I was 12 when watching this badass tune on our old black n white tv set and I just turned 69 last month 2023. And this song STILL holds up beautifully. It's giving me goose bumps as I type this. We Boomers witnessed the best music of all time in the USA imo. God Bless the Knicks and all the rest of us. I mean it. jbeinarizona
My grade-school teacher announced, “Anyone who wanted to go to the auditorium, to listen to a band, can get out of class early.” IT WAS THE KNICKERBOCKERS!
Yes, they were very heavily influenced by the Beatles, like many other bands at the time, but the amazing thing is that this song was every bit as catchy as most Beatles songs. That was a rare accomplishment.
They emulated the pure excitement and tunefulness of the Beatles with a truly memorable song. What a pity they could not build a career starting with this all-time classic.
This song is in fact better than some early Beatles efforts. Of course ,overall,The Beatles are better than any group of their era. It may be heresy for a Beatlemaniac to say that but it is the truth IMHO.
I haven't heard this song in over 40 years. Still as good as the first time. I don't recall ever actually seeing the band. They had a number of good songs.
Biggest compliment the Knickerbockers could possibly receive came from John Lennon, remarking, "I don't remember recording that" the first time he heard "Lies".
@terry waller ... Yeah, There was some pretty good music in the 50's... Actually the 40's too... The big band era... "String of Pearl's", Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Steam Heat, etc... Hmm, That was when SWING and BOOGIE first appeared... Moreover, the Orginal "SHUFFLE" was a big thing back then... One of my hobbies is Universal History... Henc I studied everything from music to the birth of the universe to every culture, religion and so on... I also played keys & strings, no wind or percussion...
Wow! A blast from the past! I haven’t heard this song in a long, long time. I remember thinking it was The Beatles when I heard in 1965/66. Still amazed to this day!
The odd thing is that Buddy Randall was known for his sax playing but no sax in this song and he stood there holding it the whole time during this, their biggest hit.
I remember this! I love the riff on the guitar. I turned 68 on 2/7 & on my 12th bday I watched the Beatles land (in the US) on the news and 2 days later, watched them on the Ed Sullivan show that evening of February 9... I've been playing the guitar ever since.🎸💃🏻🎸🎸
Don't hear this genre of music today! Good beat and rhythm to dance your heart to. Wish these days we had quality music with the group dressed in this fashion.
It reached #20 on the charts but has stood the test of time. This was early in the year and 1966 would have some great songs throughout the year. The group would appear in the beach movie "Out of Sight" which was released in the spring of that year.
The Knickerbockers did have one other hit called One Track Mind, just not a top 40 song (got to #45). It was another sweet song like Lies. Check it out. th-cam.com/video/ru1Y3pGSj9c/w-d-xo.html
The best one hit wonder was Something in the Air by Thunderclap Newman, a hit both sides of the Big Pond unlike Lies. Jimmy McCulloch was my school classmate & went on to play with Wings.
@@thefriesband10 "One Track Mind " was another great Beatlesque rocker! In the '70s I was introduced to John Charles at a party in the Hollywood Hills. Turned out we were both North Jersey transplants. We grabbed our guitars and jammed on "Lies". I sang lead while John covered high harmony. Very nice guy!
@@stevenliniak3625 No a great song but not the best one hit wonder ever. Either Spirit in The Sky by Norman Greenbaum or Green Eyed Lady by Sugarloaf or Friday On My Mind by The Easybeats are better one hit wonders and don't sound like the Beatles either.
NO American band sounded as much like the Beatles as New Jersey's the Knickerbockers, and this, their only major hit, is utterly fantastic (or, as we used to say, "gear").
Your statement made me listen to it again and you are right. The bass provides movement during the verses and I think does a walking line during the choruses (I can't remember if they do it our thinking that is what I would do!). The guitar response of that very short lick during the verses helps also.
Okay, I was one of the biggest Los Angeles Beatle fans in the world during this period of time. We saw them (Beatles) (2nd row - box seats) at the H'wood bowl in 1964; August 23rd, and The Stones (for free) at one of the "t.a.m.i." shows; '65. I just took all the music for granted.during those days.. seen everyone (!) come and go. I was born at that perfect moment for pop music. How totally wonderfully fun is this group/song?!? "The Knickerbockers." Lol. 😂 You go guys! These fellas figured it out for that moment in time; God bless 'em. I do remember this being a big hit, wonderful sunny days (in my Kodachrome memory) ✨💕
you were at the TAMI Show...WOW!!! I can only imagine how amazing it was to see live. I saw the movie in the theatre in East Rockaway, NY when it was originally released. I own the DVD and never miss it when they show it on TV.
@@beaucharles9934 Thank you too; how exciting it all was. You were so fun to watch, it always looked like you were ready to take off and start dancing!! 💃🎉🥳👍 Great voice!🎈God bless you!
