

Yes, very true. When he left Atlantic Records in the 60’s he demanded, and got, full control of his master recordings. Something even Sinatra didn’t have

[@dwightlove3704]

​@@jerrykitich3318Yes he did all the children he had.

[@dwightlove3704]

​@@jennifersman7990Atlantic did not have enough money to keep him like ABC Paramount if they had he would stayed obviously this was stated in the film RAY.

[@MartaBrown-my8ii]

His music is pure happiness & bliss, for real ❤️

[@Idcanymore510]

When music was truly king. Ed Sullivan was an authentic pioneer.

[@BGK2223]

The band, the back up singers, and ray all performing live to perfection! It's so fun to see live performances vs lip synced, massaged in the studio songs!

[@haraldkiebist111]

There is no Name for this exceptional Singer.... I would say God sings for us... An absolute Legend

[@FavoriteMovieDate]

Billy got around didn’t he? On the roof with The Beatles and backing up Ray splendidly!

[@woodygould]

And with King Curtis live at the Fillmore, , which means with Aretha…

[@222amJohn]

Class, soul, funk all rolled into one song. Ray Charles had it all and more.

[@bwalsh6992]

He had the no. 1 country Album, ..

[@lindawilliams8715]

Don't forget gospel rolled in the song too.

[@sawyerapolisentertainment696]

This is rock n roll my friend. Yes it is soul. Yes it is R&B. But make no mistake, this is rock n roll

[@RandomMarcus92]

If you were on the Ed Sullivan Show there was no doubt that you would make it big, so of course having Ray Charles on the show doubled his popularity afterwards! 😄❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jennifersman7990]

There was a simple reason for that, Ed knew talent when he heard it or saw it. And even though wasn’t a rock fan, he knew having the biggest acts on guaranteed big ratings which kept CBS happy

[@R4Love365]

This sounds even better than the original recorded version😳. Ray was a musical genius!!

[@michaelbrandt5416]

Totally agree with you, sir.

[@sheliamccullough1626]

I agree

[@sheliamccullough1626]

@@michaelbrandt5416 Me to

[@musicola7371]

Any Ray is good. This video does not even come close to the original recording in too many ways to mention, but for one example do you even know what a groove is?

[@theeoddments960]

@@musicola7371 this definitely has more energy and sounds less disconnected because all the instruments are actually being played at the same time instead of all of them being recorded separately. I prefer the simple drum groove of the live versions over the original as well this is a raunchy song it doesn’t need all that complexity with the ride symbol also it’s hard asf to play it live so they dropped it.

[@gregoryburton1241]

I had the pleasure of seeing Ray Charles in concert. He was fantastic! The orchestra and the background singers were something to behold. ❤RIP

[@zellhudson1830]

RAY WAS BORN WITH PURE SOUL,I THANK GOD FOR HIM, A MIGHTY POWERFUL SOULFUL LEGEND,I SALUTE HIM FOREVER THANK YOU RAY.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Just for a moment consider you were able to get a show like this on free television. 📺

[@roxanne5766]

Yup.. this is what we watched back in the day.. and with only 7 or 8 tv channels that stopped broadcasting at 2am or so. Memories 😊

[@Moshe60]

Yeah ! Seriously

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@Moshe60 there's no way you could get a A-list Act for Free any more. You don't even get top names on SNL really anymore.

[@akadros310]

I got to see him for free in Atlanta at Centenal Olympic Park. I believe during the Olympics in 1996.

[@jackieclark2004]

I was 11 years old when my mom took me to see Ray Charles, Billy Preston and Nancy Wilson. I was so astounded by the musical genius of Ray. He Is one of my favorite performers. Nancy Wilson was also amazing. One of my treasured moments with my mom, was going to the Masonic Temple to see many performers in Detroit. I miss her dearly 🙏🏾💕

[@lukata77]

Great comment, I'm from Detroit and I grew up listening to my mom play all of Nancy Wilson's music in the 70s and 80s. She even has a picture that she snapped of Nancy Wilson while she was front stage at one of her shows. Mrs. Wilson saw my mom taking the picture and ordered her to retake it so that she could look directly at the camera and smile, such a class icon!

[@mdhbigdog]

You were fortunate to have a mother who appreciated great music and who shared her love of music with you.

[@sj-777]

Such passion and heart. Charles was totally in another world with this performance!

[@dant491]

Fabulous Ray Charles getting “It”.. Master Mystro!! One mo time!!!

[@hnc52]

Ed really seemed to enjoy Ray's performance...as he should!

