Richie Havens What You Going To Do About Me

[@mortalclown3812]

I was producing an anti-apartheid benefit in NYC in '84 and was having a hell of a time getting performers. (Was young unknown comedian at the time.) Ritchie said yes... and it changed everything. We raised a lot of money for the Africa Fund. He was the catalyst. Such a kind and gentle human. Thank you. Rest in paradise, sir. 🌙💫

[@alanwilkinson340]

I could drive 100 mph to that song!

[@genemaurillo4162]

100% passion in his performance as he sings the truth. LOVE IT!!

[@optimus163]

" You poision my sweet forests , you chop down my green trees and the food you fed my children is the cause of their disease. My world is slowly falling down and the air is not fit to breath. And those of us who care enough we got to do something"...Ohh God this makes me cry . Its not just "me" or "you" its about all of us. Soo true even more today,

[@RichardHadden-k3k]

I feel the same way

[@sallysinger1058]

@@RichardHadden-k3k Me too

[@kevinclarke1222]

I heard he was such a wonderful and compassionate human being!

[@gilbertcastillo4388]

Richie Haven was great for our generation. I'm starting to listen to his music.again. where ever your are

[@Bencisco-World-of-Music]

Very few performers, then and now, have been as riveting as Richie Havens. I was fortunate to have seen him play at the Fillmore East in December 1969. An unforgettable experience.

[@RichardHadden-k3k]

It's time for a revolution , 40 years later what has really changed for poor people in this country ?....this song made me cry this am!

[@shemanic1]

Such a strong message that we still need to listen to, sadly.

[@zzyyxxo]

Richie Havens could sing the phone book into poetry.

[@dawn8542]

What's a phone book? Hahaha

[@jimlabos]

@@dawn8542 LOL. What is a phone dial! Havens was the antitheses of the musicians I was interested in but nevertheless intrigued me. He just has such a natural delivery and a great way to interpret the tunes he chose. He managed to survive the 60's intact. That in itself is an accomplishment. Would have loved to have seen him live.

[@jesusadrien1698]

I guess I am kinda off topic but does anybody know of a good site to watch newly released movies online?

[@markearnhart1701]

Smooth

[@joetrace]

no.. actually its the words and what they mean to him that create the sheen over his performances. It's not just his voice or his guitar playing, its the full expression. What he is saying in this song is important to him and it is also profound. He couldnt muster this kind of performance for just any random words.. but that is the danger for the artist.. you can sing your heart out and the crowd will react, but what are they reacting to? Did they really get what you were trying to convey ?.. or did they just like the way you moved around.. or held your instrument.. or all the pretty lights. You can never really know.

[@ojhuk]

Real music about real issues performed with real passion, he really put all his heart and soul into this performance, truly timeless.

[@thflinch]

After reading of the murder of women confined in Iran this morning (9-20-2022) which was followed by street protests, violence and more shootings and death, I searched for this great song when I recalled the line , "..and we're prepared to be shot down.". Richie Havens' is so inspiring. I miss his music and his strength of conviction in music and life. I also miss the congas..

[@seanmichael9482]

I first heard this 50 year's ago It seems as relevant for the next 50 ❤️

[@angelsonthemountain321]

Richie played the guitar like a force of nature to be reckoned with.

[@Mike-fi5se]

That's even an understatement, no offense taken. He was a diamond! A social advocate that used music as a vehicle. No violence. Just pure down the the core angst of what humanity was. His woes were ours, his heart and soul were ours. RIP, Richie, "The Messenger".

[@lyndamcardle4123]

John Lennon was impressed enough to admit Richie played a "funky" guitar ......and Lennon himself was a great rhythm player..wasn't he ?

[@deja75m]

A true communist zero hero...a limited rhythmic capabilty with a unique...limited chordal expression...another CIA shill...and I spent years studying his style...Only to be shocked when he played in Edmonton....another cia star....so disappointing as one of my favorite albums...On Stage...slayed me..l hate secret society psyops...fukbiden

[@pamelaj.miller5115]

Richie Havens is an extraordinary, energetic, and mind-boggling musician ... LOVE this version !!!

[@asabifatosin1150]

Majestic, powerful, and magical.

[@tomclayton9358]

This song, and the singer, sums up what this time period was all about. It wasn't about whites or blacks or browns or reds. It was bout unity, pure and simple.

[@cosmicman621]

Mr Ritchie Havens...what a Beautiful Flower Child Of The Creator.".Aum Amen 🐝🌈💫

[@4real73]

Absolutely incredible, you are SO right, AND the percussionist!!!

[@michaelroberts2343]

Richie owns this. He was so perfect for protest folk music like this. I fear we don't have voices like this any more. I wish more people were concerned and objective about "the news" we consume.

