All the musicians know who were and were in awe of them. they flat out refused to cooperate with the record labels, and only did things their own way. What a great fucking band.
I've seen this lineup probably 15 times and also a couple times with 2 extra horn players ("the Wholewheat Horns"). The musical chemistry these particular 4 guys brought to the stage was amazing. They always rocked the house down better than ANY other live rock & roll band I've ever seen and I've pretty much seen 'em all. Nothing in the world like sitting at a table in a nightclub with a good sound system about 20 feet in front of THIS band with a pitcher of beer. Tommy was a monster fatback and shuffle drummer. Very influential. I played with lotsa drummers that copied his 'across the bar' fills.
sometimes he would hold the stick between his index finger and his middle finger and as a drummer myself, I found that very eccentric and the most unique style ever. They were so goddamn good. I’m glad I got to see him a few times in South Florida.
@@sydbarrett4613 More like got sick of constant touring. This was before touring was financially rewarding; in their era touring was what they did because they needed to promote the new record and they loved playing live. It was before the streaming era where now bands make most of their money off touring and not recording.
I used to see them in North Miami when they were the 7 of Us. I have been a loyal follower since their first LP. I got them in Tampa with Tom Ardalino and Joey's brother on guitar. I caught the new NRBQ in Safety Harbor. Great Show!
Me as well! I used to see them when they were The 7 of Us! in Miami. They would drive by in their school bus, the I would see them that night and I was so impressed that they were wearing the same clothes! Super Rockers!
Big Al always gave me chills when he was with NRBQ. This is one of my all time favorites too. Dennis Miller's show network show was good and with interesting guests. I loved his "Rants" on his HBO show but then he went on to help host Monday Night Football and it was bad and nobody got it (me included)
The greatest band nobody's heard of, by far. Musicians know. I mean, these guys made music at the very highest level - I'm talking Beatles/Louis Armstrong type genius. What I think may have hurt them is the constant "they're such a great live band" thing, as if the studio stuff wasn't even a thing. Why buy anything if you can see 'em at a crappy local bar for cheap? If there had been a Brian Epstein figure in the Q's orbit (rather than Captain Lou, likable as he was), they could have been big(ger).
I got to see them twice in the same nite - they had two shows. .... the local reporter had a Sound thingee that measured DB in the air ... he said they were doing 160 at points - like having a JET ENGINE dry your hair.
@@klemklimek9 The name of the Club was CLUB FOOT (sp) and it did have a couple names, but as I recall most people called it Club Foot since it was around when Elephant Man (the Movie) came out (approx.) .... THE TIME best I can remember was early 80s - I think around 1983 - maybe in the Fall possibly - I kind of remember it was cold ('m from S. Texas) outside and it was warmer inside. .... The club had an upstairs and downstairs where the bands I saw there played. I only went there a few times, NRBQ and The Ventures both played there about the same time - at least in the same year I think. The Writer from The Chronicle had been a very well known in the early days of the The Rolling Stones Mad doing reviews. I really wanted him to do a review on some of the material I had on tape and promised he would, but that never happened. .... His LAST NAME west 'WEST' but I can't remember his 1st name, but I bet looking in past issues of The Rolling Stone Mag would probably uncover it fairly quickly. Hope that helps - m.
Just because your an outstanding musician does not excuse playing like shit and making noise and joey will never learn how to hit a drum correctly. Great musicians crappy band
I had a friend who didn't like NRBQ, after I took her to their show.... was then I realized that some folks just can't hear it. I've been playing bass since 1978 and pro since 1985 - and this band still mystifies me with the intricacies of their alchemy. Witchcraft, I say.
These guys were BRILLIANT musicians, but pulled off their shows like they were big kids with musical toys. LOVE me some NRBQ
They used kid's toy instruments in an encore at the Bottom Line during Christmas to play seasonal songs.
This was one of the best bands EVER and most people have no idea.
Yes, one of the best EVER!
All the musicians know who were and were in awe of them. they flat out refused to cooperate with the record labels, and only did things their own way. What a great fucking band.