[@andysmith6156]

Ray, best vocalist ever and Billy was no slouch on vocals either. Drummer is killing it, love this tempo and you know RAY was the one who counted it off lol........God forbid

[@NevadaBoss]

"There is only one real genius in the music business, and that's Ray"--Frank Sinatra. (and the Raelette standing closest to Ray is the equally legendary Merry Clayton, featured in 20 Feet From Stardom. As good as it ever got.

[@BlackDoveNYC]

You said something there. She is a legend.

[@veronicajade20]

I still can't believe Ray created this song on the fly while he was on tour. He was an amazing musician! 😍

[@murph3001]

What more can be said . He remains even in jan of 2024 the greatesr we ever had. Rip soulman and you too agent double o soulman. Is it possible to put more talent behind the keyboards than Billy and Ray.

[@mj99a]

the normally very staid mr sullivan's appreciation of ray's performance is very evident in his hearty hand shake and beaming smile!!

[@DanJosephauthor]

Might be single best R&B performance on Sullivan ever. Might be Ray's best 'What'd I Say'

[@Lee_Plenty]

It is.👍💯

[@ricojames2819]

James brown enters the chat 😏

[@jcpjean-claude4576]

fantastique version du GENUIS avec le grand Billy Preston et les excellentes Raelettes .

[@sandra.oro66]

I can see where Ringo got the influence from on "I Feel Fine". That ride cymbal is GROOVY!!

[@lawrencemuga6366]

Used to hear this song play on KBC English service when I was growing up but didn't know the singer.

[@diegos.loayza3706]

Oh yeaaa!!!! Whatd i say. My favourite soul song.

[@murph3001]

I believe it is the greatest song in popular music ever

[@shotty2164]

The greatest male vocalist of all time.

[@murph3001]

Yes my friend and no one close. He sang any genre of music and influenced our music forever.

[@joey_bonin]

That wasn't just a tune, that was an event.

[@manuelfuenza7936]

🆗

[@ABALLAM3]

Here's a performance we have all been waiting for. In good quality as well. Ray on a show for the audience, along with band and lovely ladies at the front.

[@stewartfenton7660]

Lovely ladies who didn't really get used that much in this case.

[@flewggle]

Ray Charles is a made in America icon. The best of the best.

[@b_uppy]

One of my ALLTIME favorite performers! The epitome of cool.

[@helenbestman5338]

Yessssss

[@rougemoonchild9429]

Ray is a savage for this the lyrics alone

[@murph3001]

This song written by Ray remains the greatest song in our history. It changed popular nusic forever. Ain't nothin but rock and roll.

[@voltairebanquirigo1119]

Ray charles compose this song at the spur of the moment during a live performance the band and the back up singers had no idea about the song but they play along and improvise. Man this is so amazing both the band and singers are not only professional performance but truly great

[@krollpeter]

It makes me happy to see him so happy about that piece

[@mv11000]

One of my all-time favourites, SHAKE THAT THING!

[@notinmyUSMC]

This is a timeless performance!

[@aleneaguayo6471]

Ray is the best singer ever

[@kevingoins9858]

The late Clydie King on the far right with the Raelettes. Solo artist for Imperial Records who later went on to sing backup for Bob Dylan and Linda Ronstadt.

[@courylanders4142]

I heard stories that Ray Charles was hard AF on his drummers. He would call them out in concert if they weren't tight in their playing. So, that drummer being a badass isn't a shock.

[@weavethehawk]

Billie Preston, The greatest exponent of what I call "sanctified" organ playing. Didn't hear a note he played here, but I'm sure his earlier contribution, before this little segment, must have shown Billie at his very best.

[@PerhapsTodayInAMoment-yo4xo]

The guy playing tambourine is the doppelganger of actor Tim DeKay, the actor from the hit TV series White Collar. It is eerie. What a performance. Ray Charles dug deep and went to another place within himself with this Ed Sullivan Show performance. Even Sullivan knew it. Magical.

[@RodHargreaves]

So much talent on one stage. Peerless.

[@normanbrown9225]

What Can You Say about PAPA RAY CHARLES. WOOW.

[@DevinS695]

Ray Charles and James Cleveland are my top 2 pianist of the 20th century. Two different spectrums of music but they both knew how to make that piano SING ON ITS OWN

[@dennispearson9287]

Ray Virtually Took The Church To The World !!!....Complete With Hammond B Organ , And Tambourines , Ray Almost Started A REVIVAL !!!.....

[@lorenzomoore6398]

Wow he really belted this number out.

[@Janeair41....]

Thank you, Mr. Ed Sullivan for presenting these Talented artists on your show. For no other program would. 🌟🌟🌹🌹💯

[@ncoisas3760]

Sou a única Brasileira ouvindo essa pedra preciosa?

