return to forever - live - 1974

Return to Forever - live - 1974
return2forever.com/
Chick Corea - Keyboards
Stanley Clarke - Bass
Lenny White - Drums
Al Di Meola - Guitars

[@kentholmberg1818]

Nothing wrong with Di Meola here, he' s only twenty and plsys great, but i miss the intensity and feel of Bill Connors. When I was in my teens and listened to RTF i liked both Bill and Al, and was very impressed by the speed of the latter. I even tried to play like that nyself. Now 50 years later, Connors has held up better over time. Is this only me or does someone else feel the same out there? Stanley and Lenny are fantastic as always and RIP Chick! Greetings to all RTF fans from Sweden!

[@peghead]

Notice the deep respect the audience conveys to the band, a high caliber band attracts a high caliber audience and fan base.

[@totallyunmemorable]

I never understood why my drummer friends were all so crazy about John Bonham, when we were all listening to RTF, Mahavishnu, et al. How could you not go crazy for Lenny? My God, he's killin' it!

[@haroldbrooks4235]

I threw away my sticks as a young teen after I started getting into RTF & Lenny. I was like I give up, he's on some stuff I couldn't fathom

[@mikehirsh1896]

I was a drummer and I played the Lenny played left handed ... And could play like that the cross over technique well I never did try but you have so much room Cobham also left handed.... Try that cross handed you can't the blow out speed .... Lot of fun to play that way.

[@michaelg3074]

My personal favorite jazz drummer.

[@haroldbrooks4235]

Billy's not left handed, he just plays lefty

[@haroldbrooks4235]

Lenny said in an interview with Carlos Santana's wife Cindy Blackman who's also his drummer. Lenny said that he read that Bonham was influenced by Lenny. Lenny said that blew him away because he's a big fan of Bonzo

[@iggy9955]

What a years. Amazing music.Journalists called this music Jazz-rock because it attracted tens of thousands of young rock fans to stadiums and open air concerts. The numbers were fantastic for a jazz festival. Pure jazz with rock instruments and loudspeakers. I've been to several, incredible.

[@Jeff_____]

They're all amazing. Stanley Clarke is like a machine gun or a sequencer. He's so consistent.

[@312Duck]

Yes!! Perfect description. Incredible!!

[@peghead]

One can not only feel the chemistry, but also hear it and SEE IT, what a great line-up.

[@trevski9265]

r.i.p chick. a true giant of jazz. hoping you return to forever

[@michaelbruce1847]

Yes...a return to where it all started for me.

[@BahFrancis]

Very well said..

[@dantidwell2616]

I was so fortunate to see this band live in Knoxville TN in 1974. Have seen many great concerts since but none have topped RTF. The very best!

[@sucersdungeon]

Chick Corea's solo that start around 2:21 is an incredible barrage of rhythmic and harmonic innovation mixed with cool sounds and noises and executed with absolutely flawless precision

[@cdk2968]

Lenny and Stan - my all-time favourite rhythm section!

[@garywright7686]

I thought I'd watched every live video of RTF there was. Good Lord - Stanley is blowin' this thing up!!

[@griiseknoen]

A lot of guitar players tried to emulate Di Meola's style, but never sounded remotely as good. Mostly because they focused on capturing his _speed_ without picking up on his excellent sense of *rhythm* and *pocket.* That's what made him magic. His lead lines groove just as hard as his rhythm parts. Dude could have been a percussionist. His playing makes you want to dance!

[@stevencalhoun8723]

I agree 💯♥️🚀‼️

[@mrJimCharles]

You kind of have to he born.with that good sense of timing

[@augustbeck8288]

Seen them and chicago and doobie brothers at spac upstate n.y. awesome 76 or 77 dont remember party and concerts were rampant there and in Albany.great freaking times i was in my teens

[@joyschulte5368]

Boy did this bring back memories! I saw this tour at Berkley in Boston, I floated for weeks after this concert. Thank you for the sweet memories.

[@Invisiguy]

The filming of this is great. Knocked out by Lenny White - he must have lost five pounds every show! Reminds me of the Where Have I Known You Before album, which I played to death.