@@004752 I've never seen it on t.v. except short clips on some 60's documentaries. Yes,my friends and I were so fortunate. We lived in S.California and the place was one big fun rock & roll showcase. I actually saw (2) T.A.M.I. shows around 1965. One was on Hollywood on Hollywood Blvd and the other (I think) Long Beach or something like that. Phil Spector put them both on (I remember seeing him walking around the stage on Hollywood one between filming, wearing a little cap he wore. We saw Bo Diddley, James Brown, Lovin ' Spoonful etc., (Byrds?) at that one. The L.B. one had Jan & Dean open show (Dean on a skateboard!) doing "Sidewalk Surfin. '" I believe we also saw the Beach Boys, and that's the show that had the Rolling Stones on as well (can you imagine seeing them for free?!) LoL. I was 15. I'm 73 now. We used to go to Hollywood once we could all drive every weekend night, what a mob scene on Sunset. Hung out at Whiskey A GO Go and saw so many people walking in ( I remember hearing the Doors.. from the sidewalk) We went to Griffith Park every Sunday for the big "love-ins" Just lots of music in park (people brought their conga type drums) just a giant fun party meeting people & seeing friends (Gave Mickey Dolenz of "Monkees" a kitten my cat had had, I was giving them away.) Amazing times. Wish you could have been there too. The things of today are VERY different. 🤔😔. May God bless you; He's all that matters. 🙏🌺💖🌹
@D W actually I'm 63. I said for the longest time I thought it was the Beatles and it sounds like Lennon. That was a long time ago. And by some other comments, others thought the same so.....
@D W if you Google the knickerbockers it says they were best known for their Beatle sound alike song " Lies. " Quite a few people's comments say they sound like the Beatles. Guess it just you.
One of my transistor radio days favorites. I'd pick up my broom and play like there's no tomorrow. And I knew the words to all of these 60s hits. Now, I just sold a Marshall Amp because it's just more than a player needs, unless there are 3 more to go with. I write mostly now...some arranging..but still involved. All because of Bands like the Knickerbockers. Thanks Fellas! You made my LIFE!
It’s always great to hear that our band inspired someone to play music! To this day, when I’m hanging out at a music store, the best part is seeing these young kids so excited about learning music! Just like I was! So great!
Lots of times when you look at 60s bands from TV shows, they don't look like they know how to play the song. These guys are the real deal, you can tell they're good players and charismatic as hell. I love this video. That's a killer bass player, John Charles and Beau is doing it on guitar. I'm a total Beatles' fan but I like this song more than almost all of the Beatles'. One hidden aspect to this song, and you have to learn it to get it, is the chord progressions are off the wall but they really work, especially the chords under "Carry on this way...hey...lies!" E-F#-E-F#-C-D WTF? Very cool.
@@xtbum3339 It's been repeated many times; I don't know that anyone has actual proof that he said it. "I guess the biggest of the 'lies' here was that this delightful, melodic and catchy little song was not actually recorded by 4 mop-topped Beatles in Liverpool, England - as one might quite naturally assume - but by a garage band named The Knickerbockers led by a couple of brothers from Bergenfield, New Jersey. Apocryphal or not, it’s believed that the first time John Lennon heard it he quipped 'I don’t remember recording this' followed by 'They sound more like us than we do' leading some to dub this 'The greatest song The Beatles never recorded.' "
Thanks Johnny! Playing guitar with the knickerbockers was the best gig I ever had! Buddy & I wrote Lies & we’re thrilled with its success! Still love playing! Thanks again
@@athenawilson4019 loved your comment, thankyou! Btw, John & myself, the brother’s you referred to are now the 2 remaining members of the band. We loved being part of the greatest era of rock&roll! It was phenomenal! Thanks again!
He was short...chubby...and played the _saxophone._ So yeah lol But they sound excellent. Then again...there was SO MUCH great music at this time, merely having one awesome song meant diddly squat.
I'm serious, until just now, I thought this was a Beatles song. I have thought this for more than 50 years. This is a very convincing recreation of the Beatles style and sound.
In the middle of the sixties I entered a new club which had a disco in my hometown. This was the first song I heard in the entrance and I stil like it.
I love reminiscing about all the great music that was popular when I was a teenager. It was an awesome treat watching this video of a really cool song that I love. Thank you!
Thanks for posting. I subscribed. I liked this song so much I put it on my YT music playlist: 1960's SUPER FANTASTIC MUSIC. MIND BLOWING. IT'S ALL TOO MUCH. PUT IT ON YOUR PHONE! NOT "GREATEST HITS" TOP 40. TOP 1000!
Thanks for that reply. I love that kinf of information. I once owned a 360-12, cherry finish. I loved it, but the neck warped, and I traded it fifty-one years ago (at Manny's Music in NYC) for a Gibson Hummingbird I still have.
Once you put all the jokes aside - go listen to that killer bass work. This is late 1965. Paul McCartney only finally started hitting that groove with The Beatles (on Rubber Soul) around the precise time (which he then exploded - Listen to Sgt. Peppers), so these guys, who I know are a knock-off, are pretty well on the money. All that said, this is just a really great mid-60s pop song, and was also a moderate hit, and has become a classic of sorts. Why knock 'em, why not just enjoy their efforts here - you know that can't be bad.
