Rock`n Roll (I Gave You All The Best Years Of My Life)

[@schusterlehrling]

Kevin Johnson is an Austalian songwriter. He wrote this song and it became a modest hit, but was soon covered by many artists all over the world. Many of these covers were even greater hits then the original, but Kevin has THE voice for it and can play the guitar like no one else.

[@schusterlehrling]

Kevin Johnson sang and wrote it. If there's a god of Rok'n'Roll, Kevin is now blessed.

[@freckles2428]

Loooove this song. It brings tears to my eyes and makes the hairs on my neck stand up! Must be my subconscious thinking back to those days! You know, I seem to remember him singing it once on Hoges' show. But I think you will find that Kevin Johnson, an Aussie like me, wrote and recorded it.

[@guitardude1050]

i feel you, i gave rock and roll the best years of my life too.

[@mookanman]

Man memories or what

[@guitardude1050]

Little did he know this was gonna be the story of his life. He gave rock and roll the best years of his life, but it gave him little in return.

[@mistertube10]

Wow, this brings back memories for me I'd buried long ago. This song was playing when I wrote my mum's car off in the back streets of Balmain, Sydney, on a sunny summer's afternoon in '89. I wasn't hurt, by the way, and it wasn't my fault - just thought I'd share that with you....I can't hear this song and not think about that day.

[@DRSA5702]

Thank you so much for sharing. I always loved that song, but never knew, who had sing it. I thought it was Kenny Rogers...anyway...Thanxxxxxxxx

[@darepow]

Kevin johnson, an Australian, wrote this song, quite right rudenuts. He not only wrote it but had a huge hit with it back in 1973. this is Kevin Johnson's voice here in this clip. In '96 he also sang "Aussie rules I thank you for the best years of my life" at the afl grand final. I have always loved this song.

[@4girlsandadad]

This version is Kevin Johnson

[@DOGMAN9999]

Thank you very much for the video. Great song.

[@blueycarlton]

Kevin Johnson wrote this, and in 1973 was a hit in Australia, New Zealand, and UK, and covered by Mac Davis and Terry Jacks in USA and Canada. Kevin also had a hit with "Bonnie Please Don't Go" in 1971.

[@angel2gabriel06]

If i remember correctly was released on Peach records in Australia I, loved it then and still do

[@fatboy6846]

one hit wonder i think,but wat a song brilliant

[@flamingfrancis]

This is the original. Composer / performer Kevin Johnson recorded in Sydney in 1975. At one time it was copied by many, many other performers around the world. Great Aussie talent.

[@oronopolo]

in january 1974 the dutch popgroup the Cats from Volendam had a hit with a cover of this number. ( 9 weeks in the charts, it reached the third place )

[@AsturMocker]

Dean Reed!

[@freckles2428]

I got it then too, love it! Also, my name isn't Aussieguy1957, but I am!

[@freckles2428]

Here here!

[@neilprocter]

Terry Jacks did a cover of it too, but Ive never heard it. This is definitely Kevin Johnson. I have the original 7" single.

[@bbudacious]

thank you,

[@JohnstonsJungle]

This song has been recorded / performed by artists from all over the World in many different languages. Some of the the most well known versions are from: Kevin Johnson, Mac Davis, Doug Kershaw Sonny Curtis, Gary Glitter, Cliff Richard John Leyton, The Cats, Joe Dassin, Harry Chapin, Love Wind Sam Neely, Stein Sngebrigtsen, Peter Belli Kai Hyttinen, Col Joye,Digby Richards Johnny Devlin, Craig Scott, Travis Tritt Information from Kevin's website

[@gordoarcane]

Kevin Johnson sings this version, various others have sung this song, but i think Mr Johnsons voice was made for this song, and yes...Mac Davis wrote the lyrics and tune.

[@bagup59]

thanks trying it now

[@fumetti]

Mac Davis did the original hit version of the song in 1972 or so.

[@flamingfrancis]

@goneoverboard2 Often the case where an original is covered by multiple artists. I understand this composition is one of the most covered ever. One of the early Aussie / NZ rockers Johnny Devlin, also covered it. If you like Kevin's work have a look at the posting for Shaney Boy, another track on the 1974-5 vinyl recording also available on CD. I heard this was written by Kevin for his son Shane, with wife Jill Perrryman who is another famous Aussie artist.

[@bufb]

I could be wrong but I think this was written by Mac Davis. On Mac Davis the last verse was about his wife Sarah Jane--who later married Glen Campbell...

[@bagup59]

Anybody know guitar chords for this been looking for them for years

[@kahnert]

Ich dacht immer, das Original wäre von R.Mey. Dabei ist das heir das "echte" und das deutsche sogar von Hannes Wader

[@goneoverboard2]

@flamingfrancis Thanks for the Info !!! Yes I do like Kevins work. What a song writer!!! He sings with true emotion. Will def look for "Shaney boy" and others. Cheers.

[@duncanrs]

kevin johnson did the original ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,in the sixties

[@darepow]

i forgot to say....for all you who think Terry Jacks or Mac Davis had a hand in this song......log onto Kevin Johnson's personal website. You can play a sample of his music, INCLUDING THIS song!!! I think you'll recognize the voice. Read his biography - he wrote it!

[@chriseldridge69]

this is kevin johnson not mac davis. if you like this song by kevin johnson try "over the hills and far away"...I remember these were favourites of my local DJ growing up and he always used to slip them into the play list...

[@goneoverboard2]

@flamingfrancis First time i have heard Kevin Johnson sing this Brill!!! Always thought Mac Davis wrote this. Oh well!!!

[@Cronewarrior]

Kevin Johnson - An Australian.

[@almightyebby]

No Kevin Johnson wrote and performed the original in 73

[@unclejezza]

it is.

[@schusterlehrling]

@growlywolf Not. It's Kevin Johnson, who wrote this song. Mac Davis did not sing "I thank the lord for giving me the little that I knew" in the end. Also mind the australian accent.

[@doubleblues76]

I always thought this was Kenny Rogers. Jeez.

[@phoenix1916]

Definetly Kevin johnson!

[@jybutler]

anybody got a track of his song 'shaney boy'?

[@dar2boy]

@Orion1ellis apparently this came out first, im used to the Terry Jacks one tho xD

[@freckles2428]

Sorry to break the news, but Kevin Johnson was NEVER a one hit wonder. Just to name only one other: Man of the Twentieth Century.

[@proinsiaspad]

Hey Dudes, Hey man, cool song, but don't understand some of the lyrics. Like, what does 'Bought all the old Chuck Berry`s, 78`s and all' mean? Is 78's some kind of East European DVD format? And 'We were living in San Francisco, with flowers in our hair'? Is putting flowers in ur hair some kind of conditioner treatment. Doesn't make sense. Cool Dude voice, but doesn't make sense?

[@john111257]

kevin johnson defo

[@gordoarcane]

Mac Davis wrote this

[@growlywolf]

The singer on this version is Mac Davis. The original by Kevin Johnson is far superior.

[@ecirbaf49]

Is Johnny Cash the singer ?

[@pez068]

Kevin Johnson

[@Orion1ellis]

wasent it Terry Jack??

[@annkathrinwinkler3029]

great video but song unfortunately not complete

[@33zeezicht]

Dit is ook zo.n topper helaas erg slecht opgenomen de orginele is super goed Zal hem er zelf op plaatsen

[@pureowner687]

This is not the original, the Cats did the right one!!!!!!

[@TheBrownfinger69]

Kevin Johnson