The Folksmen - Start Me Up [live on Late Night with Conan O'Brien]

The 1960s folk troupe from A Mighty Wind hit the big time on late night TV

[@lonwolf8245]

These 3 together may be the most brilliant comic trios of all time. Layer after layer of humor. Wish they did more.

[@jraykc]

Hate how the Stones ripped this off the Folksmen.

[@policeofficer94]

OBVIOUSLY.

[@serious-cyrusnoelan8127]

What a shame…

[@tedwilliams8879]

@@SweetPablo972 Whoosh!

[@MikaelLewisify]

I know. Arseholes.

[@Chatta-Ortega]

Brilliant!

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

The Folksmen are awesome. They should do a live concert with Spinal Tap.

[@ManlyStump]

They did, the Spinal Tap fans weren't too happy!

[@Savagemister]

I don't think they would share the same stage

[@tiny5500]

Great to see all seven on stage together in harmony✨✨✨✨🧄

[@chumbucketjones9761]

Most people don't know this but, 'Bitch School', was originally a folk song.

[@gurkagurkadurka6688]

Only if Spinal Tap opens for The Folksmen. A half hour of bombastic, bone crushing noise, quickly followed by two and a half hours of soothing folk music to wind everyone down before the drive home.

[@missyounorm33]

Saw these guys back in the day in Greenwich Village. They never forgave Dylan for going electric.

[@TheRSTD1]

I believe he still owes Alan Barrows .79 for spare mando strings that he never even used.

[@brucejohnston6184]

They went eclectic themselves though...

[@lucasoheyze4597]

Not at all, they were pleased to see him go electric so the folk scene could go back to how it was before he came along and ruined it.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

They blame Dylan for his influence on Spinal Tap.

[@TRJ2241987]

I've been watching Michael McKean my whole life and it is only now dawning on me how under appreciated he truly is.....this stuff is genius

[@EveRymanStimme]

Yes, yes. Comics, especially who do characters or bit parts in films, are sooo underappreciated, and it's one of the hardest things to do. TR, enjoy this little gem from one of the best holiday movies ever made! kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHzXd3ydotSkpas

[@ignorecorporatenews]

Better call saul

[@agin1519]

Omg I just discovered Lenny and the Squigtones! It must be hard having been just perfect your whole life huh. Wow.

[@stephensevenpounder5447]

Lenny always had to put Squiggy in his place.

[@MusicAsWeMakeIt]

Lenny. He'll always be Lenny to me.

[@hpodell]

I saw these guys in San Francisco years ago opening for a band called Spinal Tap.

[@verydirtyflow]

sound unlikely. totally different kind of music

[@hpodell]

Odd thing was you never got to see both bands standing together side by side all evening.

[@ToneLa]

Spinal Tap started as a flower power pop kind of outfit. They were groovy man!

[@thexalon]

You would have thought that both bands could have gotten together to do a rendition of "Listen to the Flower People" at the very least.

[@hpodell]

Egos I'd bet.

[@esotericVideos]

I love how Harry Shearer stuck to the continuity of the film.

[@TheDizzleHawke]

And Christopher Guest kept his head shaved!

[@positivelastaction3957]

Such a wonderful film. Just watched it again the other day.

[@calisongbird]

@@TheDizzleHawke it’s most likely a “bald cap” wig.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

@@calisongbird Well, it may be likely, but I wouldn't say MOST likely.

[@bostonphotographer20]

@@calisongbird It's not. He actually did shave

[@whosoever9198]

We don’t appreciate how difficult this actually is. The Rolling Stones rocked it out because it was meant to be. To do this is genius!

[@nathanreiber6819]

The way Christopher guest captures that folk singer timbre in his speaking voice is awe inspiring.

[@christopherthorkon3997]

Comedic genius. Chris Guest is really the one who inspired this whole thing. Some of the very best comedy of the last fifty years. Amazing.

[@timmyt603]

Christopher Thorkon I agree wholeheartedly!....there were a few other movies around that time he did that weren't as funny but still hilarious....Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, and For Your Consideration.

[@martianshoes]

You mean Baron Haden-Guest...

[@paleotectonics2670]

@@timmyt603 Mild disagree - I think Best in Show stands right up with Wind and Spinal Tap. Guffman was fine,(YOU AND YOUR ASS FACE!!!), FYC is meh.