This was the first band I saw live when I was 18. The venue was the Excelsior House which was only a short drive from my house. They were fantastic live and the house was always packed. “Lies” live sounded better than the record and Buddy’s “Harlem Nocturne” was mesmerizing, and I don’t even like the saxophone. Beau and Jimmy would always mingle with the crowd and I became quite well acquainted with them. They were two of the nicest guys you could ever meet. After “Lies” came out and hit the top ten here in the east they opened for a couple of big acts. Along with the Sundowners, they opened for the Rolling Stones when they played the Palace theater. Due to my friendship with Beau and Jimmy, I was able to get back stage for the entire evening. In fact, the guard wasn’t going to let me in through the backstage door (I was a little late) but Jimmy happened to pass by, talked to the guard and I was in. (Thanks Jimmy if you ever read this - and too bad about the microphone). A hot British group (Manfred Mann IIRC) played the RPI Field House and the Knicks were the opening act. When the Brits took the stage, they were nearly booed off. Compared to the Knicks, they were terrible. Although invited back stage, I didn’t make it as the place was packed and I was saving both my seat and the seat of another friend of the Kincks. The friend had immediately dashed off back stage (foo on you Mike!) and didn’t return until the concert was over. As the Knicks were leaving after the concert, Beau and I were chatting behind the Field House as the limo to take them back to the Excelsior House arrived. Beau cut off in mid sentence, looking over my shoulder with a very strange look on his face. A gaggle of teen age girls had recognized Beau and were running, shrieking at the top of their lungs, towards where we where standing. Beau’s eyes got wide and he said something to the effect of “Oh Shit”, turned and ran for his life for the open back door of the limo. He dived/was pulled in just in the “knick” of time and the limo roared off in a cloud of tire smoke. We had a good laugh about it back at the Excelsior House. One of the girls turned and asked me: “Are you in the band?” When I said “No” she looked sooooo disappointed. Speaking of which, they also backed up Jay and two of the Americans at the Excelsior House. After a concert at the RPI Field House (IIRC), Mary and one of the “P”s (forgot which one) made a special trip into the wilds of Snyder’s Lake just to see the boys and were kind enough to join them to perform a couple of their mega-hit songs. The Knicks backing was spot on for both occasions. They inspired me to take up the guitar and rock music. After I learned a few chords, a friend and I, performed two “gigs” at the amateur contests that they held once a week. We did “Season of the Witch” by Donovan and “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield, backed up by the Kincks! I had a crappy guitar at the time but Beau kindly offered up his beautiful new Rickenbacker for me to play on both songs. Pretty generous I’d say! BTW: Both times we finished second out of about five other performers, beaten by “ringers” local semi-pro or pro performers. I was pretty bummed out. After the second performance, Jimmy sat with me at the bar for at least a half hour near closing time offering advice and encouragement. He didn’t have to do that but did so on his own initiative. It was the act of a kind man that I’ve never forgotten. When the Knicks moved to California I sadly lost touch with Beau and Jimmy. I heard rumors that they were setting attendance records at the Whiskey a Go Go, and that they were also having some management problems. Later I formed my own band and played regularly in the Albany/Troy NY area, down to the Catskills up to the Canadian border and into Massachusetts. Oddly enough, one of our regular bookings was the Willow Grove in Massena, NY. It was only much later that I learned that the Castle Kings and the Kincks had also played there. Not to brag too much but we packed the place :) And finally with some of the first band proceeds, I was able to get my very own Maple Glow Rickenbacker 365! I only played out for a few years. I finally got tired of all of the crappy attitudes that I encountered when I had to find new players to replace the ones who left the band for personal reasons, school, family etc. and the attitude of some remaining members when we started to get somewhat popular. I hung in until the quality started to slip badly and then got out. The attitudes held by both Beau and Jimmy I found, were exceedingly rare in the rock music biz! I have to admit that apart from “Lies” and a few other songs and some of the covers, most of the original material was pretty bad. It’s pure speculation but I suspect that management and producers were pressuring they guys to write “topical” teen songs, they did and the songs were terrible. The good ones, “lies”, “All I Need is You”, “I Can Do It Better” and a couple of others were written and being played at the Excelsior House long before “Lies” hit it big. Later on there was a big wrangle over management and contracts as I understand it. Apart from “Lies”, the production values of these recordings are so bad that I hardly recognized the songs. It’s too bad, they deserved better. - Dave
They were nice guys. Me and my 2 girlfriends met them on a Shower of Stars tour in the sixties. We were 15 and 16 years old. We skipped school the day after the concert to go down to where they where staying to say goodbye. Buddy scolded us for cutting classes. He asked what we were going to do until school let out. He suggested going to a movie. We told him we didn`t have any money, he gave us money for the show. That was really cool! We told him to give us an address so we could repay him. He said, "Just join our fan club." Such fond memories! Wish I could go back in time.
I love these stories! So much more substantial than the "these guys kinda sounded like the Beatles too bad they didn't make it whats with the fat guy not playing the saxophone" comments I'm seeing here.
Thanks, Dave; really loved your story. I would glad read/hear more. You know Mike Rabon - formerly of The Five Americans (“Western Union”) has written a book about his times in that band and his struggles trying to make music after the fifteen minutes of fame. Would be cool if you could put your memories in print! Best Regards - Jim
wow nice comment I went to the Excelsior when i was young kid..We drove from jersey to the tri state area.lol...Stayed at the ABC motel then...Actually the bass player and the guitar player are my brothers!..Beau wrote the sonG with Buddy!..Actually it was "All I Need Is You" broke out first out there with producer jerry fuller (later union gap)..Loved being home in the middle of the nite and being able to get on the radio station to hear the song even to NJ on the ole Rca Victor! lol
When I first bought the song on a 45 record back in 1966.which i still have i thought it was a Beatles song,and i said wow another group that sounds like the British group the Beatles. The watchman news
Saw these guys live in Concord NC around 1967. They came to a newly formed teenage club that held maybe 200 people. It was packed and to this day I still wonder how it was booked for it usually had only local bands. Good times!!!!!
