The Old Grey Whistle Test - Macon Whoopee

The BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test at the Macon Whoopee festival

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

I would like to thank whoever left a comment under a Dickey Betts video mentioning this show. This is incredible!

[@joleneloveland4602]

Baby Fat! Love you Jimmy Hall! I was attending the front door while you were recording this song. How could i ever forget that ? Man you have such a righteous set of pipes! Keep on singing and Smiling!

[@kc12112]

This is a fascinating glimpse into a U.S. that unfortunately does not exist anymore.

[@bw31061]

That was Little Phil from Hotlanta on the harmonica jamming with Elvin, Bonnie and Dickey after Stillwater played. His band "Bandit" played Uncle Sam's fairly regularly like Stillwater and Steamboat Springs in the mid 70's. Those were some special times!

[@johnwerner4925]

I saw Wet Willie first time in B'ham AL and guess who opened? Lynyrd Skynryd. Wet Willie was one of my favorite bands as a 13-year old. I read about them when Stereo Review's Joel Vance reviewed their second album Wet Willie II. I bought it and was hooked. Not too long after I got deeper into them with Drippin' Wet which is still one of the best live rock albums ever. Jimmy Hall was the most funky white boy soul singer ever. Ricky Hirsch was a wonder on guitar. And their secret weapon was John Anthony on electric piano. This great BBC time capsule shows Marshall Tucker at a time when they were red hot and really killin' it. It's kind of a wonder we have to rely on the BBC for our filmed rock. The US was slow on the up-take instead giving us shows like Shindig. For the real germ-infested rawer stuff we have to thank our Brit cousins (don't forget Rockpalast). This is the best video/audio of this show I've seen. I've got an download that was likely sourced from someone's primitive video recording of this so this one bests that easily. Capricorn was one unique hothouse of Southern rock and roll. Great bands like these and Grinder Switch, Cowboy, Captain Beyond, and White Witch among others. We can than the Allman Brothers for giving Capicorn all the money and clout. I'll always have to say Toy Caldwell was one of the best and most under-rated rock guitarists of all-time.

[@nedjohnson5200]

Dickey Betts is just so talented.

[@JimDorman]

I love watching this video. I think a lot of these would be very popular as clips on their own - Dickey playing on his front porch is very cool - love Sea Level and Elvin, Marshall Tucker, all of it!

[@McFlySwatter]

I was only about 7 or 8 years old when this was filmed but I have very fond memories of growing up in Macon around that time. In those pre-Walmart days, Macon was where all of the people from smaller towns would come to shop as well as to see live events. Sadly Macon is now merely a ghost of it's former self. Most of the prominent people that made Macon what it was have either died off or their kids have moved on to more affluent areas to raise their own families. Those days are gone, but not forgotten!

[@sugimura135]

epic guitar solo from 8.20 onwards. I love the 70s for these endless guitar solos, you don't get them anymore except in metal/prog which is pretty much sidelined by the mainstream media but whatever, long guitar solos like this are exampes of real musicianship beyond the "attitude/image" nonsense of popular music today. Bring back infinite guitar solos I say!

[@ladybug6005]

This is the first time I seen this and I loved the very young and talented Dickey Betts. It's just fascinating to watch him. Thanks for sharing this treasure.

[@kanojas]

Wow that was priceless.Great all the way through!

[@SURRYHOUSE2]

thank you brother. what a cool time to be alive.

[@79steelymatt]

This is one of the greatest things ever-Capricorn Records had the best artists- Wet Willie,Marshall Tucker Band,Sea Level,Dixie Dregs and so many amazing bands-- Thanks for posting this, you made my year this is outstanding stuff man

[@monkeyhanger24]

Caught half of this last night on TV and was banking on someone uploading it. Thanks

[@clivewatson8641]

Damn i remember that Stillwater performance vividly from 44 years ago...damn time sure has flown in

[@curtislowe2775]

oh my...if I could've been there for this...the good ol' boys from MTB! I was cruising around the cornfields of Indiana with my friends cranking their music having no idea what was going on down in Macon....if we had social media then we would have known LOL!

[@geraldhills41]

Marshall tucker band , that les Paul sounds so raunchy and brilliant !

[@joemonroe9402]

O my what a piece of great history of the greatest folk..tears of joy flowing,iam so thankful to have been a part of this...thank you Jesus for bringing me thru..Peace n Love to all readers💜🤴

[@vaughnmills6853]

Toy & Tommy Caldwell. Incredible.

[@nickmah8195]

Rest in peace Dickey Betts