Johnny Cymbal should be remembered for more than just this one song although it it a wonderful song. R.I.P. Johnny you always will be Mr Bass Man! 1945-1993
Remarkable video, especially considering that Johnny died only five days later of a heart attack. His original "Mr. Bass Man" reached #16 nationally in the spring of 1963 and was actually a duet between Johnny Cymbal and the uncredited Ronnie Bright, who was the bass vocalist with The Valentines. Johnny is also remembered for what became his all-time biggest hit, "Cinnamon," which he released under the name "Derek" in October 1968. It soared to #11 just as the year crossed over into 1969.
According to Wikipedia, he died in his sleep of a heart attack at the age of 48. Years prior to that, "he conquered his own addictions and rediscovered his Christianity."
I have loved this song for years!Ididn't realize he died right after making this video.I used to call our oldies radio station to play it and even had my kids loving it.They still remember it today.
Joseph Ficker A parodied version of this song was shown on British television, presumably in 1963, with a woman singing "Mr. Spaceman" to a man with his head in a goldfish bowl, presumably meant to represent an astronaut's helmet. Funnily enough, it is only the parody that I remember.
Yeah. These guys tend to get a ton of $ and the vices that go w/ it an early age-remember he said Mr Bassman was in '63 when he was really young--so there ya be. Prematurely aged. And I'm rambling. Anyways-I like this footage, kinda rare.
I hated Boy Scouts. My father forced me to join the troop. Hated all the stupid ceremonies around the flag before dinner in full dress uniform. Too militaristic for my blood. All present and accounted for . . . Sir! Used to sing this all the time while doing the required over night hike at Resica Falls. Great song. Even more fun to sing.
He died five days after this..RIP
Johnny Cymbal should be remembered for more than just this one song although it it a wonderful song. R.I.P. Johnny you always will be Mr Bass Man! 1945-1993
I never realized that he was singing both voices.
+Richard Cote He didn't sing both parts on the original recording. Ronnie Bright sang the bass part on the recording. Ronnie just died in Nov of 2015.
He didn't. He borrowed Ronnie Bright from The Coasters to sing bass.
Johnny Cymbal died 5 days after this performance On March 16, 1993 of a heart attack in his sleep
i think its awesome that people still enjoy these kind of music
Remarkable video, especially considering that Johnny died only five days later of a heart attack. His original "Mr. Bass Man" reached #16 nationally in the spring of 1963 and was actually a duet between Johnny Cymbal and the uncredited Ronnie Bright, who was the bass vocalist with The Valentines. Johnny is also remembered for what became his all-time biggest hit, "Cinnamon," which he released under the name "Derek" in October 1968. It soared to #11 just as the year crossed over into 1969.
a sad loss, this guy was before my time, but a timeless piece
Takes me back to the seventh grade. I LOVED that song.
Rest in peace Johnny.
According to Wikipedia, he died in his sleep of a heart attack at the age of 48. Years prior to that, "he conquered his own addictions and rediscovered his Christianity."
I have loved this song for years!Ididn't realize he died right after making this video.I used to call our oldies radio station to play it and even had my kids loving it.They still remember it today.
Always loved this song! Very nice to see he had a big singing range. Sad he died so young.
AMAZING !!!! What an amazing talent. One of the very best. Always way ahead of his time.
A great song!
As far as I know Johnny Cymbal died 4 days after this show. Sad...
I want to be a bass man too!
This was a great favourite of mine. Was a No1 hit on the most succesful radio station in Africa, namely LM Radio (Lorenco Marques Radio).
one of my all-time favorites
Thank you posting this rare clip
Great !
THIS ONE IS THE BEST!
I think that's my favorite video...
When I was a kid and first heard this song, I thought it was " Mr. Spaceman"! Was I the only one?
Same with me!!!
Joseph Ficker
Joseph Ficker
A parodied version of this song was shown on British television, presumably in 1963, with a woman singing "Mr. Spaceman" to a man with his head in a goldfish bowl, presumably meant to represent an astronaut's helmet. Funnily enough, it is only the parody that I remember.
I lov this song :D
this one is great...
Well,.. I was never aware that he died back in '93..so talented..
AMAZEING!
great song
loooooooove it
Pure talent.
Oh snap. Poor guy died at 48 years old in 1993. Shame.
He also did and wrote a song called cinnamon in a band called Derek
I'm looking for the original version of the hot, but this one is also a BLAST :P
TO BAD...HE IS GONE, SO EARLY AGE..~~~
He got a heartattack in his sleep. This he plays 11 March. He died 16 March, the same year.
Great!!!!!!!!!!!
1963 hit.
was in 3rd grade when i heard this all the time in the school bus.
my uncle johnny died of a heartattack not from drinking just so you know
i remember that on the radio after i learned the words i tried to sing along
@lowlights actualy it was a heartattack in his sleep :(
He died on March 16, 1993
Ronnie Bright, best known as being "Mr. Bass Man" RIP
PRETTY COVERING HIMSELF
my folks listend to his songs on "KOMA" on long trips. I always thought gitars but he referrs to the bass voice.
His best was "MARY IN THE MORNING"!
Who sang the bass part on the original recording?
Somebody know a score for piano this song.
he says he was 17 when he wrote Mr. Bass Man though, not 15
C, Am, F, and G are the verse chords
Bridge goes F, C, D, G
Yeah. These guys tend to get a ton of $ and the vices that go w/ it an early age-remember he said Mr Bassman was in '63 when he was really young--so there ya be. Prematurely aged. And I'm rambling. Anyways-I like this footage, kinda rare.
this is so cool hehehe
Maybe I am being ignorant, but I never knew of his death.
Could you tell me when and how he died.
GARTH MARENGHI!!!!!!!!!!
don't forget Teenage Heaven!
so sorry to hear he passed so young as did know him but wonder if he ever mentioned living in Moab Ut for his jr. year
I hated Boy Scouts. My father forced me to join the troop. Hated all the stupid ceremonies around the flag before dinner in full dress uniform. Too militaristic for my blood. All present and accounted for . . . Sir! Used to sing this all the time while doing the required over night hike at Resica Falls. Great song. Even more fun to sing.
I never knew that he sang both!
"This footage was shot just days before Johnny died."
Kind creepy.... O.o
Looks a tad more like Elton John than Roy Orbison.
Would have been good if he had lived longer but he wasn't really young.
I was sure that was a girl singing .
lol yea mee too lol