[@interstategar]

The politicians are bigger liars than the news organizations. The News Co's can be sued, politicians can lie at will under the freedom of speech rights. here's the score-The Republicans will always represent big business and the Democrats will try and help the middle class and poor. The Republicans will always proclaim they are pro life (unborn only) and gun rights, but will be stingy as hell to help out the middle class economically. The middle calss that votes for the Republicans will always be screwed by that party. never fails.

[@jm-tl6od]

Intelligence agencies infiltrated the music industry and they kill the artists that don't play along.

[@sammyaugusto1742]

One of the great ones Richie Haven thank you for your music you inspire me not only myself to everyone in the world one love one love one love 🤟

[@tonym994]

didn't know Ritchie covered this tune. Quicksilver is one of my top ten favorite bands ,and highly underrated. outstanding cover here.

[@nphony]

[EDIT] OOPS: I wrote "This isn't a cover, this is a Richie Havens original." because I was mistaken. See comment below. Great tune still, and great performance by Richie.

[@iliv4disc77]

Sorry to correct you, Aaron, but the song was penned by Dino Valenti of Quicksilver Messenger Service. That takes nothing away from Mr. Havens. His studio cover and this live version are beautiful. He made it a sound all his own.

[@nphony]

iliv4disc77 Oh, thanks so much, I really had no idea. Richie made it his own so well, and I just hadn't seen any other version, I just assumed too much. Thanks again for the correction!

[@bobsteinzig]

right on he always makes songs his own. Listen to Clapton's (&Robert Cray's)"Old Love" on the "Cuts to the Chase" album and then "Times they are a Changing" "Lives in the Balance" Bad Ass R&R

[@carmenquinones7426]

yessir

[@philipboisclair3785]

Timeless music, I wish it was 1974, this brings back memories.

[@jeeveswinston2545]

Wish I had something clever to say. This song strikes me right in the chest, puts tears in my eyes and gets my head spinning.

[@SebTheFrenchGuy]

We should'nt forget to mention the bass player ! He's incredible !

[@johnmurphy1466]

Wow .. jeez!

[@junerachelson-ospa3102]

I was lucky enough to meet him. What an honor

[@lyndamcardle4123]

That could be Kevin Godley in the audience at around 2.28-2.31 but, is probably his doppleganger !

[@micayiah1]

Amazing!!

[@pieterisp]

What you going to do about us. Richie sings and speaks for all. Thanks Man!!

[@artredoubt3629]

That intensity was the flip side of his meditative soul. I loved both of his many sides.

[@4real73]

His uncle, Red Havens, used to bring his nephew, "Little" Richie, to the jams sessions they would have after hours; see house on 33rd St.

[@Jessica_Roth]

I think Dino Valenti (who wrote and sang the song for Quicksilver Messenger Service) has a more expressive vocal, but by the end, where Richie expands the song and keeps driving it home, the passion is powerful. An anthem for our generation…sadly still.

[@quogir1]

The man who started it all...handsome Johny .Marching on the fields of Birmingham

[@magnus22001]

this is still relevant today, but our songs are not like this

[@PNNYRFACE]

To be fair, no one’s songs were like Father Richie. In all time and space. He says Hello and Loves Us Still. And not to forget the path ahead

[@thomaspenoyer9711]

The people are applauding his talent, protests never stopped the Godless ones, but if God be true ( as we have followed on this planet) and if Jesus is the last word we have from God, then none of the leaders who "won" over the protesters of the 60's will be found, there in God's Kingdom. Take Heart !

[@ReverendSoupbone]

Purely phenomenal. Richie was a true light in the world.

[@chrisdrummond8893]

The music literally possessed his soul.

[@royburton4035]

Wonderful song and how great was he?🙏

[@louisecundy1084]

This I an anthem for today and Richie is a hero

[@dorianedwards8522]

The reason Chet wrote under a pen name is because at various times, usually to get money to fight marijuana cases, he had signed away rights to songs written by Dino Valenti, or his real name Chester Powers. He played in the folk cafe's in NYC with Richie Havens and Bob Dylan among others in the early sixties. He also wrote the great sixties song, Get Together, but then you all knew that already. Richie had great respect for Chet's songwriting abilities. This is the very best autobiographical song Dino ever wrote. I spent some time with him in jail in California.

[@larryholcomb2165]

I didn't know any of that. Thank you.

[@thomaspick4123]

I am sorry to hear you had to spend time in jail. You sound like you were a good friend of Chester and supported him emotionally.

[@bobaldo2339]

Richie had great respect for "Dino", and for the great Karen Dalton too.

