I remember sneaking a peek at them while they practiced in the basement of the Riviera Gate apartments in Ottawa. Loved this song. I was only 9. Thanks for sharing.
I was a bit young to be into Octavian at their peak but I do recall they were a big deal in Ottawa, and I loved their big AM sound. Maybe my wires are crossed but I seem to recall one member of the band was a teacher at Pinecrest Public School, a memory triggered by your mention of Riviera Gate, where much later some very good friends lived. They did Ottawa proud! Some pretty great talent came out of Ottawa, Paul Anka, Five Man Electrical Band (The Staccatos) , Les Emmerson, Alanis Morrissett (her Dad Al taught at SJAM,) Sue Foley to name but a few!
Still one of my favourite groups of people. I had the pleasure of spending a few years at CFRA in Ottawa and Octavian were delightful pals and can they bring it! Great songs and so many superb memories. Hi Warren, Bill, JP and the rest. You were very kind tome and I shall never forget it.
Hey Warren Theses videos 'were before my time as a roadie but yeah good memories . Always a fun time with you guys. Miss Kirk and really sad to hear about John . Nice article about John in the paper One story I tell people about my time on the road with you guys was when we played Ontario Place in TO which I believe is now called I think The Budweiser Stage . As you know I also ran the lights during the concerts and when I entered the light room which overlooked the venue I was a little taken a back as I was handed a head set with attached mike. At that time if you remember our light system was nowhere near as technical as this set up. I was connected to two guys in front of me who were manning a light board around 8 ft long which controlled all the lighting at the stage, plus if I remember up to 5 follow spots located in the venue that I directed as well. As I left the control room one of the guys said "Good show kid " Not bad for a 17yr old ! In the dressing room after you guys told me that a professional photographer was in the crowd and a picture of you guys on stage would be on the back cover of the album. I was really excited to see my work but I have to say was a little disappointed that when i saw it it was in black and white. Still a have a chuckle remembering this and the many other times we all had together Hope things are well Paul Linzmayer
Hey Paul. Great to hear from you! Yes, I fondly remember your skills as a lighting technician for Octavian. I do believe that the success that Octavian managed to attain in those days was far more then just the music performance, but also in how we were professionally portrayed in light and sound. Thank you for your talent! facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10153261281491856&set=a.14672891855&comment_id=1126834848721453&force_theater=true¬if_id=1694395518062759¬if_t=photo_comment&ref=notif
As a young 15 year old, I danced around the living room in a waltz with my 19 year old sister to this song...one month later she was dead in a car crash. Bittersweet memories of this amazing song.
In 1975, I bought the album "Simple Kinda People" for my sister as a Christmas gift. I was 13, my sister was 12. We babysat for 50 cents an hour and we split our wages. It took me a long time to save the money, and because I still have records, she gave me the album. I think it cost me around 6 dollars at the time. Of course, I still have it. It's been played a lot and it's still in good condition. A gem. You guys are great!
I am sorry that you never got to meet him. Jerry was a great guy. Very kind, generous and soft spoken. A very creative drummer. Although this is not Jerry in this vid, he did record the single with us.
@@wbarbour its alright. I didnt know he wasnt in this video, thank you for telling me. My father told me he was a very heavy smoker, as you may know. He passed away right before I was born.
I thought you were joking about 'Australia's William Shakespeare' but then I clicked on video in sidebar OMG. Pretty awful actually, but definitely has more, how can I say it, 'personality' than this version LOLs.
@@wbarbour crazy! Wow, I was there. My father worked as a teacher at the school and was an adult / chaperone that night. I will never forget it, so exciting!
LMFAO! Howicks! They had the tiny little red tag (sorta like Levi's little orange tags) on the side which made them "authentic". I say this because all my friends had the name brand Howicks but my mom bought me lookalikes and all my friends noticed and laughed at me for not having the real deal. Still, those days were awesome. Being a teenager in the late 70's was the best years of my life! Thanks for bringing up Howicks! probably wouldn't have remembered that story, lol! Peace and love!
It is a good version but Nowhere near as good as William Shakespere version and Yes Written by Harry Vanda and George Young, who were behind many Australian acts during the 70's and 80's plus were members of Easybeats , Marcus Hook Roll Band, plus Flash and the Pan..
