Okay, so first off this breaks one of our format rules about “nothing before 1970.” Second, the audio on this is not very good, probably because it’s from an old TV show and not a LIVE performance. But even with those strikes against it, after watching this video several times I just had to bring it to you. It’s just so … weird!
And not in a “stoned William Shatner singing Beatles tunes” sort of weird way, but a true “WTF was that?” moment. First a little background on the song: “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” is a 1966 tune which became a hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Supremes late that year. A year later, the band Vanilla Fudge covered the song and had a top ten hit with their version. Later, British pop singer Kim Wilde covered “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” in 1986, also took it to number one in June of 1987. In the first 32 years of the Billboard Hot 100 rock era, “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” became one of only six songs take the No. 1 spot with two different artists.
The Vanilla Fudge commercial version is the one you’re most likely to hear on classic rock radio and, of course, there is a longer album version. Which brings us to 1968 and the Ray Anthony Show. I have no recollection of this musical/variety show, but apparently Mr. Anthony was a big band leader in the 1940’s and got a TV show in the 50’s that ran into the 60’s. (Think of him like Lawrence Welk, but less popular.) Now add Vanilla Fudge as a musical guest who Mr. Anthony probably knew little about except “the kids loved them” or something like that. How do you make a 60’s psychedelic rock band palatable to the whole family? Add four go-go dancers to the set, apparently. But Vanilla Fudge didn’t go quietly: once they music started they pulled out all the stops! What is the bass player doing with his arms at about 30 seconds into the song? Was he stung by, or attacked by a swarm of bees? And is he wearing drapes?
The whole thing seems like a giant collision between people who were still living in the 1950’s and those who couldn’t wait to live in the 1970’s. The result is certainly one of the strangest musical experiences ever for me. I’ll let you watch and decide for yourself!
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