![Blues Magoos- “We Ain’t Got Nothin’ Yet” 1967 [Reelin' In The Years Archive]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/noTV6s8JzTM/mqdefault.jpg)
I was 12 when watching this badass tune on our old black n white tv set and I just turned 69 last month 2023. And this song STILL holds up beautifully. It's giving me goose bumps as I type this. We Boomers witnessed the best music of all time in the USA imo. God Bless the Knicks and all the rest of us. I mean it. jbeinarizona
No matter what else the Knicks did or didn't achieve, this song is a monumental scorcher.
Thanks James, I love your conclusion!!!
@@beaucharles9934 I first heard it in the 80's, and like everyone else, thought it was 'them' at first. Bought the 45. Great song.
@@BT-ir5zl thankyou!
@@BT-ir5zl What if THEY were actually really singing LIES!!!!!
th-cam.com/video/jcvTr5s92Ns/w-d-xo.html
@@Gerry-Marten should've known.......
My grade-school teacher announced, “Anyone who wanted to go to the auditorium, to listen to a band, can get out of class early.” IT WAS THE KNICKERBOCKERS!
u graduated from BHS!! what year,,me in 70
That must have been incredible!!
@@paulviseskis9789 Not for the Knickerbockers, I'd say.
thats pretty cool,where was /is that school?
@@lindacecchino1852 what school is BHS?
Yes, they were very heavily influenced by the Beatles, like many other bands at the time, but the amazing thing is that this song was every bit as catchy as most Beatles songs. That was a rare accomplishment.
precisely, especially the falsetto
They emulated the pure excitement and tunefulness of the Beatles with a truly memorable song. What a pity they could not build a career starting with this all-time classic.
Not quite but it's ok enough. The band name was terrible tho.
And they had a bunch of other great tunes
This song is in fact better than some early Beatles efforts. Of course ,overall,The Beatles are better than any group of their era. It may be heresy for a Beatlemaniac to say that but it is the truth IMHO.
I haven't heard this song in over 40 years. Still as good as the first time. I don't recall ever actually seeing the band. They had a number of good songs.
Biggest compliment the Knickerbockers could possibly receive came from John Lennon, remarking, "I don't remember recording that" the first time he heard "Lies".
I Lip Synced this song in the School Lip-Sync contest in 2006 and the audience reaction at the 0:04 mark was "Huh" or "Oh Bother" Can you guess why?
Interesting - the first time I heard it I thought it was the Beatles.
@@Astyanaz the first time I heard LaGrange by ZZ Top in 1973 I thought it was a new Canned Heat record. Howdy from Dallas Texas
Did he REALLY say that?
The guitarist's stage presence and mannerisms do remind me of John!
This is the best song the Beatles never wrote. I wish I had seen them. They look like they're having so much fun here.
I love that! The best song the Beatles never wrote! Absolutely!
Run for you're life little girl from Beatles might be close and little more intense most band wasn't found of tune
It actually sounds like The Wonders (Tom Hanks movie)
60's And 70's Was Hands Down The Absolute Best Music Ever Created...
Spread This Video Worldwide...
It was our era...the best!
@terry waller ...
Yeah, There was some pretty good music in the 50's... Actually the 40's too... The big band era... "String of Pearl's", Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Steam Heat, etc... Hmm, That was when SWING and BOOGIE first appeared...
Moreover, the Orginal "SHUFFLE" was a big thing back then...
One of my hobbies is Universal History... Henc I studied everything from music to the birth of the universe to every culture, religion and so on...
I also played keys & strings, no wind or percussion...
Such good tines!
Four musicians, no sampling, no multi-tracking, no post-processing no girl singers mugging the note ... Ahhh, the great old days of rock.
Thanks roger!
One correction: we doubled the vocals.
spot on RB
@@holyhellal HELL YEA! Real live humans playing a real live feel!
@@jessthehorse its a joke these days ,,kids go to see laser shows with piped music ,,what a FKN bore,,haha
When I first heard this number on the radio,
they sounded just like The Beatles.
Classic rock through-and-through. 😎😎
Wow! A blast from the past! I haven’t heard this song in a long, long time. I remember thinking it was The Beatles when I heard in 1965/66. Still amazed to this day!
❤ 2023 still listen to the song
I thought it was the Beatles too; turned out to be some prototypical Jersey boys -- the forerunners of the E-Street Band.
One of the best pop rock songs of the 60s
Same chords as a very famous Beatles song, LMAO!
One of my all time fav songs. Thanks Knickerbockers!
This song still stands up well after 59 years. "Lies" is an overlooked 60s classic. Thanks for uploading this video! 🤓🎸🎷
The odd thing is that Buddy Randall was known for his sax playing but no sax in this song and he stood there holding it the whole time during this, their biggest hit.
Ironic
Others might as well have been holding theirs, too, since they were syncin' it all the way.
Yeah he had nothing else to hold on to besides his €○€k😹😂😹
VERY talented group and a great song as well. Thank you, Knickerbockers!
