Wilbert Harrison • “Kansas City/Stagger Lee” • 1964 [Reelin' In The Years Archive]

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[@stevenbfairbanks]

Look at this smooth as silk dude playing a bad ass piano with such calm smooth debonairre sass!

[@modelbass]

Amazing singer, musician, and writer. Legendary Blues man that deserves more accolades...

[@johndean4765]

Unbelievably this truly great talent has NEVER been shown on TV in the UK or probably anywhere else on the planet,yet Ant and Dec devoid of any talent have been forced upon us for countless years. That is outrageous .

[@JBlingBling03]

I have heard this song so many times and never knew who sang it or anything about Mr. Harrison. I’m so impressed with his cool demeanor, while playing these two wonderful songs. so happy that KZbin exist and we get to see the people who have contributed greatly to music.

[@TheGraveyardDog]

I am almost ashamed to say that this is my first deep dive into Wilbert Harrison’s music; I have been extremely impressed by simply a single track for over 30 years, but until tonight I never heard more. I only wish I knew what I had been missing all this time. I am most impressed by not only by his depth, but also how easy he makes it look; almost like he’s on the verge of bored with it, but engaged enough with the audience to keep them looking for more. I absolutely adore this video!

[@evelynclark3926]

Look up Stagger Lee

[@elvismylove48]

🥰 I always loved this song This recording gives it justice.❤

[@ccfliege]

and he's playing it in C# which is pretty hard to boogie. Sad that there aren't more recordings of him

[@TheCrittercam001]

Wilbert's just too cool!

[@georgemusic4all4seasons]

Oh this was great, one of my dads favorite songs, thanks for posting.

[@tonisumblin2719]

He was fabulous. I remember my teenage cousins jumping and hollering when he was on Tv. I was 6. I’ll never forget it. Then my elderly great aunt came strolling down the hall. Swinging her hips. 😄😂 great memories.

[@dynjarren8355]

He was cool like Nat King Cole! I always liked this song! A big hit that makes me want to go to KC! And find a crazy little woman there! Cool song! Good Hair, too! 👏🏻😊

[@beajimenez4228]

Thank you for your music 🎶 love 💕

[@AnnieO100]

Beautiful

[@rebeccafortschneider8310]

Music carries us above and beyond. Decades ago…and he is still perfection today.

[@imnokid1]

Love the ciggie burning in the ashtray!

[@jezebelinadancer]

Coffin nails (coughing)

[@xhrrdg]

Outstanding

[@Yyc237]

Just wow!

[@paulconcadora9395]

Thank you for sharing this masterpiece with me, that's right up great video,

[@phungcanhngo]

Timeless song.

[@katierear8113]

Brilliant!

[@brianhaining7195]

This is terrific. Understated but a real groove. I'd not heard of Wilburt before and will research now

[@latteliz1944]

Whatttt he played piano what great song 🎵

[@glentodd6064]

The Man

[@softailspringer9915]

What a delivery. No strain

[@anthonymichaelhalloates2902]

He’s so fkn cool!!

[@dynjarren8355]

This guy was a Mack! He just makes it look too easy! This is great and I’m glad I got to see this cool Cat! How he got lost to history is beyond me. I know the song but never saw the singer before. He must have died young or something. Thanks! 👏🏻😊

[@dynjarren8355]

@Dennis Granahan You’re right. It was bit ahead of my time as were the Beatles but I always like their version of Kansas City and I always liked the original, too! It’s one of those classic songs that’s becomes a part of your life. I still haven’t been to KC but it makes me feel like I should!

[@dynjarren8355]

@Dennis Granahan I bet it was! BBQ is their claim to fame. They might have an Retro Jukebox for Nostalgia purposes someplace. I don’t know but it’s possible. Did you meet any crazy little women there? That would complete the picture, wouldn’t it?

[@Angie19601]

I found this article today after my cousin called to ask if I could find this song on KZbin and the singer's name. At the height of the song's success, Robinson was sued by Savoy Records who informed them that the release of the record in March 1959] violated a contract Harrison had with that label that was to expire in August 1959. The litigation, which lasted until September 1959, abruptly prevented Robinson from issuing follow-ups to "Kansas City" while Harrison was a star.

[@dynjarren8355]

@@Angie19601 That’s really a shame. He had a big hit.

[@tadpolesoup]

@@Angie19601 Read that too. Such a shame for such a talented artist's career to be negatively impacted by litigation over apparent greed.

[@dynjarren8355]

Now I know I who reminds me of him a little bit. Morris Day. He looks like him some what.

[@taxpayer1962]

Well #1 this seems like hes one of the first to record himself #2 He doesnt even need a band! lol #3 Hes as smooth as silk must have played this a Thousand time and #4 love this song because you can sing it yourself

[@elainevankat5353]

ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!!🎶👏

[@edwardhannigan6324]

Awesome..!

[@bertusduiverman4743]

Saw Wilbert (and his one-man band) in the warm-up show for Creedence in Rotterdam back in .... oh, god, who knows? '69? 70?

