Slim Whitman on Letterman, April 1, 1982

[@twiliger]

Slim was my friend. I worked with him for 25 years. Beautiful voice and a great guy too.

[@pamchester3156]

I miss Slim, a Godly man with a fantastic voice. I still listen to his music. (77 yrs old).

[@grammadee9443]

Hi Pam This great great gramma still listens to SLIM everyday got 2C him 3 times & what a gentleman have some BEAUTIFUL photos. Isn't this a terrific video.❤🎵🎼🎶❤ GRAMMA DEE from Massachusetts.will be 83 come jan.

[@glendagaskin151]

What a coincidence. I’m 77 and my daddy was a fan and I love Slim.

[@clivemilson2372]

I met Slim several times in the early 70's when he toured Britain. He was a true gentleman. I have an enlarged photo of us both, on my wall. I was deeply saddened by his passing, but he has left an amazing legacy of music. RIP

[@DunderQBrak]

Sounds like some good times. Wanna tell more? How was he in person?

[@twiliger]

@@DunderQBrak A true gentleman. I worked with him for 25 years.

[@chronicdreammusic]

@@twiliger absolutely. He treated everyone, including his family, like he was a nobody. He never let fame go to his head. I miss him

[@robertmayer2748]

Great singer. Beautiful voice

[@John-wg1jh]

Who gives a shit. He sucked.

[@patricias5122]

He had a beautiful falsetto voice, perfectly pitched. He could bend a note perfectly. He deserves to be remembered.

[@keithmalcolmhunt1325]

The most versatile singer of the 20th century; amazing what he could do with his voice--- beautiful love songs to out and out cowboy yodelling songs.

[@davidj.7227]

Those Slim Whitman commercials were a big part of my fun time tormenting my little sister in the early 80s. It was a lot of fun doing the Slim Whitman trill just to aggravate the hell out of her. Thank you to Slim's son for getting his dad to do that commercial.

[@woodygrounds5396]

We use to do his voice on the school bus, and drive everybody to laugh.

[@johnmcclintock8004]

A nice man with a rare perfection of tone and pitch along with the addition of his distinctively smooth falsetto..

[@patricias5122]

@@mehermusic2154 You're famous for nothing but snarky remarks ... and you're not even good at that.

[@patricias5122]

@@mehermusic2154 You actually edited that remark? It was worse before?

[@anthonyc1883]

The Letterman audience of 1982 seemed to regard Slim as a bit laughable but the hipsters of today are all over this kind of music. Everything old is new again.

[@calpilot7]

Much respect for Slim. Prince of a gentleman.

[@davekirby7790]

its almost 2021 and I still listen to Slim... his singing never goes out of style...I wish I could have seen him in concert

[@theresenydahl9531]

What a gentle and kind man

[@mehermusic2154]

You knew him personally then?

[@thevintageman13]

@@mehermusic2154 I don't know you personally but I already know what an evil, ruthless, bastard you must be. Now go home and cry to mommy.

[@twiliger]

I worked with Slim for 25 years. A true gentleman.

[@leanajo754]

Slim had one of the prettiest male voices ever.

[@erikb835]

My father had his records ,now 2021 still listen to slim what a voice 👍👍

[@salvagemonster3612]

Slim was such a nice man and so humble. For him to have the resurgence he had was amazing.

[@sandracook3754]

I am in.my.eightees and still play his songs and seen him in concert twice they dont make singers like him anymore l just loved him

[@AceHaBeats]

Slim was killer. So underrated.

[@stevetempouk]

What a guy. Warm and sensitive man. I first met him when I was 14 years old. Always loved him and his music, especially his earlier tracks. I saw Slim and Byron during their Fair well Tour around 2002 in Liverpool UK. I still proudly own a very large collection of Slim's recordings on 78 rpm, Vinyl, Cassette and CD. There has been a couple of imitators who try to dress like Slim and sing like Slim, but you just cannot compare to Slim's unique vocal quality. I have also recorded a couple of his songs. But they also cannot compare. He was the real deal.

[@melvinandmariemorrison2196]

How fortunate you were to have seen him in person. I just learned this past month that he and his son sang together! I am still searching KZbin to find their videos. Love their music, it is haunting me. Can't get their songs out of my head and I am 86 now. Wish I would have found them sooner!

[@46reno]

Slim always seems so dignified. Can’t help but respect him.

[@davidrobinson2776]

From the ‘50s up until the ‘80s, no record collection in the UK was complete without a Slim Whitman album or at least his single Rose Marie. In later life, his concerts sold out faster than most huge rock bands.

[@MarkVickers-xq9si]

Music as romantic as this will NEVER go out of style .

[@jontillo9979]

I will always remember good days when I hear Slim .

[@fougee1]

His captain in WW-2 saved his life he blocked a transfer to another ship. Because the sailors loved his singing.The other ship was sunk with all hands lost! My Dad served in the Pacific as well RIP Dad and Mr.Whitman!