[@timmyt603]

@@paleotectonics2670 I agree wholeheartedly! I actually just word it that way so as to not sound like a fanboy....which I totally am! But yes, Best In Show and Mighty Wind are amazing! Guffman and FYC are good but I've only watched Guffman once and honestly don't remember it....FYC I think is really good but so limited in it's spectrum of appeal....which I think is what makes it so enjoyable because I can't relate but I want to....lol I don't know I just love Guest and I do totally agree with you, I think non-Spinal Tap films get overshadowed.

[@christopherthorkon3997]

@@paleotectonics2670 "Well, I'm gonna go home and bite my pillow, and that's what I'm gonna do!"

[@simonfea2]

These guys are so obsurdly smart and talented.

[@DrMcFly28]

Christopher Guest is a genius, not breaking character for a millisecond

[@MusicAsWeMakeIt]

That they are actually playing the instruments is stunning.

[@fadedSF]

why? lot of people out there play guitars... these just also happen to be actors. Even Conan O'Brien plays guitar. lots of actors were also musicians, and vice versa they just find they are better at one than the other. btw of course, they've been playing for decades... remember spinal tap?

[@davidditch3287]

-After the big applause at 0:30, Harry gives a very genuine "thank you!". -The "solo" at 1:00 is insane. All of them are really talented but Guest is off the charts. He would have had a great musical career had he taken that path.

[@amberpaigejames9054]

I loved that "thank you", while he didn't miss a beat. ... I literally cheered in my seat for Chris' solo; was hoping the audience would cheer, too!

[@spb7883]

“Insane” is a little hyperbolic. Guest is a good musician, but it’s not like this is David Grisman.

[@hankhardigan1104]

I was lucky enough to see these guys opening for the New Originals at the Electric Banana

[@brucediamond4703]

Hank Hardigan Man , you lucked out ! I haven’t looked for that place . It’s not there anymore .

[@donnovicki9771]

I'd forgotten about the "New Originals".

[@jaknjef]

Don't look for it, it's not still there...

[@Matchhead79]

Didn't they used to be the old new originals?

[@ronfroehlich4697]

The Electric Banana in Pittsburgh?

[@martianshoes]

A Mighty Wind one of the funniest movies ever imagined.

[@danielkonishi8788]

martianshoes agreed. It's very funny and it also could get people tear up too.

[@MartinHiggins1972]

Was it as funny in reality?

[@gilwood7530]

Best in show is up there too

[@yepper1165]

And Waiting For Guffman!

[@blujay9191]

@@yepper1165 .. Best In Show was great too.

[@luizjr.9230]

Fun fact: They once opened for Spinal Tap. (I'm not joking)

[@WildBillMojo]

They ARE Spinal Tap dude; Christopher Guest (Nigel Tufnel), Michael McKean (David St. Hubbins) and Harry Shearer (Derek Smalls). Absolutely hilarious this clip.

[@rwhirsch]

@@WildBillMojo i think he knows that...it's the point of the comment.

[@WildBillMojo]

@@rwhirsch Oh sorry :)

[@ElizabethT45]

That's cool, though. Different bands, different songs.

[@bradsmack1]

Martin Mull: "Remember the folk music scare of the '60s? Man, that crap almost caught on!"

[@pjhaas57]

Remember when MM was funnier than crap??

[@bradsmack1]

@@pjhaas57 Uh......yeah.

[@717rocket]

First time I understood Micks lyrics, lol.

[@kcuhc84]

They are simple but some how simple.

[@oldmaninavan3592]

All three are national treasures.

[@McMillanScottish]

The stones wish they were ever this cool.

[@wesweaver2281]

A huge part of why this is soooooo damn hilarious is that they are REALLY good musicians! Motorhead also opened for them once didn't they?

[@frailingbanjo]

A Mighty Wind is my favorite movie of all time!

[@coldacre]

frailingbanjo second favourite for me. Waiting For Guffman is the best!

[@TralfazConstruction]

@@coldacre "Nothing Ever Happens on Mars". 😉

[@ModernPlague]

@@coldacre - "Everybody dance!"

[@natestakely1478]

I love it all...Dogshow, Mighty Wind, Waiting for Guffman, Home for Porum, For your Consideration This whole crew is goooood.

[@DocBree13]

❤

[@LetsGoMetsGo33]

Not to mention: This is Spinal Tap.

[@natestakely1478]

yazzir, the genesis @@LetsGoMetsGo33

[@RochelleEskue]

Absolutely love this. Just like Devo's cover of "Satisfaction", I will probably never hear, "Start Me Up " the same way again. Thank you Folksmen!!