[@jrussellcase]

This guy is and always has been, a musical god to me. 🙏

[@murph3001]

There will never ever be another he was and is the greatest vocalist we ever had. Any genre his influence on popular music still is as strong as ever. God bless ray Charles

[@JohaDahlgaard]

I love Ray, but like, Freddie though

[@byfaithwalking1529]

Ray Charles & the Raelette's plus Billy Preston 👏🎹🎤

[@BongbongA99]

What a fantastic performance! Thank goodness it was recorded so that we can enjoy it today. They don't make 'um, like this today, that's for sure.

[@fatimahrahman6158]

When music touches your soul, it gives you hope! 💚

[@therealtruetwelfth798]

Ray Charles & Billy Preston, and people wonder if there’s a God

[@woodswal]

Bring back the bands. ❤❤❤❤ 5! Tambourine players.😊

[@schmatever]

I read his biography and once I'd finished it was so good that I turned back to page 1 and re-read it all over again. The movie about his life is excellent but the book is 10 times better. I highly recommend it.

[@anthonymarshall9978]

Blues rock and Roll FUSION. BAD ASS!

[@sparklebydiamond677]

I've definitely been here before because I am in love with ray and his music, I'm so obsessed. with the whole-time era wish I was there .... OR MAYBE I WAS 🤔🤔

[@brianruyack7632]

Reverb is amazing, especially on the drums!

[@deborahclarke3389]

Ray was an amazing singer.

[@RandomMarcus92]

And an amazing Pianist!

[@Dion_Mustard]

Love The Raelettes..they look and sound gorgeous..they have that typical 60s black girl group sound/image like The Shirelles, or The Crystals, The Dixie Cups, The Marvelettes, The Royalettes etc...and their harmonies are amazing! Plus you can't get better than a gorgeous soulful black lady in a beehive clapping hands and shimmying away to the music!

[@abdulnomaw8246]

Yes of course it's Ray Charles with the Raylletes and Billy Preston ,oh I wish I had seen this Live Ray was the Best at the keyboards!!!

[@that70sgirl90]

Yes Indeed! Sing it Ray... "You Got Your Dress On!" I, oh, I, oh, u, oh... shake that thing!! That's some good food for the soul! Thank you for sharing! 💖

[@sooz9433]

Man this is one of the mist amazing performances I've ever seen Ray Charles give. Just phenomenal... Thank you Ed Sullivan...🤎 (And yeah Billy Preston was one busy player and Ray Charles drummer was outrageous!!🤎)

[@nancydean8260]

Nothing like Ray, he was a genius.

[@irenesteiner7591]

Ok. Ray Charles is the pioner of the best songs I love. Congratulations ❤👑❤👑❤👑👍

[@zero_bs_tolerance8646]

Always a big treat to see Ray Charles. Thank you.

[@tomkroeschell1839]

I first saw in him 1976. The greatest singer I have ever heard.

[@gart9680]

Is this the epitome of cool? Even has Billy Preston on keyboard. Yeah! This the definition...

[@adrianveseli3379]

This has to be my favorite version of Whatd I say. So much energy and Ray looks like he's having a blast

[@rickym6301]

Absolutely legendary.

[@gregmcgriff230]

I got to see Ray Charles at the Mondavi winery in Napa,CA. It was years ago, but I got pics. And even interviewed the Raelettes.

[@FaithBusselle]

He was a legend to never forget!!

[@KarlMiller-DjKarl]

Wow... Ray Charles and Billy Preston... ☮🔥🎹

[@roboparks]

Ray taken us to Church on a Sunday night !!! (Sunday) December 3, 1967

[@NicholasAndre1]

Casual Billy Preston on the organ :)

[@brendadufaur37]

This video is on fire!!!!!!!

[@vivianrossignon6620]

Wowza!

[@Feldspar__]

This absolutely smokes.

[@KevyNova]

Clicked like before the video is even up!

[@b_uppy]

Perfectly understandable. A human force of nature.

[@AbeFroman-zx5hs]

Have mercy. You didn’t expect the horns to just sit there at the beginning ❤️❤️

[@williamdrijver4141]

Timeless classy looks, they're dressed so fine! Great music too :-)

[@jerryspearman3521]

Legendary and classic footage ✌🏿🎼🎶🎤🎹💯👊🏾

[@MoiraRussell]

ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR

[@kevindigo22]

Wow...what a great performance. The Ed Sullivan show was known for some cheesy lip synch numbers by many artists but this is the REAL DEAL!