[@ramjamfull5]

Never seen that video before man he is great thank you Wilbert harrison

[@beajimenez4228]

Thank you ☺️ I love ❤️ this music 🎼 I was a freshman in high school 🏫

[@tonisumblin2719]

I was only six. But it brings back wonderful memories.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

🚬😎 awesome

[@joshbelis2376]

Been listing to 'Lets Stay Together' by him lately. The song Canned Heat turned into. 'Let's Work Together'

[@dirkdirkson2546]

Correction #1: Harrison's original version of the song was "Let's Stick Together", not Stay. Correction #2: Canned Heat's version of Let's Work Together was a straight copy of Harrison's own reworking of the song in 1969, which had the title word (Stick to Work) replaced by him for the "re"-release of the song. It was a chart hit, was featured on my AM radio's rotation for several weeks (and longer) and was performed by him as a one-man band in concerts. The label on the single even showed the artist name as Wilbert Harrison One-Man Band. The song was resurrected as a response to the great social unrest of the late 60's due to the assassinations of MLK Jr. and RFK, general racial tensions and the Vietnam War, among other generational events. It is sadly not well-remembered these days but is a great song which has continued relevance in today's environment. Canned Heat's version was good too. I saw Wilbert Harrison in concert as the opener for a triple bill under Creedence Clearwater Revival and Booker T. and the MGs in Oakland Arena, January 31, 1970. This was my first concert! It was the birthday gift from my parents (my Dad and Uncle "chaperoned" me), as I would soon after turn 14! Additionally, there is a clip of Booker T. and the MGs performing the song Time Is Tight from that concert, plus another 50-minute special featuring CCR performing that very concert! CCR was reaching the height of their powerful fame (perhaps eclipsing that of the Beatles at that time) , and were touring behind four albums plus the newest double A-side single "Traveling Band/Who'll Stop The Rain" -- Cosmo's Factory (the album) was still a ways away from its full release. Correction #3 (nitpick): "listening", not "listing" --- just saying ....

[@ColbyYadz]

​@@dirkdirkson2546 hahah didn't even get a reply

[@alexf6886]

I love this version - he sings live and except for having a great piano solo by Harrison that sadly isn't on the original it's exactly like the record!

[@SamsungAe-mn8tt]

NEVER HEARD BEFORE OF WILBERT HARRISON (NEVER CAME ACCROSS SOMEBODY NAMED WILBERT BEFORE), BUT I LIVE THIS TWO SONGS: KANSAS CITY (MISSOURI(

[@peabody634]

Never came across the name SamsungAe-mn8tt either!

[@Binstone]

wait, i had no idea stagger lee and kansas were pretty much the same song until hearing them back to back. Atleast rhythm wise, the melody is different

[@KenthGustafsson300]

this is best with only vilbert on piano within no other instruments

[@juanmanuelsanchezescobedo2780]

Super

[@tonisumblin2719]

I’ve never heard Wilbert sing Lloyd Price’s song, Stagger Lee. He did a fantastic job.

[@dotell3359]

Talk about COOL 😎 4:12

[@SamsungAe-mn8tt]

AND THE SONG STAGGER LEE. NEVER HEARD THIS BEFORE.

[@MarinaRae-pc4wi]

BEST

[@rainaniomacedo5000]

Cantor magnífico.

[@AlexanderEnder]

Nice.

[@baldheadtim02]

Interesting - he's playing the piano in Db but the pitch on the film is pretty much D. The original was in Db.

[@colintapp4876]

So what!

[@rainaniomacedo5000]

Música maravilhosa.

[@jsteed44]

If you love Kansas city check out the original by little willie Littlefield

[@peterragac8881]

Legende wilbert harrison.kansas city and stager lee.legende American songs.beatifull Melody,Harmony,tonally,tempe and rhythm,vocals,lyrics and sound music.perfecte sound music piano.aestetics,poetics music.50.and 60.years 20.century_basic modern world popular music.wilbert _icone world culture and popculrure. Old time ,gold tíme.beatifull,romantic.lets me go rock n roll,wilbert.good bye wilbert.thanks entertaiment.vivat rock n roll,boogie woogie,doo woo stop,r& b !thanks your very múch.

[@Ed-jv3xu]

Legend ❤️!

[@user-ei2nr5yk1w]

Ye in in indeed 😢

[@hensleyshobbies-doug7761]

👍👍👍👍🤘✌🏻

[@bajajoes1]

WHY IN SOME RECORDINGS ITS "12th ST & BONNARD" and in this one its 12th ST & VINE? I want to know!

[@peabody634]

It’s his accent! 12 St and Vine! Say Please by the way ,you sound demanding! Nobody owes you an answer ! You’re not a King !😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@carolyngordin6091]

SONGWRITER DAMN RIGHT

[@evelynclark3926]

Dam he's fine.

[@JBlingBling03]

Yesss he sure was!!❤

[@user-ei2nr5yk1w]

Hello, these are the priceless ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Masterpiece , okay,, i iiiioiiiiim im so so sorry for the the the the the Ouija the the the the the the Top beasy be rasy easy Man okey!?????❤

[@AnnieO100]

Crown Center

[@carolyngordin6091]

GREATEST SHIT EVER

[@johndean4765]

Its NOT shit carolyngordin its GREAT

[@user-ei2nr5yk1w]

Halleluja ii I i i i i meazn so sorry sI sii si Oh my Gush ❤ iiiioi iiiiii mean hallo !❤

[@user-ei2nr5yk1w]

I iii have no idea dea dea ❤❤❤🎉🎉😂dea sorry Ouija DEAR ❤

[@williamsarver2491]

Sad about the cigarette

[@tonisumblin2719]

That’s the way it was back then.