Small white girl in Chicago area when this came out. It's been an anthem for me through out my life - when I lost my first real boyfriend, when my husband left me pregnant, when we discovered that my child had an autism spectrum disorder . . . abd last week when that blessed child graduated from college. People, have hope, because one way or another, whether internally or externally, things do get easier. I awoke with it in my head this morning, checked UA-cam -bless you Stairsteps!!!!!!!
Susan Wright I had been with student who were Austic and it made me cry I get what you mean,special education is a true minor hoax. I don't even want my son to be in it and he died of lupus at age two,de' old man.
They need to acknowledge the Stair Steps they are music pioneers and deserve recognition from the industry, How do we get this movement started, seriously!!!
This is my baby, Jerome "Bigfoot" Brailey, when he was very young playing those drums and he is just as amazing as he was there with this legend group!
That was Barbara McNair, voted at one time the most beautiful woman in the world. She had her own own musical variety show between 1969 and 1971 and was one of the first Black women to do so. This is a classic performance, clearly showing leads on "Ooh Child" alternated between Alohe, Clarence and Keni and showing their entire band, being led by Clarence and Pop Stairstep.
The Stairsteps put out so much great soul - "Danger! She's A Stranger" (1966) "Come Back" (1966), "World of Fantasy" (1966), "Stay Close to Me (1968) and the list goes on and on-
I've known the drummer personally for the last 40 years, Jerome Bigfoot Brailey. He went on to play for the Chambers Brothers, Parliament Funkadelic, Quazar, Mutiny. There is no drummer better than Bigfoot, he has the FUNK covered and anything else anyone wants him to be the backbone for.
Clarence was supremely talented. A product of the south side of Chicago. I went to the same high school in the late 60's early 70's John Marshall Harlan they did a surprised concert for the Jr's & Sr's I was sophomore I had to listen outside the auditorium until they made me and others go to class. I sang "Danger she's a Stranger". Clarence was a great r&b guitarist and Kenny played bass on a lot of their studio hits. Jackson's were very good friends. He was a great choreographer too!
God Bless the Five Stairsteps! I feel in love with them when I was 9 years old and had a major crush on Keni! Rest In Peace, Clarence! Thank you for the memories and comfort of your music!
I am so happy that i've had the privlege to see the 5 stairsteps growing up in Newark NJ. We used too see them at the RKO proctor back in the day for $3.50 a ticket. Seeing all these groups back then help shape me, kept me out of trouble. They put on such a fantastic show each time i saw them live. It was a very exciting time in my life. Clarence Rest in Peace my friend for God has a spot you. RIP!
Bless you It gives me hope and inspiration to hear that, that child graduated from college. I am a grandmother of two on the spectrum. The 6 year old will start kindergarden, and is still not talking, with out be coached and the 4 year old is talking some but not in a sentence. We are a whole family caring for these kids. I am sure you are a wonderful mom, this song came out in 1970 , my last year in Jr high. Loved it then, love it now. Again God Bless you, you've come through a lot!!
It's a LIVE mix (as in NOT a lame-ass lip-synch cop-out!) so that makes it even cooler than the original recording!! I LOVE the fact that they're actually playing it live!!
I have always felt comforted by this song.They have beautiful voices,like lullabies.I will always be greatly indebted to them...peace and bless you for this...
Anthony Mackey I remember her show comes on Saturday evening in new York on wor-tv channel 9. barabra McNeil she was fabulous too, more highly balanced than Leslie uggums. but I live Leslie too and her acting as well, including in the film black girl. so, Barbara show is in syndication.
I know right? My youngest is 24 & has always wished she couild've grown up in the 70s. im forever telling her stories. I hate being old, but absolutely loved growing up in the 70;s (6-16) & 80's (17-27).
I love live performances of classics like Ooh Child. This one is from the Barbara McNair show in 1970. That's her doing the interview in between the songs.
This group would practice at Tuley park on King Drive, southside Chicago, the girls would scream like they were the Black Beatles. Thanks for the memories!!
Thanx for this clip. I was looking for some clips of Jerome Brailey and didn't expect this. I like this one since I knew he was with this group at the time.
The Stairsteps were the coolest cats on the planet! Keni Burke went on to have a successful recording career, but I'm not sure about the others. This song must have been covered a hundred times, but none like the real deal!
I just realized how so many family groups that were prominent back in the late 60's early 70's and look at the institution of marriage now and can't imagine any family acts now.