[@dev5576]

i don't hear nearly enough people talk about devo's cover of satisfaction. love that song

[@ObjectorSnark]

@@dev5576 mick jagger himself said that is the greatest cover of it he's ever heard

[@bclayj]

@@ObjectorSnarkIt may be the best cover of any song, ever! Devo are so underrated, their live sets absolutely killed back in the late 70’s and early 80’s.

[@z0ZzZ0z]

The female bass player sounds like principal Skinner. Weird.

[@niback28]

Because he/she is indeed the voice of Skinner.

[@philihp]

niback28 Whooosh

[@JasonFrith]

+niback28 The moment you let every one know that you didn't get the joke.....

[@chrisbacos]

+niback28 His name is Harry Shearer.

[@LRS905]

Dan Be proud of being the clueless idiot here, you dumbfuck.

[@RochelleEskue]

OMGOSH, I am SO sorry I missed this when they were promoting, 'A Mighty Wind'. Pure Gold!!

[@pd7608]

mandolin solo at 1:00 is tremendous

[@MatthewPlatz]

Absolutely!

[@jaywilley955]

It truly is great musicianship. I keep 10 secondsing back to hear.

[@DocBree13]

Agree!

[@geoffelder2236]

What I love the most about this or "Spinal Tap", yeah the movies are hilarious, but the music and songs are legit!

[@howardtennenhouse7849]

I read that The Folksmen opened for Spinal tap on tour and we’re booed.The metal heads didn’t realize who they were

[@BlueMHart]

No one got Michael McKean's "silver dagger" joke at 3:59. "Silver Dagger" is the name of a real folk song. He even looks kind of disappointed that no one picked up on that.

[@MisterTMH]

One of Joan Baez' s dreary dirges in fact.

[@ourcorrectopinions6824]

He's too sharp for the audience.

[@Hupomone]

I started off by laughing, then appreciating the arrangement and talent. This whole thing is just delightful.

[@padistedor457]

I met them after one of the few shows they did as the Folksmen. They all signed my "A Mighty Wind" dvd and ticket. I'm one of two people who got Christopher Guest to sign anything, he wanted to get on the tour bus quick.

[@SmittenKitten.]

Harriet Shearer is rocking that wig. She was doing it before Sia even thought about it.

[@Matchhead79]

Exploding drummers, sex changes, all kinds of malfunctions and hijinks ha

[@SSerebraSSana]

Actually, it would have been even funnier if they'd called that character "Harriet" instead of "Marta".

[@philovance1940]

Whenever I need to laugh it’s great to watch these guys

[@09nob]

Lol, I love these chaps, they've given me so much laughter over the years.

[@christhorton6512]

"...It's like the gum under your shoe...it's always there..." Hilarious!

[@prorobo]

Hahahahahahaha this is wicked amazing. And Conan's audience can actually appreciate the comedic factor as well as the great music. Awesome.

[@hamnchee]

3:51 Mckean does the awkward yet subtle head down, chin-into-neck smile; body language showing how uncomfortable he still is with his bandmate's gender-swap. ...The little things that make this trio fucking genius.

[@basehead617]

"When you put it that way, it's almost poetry.." ".. almost"

[@vivalapsych]

I saw them perform this during The Mighty Wind tour. What a fun show that was!

[@jorgefiguerola1239]

Recall seeing these guys way back in the day. Crazy.

[@TheJhtlag]

Years later...loved the movie and them staying in character here. Conan, I'm sure gets it, but was having a hard time keepin' up.

[@haczabim]

Pay attention Mick: THIS is how it's done!!!

[@airsickgrove]

Guess Spinal Tap didn't want to keep losing drummers so I guess folk and bluegrass are their natural progression. Harry Shearer, Michael McKean and Christopher Guest!

[@aliceborealis]

I don't see what Spinal Tap has to do with The Folksmen.

[@blindleader42]

@@aliceborealis I'm Invoking Poe's Law here. Is that a presumably sly/meta joke? Or are you serious? It's really impossible to tell.

[@Surv1ve_Thrive]

I think both groups shared the services of a corporate lawyer firm in Cincinnati.

[@elvisparker4691]

I saw the Folksmen open for Tap @ the Fillmore ( NYC ) in '69. Awesome Show !

[@BabyBoomerChannel]

RIP Fred Willard. You were very special.

[@thrashpondopons2776]

The man left a whole in the entertainment industry that will never be filled! RIP!

[@squirrelbutler2119]

He's....not in this clip.....