No, of course it's not live. Whenever a "live" performance sounds 100 percent like the studio track, it's not live. Having it fade out at the end is a dead giveaway. Ever been to a concert and the music magically fades away? Doesn't happen. This is not a knock on the band. There's no way in a telethon setting that you can perform sound checks and everything you need to make sure everything is tuned and sounds right. You can just barely get the band members on stage and give them instructions for how to simulate. Notice the drummer when he hits a cymbal or the drums his taps are so light, and the camera never stays on the drummer long because thats the one instrument that if he doesnt get everything perfect then it gives it away. I loved this song growing up, being from Ottawa and all.
Jim Ogilvie is correct. If you prefer live, then perhaps this performance will be more to your liking... facebook.com/OctavianRockBand/videos/5694087700639071
Terrible version of this song. They sound bored and disinterested in what they are singing. It will always belong to the original artist, Australia's William Shakespeare. He put all his emotion and passion into the song and had a much better voice.
Robert. This is in no way intended to detract from your memory of the original version by Australia's William Shakespeare, which you clearly love. This is not a competition. Just continue to love the memories that you have. Cool??
I saw these guys many times in the 70s. I thought they were great. John P. was a great lead singer. Very charismatic. RIP John
I remember sneaking a peek at them while they practiced in the basement of the Riviera Gate apartments in Ottawa. Loved this song. I was only 9. Thanks for sharing.
I was a bit young to be into Octavian at their peak but I do recall they were a big deal in Ottawa, and I loved their big AM sound. Maybe my wires are crossed but I seem to recall one member of the band was a teacher at Pinecrest Public School, a memory triggered by your mention of Riviera Gate, where much later some very good friends lived. They did Ottawa proud! Some pretty great talent came out of Ottawa, Paul Anka, Five Man Electrical Band (The Staccatos) , Les Emmerson, Alanis Morrissett (her Dad Al taught at SJAM,) Sue Foley to name but a few!
Love this song. Great guys!!!
cover from the original written in 1974 by Harry Vanda and George Young
flared pants from 1978.. unbelievable.. i luv it..
Still one of my favourite groups of people. I had the pleasure of spending a few years at CFRA in Ottawa and Octavian were delightful pals and can they bring it! Great songs and so many superb memories.
Hi Warren, Bill, JP and the rest. You were very kind tome and I shall never forget it.
Hey Warren
Theses videos 'were before my time as a roadie but yeah good memories . Always a fun time with you guys. Miss Kirk and really sad to hear about John . Nice article about John in the paper
One story I tell people about my time on the road with you guys was when we played Ontario Place in TO which I believe is now called I think The Budweiser Stage .
As you know I also ran the lights during the concerts and when I entered the light room which overlooked the venue I was a little taken a back as I was handed a head set with attached mike. At that time if you remember our light system was nowhere near as technical as this set up.
I was connected to two guys in front of me who were manning a light board around 8 ft long which controlled all the lighting at the stage, plus if I remember up to 5 follow spots located in the venue that I directed as well.
As I left the control room one of the guys said "Good show kid " Not bad for a 17yr old !
In the dressing room after you guys told me that a professional photographer was in the crowd and a picture of you guys on stage would be on the back cover of the album. I was really excited to see my work but I have to say was a little disappointed that when i saw it it was in black and white. Still a have a chuckle remembering this and the many other times we all had together
Hope things are well
Paul Linzmayer
Hey Paul. Great to hear from you! Yes, I fondly remember your skills as a lighting technician for Octavian. I do believe that the success that Octavian managed to attain in those days was far more then just the music performance, but also in how we were professionally portrayed in light and sound. Thank you for your talent!
facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10153261281491856&set=a.14672891855&comment_id=1126834848721453&force_theater=true¬if_id=1694395518062759¬if_t=photo_comment&ref=notif
Awesome!
As a young 15 year old, I danced around the living room in a waltz with my 19 year old sister to this song...one month later she was dead in a car crash. Bittersweet memories of this amazing song.
So sorry for your loss. You have a wonderful memory of your sister to keep close to your heart.
@@JanBee1122 ty
Still a great song after all these years
Magic together. Wow Wow Wow
Had them at our school dance they where great
In 1975, I bought the album "Simple Kinda People" for my sister as a Christmas gift. I was 13, my sister was 12. We babysat for 50 cents an hour and we split our wages. It took me a long time to save the money, and because I still have records, she gave me the album. I think it cost me around 6 dollars at the time. Of course, I still have it. It's been played a lot and it's still in good condition. A gem. You guys are great!