[@leonleon3773]

just stumbled across this amazing video,these guy's are on another planet, i can't believe it's got 7 dislikes

[@haroldbrooks4235]

Lenny is just ridiculous. He makes it looks so easy. My favorite musician because I'm a bit partial to drummers

[@yellowquantum4240]

What a band at that time we musicians wanted to play like these guys. It was 12 hrs practice a day looking at it now they made look so effortless. We just had the vinyl the rest was imagination and a lot of listening.

[@samiam7342]

4 absolute masters of their instruments

[@musicgarryj]

Chick Corea... a fashion trendsetter about 25 years ahead of the curve with that hoodie top! lol

[@miketharipr]

Lol! Rumor has it he was wearing crocs made out of melted ashtrays. 😄🚬

[@radZspacely]

SMOKIN'!! Great live performances, my favorite piece, FUSION FOREVER!

[@teppscan]

I've had the pleasure of seeing all these musicians perform but not together in this version of RTF. Can't have everything, but this video helps--thanks.

[@pinoyway6073]

greatness comes full circle. thank you for sharing your talent. RIP Chick.

[@JustforFun-ki6fk]

Saw these guys in the early 80s in philly so tight and solid !

[@blatneyev3740]

I heard this album when it was new. First jazz music that I liked. A killer band.

[@the_one_and_only_billy_she6195]

What album?

[@richardshansky3040]

@@the_one_and_only_billy_she6195WHIKYB

[@marcjames3523]

Gives me the chills.An makes me wiggle.An waggle..An smile

[@oaklandtobangkok]

Saw them live twice in 1974 shortly after Al DiMeola joined the group. Chick heard an audition tape of Al and immediately sent him a ticket out to meet the group on tour. Norman Conners, also an amazing under rated guitarist left mid tour. Lenny White has become one of my favorite drummers of all time. I love this quartet one of the best. Thanks for the video.

[@PaulGoodeK]

Wasn't it Bill Connors?

[@MusicMatic707]

Johno F Yes Bill, Norman was a drummer.

[@kpingvin]

I only just found out DiMeola was just 19 when they recorded Where Have I Known You 😲

[@NA-ov8gc]

⁠@@PaulGoodeKI think it was actually Earl Klugh playing live with them at that point, from what Al said in a Rick Beato interview.

[@scottyg5403]

Amazing simply freaking amazing! Kicking ass!

[@ntesslafan]

I saw this formation in Charlotte, NC in 1975, i think. I know it was in Ovens Auditorium. They were completely mesmerizing and had a strong sound. The encore song was: "The Duel Of The Jester and The Tyrant".

[@harrynewiss4630]

Wow, these guys were amazing

[@josedemelojuniorjunior]

Legends of Fusion.

[@cymbya]

Al Dimeola... the Real Romantic Warrior. Lenny White.... no challenge can match his smooth finesse. Stanley Clarke... Enjoys himself, fully. Chick Corea .... will gladly take on all comers

[@bozenkazarnowiec1806]

Amaizing hooray for Fusion ...Al Di Meola and friends..jazz fusion at its best..

[@Fulc]

Wow. Seven plus years on and my Recommended feed finally alerts me that this exists. This performance was broadcast on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, a syndicated music show here in the States, in 1974, though I may not have seen it until 1975. Having heard much of RTF but having never heard them as yet (I was 12), and having recently been introduced to progressive rock some months earlier when ELP played Cal Jam, I set my painfully tiny cassette deck up next to the tee vee console and recorded what came off the low-fi speakers in case I wanted to hear it again - figured I could always erase over it if I didn't like what I heard later. But as it was, this was my very first introduction to fusion, and it pretty much changed my life. Needless to say that cassette got played till I could see sunlight through the tape. Thank you for curating this!

[@christinesullivan1229]

Return to forever forever

[@peterojala5948]

I love this band and I love all Al's recordings up to and incl the "Casino"-album. After that his music hasn't been as enchanting as in the beginning. Note, if you missed it, Al did some great stuff with Stomu Yamashta too.