[@MrTruckerf]

@@squirrelbutler2119 True. But he could have been, had he been a member of the group. There is no denying that.

[@squirrelbutler2119]

@@MrTruckerf Is this the non sequitur part of KZbin?

[@MrTruckerf]

@@squirrelbutler2119 Haha!

[@deletebilderberg]

Writers, actors, musicians, directors, producers. Is there anything these three can’t do?

[@jeanesingsjazz]

They’re working on it…

[@RoyVegas]

Absolutely thrilled to have seen Spinal Tap play Wembley in '09 with The Folksmen in support and got the tour t-shirt!

[@dextermcgrubbin]

The silver dagger was a great improv (Joan Baez folk song)

[@suburbanindie]

They are all accomplished musicians, voice actors, comedians... pretty wild

[@gittebjerrebraae8382]

Rather late in discovering these three.....and realise that I've loved them from when they first appeared:)

[@tomitstube]

lmao, these guys are amazing. you have to admire their dedication to folk, even after dylan went electric.

[@DocBree13]

😂

[@blindeyetim215]

I have to admire your dedication to the bit.

[@mikecappadocia5959]

Dude in the middle was a hell of an attorney

[@ploppill34]

😢

[@dalethelander3781]

@Norwindian It's the only bar Lenny ever passed.

[@delgat000]

He’s not a real LAWYER!!!!! ;)

[@mikecappadocia5959]

@@delgat000 objection!

[@jondunmore4268]

Except for the time he transposed that address.

[@mitchgawlik1175]

Oh man, I remember seeing these guys at The Earl of Old Town in Chicago during the great folk music scare of the early '70s.

[@johnlovrien6333]

This troupe has been totally original and ground breaking! BRAVO!

[@nv1493]

2023 - still fresh, genius.

[@oakwalkermusic2593]

Good lord I love them. Geniuses!

[@CaptainSpalding72]

I remember watching this.... flawless....A MIGHTY WIND is perfection.

[@MrClitheroe]

Brilliant brilliant feelgood movie with incredible acting and musicianship

[@TonyClarkGuitar]

Hilarious when you can go from Spinal Tap to this. Genius!

[@boataxe4605]

I think that this is Spinal Tap, but they couldn’t find any more drummers who would sacrifice their life to play with them, so they switched to folk, a genre that doesn’t require a drummer.

[@jaywilley955]

Rapaport’s appearance somehow couldn’t even ruin this work of genius.

[@jiminut]

He looked so uncomfortable.

[@AlmostReady504]

He doesn't get it. he's too busy being a knob

[@jaubrey543]

Watching A Mighty Wind, I figured they were riffing on Kingston Trio. But just now watching a Peter, Paul and Mary concert, I’m rethinking.

[@fenderstratguy]

I love their socks....Christopher Guest is so amazing. How could one guy play both "Alan Barrows" of The Folksmen AND "Nigel Tufnel" of Spinal Tap and do both so perfectly.

[@basehead617]

Staggering talent

[@glennbramd7213]

And a menacing villain in princess bride

[@kimberlycarson6153]

hi I am his sun kandy kane he raised me mingka and rigko star rainboe love you two too to forever yours alpie mmmwah

[@kimberlycarson6153]

shuggie me kimbers shuggie pauper gehe lick em n stick em

[@kimberlycarson6153]

my kittys namco is poppy

[@Gilliganfrog]

These guys were great on Prairie Home Companion

[@tubularbill]

“We like to raid the top ten”...lol

[@roblincolnsongs]

These guys are brilliant. Not only funny guys but great actors who can transform themselves into unrecognizably different characters. And what great musicians! Anyone who can play heavy metal Spinal Tap and then the bluegrass of the Folksmen are gifted musically. They still fool many people who do not realize they are seeing the same three people.

[@jayrussell3796]

I thought I knew them from somewhere lmao...thank you.

[@fadedSF]

​@@jayrussell3796might recognize Guest played the 6 fingered man in Princess Bride...

[@jayrussell3796]

@@fadedSF Oh yeah ! I didn't even realize that either !?! Love that movie 😊 These guys are so talented they just blend in omg

[@SSerebraSSana]

Not to mention that Michael McKean was Lenny of "Lenny and Squiggy" on "Laverne and Shirley" way back in the 70's.

[@nworbrelytthefirst]

“Don’t forget the cheese and fancy wine” at the end is the best part.

[@JD0124]

A Mighty Wind wasn't my favorite of these Christopher Guest movies. But bits like this one make me want to go back and revisit it.