Another Harry Vanda and George Young composition. Band members of the Easybeats and Flash n the Pan.
First recorded in 1974 by William Shakespeare.
The drummer in this band is my Great Ucle Jerry(Gerald). He passed away before I was born
I am sorry that you never got to meet him. Jerry was a great guy. Very kind, generous and soft spoken. A very creative drummer. Although this is not Jerry in this vid, he did record the single with us.
@@wbarbour its alright. I didnt know he wasnt in this video, thank you for telling me. My father told me he was a very heavy smoker, as you may know. He passed away right before I was born.
Thanks for posting. This song made me cry as a kid whenever I heard it lol
OMG .. LOVE LOVE .. we were so underage at the EX in Ottawa and saw Octavian .... my heroes
Thank you so much for sharing this, Warren!! Me and my husband are crazy happy to find this amazing gem from yesteryear! Ahhh, memories!!
So sorry to hear that, but thanks so much for the compliment. Memories are still memories, even if bittersweet. Be well my friend.
Brings back memories of some great times! Thanks for the post.
That key change is better than winning lottery
I know i have seen Octavian a few times I was wondering if they ever played at De La Salle High School in the 78-79 yrs in Ottawa ? Love this band !!
I like this version also...
australias william shakespeare s tune. this one is a sad shadow.
I thought you were joking about 'Australia's William Shakespeare' but then I clicked on video in sidebar OMG. Pretty awful actually, but definitely has more, how can I say it, 'personality' than this version LOLs.
Do you remember playing at D’Arcy McGee High School in Hull /Gatineau, just north of Ottawa? Would have been late 1970’s...
Yes. We played D’Arcy McGee High School on Friday December 16, 1977.
@@wbarbour crazy! Wow, I was there. My father worked as a teacher at the school and was an adult / chaperone that night. I will never forget it, so exciting!
Are those jeans Howick's?!!!!
LMFAO! Howicks! They had the tiny little red tag (sorta like Levi's little orange tags) on the side which made them "authentic". I say this because all my friends had the name brand Howicks but my mom bought me lookalikes and all my friends noticed and laughed at me for not having the real deal. Still, those days were awesome. Being a teenager in the late 70's was the best years of my life! Thanks for bringing up Howicks! probably wouldn't have remembered that story, lol! Peace and love!
It is a good version but Nowhere near as good as William Shakespere version and Yes Written by Harry Vanda and George Young, who were behind many Australian acts during the 70's and 80's plus were members of Easybeats , Marcus Hook Roll Band, plus Flash and the Pan..
2 lead singers.
I'm not totally convinced that this is live, but no matter - it was a great song then and it's a great song still, in 2015.
No, of course it's not live. Whenever a "live" performance sounds 100 percent like the studio track, it's not live. Having it fade out at the end is a dead giveaway. Ever been to a concert and the music magically fades away? Doesn't happen.
This is not a knock on the band. There's no way in a telethon setting that you can perform sound checks and everything you need to make sure everything is tuned and sounds right. You can just barely get the band members on stage and give them instructions for how to simulate.
Notice the drummer when he hits a cymbal or the drums his taps are so light, and the camera never stays on the drummer long because thats the one instrument that if he doesnt get everything perfect then it gives it away.
I loved this song growing up, being from Ottawa and all.
Jim Ogilvie is correct. If you prefer live, then perhaps this performance will be more to your liking... facebook.com/OctavianRockBand/videos/5694087700639071
They all look like my high school Math teachers
One of them was my junior high math teacher.
The guy in the blue jacket looks like steven from that 70s show
Top pop song from the seventies. Vanda n Young Aussie song wizards. This version is like when you smell your own farts.
Raelene nobody I prefer to smell my partners farts......
William Shakespeare brought me here ...
Me toooooo
Not bad but not as good as the original
william shakespeare version was better ,i mean they sing it well but i heard this song first by william shakespeare
Written by ex-Easybeats Harry Vanda & George Young in 1974 and yep first recorded by Shakespeare.
Terrible version of this song. They sound bored and disinterested in what they are singing. It will always belong to the original artist, Australia's William Shakespeare.
He put all his emotion and passion into the song and had a much better voice.
Robert. This is in no way intended to detract from your memory of the original version by Australia's William Shakespeare, which you clearly love. This is not a competition. Just continue to love the memories that you have. Cool??
Nose picker collars, bell bottoms, contrasting sport coats, and way too much hair. I miss the 70s.