[@carson2668]

Hey man I’d love to hear any other insight you could share on Dino!! I’ve really admired the guy in the recent years of discovering his music and have looked everywhere to find out more about him. Truthfully I’ve been pretty disappointed because most I can find are some passive aggressive remarks from John that do no justification to the incredible music he created. That or a discussion around the shitty weed case he had to fight. Anyways It’d be awesome to hear anything about the guy, he seemed like a great guy

[@rolandmousaa3110]

So lucky to have performed, recorded and written songs with Richie and those band members! WOW!

[@marcstaman]

Always amazing

[@timothybagnall7351]

When ever he was in london I saw him in concert, the last time was at the Jazz Cafe such a lovely man, peace reigned in Richie Havens, sadly missed.

[@bobwasp825]

Absolutely brilliant. Still relevant in terms of its lyrics. Love Richie's guitar style and voice

[@lralston501]

NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SING IT RICHIE! Rest easy you gentle giant!

[@ciabazac]

Richie, Thank you for leaving this for us. Thank you for being my biggest influence. You can't read this, but I know you're with us in spirit. ✌♥️✌♥️

[@jorgesxbass7606]

AUGUST 2023..... LISTEN.... Great song by Dino Quicksilver Amazing AMAZING... PEACE....

[@ciabazac]

Not a day goes by where I don't feel Richies spirit teaching me morals and the art of his elaborate percussive strumming

[@robin2012ism]

Such a reminder of how optimistic we once were. So sure of our power to change things. Good luck kids. You're gonna need it. Thank you for posting this. Thank you Chet. Will always love and cherish your memory.

[@larryholcomb2165]

Not sure how optimistic this song is. It's about being prepared to be shot down for standing up for what you believe in...

[@dbeaus]

I guess the most crushing thing to me is the loss of that optimism. We did change some things, and life is better for some and not so for others. The current generation has no voices like this. What passes for protest is really only efforts to protect their own self interests. If I could have looked 50 years in the future in 72 I probably would not have believed what I saw. Progressive people serious about lasting change need to be willing to accept some personal loss to get there. I don't see that anywhere now. A lot of us went to jail, and had their lives ruined and even died. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Maybe, but it would take a complete destruction of the structure that still runs things. Unfortunately i am not optimistic about that happening. We should dedicate this song to those who knew the danger but went forward anyway, true courage. Let us support the one's now who work for justice, equality and peace.

[@timothymitchell734]

Richy so good love this song

[@cyprescrow]

Incredible. The whole concert is awesome. He was truly one the great ones. A big soul.

[@LateNotes]

his phrasing, like a stone skipping over his churning explosive guitar ! Glorious.

[@peaceevol]

May you Rest In Peace ☮️

[@larryurbon9550]

This BBC footage of Richie Havens is absolutely the best of him, ever.

[@davidlhonelrps8764]

A magical performer and a really magical human being....

[@irishsetterarchie]

I agree! He was simply magnificent and unforgettable. Thank you for uploading this!

[@catdaddy3302]

I first heard Ritchie in about 1968. He did a song, "The Klan." I was a high school kid in Mississippi, and it touched me. Looking for that song now.

[@susankennedy5739]

Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/amqViniAaNSsfKc

[@wadeolder7193]

God bless Richie we will always love you.

[@RorschachCZ]

One of the most powerful lyrics I¨ve ever heard.

[@bobaldo2339]

Written by Dino Valenti, and spontaneously improved by Richie!

[@quogir1]

Qicksilver messenger service did the original

[@GwendolynMcClurePhD]

What a Force of Nature who came to serve all our Souls! Thank you Richie! I saw him live first at the Texas Wild Lounge (something like that) in NYC in 1979; later in 1996 in Ann Arbor MI, then my last show with him was in 2004 (I think) at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara CA. Thank you for your Service Richie!

[@bobaldo2339]

This is a Dino Valenti original. Ritchie was one of the few who really appreciated both Dino and Karen Dalton.

[@deepseabattles]

Powerful! How passionate his performance

[@YTChango1]

One of the Greatest Folk-Rock-Singers and Guitar Players! I was Bless to witness Brother Richie Havens in Concert approximately 2007 at World Café in Philly-a Dream come True-I was at Woodstock in Doors---Bless His Soul! Brother Riche Havens sweating the Music out of Heart and Soul Brother Riche Havens sweating the Music out of Heart and Soul. -A Great Performance on the Sacred Spot and in the Magnificent Moment---Bless Him for that Gift of Woodstock Music he gave to us for Forever-and he Opened and Started Woodstock Up-the First Artist of the Day for 3-Hoursfor 3-Hours---SoulSweatBlackFolkMusic---He got Caught-Up in the Spirit of His Music. Artistic Natural Brilliance--Coming the WarmSoulWater in His DeepSoulWell---Bless His Soul-Now and Always.

