Don, thank you for this upload. I think of my dad, who loved jazz for all of his life (growing up from the late '30s into the early '50s), who was a fan of Lionel Hampton and Dave Letterman, and who loved "Summertime," a song he was proud to perform on drum set using mallets. I wish he could have seen this.
Awesome stuff, Don! Many thanks. It’s remarkable to hear Hampton playing such modern music-a man of the Swing era playing Mr. PC, and a gorgeous Summertime. Just wondering if there’s any info about who Hampton’s sidemen are in the 1980 show?
It does have an other-worldly sound, but it's not an electronic instrument. A Vibraphone has an electric motor to create vibrato (by opening & closing the resonator tubes), but otherwise it's completely acoustic. For the origin of the synthesizer, I would nominate the Theramin.
@@raffriff42 -- I think he was likely referring to a possible inspiration for the sound of synthesizers, as he did not imply the vibes were an electric instrument. I see no reason to think it's anything but coincidence, but an interesting idea, nonetheless.
Oooh a nice treat ! Oddly, only about 2 weeks ago I 'discovered' LH. Although I knew of him I didn't know any of his songs. My new favorite song/record is a lesser-known one of his named 'Martin on Every Block', a bouncy catchy tune from '41, named in honor of the NY DJ Martin Block, in the 40s. He was the first to play records on the radio, increasing exposure for the bands and musicians, including Lionel
If you were a good deal older, Don, you'd have the meeting of Steve Allen and Art Tatum who played "together" on the Tonight Show. Of course, Steve could really play, but Tatum was like a rocket ship to the moon, compared with Steve's sensible automobile ride. 1980 was such a great clip, and Hamp's meeting with Louis really did result in a truly nice recording of "Memories of You".
Hey Don, you may be the only person who can answer this question with so little to go on. Do you remember a Late Night guest who was supposed to be so smart you could ask him any sort of advice and he'd have an answer for you, but after a few minutes it began to look like he had no real depth of knowledge? After that appearance, Late Night began to mock him with their own version of a guy who acted like he knew it all but was clearly just a fraud, and then the original guest turned around and sued over the show's mocking him. I can't remember any more details. Also, thanks for all your archival work. You and Dave have brought a lot of laughter into my life!
Sounds like Bernard Meltzer. “Ask Mr. Melman” resulted from him. I put up the full collection; here’s Part 1 (of 3) - th-cam.com/video/bgeygNHLL9I/w-d-xo.html
My late dad's all time favorite musician. I did not know he was on either show. Thanks Don.
My late dad's all time favorite musician.
Thank you @donz! This was a total gem!
Got to see the great Lionel Hampton in Carbondale, Illinois in the early 1990's.
😙 How can you not smile? LOVELY!
The quality of the musicians and guests was outstanding on that show
Don, thank you for this upload. I think of my dad, who loved jazz for all of his life (growing up from the late '30s into the early '50s), who was a fan of Lionel Hampton and Dave Letterman, and who loved "Summertime," a song he was proud to perform on drum set using mallets. I wish he could have seen this.
Maybe he is. :)
Amazing little portal to the past!
Thanks for the upload, Don! The second song is a John Coltrane tune called "Mr. P.C."
Thank you! I’ll fix the description.
Awesome stuff, Don! Many thanks. It’s remarkable to hear Hampton playing such modern music-a man of the Swing era playing Mr. PC, and a gorgeous Summertime.
Just wondering if there’s any info about who Hampton’s sidemen are in the 1980 show?
I loved the daytime David Letterman show. This episode aired the day I turned 18 years old! It Doesn’t feel like it was over 41 years ago. 🤔
The origin of the synthesizer (?) Beautiful. Thanks Don! 👍
It does have an other-worldly sound, but it's not an electronic instrument. A Vibraphone has an electric motor to create vibrato (by opening & closing the resonator tubes), but otherwise it's completely acoustic. For the origin of the synthesizer, I would nominate the Theramin.
@@raffriff42 -- I think he was likely referring to a possible inspiration for the sound of synthesizers, as he did not imply the vibes were an electric instrument. I see no reason to think it's anything but coincidence, but an interesting idea, nonetheless.
Oooh a nice treat ! Oddly, only about 2 weeks ago I 'discovered' LH. Although I knew of him I didn't know any of his songs. My new favorite song/record is a lesser-known one of his named 'Martin on Every Block', a bouncy catchy tune from '41, named in honor of the NY DJ Martin Block, in the 40s. He was the first to play records on the radio, increasing exposure for the bands and musicians, including Lionel
brings back the warm memories of listening to Jazz After Hours on the radio and the heavenly vibes of Hampton
Shit Lionel those are some sweet jams me and mama ganja thank you brother melt my worries away 🥰
Yooo that’s wild
Very cool! I have a few of his lps.
1. I was so upset as a 10yo when the morning show went off and was replaced locally by Richard Simmons.
2. Those shutters are soo 80s.
If you were a good deal older, Don, you'd have the meeting of Steve Allen and Art Tatum who played "together" on the Tonight Show. Of course, Steve could really play, but Tatum was like a rocket ship to the moon, compared with Steve's sensible automobile ride. 1980 was such a great clip, and Hamp's meeting with Louis really did result in a truly nice recording of "Memories of You".
The audio on that 1980 set is as good as any Cal Tjader record from that time. Mono!!
Legend 👏
Actual music on letterman!
LOL Amen to that!
Hey Don, you may be the only person who can answer this question with so little to go on.
Do you remember a Late Night guest who was supposed to be so smart you could ask him any sort of advice and he'd have an answer for you, but after a few minutes it began to look like he had no real depth of knowledge? After that appearance, Late Night began to mock him with their own version of a guy who acted like he knew it all but was clearly just a fraud, and then the original guest turned around and sued over the show's mocking him.
I can't remember any more details.
Also, thanks for all your archival work. You and Dave have brought a lot of laughter into my life!
Sounds like Bernard Meltzer. “Ask Mr. Melman” resulted from him. I put up the full collection; here’s Part 1 (of 3) - th-cam.com/video/bgeygNHLL9I/w-d-xo.html
@@dongiller Thanks, Don! Can't believe I forgot that Larry Bud did the spoof. For some reason I was thinking Chris Elliot. Go figure. Thanks, man!
Is it true Michael McDonald wrote that old David Letterman Show theme?
It is.
@@dongiller whoa! Never ever heard that before.
Please edit to a new video Christ Elliot Leprechaun skit 12:20.
Not now.
@@dongiller not right now. Funny
.......And Lionel's dead...:(
He lived to be 94. Died in 2002.