This song was so ahead of it's time as far as that heavy driving sound it has compared to other music from that time. Well Done!
2 1/2 minutes of perfection.
I remember this! I love the riff on the guitar. I turned 68 on 2/7 & on my 12th bday I watched the Beatles land (in the US) on the news and 2 days later, watched them on the Ed Sullivan show that evening of February 9... I've been playing the guitar ever since.🎸💃🏻🎸🎸
Don't hear this genre of music today! Good beat and rhythm to dance your heart to. Wish these days we had quality music with the group dressed in this fashion.
It reached #20 on the charts but has stood the test of time. This was early in the year and 1966 would have some great songs throughout the year. The group would appear in the beach movie "Out of Sight" which was released in the spring of that year.
Great classic song. Brings back fond memories of my much younger years.
The best one hit wonder song ever. Them boys rocked!!
Yes, I agree!!!
The Knickerbockers did have one other hit called One Track Mind, just not a top 40 song (got to #45). It was another sweet song like Lies. Check it out. th-cam.com/video/ru1Y3pGSj9c/w-d-xo.html
The best one hit wonder was Something in the Air by Thunderclap Newman, a hit both sides of the Big Pond unlike Lies. Jimmy McCulloch was my school classmate & went on to play with Wings.
@@thefriesband10 "One Track Mind " was another great Beatlesque rocker! In the '70s I was introduced to John Charles at a party in the Hollywood Hills. Turned out we were both North Jersey transplants. We grabbed our guitars and jammed on "Lies". I sang lead while John covered high harmony. Very nice guy!
@@stevenliniak3625 No a great song but not the best one hit wonder ever. Either Spirit in The Sky by Norman Greenbaum or Green Eyed Lady by Sugarloaf or Friday On My Mind by The Easybeats are better one hit wonders and don't sound like the Beatles either.
The saxophonist was Buddy Randell who as Billy Crandall (his birth name) was in The Royal Teens, who had a #2 hit with Short Shorts.
NO American band sounded as much like the Beatles as New Jersey's the Knickerbockers, and this, their only major hit, is utterly fantastic (or, as we used to say, "gear").
yes, very gear..
One Track Mind was also a very good KB song
@William Overley I've never heard the expression "Gear" before--Learned something new today... Who wrote Lies I wonder?
@@oldiesgeek454 Beau Charles and Buddy Randell
@@d.e.b.b5788 Thanks! 😊
It's amazing what visionaries the bass players from the 60's really were. The bass is driving this whole song
Your statement made me listen to it again and you are right. The bass provides movement during the verses and I think does a walking line during the choruses (I can't remember if they do it our thinking that is what I would do!). The guitar response of that very short lick during the verses helps also.
He's got a custom color Fender P-Bass with a matching headstock, pretty rare.
I’m a bassist and was definitely noticing that
Leo Fender was the visionary.
The bass ALWAYS drives the music!
Excellent saxophone playing!
Less is more
Okay, I was one of the biggest Los Angeles Beatle fans in the world during this period of time. We saw them (Beatles) (2nd row - box seats) at the H'wood bowl in 1964; August 23rd, and The Stones (for free) at one of the "t.a.m.i." shows; '65. I just took all the music for granted.during those days.. seen everyone (!) come and go. I was born at that perfect moment for pop music. How totally wonderfully fun is this group/song?!? "The Knickerbockers." Lol. 😂 You go guys! These fellas figured it out for that moment in time; God bless 'em. I do remember this being a big hit, wonderful sunny days (in my Kodachrome memory) ✨💕
you were at the TAMI Show...WOW!!! I can only imagine how amazing it was to see live. I saw the movie in the theatre in East Rockaway, NY when it was originally released. I own the DVD and never miss it when they show it on TV.
Thanks eldann, we were having the time of our lives too! Great era! Thanks for your comment!
@@beaucharles9934 Thank you too; how exciting it all was. You were so fun to watch, it always looked like you were ready to take off and start dancing!! 💃🎉🥳👍 Great voice!🎈God bless you!
@@004752 I've never seen it on t.v. except short clips on some 60's documentaries. Yes,my friends and I were so fortunate. We lived in S.California and the place was one big fun rock & roll showcase. I actually saw (2) T.A.M.I. shows around 1965. One was on Hollywood on Hollywood Blvd and the other (I think) Long Beach or something like that. Phil Spector put them both on (I remember seeing him walking around the stage on Hollywood one between filming, wearing a little cap he wore. We saw Bo Diddley, James Brown, Lovin ' Spoonful etc., (Byrds?) at that one. The L.B. one had Jan & Dean open show (Dean on a skateboard!) doing "Sidewalk Surfin. '" I believe we also saw the Beach Boys, and that's the show that had the Rolling Stones on as well (can you imagine seeing them for free?!) LoL. I was 15. I'm 73 now. We used to go to Hollywood once we could all drive every weekend night, what a mob scene on Sunset. Hung out at Whiskey A GO Go and saw so many people walking in ( I remember hearing the Doors.. from the sidewalk) We went to Griffith Park every Sunday for the big "love-ins" Just lots of music in park (people brought their conga type drums) just a giant fun party meeting people & seeing friends (Gave Mickey Dolenz of "Monkees" a kitten my cat had had, I was giving them away.) Amazing times. Wish you could have been there too. The things of today are VERY different. 🤔😔. May God bless you; He's all that matters. 🙏🌺💖🌹
That guy looks so cool playing that beautiful Rickenbacker.