They still are
I never saw them dial it in. Not once. The happiest hours of my life were spent dancing with NRBQ ♥
I've seen this lineup probably 15 times and also a couple times with 2 extra horn players ("the Wholewheat Horns"). The musical chemistry these particular 4 guys brought to the stage was amazing. They always rocked the house down better than ANY other live rock & roll band I've ever seen and I've pretty much seen 'em all. Nothing in the world like sitting at a table in a nightclub with a good sound system about 20 feet in front of THIS band with a pitcher of beer. Tommy was a monster fatback and shuffle drummer. Very influential. I played with lotsa drummers that copied his 'across the bar' fills.
Exactly. Well put. I always knew watching them that that was as good as it could get.
Yeah!!! NRBQ and Orleans are two bands the world really missed the boat on>
Well said.
sometimes he would hold the stick between his index finger and his middle finger and as a drummer myself, I found that very eccentric and the most unique style ever. They were so goddamn good. I’m glad I got to see him a few times in South Florida.
Al was the best!
NRBQ never failed to give 100% no matter how shitty the venue. And I've seen them in some pretty crappy places. Love them dearly.
I got to see them and know them growing up in North Miami when they were the 7 of Us and beyond.
I cannot believe such FEW views of this band, live. This is priceless.
I saw em in one crappy place. Great show.
Big Al tearing it up on the guitar
Joey calmly imparts his deadpan philsophical wisdom on those bridges..
He is the best!
Get down, Big Al...man, how can you not smile and groove to the Q!!!
I want these guys playing at the Great Outro!
smile..just big smile. Thanks fellas.
0 to 100 right out of the gate. Road schooled and time tested. Don't blink.
They were and still are phenomenal!
Probably The Greatest Band no one ever heard of.
Great analogy!
Don't be so hard on yourself.
Tommy me lad, we miss you.....
Whoa! Q KILLED IT on his one! Big Al is one rockin' brilliant musician! Who plays like that now days? Q's style must never die!
W. Roberts I couldn't agree more with you on all points!
lawd - this band!
This was the best NRBQ lineup ever, One Big Al left the group, it was never the same again, but always a q fan
I agree!
Why did Big Al leave the Q ?
Big soft spot for Steve Ferguson/Tom Staley Q here. Love Big Al and Ardolino too. How can you not, lol. Ferguson played on Scraps a bit too.
@@alfrednawrocki8061
Went to Nashville to write songs, got sick of being poor.
@@sydbarrett4613 More like got sick of constant touring. This was before touring was financially rewarding; in their era touring was what they did because they needed to promote the new record and they loved playing live. It was before the streaming era where now bands make most of their money off touring and not recording.
Always look forward to the crazy Big Al solo. Saw them open for Thorogood. Awesome live band!!
I got to see them in Tampa with Tom on drums and Johnny in place of Al. Very good! Then the new line up recently and they are as good as ever!
I just saw what was left of the original NRBQ -- basically Terry -- last Saturday. Still was a great show. Saw them probably 8 to 10 times growing up.
I used to see them in North Miami when they were the 7 of Us. I have been a loyal follower since their first LP. I got them in Tampa with Tom Ardalino and Joey's brother on guitar. I caught the new NRBQ in Safety Harbor. Great Show!
Thank you for posting this! This 4-some is the best EVER. Just never gets old...
I agree 100%
Big Al just gave me chills...
At the keyboards, Terry Adams is like a mix of Thelonius Monk, John Cage, and Rowlf.
And sings like John Sebastian.
Some Jerry Lee Lewis in there as well !
wooooo!!!!
Big Al is as cool as iceberg.. Only saw them once. Wish I had seen them more.
I saw them about 12 times. Wish I saw them more. Every single time was its own thing. Every single time was amazing.
Dennis Miller is such a clown!!! Love the Q!!!
(this aint about govt politics.)..its about nrbq MUSIC!!! FOCUS
miss this band!! SO GOOD
did i say i loved them from the 1st album till the last.