[@ornleifs]

Fantastic - Great to see this, never seen it before and RTF footage is always a Treat.

[@leonleon3773]

absolutely colossal

[@rockonthestone4907]

One of the all time great line ups

[@cindynichols27]

My God. This is thrilling.

[@goliathrealm914]

Power Chick& Stanley Clark wow!!!!

[@godbluffvdgg]

Wow! Thanks so much! This is an amazing upload...The kings of Fusion!

[@blatneyev3740]

Yes, the first jazz I liked, too. Totally killer.

[@steveberti7060]

Utimate Players Compositions so powerful Rip Chick Corea

[@manuelwerro7242]

Back then the world was ok.

[@jaccitera9604]

Saw RTF in a sound studio around this time, maybe '73, live broadcast with a small studio audience. Where Have I Known You Before and No Mystery

[@54taqiyya]

great sound quality on this, thanks!

[@thebonedss]

Damn this is kickass!

[@Unibabble]

Man, look at the size of Stanley’s hands!

[@rhmayer1]

Reggie Workman - another bassist with huge hands.

[@Fluffyfluffyhead]

Lenny White!!!

[@kellyneese5216]

WONDERFUL.

[@pipedreamfretworks]

These guys were the greatest. Stanley at about 1:54. My goodness...

[@samsochet7436]

Nice version of Vulcan Worlds!

[@MaliVinnyB]

My Idol before Jaco convinced me to find my "OWN" Style,(LOL!!)!! Saw them at the Berkeley community theatre,UN- WISLEY sitting RIGHT on Front of the P.A.!! Told my Buddy,"If they don't play ACOUSTIC next set, I'm Outta here!! Fortunately, they Did!! My man Stan..at that time everybody BUT me were aping Larry Graham..!!

[@ShangoDC]

Tell everyone how bad and influential Stanley was. People for some reason don't know or have forgotten.

[@TheGrubnuk]

Chick's mustache has to be the most amazing thing of the entire performance :D. Moves with the music..

[@humanbn1057]

I hope the venue updated the parking lot to house the band's spaceship.

[@werber75]

2:06 HAH! Thats Stanley Clarke for'ya!

[@paullevine1813]

Vulcan Worlds is the tune , saw them in 74 as well The Kennedy Center in Washington DC Billy Conner had just left the band , DiMeola was only 18 !!!! Head turning is the only thing you can say.. As much as liked Al , Billy Conner was just as good..

[@anthonyfesta1224]

paul levine seen them in 74 IUP field house

[@big_jimcooley2679]

Bill was a great player but Chick and Stanley thought he needed to go and that Al was the better fit.@@anthonyfesta1224

[@horaciojavierpedrozo2198]

The Best, insuperables

[@castlevanian]

this piece is "vulcan worlds" i believe

[@jfo3000]

You are correct

[@edwardc1788]

Who else thinks this sounds like Toots Theilman's theme to " Midnight Cowboy"?

[@Erkbrothers80]

That refrain in the outro most definitely. Faith No More does a phenomenal cover of that song. Check it out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIbMg4yHhZ2kd68

[@petermuller7029]

Discussions about the best electric guitar player is difficult, it depends what you accept, speed and technic, feeling and groove ..

[@bholaoates1542]

Anyone else have an issue with the audio not being in sync with the video? The video seems to be around a second ahead of the audio.

[@archivestereo]

Wow!!!

[@canaldodib5305]

Greattttt

[@ManfredElsingBielefeld]

so it was in 1974.....nice!

[@derpllama8881]

SONG: VULCAN WORLDS BAND: RETURN TO FOREVER

[@thomasbailey9605]

giants among the giants!!

[@christinesullivan1229]

Energy love and serious fun X

[@stevencalhoun8723]

Where did they record this session AWESOME♥️💯‼️

[@Rayquesto]

Al is 20 here. Looks much older. wow

[@jeffreyburton7284]

Yeah, that might be because he IS older. He looks great for his age and seems to be in very good shape.

[@sungwookook5827]

power bass

[@jetrcmsp]

UC Berkeley.....Way back in the day! They were just kids!