Honestly, it DOES sound like an early Beatles song and it ALSO sounds like John Lennon singing lead vocals.
Yep. New Jersey singers with british accents.
For the longest time I thought that was the Beatles. He sounds just like Lennon.
@D W actually I'm 63. I said for the longest time I thought it was the Beatles and it sounds like Lennon. That was a long time ago. And by some other comments, others thought the same so.....
@D W if you Google the knickerbockers it says they were best known for their Beatle sound alike song " Lies. " Quite a few people's comments say they sound like the Beatles. Guess it just you.
@@johnshifler5439 Why would they do british accents? They're from New Jersey. That's the Beatles. No mistaking John's voice.
One of my transistor radio days favorites.
I'd pick up my broom and play like there's no tomorrow.
And I knew the words to all of these 60s hits.
Now, I just sold a Marshall Amp because it's just more than a player needs, unless there are 3 more to go with.
I write mostly now...some arranging..but still involved.
All because of Bands like the Knickerbockers.
Thanks Fellas!
You made my LIFE!
It’s always great to hear that our band inspired someone to play music! To this day, when I’m hanging out at a music store, the best part is seeing these young kids so excited about learning music! Just like I was! So great!
Their Dressed to Kill, that tuned rocked back in the day, and most could relate, at one time or another to this Beatle-esque type song.
Lots of times when you look at 60s bands from TV shows, they don't look like they know how to play the song. These guys are the real deal, you can tell they're good players and charismatic as hell. I love this video. That's a killer bass player, John Charles and Beau is doing it on guitar.
I'm a total Beatles' fan but I like this song more than almost all of the Beatles'.
One hidden aspect to this song, and you have to learn it to get it, is the chord progressions are off the wall but they really work, especially the chords under "Carry on this way...hey...lies!" E-F#-E-F#-C-D WTF? Very cool.
AMEN TO THAT BUDDY RIGHT ON!
Thanks Dennis! Great comment! I hope you’re still playing music!
All of the Beatles! Really. It's quite a basic song or dirge, doesn't vary much unlike the Beatles great compositions.
"Lies" is a song written by Beau Charles and Buddy Randell and performed by The Knickerbockers. It reached #20 on the U.S. pop chart in 1965.
Should have been number one gee number 20 not even in the top ten amazing
They made a single that sounds just like the Beatles! And specifically Johns voice! It’s still a great hard driving song! Amazing!
Try telling that to all the young fans of Drake & so on... Gangsta rap & modern R 'n' B have all but killed rock music.
the best! bergenfield NJ Thanks to my beautiful brothers that brought me so much pride!
I remember this from when I was a little boy. I liked it; and I indeed thought that it was the Beatles! Great, great memory!
What a blast from the past...I completely forgot about this song. The days when fun was fun without guns, drugs or murders.
Right. I can remember about 12 years in a row where there were not murders, drugs, or guns.
I love this song. Had not heard it in forever, yet I sang every word along with the video.
There is a story going around that When John Lennon first heard this song his remark was "I don't remember recording this!".
What a great sound, great blast from the past. Good group
I remember this song...not sure what year it's a great song 🎵
One of the first Beatles soundalike bands in 1965.
The sax player is the heart of this song along with the drummer.
This 73 year old loves this. Thank you uploader for taking me to my spiritual home.
thank you1
I used to go to the "University Twist Palace" where they played. This was a great band.
Loved this song as a kid! Still rocks!
Definitely
They seem very happy about those lies. And that was the best saxophone playing I’ve ever heard!
It's amazing how much they sound like The Beatles. This is good stuff, no doubt.
Remember this in the sixties when I was a teenager. Now I'm 69 and still listening.
I always thought this was the Beatles. I love the gritty chord bend after they sing the word lies. Great guitar work
Even John Lennon said "I don't remember recording this song!" when he heard it the first time. It sounds *exactly* like him and the Beatles.
@@athenawilson4019 Did Lennon actually say this?
@@xtbum3339 It's been repeated many times; I don't know that anyone has actual proof that he said it. "I guess the biggest of the 'lies' here was that this delightful, melodic and catchy little song was not actually recorded by 4 mop-topped Beatles in Liverpool, England - as one might quite naturally assume - but by a garage band named The Knickerbockers led by a couple of brothers from Bergenfield, New Jersey. Apocryphal or not, it’s believed that the first time John Lennon heard it he quipped 'I don’t remember recording this' followed by 'They sound more like us than we do' leading some to dub this 'The greatest song The Beatles never recorded.' "
Thanks Johnny! Playing guitar with the knickerbockers was the best gig I ever had! Buddy & I wrote Lies & we’re thrilled with its success! Still love playing! Thanks again
@@athenawilson4019 loved your comment, thankyou! Btw, John & myself, the brother’s you referred to are now the 2 remaining members of the band. We loved being part of the greatest era of rock&roll! It was phenomenal! Thanks again!
They did sound a lot like the Beatles! Loved this song back in '65 when it first came out. We wore all the hip mod clothes!
I'm surprised these guys weren't more famous. They have a good sound and the lead singer can really sing super. Very talented.