[@shawnuel]

I remember this appearance well. Many of my high school buddies were home from freshman year in college for spring break and we got together in a basement and watched this. It combined 2 of our greatest passions of senior year in HS. Letterman and Slim Whitman. We used to present Slim albums (and occasionally, Roger Whittaker and Boxcar Willie) to each other on birthdays. Of course, it was kind of a joke but during this interview we actually really appreciated his gentle, down to Earth spirit.

[@sttvoyager1727]

Pure Class..Slim Whitman

[@usermanual02]

class act.

[@astragreen]

Great singer Great gentlemen, imagine having elvis tour with you, people like slim are the salt of the earth, professionals I believe the word is, like a regular guy you'd meet at work or out an about, something about him I liked his style!..

[@bunbee2023]

Beautiful voice!! 😊👍🏾

[@ZumaDogg]

I like Slim Whitman a hell of a lot more than Slim Shady.

[@paulinevanderwoning5706]

How loved this man, god bless , ❤️💕💕

[@enriqueelpiquemedina2665]

Pardon my ignorance please. I'm a native New Yorker. 60yrs young. Music is an NYC DNA ABC....I learned, like they said, about Slim on the commercials. As a teenager...all i could do was laugh. Then SCTV did parodies on him....made me laugh MORE. I did research meaning checked old vids n recordings etc. THIS MAN IS NOT ONLY TALENTED.....HE'S AN AMAZING PERSONALITY!!! Clearly Letterman didn't DARE disrespect him....Dave did that 2 certain peeps. Im so happy Mr. Whitman was able 2 finally njoy real succe$$ Blessings!

[@robomarty]

Seems like a down to earth nice guy. I recently acquired some of his records from a thrift store and was curious what I'd find on KZbin. Haunting music.

[@thereseember2800]

What a dear gentleman!

[@retrobilly1986]

I have learned something here, I thought that he was always a star.

[@billkarmetsky4003]

Whitman was terrific. And a smart businessman.

[@JCO2002]

He's very sparkly. I actually remember the TV ads for his songs - born in Canada in 1952.

[@jeffreyshuster4482]

My first exposure to Slim as a child. Those low rent adverts. Now I’ve come to adore Slim.

[@Shane07752]

Thanks for uploading these early seasons of LNWDL.

[@ericanton7]

Rosemarie is a truly brilliant tune.

[@Imissmusicvideos]

Didn't know he was a southpaw. Slim Whitman always makes me think of the movie "Mars Attacks!" For some reason martian heads explode when they hear Slim. lol

[@carnivalminds]

Steve Etzkorn Great movie! It’s the kids grandmother that everyone else thinks is senile that had the Slim Whitman record that saves the human race. I have to watch that now. Lol :P

[@deasttn]

I don't think he was. He injured himself in the Navy and relearned to play the guitar

[@mehermusic2154]

@@deasttn So why is he never playing it, onl;y pretending to, like Elvis did? Huh?

[@patricias5122]

@@mehermusic2154 Genius, listen. Elvis Presley didn't pretend to play the guitar. He played the guitar.

[@steen0305]

@@mehermusic2154 Wrong. Elvis played rhythm guitar on all the Sun Records and a good part of the early RCA sessions. And he played the guitar on personal apperances in the mid-50s and also in later years.

[@jameseisen9371]

Great recording star..... Voice all over the place here!

[@macklemorganfreeman8488]

Really wish they had podcasts or something back then. I'm fascinated by this guy but all his interviewers cut him off

[@MrTitaniumDioxide]

Now there is a man who's been in the music business for awhile: "I'd like to have my coat back..."

[@stephensorensen4477]

I saw the commercial, when I was a kid; I didn’t understand what the appeal was. Then I saw Mars Attacks; I got it then: the yodeling, the pedal steel, the ranch style psychedelia, 20 + years before Mike Nesmith! Downloaded one of his hits albums. It’s time warpingly bizarre, yet fab! Of course the rotten Martians’ brains exploded; it’s ridiculous but makes perfect sense. R. I. P., Slim.

[@RobertEllis-e7p]

I was going to visit him in Middleburg, Fl. I didn't meet him, but always wish I had.

[@malthechal]

When I disc jockeyed at my college radio station we had a copy of the album Songs I Love To Sing.I played it everytime I was on the air

[@thomasjordan5578]

Jeez you don’t get guys like that anymore. 😀❤️🙏

[@velo54]

Letterman is a tall guy. Yet Letterman's jacket looked small on Slim.

[@lysippus]

Geez, Don. You're on a roll. Thanks

[@AngelCintiaRockgirl]

Slim Whitman wasn't kidding about that coat. He thought that handshake meant "goodbye coat!"

[@Irish_Lass2024]

Right. I read a story that said that Slim once loaned his coat to Elvis when Elvis was waiting to go on stage. Elvis never back the coat to Slim, and Slim said, "I never loaned him any more of my clothes." With Slim's rhinestone jacket, it makes me wonder where Elvis got his idea of doodads on his clothing.

[@paulinevanderwoning5706]

I love this, gorgeous slim , he. Is my dream, god I loved you, ❤️❤️❤️💕💕

[@redflamered]

Showed them who he was - a star.

[@washingtonfootballfanwgil8392]

Slim Whitman ladies and gentlemen!