[@davidgerald133]

NoT that his albums are bad....BUT Ritchie Havens LIVE is how you want to hear him

[@glossypots]

2022 and still so relevant

[@4faxache935]

Now 2024 and the lyrics have never lost their meaning. Maybe more poignant now than ever.

[@bobsteinzig]

Met Richie at club 47 when he sang "Sandy" i was 14 and had the pleasure to love his music since. Old Love from "Cuts to the Chase" shows how he make a song his own. I heard he was never inducted because he only did covers. They are not just covers

[@burtons828]

Love this saint who stopped by to visit the planet Earth, praise be

[@johnchadwick6505]

The song is called "What about me" and the song was originally released on the Richie Haven's LP " The Great Blind Degree" in 1971.

[@larryholcomb2165]

It is actually the title track from the album "What About Me?" by Quicksilver Messenger Service. Written by Dino Valenti...

[@susankennedy5739]

Yes! I have that album.

[@danamacpherson5481]

How I wish I'd known him then... Didn't find him till late '90s (Mixed Bag)... Haven't stopped listening since. RIP sir!

[@lesleywalkerpiromengro6121]

so true -Richie havens knew about it all back then-he was magic-play here comes the sun, and you can feel the sun-and his drumming makes the sun come out-yes;a magical man

[@tonypearson4638]

Richie Havens was the man! rest in peace my brother

[@JoseMedina-sv8uy]

Muchas Gracias por compartir. R.H. un músico de lo mejor de lo mejor, QEPD. No se si esté en el salón de la fama de la música, pero sin duda lo merece y por mucho.

[@bgfd1]

WOW!! Had the pleasure of seeing him live. Amazing, the energy, the passion and the humanity.

[@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921]

Just too much folks. The most intense bond of human emotion and music ever witnessed. This is way more than just a song and more like the most heartfelt testimonial I have EVER heard anywhere or anytime.

[@pathuboi6594]

Nice! Quicksilver Messenger Service also did this song justice.

[@genemaurillo4162]

I don't have words to describe how good this is. Love you Richie. Thank you for having been on the planet.

[@angelachandler6255]

Love Richie Havens Seen him a few times when in London. The first time in 1973 at the Elephant and Castle polytechnic.

[@olubibabalola]

magical performance. powerful. RIP good sir.

[@eolden7749]

And the audience is thinking what the hell just happened?

[@ashabirich1412]

One of my favorites. Rest in power and light.

[@tonym994]

hey guys, I straightened this one out a month ago. as the Great Casey Stengel once said, "you could look it up" correcting someone is actually enlightening us all. Ritchie really is a true artist. as soon as I hear the intro I feel in a Quicksilver mood. this tune is definitely not average. I saw RH at Bethel on the exact 30th anniversary of his gig for the ages. 8/15/1999. he had some sort of PA glitch.' here comes the sun' is another gem .I might as well get this out of the way. 'handsome johnny'( maybe Ritchie's best work)was co-written by Lou Gossett jr .the actor.

[@dbeaus]

Check out Quicksilver Messengers version of this. Very emotional.

[@jackdolphy8965]

One of the truly great anthems of our time. Man how I miss Richie.

[@sillavnitram]

What a fantastic song and performance by Richie Havens, thankfully I now have it but it seems to hardly get a look in but deserves to be up there as a great protest song. Love the man, sadly no longer with us.

[@docurrhodes5964]

Oh thank you my world is now so much better now....

[@tonym994]

according to wikipedia, Jesse otis Farrow (Dino Valenti's alias for what purpose I don't know)wrote the tune w/ QUICKSILVER.

[@olderendirt]

Amazing performance. I've always liked the QMS version, but Richie really powered it.

[@JHellerKay]

Thank you!!! I just about spontaneously combusted watching that!

[@richlabonte7013]

Happy Birthday, Richie Havens! ❤️

[@henrygerman7858]

Fine performance all around; everyone was on. Intense rhythm groove. Excellent percussionist. Nice.

[@JohnPappasThe1st]

awesome! saw Richie a few times at The Fillmore, great performer!

[@giuseppegarilli605]

Brother giant..

[@theresakoehler2456]

most beautiful version

[@lesleywalkerpiromengro6121]

magic man-totally on the right level

[@spiritual_music7396]

thank you for sharing this, i just picked this up on vinyl today, had no idea anyone other than Dino sang this one, what a fantastic version

[@mirkasalmi1492]

Maybe the best song ever!

[@Bluesmusicno1]

Budy guy n beth heart ripped this off lol 😆 😂

[@philipboisclair3785]

This man is cool!

[@cristinalacoste2062]

Forty six years since then and we're still trying to figure it out. If not now, then when?