[@JohnnyNation]

This is extremely early footage as Al D had not yet switched out his original pickups for Dimarzios/ or removed the Bigsby assuming this is the same guitar/ I know it had the vari-tone switch !!!###

[@MrGTO-ze7vb]

This band changed the world of rock and jazz Forever... I wonder if Al still has that Gibson Black Beauty??

[@rfraser-ut7qi]

He does! It was in his studio tour he did on facebook. facebook.com/AlDiMeolaMusic/videos/2350988385191521/

[@elainesorah3556]

Al sounds like a typewriter.

[@DrummerKen85]

Lenny White on his beautiful white Gretschys

[@musterionsurly]

burning

[@tarin1155]

DEFINITE OFF WORLD REINCARNATIONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THIS MOB OF FEARLESS SPACE FARING RISK TAKERS!!! THANK FUCK FOR THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@highgradeOG]

Chick Corea forever

[@guitarttimman]

Al Dimola lead guitar

[@Cfchild1]

I prefer Connors guitar work in this performance in early 1974 that was on Germany's MusikLaden show: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqG4oZ1vZb50fLc Better vibrado and overall synergy.

[@markrobinson8410]

Al dimeola recently had a heart attack, get well soon al

[@nicklinnik]

They are on fire! What is the piece?

[@killerman228]

nicklinnik vulcan worlds

[@ericbelopolsky3851]

Would anyone know what is amplifying Correa's keyboards?

[@RocknJazzer]

a pair of fender twin reverb amps

[@RedArrow73]

Stan musta learnt that shoulder technique from Ringo.

[@WesHampson]

Les Claypool was without a doubt influenced by Stanley Clarke

[@ShangoDC]

Yeah he says he copied his style more than anyone else.

[@tonyspada2744]

Stanley inspired every bass player I knew when he hit the scene. In college I remember students practicing his technique and lines in the dorms and hall ways.

[@augustbeck8288]

Mahavishnu was badass too

[@alisonwunderland9900]

Lenny White makes playing seem so efortless...

[@jacko222333]

midnight cowboy theme

[@HerbalistGuybrush]

If i had to name one racially ambiguous musician with a onomatopoeic sound as a first name and a country as a last name as my favorite, i sure would choose Chick without hesitation!

[@davidgarcia6796]

Song name?

[@tadhg3]

Who's the drummer?

[@RockmanYoshi]

Lenny White

[@gatomua]

The magnificent Lenny White. Check his solo albums...awesome.

[@robertplanting5330]

Open handed?

[@christinesullivan1229]

Monsters Inc X

[@scottkasper6378]

At least align the audio

[@bholaoates1542]

Yeah, I thought it was just me. The audio seems to be about a second behind the video, making it harder for me to enjoy this great performance.

[@sucersdungeon]

The band has to be something absolutely amazing when Al Di Meola is the weakest member.

[@elainesorah3556]

BILL CONNORS!!

[@ShangoDC]

No Al at this point...lol.

[@raulmacias1311]

Al DiMeola's solos all sound the same. If you've heard one, you've heard 'em all!

[@zoranmihajlovski1559]

I second this one Raul (though disagree with your criticism to Chick's Moog solo phrasing).. Al Di Meola have always been the most overrated guitar player by far. Just like you say: one single phrase, he somehow sells 45 years. Flat, zero-invention soloist, dreadful sound.. Have never bought any RTF album since Al replaced Bill Connors. Actually, absolutely the best RTF was the original lineup, without guitar

[@Kanendd]

@@zoranmihajlovski1559 LOLZ🤣

[@jduncanm3golf]

Al D w/ a Bigsby? wtf?

[@Meddled]

And there is a Varitone fitted in front of the volume knobs as well. Scary mods.

[@ari1234a]

+jduncanm3golf It is for them dive bombs man.

[@Meddled]

***** I would use one in a pedal, maybe, but not mounted in a guitar. Gibson messed up the bypass on a lot of them as well.

[@miketharipr]

His whammy pedal was in the shop that day.