He was short...chubby...and played the _saxophone._
So yeah lol
But they sound excellent. Then again...there was SO MUCH great music at this time, merely having one awesome song meant diddly squat.
@@avedic Ah yes, the list of one hit wonders from the 60's was long.
He "holds" a mean saxophone too!
I agree the lead singer could belt it out
A great song. Has not lost any luster.
I'm serious, until just now, I thought this was a Beatles song. I have thought this for more than 50 years. This is a very convincing recreation of the Beatles style and sound.
In the middle of the sixties I entered a new club which had a disco in my hometown. This was the first song I heard in the entrance and I stil like it.
This song brings me lot';s of memories.around 1966
Superb song a mix of John Lennon and Brain Wilson on vocals you can’t go wrong superb
I love reminiscing about all the great music that was popular when I was a teenager. It was an awesome treat watching this video of a really cool song that I love. Thank you!
I reckon i havent heard this song since the 60' .....i love it! it'll be reserved in my faves list from here on in.....
It just proves the old adage that everything good comes from New Jersey.
Now that is some great 60s rock& rool.Rock On
the Knickerbockers are my favorite of the 60's One Hit Wonders!
“I don’t remember ever recording that.” - John Lennon, after hearing this song for the first time
I forgot about this group. Their voices really blend well. Great song!
Once again. . . music transcends space and time. Fun song!
What a song, it's been with me since it was released .
Yeah ! Saw them in person in upstate NY, I think it was 1962. Got their album !
Damn the great songs play great at all times. Thanks for posting!!
I'M A 69 YEAR OLD BASS PLAYER. I PLAYED IN A ROCK BAND IN HIGH SCHOOL. WE PLAYED THIS SONG. THE BASS DOES DRIVE IT, LOTS OF FUN.
I am a 70 year old former bass player. Played in high school and then another 23 years!
Still love this song great in my era
Ireland,Belfast and their struggle.There are many songs will shivers ours spines.
The sax man has a great voice, super COOL song!
But can he play sax?
@@johnsilva9139 IF he sang that good, it prolly doesn't matter!
Thanks for posting. I subscribed. I liked this song so much I put it on my YT music playlist: 1960's SUPER FANTASTIC MUSIC. MIND BLOWING. IT'S ALL TOO MUCH. PUT IT ON YOUR PHONE! NOT "GREATEST HITS" TOP 40. TOP 1000!
Brings back memories. This is a great song.
Definitely
Solid, and a garage band must play back in the day..
Thanks for that reply. I love that kinf of information. I once owned a 360-12, cherry finish. I loved it, but the neck warped, and I traded it fifty-one years ago (at Manny's Music in NYC) for a Gibson Hummingbird I still have.
Loved the group and the song
According to the notes on the original “Nuggets” album, they were named after Knickerbocker Ave. in Bergenfield, NJ.
As a teenager in the 60's loved this song.
Once you put all the jokes aside - go listen to that killer bass work. This is late 1965. Paul McCartney only finally started hitting that groove with The Beatles (on Rubber Soul) around the precise time (which he then exploded - Listen to Sgt. Peppers), so these guys, who I know are a knock-off, are pretty well on the money. All that said, this is just a really great mid-60s pop song, and was also a moderate hit, and has become a classic of sorts. Why knock 'em, why not just enjoy their efforts here - you know that can't be bad.
Remember, Paul was a guitar player and a good one!
'Love these guys, love this song.
Awesome song and group
It got alot of airplay in the Dallas,TX area at the time. It kinda blended in with soundtrack of our lives.
We had moved back to middle Georgia then and I heard it a lot on the radio. It still makes me want to get up and shake my tail feather.
I love to see the music I grew up with performed
Love all these old clips don't stop
I liked Lies a lot when it came. A great recording.
Released in November 1965...got to #20 in the charts.....
This was the first band I saw live when I was 18. The venue was the Excelsior House which was only a short drive from my house. They were fantastic live and the house was always packed. “Lies” live sounded better than the record and Buddy’s “Harlem Nocturne” was mesmerizing, and I don’t even like the saxophone.
Beau and Jimmy would always mingle with the crowd and I became quite well acquainted with them. They were two of the nicest guys you could ever meet.
After “Lies” came out and hit the top ten here in the east they opened for a couple of big acts. Along with the Sundowners, they opened for the Rolling Stones when they played the Palace theater. Due to my friendship with Beau and Jimmy, I was able to get back stage for the entire evening. In fact, the guard wasn’t going to let me in through the backstage door (I was a little late) but Jimmy happened to pass by, talked to the guard and I was in. (Thanks Jimmy if you ever read this - and too bad about the microphone).
A hot British group (Manfred Mann IIRC) played the RPI Field House and the Knicks were the opening act. When the Brits took the stage, they were nearly booed off. Compared to the Knicks, they were terrible. Although invited back stage, I didn’t make it as the place was packed and I was saving both my seat and the seat of another friend of the Kincks. The friend had immediately dashed off back stage (foo on you Mike!) and didn’t return until the concert was over.