Me as well! I used to see them when they were The 7 of Us! in Miami. They would drive by in their school bus, the I would see them that night and I was so impressed that they were wearing the same clothes! Super Rockers!
Its a shame that we had to listen to Dennis Miller before we got to hear one of the greatest bands ever.
freakin love this band.
Best ❤️😎
Thanks for this post.Peace.
Big Al!
Big Al always gave me chills when he was with NRBQ. This is one of my all time favorites too. Dennis Miller's show network show was good and with interesting guests. I loved his "Rants" on his HBO show but then he went on to help host Monday Night Football and it was bad and nobody got it (me included)
Oh My God.
The greatest band nobody's heard of, by far. Musicians know. I mean, these guys made music at the very highest level - I'm talking Beatles/Louis Armstrong type genius. What I think may have hurt them is the constant "they're such a great live band" thing, as if the studio stuff wasn't even a thing. Why buy anything if you can see 'em at a crappy local bar for cheap? If there had been a Brian Epstein figure in the Q's orbit (rather than Captain Lou, likable as he was), they could have been big(ger).
I dream of a release of Joey's Ballad...
Thelonius Monk meets Jerry Lee Lewis...that works.
wowwwwwwwwwwwwww
They never get the credit they deserve for bringing the Rock in some musically insipid times.
True ish. I appreciate some of todays music.
The best
I got to see them twice in the same nite - they had two shows.
.... the local reporter had a Sound thingee that measured DB in the air
... he said they were doing 160 at points - like having a JET ENGINE dry your hair.
Super great band! My favorite American R&R band of all time!
Hello Marvin. Where and when please.
@@klemklimek9 The name of the Club was CLUB FOOT (sp) and it did have a couple names, but as I recall most people called it Club Foot since it was around when Elephant Man (the Movie) came out (approx.)
.... THE TIME best I can remember was early 80s - I think around 1983 - maybe in the Fall possibly - I kind of remember it was cold ('m from S. Texas) outside and it was warmer inside.
.... The club had an upstairs and downstairs where the bands I saw there played. I only went there a few times, NRBQ and The Ventures both played there about the same time - at least in the same year I think.
The Writer from The Chronicle had been a very well known in the early days of the The Rolling Stones Mad doing reviews. I really wanted him to do a review on some of the material I had on tape and promised he would, but that never happened.
.... His LAST NAME west 'WEST' but I can't remember his 1st name, but I bet looking in past issues of The Rolling Stone Mag would probably uncover it fairly quickly.
Hope that helps - m.
@@klemklimek9 I guess I need to mention what CITY and STATE ;) Austin Texas :)
Thx Marvin. I wasn't there. But at Liberty Lunch a couple times. One night when Boozoo Chavis was there. Great Texas Times
jesus!
...and Dennis MIller went on to be a fool anyway.
Tear it UP boys.
Close to release but early unfinished version of a great NRBQ tune!
And isn't Dennis Miller about the biggest uninformed horse's ass of all time?
He never was any good. His show did Not last !!
Love NRBQ and love Dennis Miller. He's in the adjacent stall lol.
YES!!!
Not their best song, but they make the mundane interesting...
What looks like reckless abandon is anything but….
Miller thinks he's funny, always has to be political.
Just because your an outstanding musician does not excuse playing like shit and making noise and joey will never learn how to hit a drum correctly. Great musicians crappy band
Joey is the bass player, and Tommy could hit a back beat better than almost anybody. You don't get it and that's ok.
I had a friend who didn't like NRBQ, after I took her to their show.... was then I realized that some folks just can't hear it.
I've been playing bass since 1978 and pro since 1985 - and this band still mystifies me with the intricacies of their alchemy. Witchcraft, I say.
Noise has it's place, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Johnny Greenwood, etc..all utilized noise to some degree. Maybe a more skillfully lol
@@sydbarrett4613 yeah I meant Tommy
@@rahnlawson9463 who cares?
Not their best song, but they make the mundane interesting...