[@INDYOSKARS]

Thank you kindly, *MUCH appreciated !*

[@r.j.f.mensies5709]

The line at 8:04 from Paloma Blanca by Dutch artists George Baker Selection (1975) was really awesome!

[@Templemore1000]

Super singer

[@Olejunkmanfishing]

My great uncle

[@twiliger]

Tell me more.

[@Peh-heeeeeggy-Hill]

My dad was never a fan, he loved the joke in Mars Attacks where (spoiler) Slim Whitman kills the Martians. My dad passed recently and I thought of the song they used in the movie, and played it for my 16m old son. Well, my little boy loves it, and I think dad would laugh to think there was a little Slim Whitman fan in the family. I listened to a record of his greatest hits, and I found actually loved it.

[@sergiolobato1798]

Slim ,is one good ole' boy...

[@ABJ20]

Watch this on acid once was a absolutely crazy experience, so thankful i found it at the time i do or it found me 🙏

[@annereilley4892]

Letterman is asking him some of the same questions johnny carson asked him when he interviewed him.

[@otiss867]

He was a US star in my book in 52 thru 59 or so. Saw him in Abilene Tex. Thought he was great. He actually started losing he voice for high notes before he went to England.

[@MarkVickers-xq9si]

The essence of Western (north america ) High Lonesome .

[@60sbaby456]

Letterman looks really good in slims jacket❤

[@Shane07752]

Once again,during these seasons Dave is serious about hosting less joking,less laughter.

[@zenbabaloo1931]

He was like a left handed Elvis!

[@alexandrathrift4241]

He wasn't left handed....he lost a finger on his right hand and taught himself to play left handed. His younger voice was the best around ( Rosemarie )

[@Irish_Lass2024]

Slim was waaaay better than Elvis but just didn't get the fame he deserved.

[@maggardb]

awesome edit, Donz

[@togue777]

He had wonderful voice. He always reminded me of Don Fanucci from The Godfather 2. 😁

[@hungfao]

Pitch perfect

[@bruv1039]

Now I get how good Andy Kaufman is.

[@bennythepooh4905]

He kind of looks like John Travolta.

[@paulinevanderwoning5706]

Oh he looks so gorgeously handsome, ,wow, such an hunk, makes me twitch,he is what I call a god given man, very desirable, vvv

[@raysmusic49]

Loved his voice… although he looks like Wayne Newton here.

[@johndudley9118]

None finer then Slim !

[@JohnnyBeeDawg]

Wait....after millions of TV sales, Slim said he hadn't seen a dime of the money???

[@A.French]

He was probably modest. I hope so...if not, its a shame...

[@randymagnum143]

You don't get a jacket like that on credit.

[@twiliger]

Not true.

[@pika23]

I remember there was a taxicab confessions skit on snl where Vincent price and Slim Whitman were lovers... It was slims ghost actually.

[@MyEnemy]

You're remembering that skit very wrong, ha ha.

[@pika23]

@@MyEnemy OK... I dunno I remember the skit itself atleast oh wait were they gigolos

[@jaredwirth3990]

Well, not sure what to think, not much star power in the guy....but in the voice, that's what made him a star.

[@MrPatdeeee]

Well...Slim was never a typical egotistical, arrogant "know-it-all", B.....d; as so many are. He was a humble, kind and nice person; who had an innate voice; that caused him to sell 70,000,000+ recordings all over the world. Which NO one else has ever come close. Even add up all Elvis' sells and the Beatles together; and you still can't match it. Not to mention "beat it!. So though he was not a "star"; the fans all over the world idolized him. It doesn't get and better than that. End of Story. May Jesus rest his precious soul.

[@twiliger]

@@MrPatdeeee Although a wonderful thought. Slim did not sell more records than Elvis and The Beatles. This comes from the famous TV ad. It is talking about him having a Number 1 hit in the UK longer consecutive weeks (11) than the Beatles and Elvis.

[@daveyvane9431]

Hmm, never heard his voice crack this much, must’ve had a cold.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

That was the guy in The Getaway.

[@dongiller]

Had to have been someone else. Slim never acted in any film.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

@@dongiller Sorry; that was Slim Pickens.

[@chiconian49]

Ak, ak!

[@Tadesan]

And a Lefty!

[@donsmith1198]

6:40 Did he ever get paid? 🤔🤔🤔

[@twiliger]

I'd say so. The All My best LP (TV) sold 4 million copies. He made a buck 50 on each.

[@angelaalbury986]

Before Mars Attacks 🤣🤣🤣

[@peggytanchengsim3341]

Pp❤❤❤

[@user-ib5rs9mu1i]

He was jailed for some crime he did. Don't remember what it is.

[@dongiller]

Or not. Best to first check.

[@user-ib5rs9mu1i]

It was splashed in newspapers in the Asian country where I still live

[@dongiller]

Maybe so, but there’s no trace of anything approaching an arrest, much less jail, for any crime whatsoever.

[@austinteutsch]

Una Paloma Blanca was done better by Buckwheat. He phrased it a little different. Uda Padoma Blanca.

[@robertclarke8456]

I saw Slim when he toured the UK in I think 63/64. the venue was in Coventry.👑👑👑👑