[@coach6662]

Just a hilarious group of actors whose work always makes me laugh and smile.

[@richinoable]

The strength of a composition is displayed when it is placed in a different context/arrangement.

[@Swampzoid]

Loved loved loved that movie.

[@neilgarrick6401]

Harriett Shearer is just as God made her, sir...

[@RollingOrmond]

I was living in the West Village on Macdougal and 4th in 2002 and I woke up one morning to find these guys filming a scene outside my building for A Mighty Wind, involving a pizza parlor (never used, never found it in the DVD deleted scenes). I had a Mojo with the Beatles on the cover and got them each to sign it. Now can't find it. Too bad.

[@zazuzazz5419]

Oh, the twists and turns, peaks and valleys of your story!!! 🤣

[@Thijs-Kuiken]

I remember that movie! great stuff, thanks for the upload. Shearer's reply on Conan's derogatory jokery @ 3:33 is just brilliant! love the razor sharp and for Conan obviously startling ad-lib "I meant many of you" .. exact copy of Conan's intentions with his remark. After the "we felt like you went away" comment, there is someone saying something like "that's stabbing" (..?) either way, love those jabs that can be a bit painful.. :-D

[@Hklbrries]

OMG! So glad I stumbled upon this. Remind me a bit of the Cleverly’s!

[@lifesoundtrack8272]

BEST COVER EVER.........

[@Chuckt961]

They are Brilliant

[@kpmurphy62]

These guys are the absolute best ! I remember them as a child

[@Fakename70]

Now, THIS is the version Microsoft should’ve bought

[@wewillwin24]

Spinal Tap really mellowed out

[@wardka]

They've sold out. Gone is the pureness and integrity of "E' A' 'oe's"

[@moistmike4150]

"Ya'd make a dead man come...." HO-LEE-FFFYYYYYK!! I am SO ROLLING ON THE FLOOR, LAFFIN' mY FYYkinnn.... AYUSSS OFFF!! HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!!!

[@seanquinn8939]

Brilliant.... too clever for most. Simply brilliant.

[@patrickscully4786]

Great funny stuff! The imrov banter. The musicianship is top notch. True professionals of their craft.

[@kevincrashkelly]

Yes, Shearer is the voice of Skinner, Mr Burns, Ned Flanders and many others on The Simpsons. Guest was on National Lampoon and Saturday Night Live. McKean was Lenny on Laverne and Shirley and many movies since. All were Spinal Tap....these 3 comics must be able to play music to pull off the fake rock band and the fake folk band.

[@tomcoryell]

Don’t know if the Kingston Trio ever got to hear you guys, but I’ll bet they would love it. They were funny as hell!

[@boydegg]

Clever, funny and so so talented.

[@NobodyIRLFR]

the folkspersons are great

[@Anubeandhisgear-7777]

Every step you take

[@feedyourmind6713]

So talented, so many great flicks, these three.

[@19del69]

Amazing

[@OGRE_HATES_NERDS]

im so relieved to find out that these people are not serious

[@Roy_1]

Whoa, I was never able to understand the lyrics before.

[@lanceaugust]

Brilliant musicians.

[@gregorymoore2877]

It's a tragedy their record label had no distribution.

[@kastsports3528]

This was wonderful and amazing.

[@jamestsmith2873]

The genius is this is now stuck in my head.

[@gurkagurkadurka6688]

Brilliant comedy.

[@hoyavp2236]

Beautiful

[@marcbennett1699]

The folk history of Start Me Up. Pete Seeger did this in Providence, RI in 1958, right? Kum-ba-yah!

[@BedroomScenesMovie]

+Cakes In The Rain Sad ending, though - Pete Seeger's drummer spontaneously combusted.

[@simonpmccullagh6320]

I heard it was a flesh eating virus, but that might have been the replacement drummer. Sad either way though.

[@BassPlayerSusan]

I thought he died in a bizarre gardening accident.

[@chasbodaniels1744]

Hmmm the 1958 Providence show , eh? ... wasn’t that the week prior to the historic Newport Folk Festival show where Pete plugged in his banjo and performed electric? The beatniks went berserk IIRC. Aaaah, good times!

[@SSerebraSSana]

@@chasbodaniels1744 Ah, the good ol' days when Raymond P was running the business from up on the Hill...

[@dylanakent]

I first heard about them from an article in Mother Earth News in 1972 featuring Marta's herb garden. Did you know she is a Master beekeeper as well?