As the Knicks were leaving after the concert, Beau and I were chatting behind the Field House as the limo to take them back to the Excelsior House arrived. Beau cut off in mid sentence, looking over my shoulder with a very strange look on his face. A gaggle of teen age girls had recognized Beau and were running, shrieking at the top of their lungs, towards where we where standing. Beau’s eyes got wide and he said something to the effect of “Oh Shit”, turned and ran for his life for the open back door of the limo. He dived/was pulled in just in the “knick” of time and the limo roared off in a cloud of tire smoke. We had a good laugh about it back at the Excelsior House.
One of the girls turned and asked me: “Are you in the band?” When I said “No” she looked sooooo disappointed.
Speaking of which, they also backed up Jay and two of the Americans at the Excelsior House.
After a concert at the RPI Field House (IIRC), Mary and one of the “P”s (forgot which one) made a special trip into the wilds of Snyder’s Lake just to see the boys and were kind enough to join them to perform a couple of their mega-hit songs.
The Knicks backing was spot on for both occasions.
They inspired me to take up the guitar and rock music.
After I learned a few chords, a friend and I, performed two “gigs” at the amateur contests that they held once a week. We did “Season of the Witch” by Donovan and “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield, backed up by the Kincks! I had a crappy guitar at the time but Beau kindly offered up his beautiful new Rickenbacker for me to play on both songs. Pretty generous I’d say!
BTW: Both times we finished second out of about five other performers, beaten by “ringers” local semi-pro or pro performers. I was pretty bummed out. After the second performance, Jimmy sat with me at the bar for at least a half hour near closing time offering advice and encouragement. He didn’t have to do that but did so on his own initiative. It was the act of a kind man that I’ve never forgotten.
When the Knicks moved to California I sadly lost touch with Beau and Jimmy. I heard rumors that they were setting attendance records at the Whiskey a Go Go, and that they were also having some management problems.
Later I formed my own band and played regularly in the Albany/Troy NY area, down to the Catskills up to the Canadian border and into Massachusetts. Oddly enough, one of our regular bookings was the Willow Grove in Massena, NY. It was only much later that I learned that the Castle Kings and the Kincks had also played there. Not to brag too much but we packed the place :) And finally with some of the first band proceeds, I was able to get my very own Maple Glow Rickenbacker 365!
I only played out for a few years. I finally got tired of all of the crappy attitudes that I encountered when I had to find new players to replace the ones who left the band for personal reasons, school, family etc. and the attitude of some remaining members when we started to get somewhat popular. I hung in until the quality started to slip badly and then got out.
The attitudes held by both Beau and Jimmy I found, were exceedingly rare in the rock music biz!
I have to admit that apart from “Lies” and a few other songs and some of the covers, most of the original material was pretty bad. It’s pure speculation but I suspect that management and producers were pressuring they guys to write “topical” teen songs, they did and the songs were terrible. The good ones, “lies”, “All I Need is You”, “I Can Do It Better” and a couple of others were written and being played at the Excelsior House long before “Lies” hit it big. Later on there was a big wrangle over management and contracts as I understand it. Apart from “Lies”, the production values of these recordings are so bad that I hardly recognized the songs. It’s too bad, they deserved better.
- Dave
They were nice guys. Me and my 2 girlfriends met them on a Shower of Stars tour in the sixties. We were 15 and 16 years old. We skipped school the day after the concert to go down to where they where staying to say goodbye. Buddy scolded us for cutting classes. He asked what we were going to do until school let out. He suggested going to a movie. We told him we didn`t have any money, he gave us money for the show. That was really cool! We told him to give us an address so we could repay him. He said, "Just join our fan club." Such fond memories! Wish I could go back in time.
I love these stories! So much more substantial than the "these guys kinda sounded like the Beatles too bad they didn't make it whats with the fat guy not playing the saxophone" comments I'm seeing here.
Thanks, Dave; really loved your story. I would glad read/hear more. You know Mike Rabon - formerly of The Five Americans (“Western Union”) has written a book about his times in that band and his struggles trying to make music after the fifteen minutes of fame. Would be cool if you could put your memories in print! Best Regards - Jim
Great story! Thanks for sharing Linda!
wow nice comment I went to the Excelsior when i was young kid..We drove from jersey to the tri state area.lol...Stayed at the ABC motel then...Actually the bass player and the guitar player are my brothers!..Beau wrote the sonG with Buddy!..Actually it was "All I Need Is You" broke out first out there with producer jerry fuller (later union gap)..Loved being home in the middle of the nite and being able to get on the radio station to hear the song even to NJ on the ole Rca Victor! lol
I remember them playing at my high school (Paramount, Ca.) back in 1967.
Awesome!
You can't find this kind of passion in any music today !
They are really in cinque. Their voices really are amazing;! They look great too, just like accountants. Nice suits.
When I first bought the song on a 45 record back in 1966.which i still have i thought it was a Beatles song,and i said wow another group that sounds like the British group the Beatles. The watchman news
Saw these guys live in Concord NC around 1967. They came to a newly formed teenage club that held maybe 200 people. It was packed and to this day I still wonder how it was booked for it usually had only local bands. Good times!!!!!
Released in November 1965...got to #20 on the Billboard chart on Dec.4, 1965.
Loved this then and now!
The Fabs had the whole package, these guys only had a little bit of it, that's why they didn't get bigger. But it was a good song. Thanks for posting.
Great song!
I have the 'Shindig!' clip but I've never seen this one before. THANKS for sharing it!
As a kid I thought this was a song by the Beatles! Great song!