What does this song mean to me?? Growing up in inner-city poverty with all the odds against you, this song provided a ray of hope. It allowed me to believe that there is a ray of hope that life could improve. Despite many difficulties I have realised the American Drean while remembering where I came from. Just thought I'd say thanks. Great Song!!!
gday luv listen to this everyday battered and bruised but not broken not physically someday I will walk in the rays of the beautiful sun love this saw it on the show 61 years old and a survivor love this that conga yep when folks had talent and PRIDE..
A Raiz de boas musicas de classicos como estes não só nos remete ao passado mas tambem mostra que ritimos com soul music .jazz blues,R e b eram artesanalmente , incrivelmente abençoados com arranjos. e vocais..que emociona quem aprecia a maior das artes.
June covid-19 2022 "Ooh-Child" Man! what if, what might have been had the group continued on together. They had a strong 2 or 3 years of good recording success. But the music business being what it is, a corrupt business model breeds its share of discontent from artist though on the surface they may appear successful. Well, the Stairs-Steps gave us what they had and I appreciate their effort and output. They definitely added to the soundtrack of my youth, and soul generation.
I still lose it a little bit every goddamn time I hear this song. This was one of the very first songs I remember hearing on the radio (along with "I'll be there", and that one still levels me every time too. AM radio was magic to me at age 6.
The Ooh Child period was an experimental phase for the Steps// Such a pity that the performance they did on the TV show SOUL is not available. It was the one performance that would have silenced ALL critics of this performance.
I never realized how many family group's were performing during the 60's and early 70's. Those days are definitely gone. What family wants to be together performing the nonsense that is out now.
I love this group, verry underrated, excelent talent and smooth soul with real feeling from a musical family from the Windy City. The first record I owned was Ooh Child/Who Do You Belong to? The only LP I own is "Our Family Portrait" 1967, their first BUDDAH LP. Great Music
Craigstarr, let me extend a hearty thank you for posting this excellent performance! The film and sound quality are superb. Man, that song is a perfect wish for any New Year. I remember hearing that song first in "Boyz in the Hood"--Jason 'Furious' Styles (Laurence Fishburne) turns it up for his son to hear on the car radio--but I couldn't track that tune down on any compilations. Today it's featured in Will Smith's new film, "The Pursuit of Happyness." WAY TO GO FIVE STAIRSTEPS!!!!
@sanegirlio Oh Girl. You too? I have sang this song all of my life. Once, years ago, my mother held my face in both of her hands because I was sobbing over losing a man. She started singing this to me softly as she gently wiped away my tears. I asked her how did she know. She smiled and answered, "It's your favorite song, I've heard you sing it for years." Congratulations on your baby's graduation !
Wow! All these years I thought it was only one of the brothers singing lead and the others were in the background. Didn't know they all took a turn. They're older than I thought too.
Yeah Yeah Martin... My Big Sister use to babysit him,... I'm all up in Hollywood now. And now that I've found you again. You will be too... MAN I MISS YALL...
I had this on original vinyl till an ex put a massive scratch through this beautiful track coz he knew how special it is to me, Love It still and can listen and see it on here so its all good!
Sooo beautiful,mistakes or not(didnt hear many).I like nothing in life more than watching old performances.I just cant get into the new stuff unless it has alot of soul.
Last I heard all but one lived in Atlanta. I know that Cubie (the baby of the family) went on to be a dancer for Dance Theater of Harlem and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He is now a dance instructor in Atlanta.
the music business of the day freaked out when they heard this band from Chicago. They were introduced to the Beatles, Billy Preston, and The Jackson 5...oh and the Isley Bros...well hell, EVERYBODY IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS!
WOW music has lost an important gem by the passing of Clarence Burke and now we all just got Beyoncé and Jay-Z, damn we have really fallen in terms of talent and imagination...
I remember seeing them in person when I was a teenager ( a long time ago ). This was before the other famous five came on the scene and blew the 5 Stairsteps out of the water.
Great song, i remember when this song was put on an end of a movie made in 1977 or 78 with Matt Dillon in it. Way before the days of Boyz N Hood made it popular again
@coreybrails96 it's called "VICE THE LIGHTS"that's what we used to say back in the day.and oh yeah,that's poppa stairstep on th deep deep voice.and dancin with lil cubie.love those stairsteps.the first family of soul,then along came michael.those were the days my friend,we'd thought they'd never end.
![The Five Stairsteps & Cubie • “Change Of Pace” • 1968 [Reelin' In The Years Archive]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bnN7ejqhbqo/mqdefault.jpg)
![АЛАУДИНОВ у Скабеевой: эти их ВСУ нас НЕ ДОГОНЯТ 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/an0anqU4WGQ/mqdefault.jpg)
That percussion section is killing it...
Small white girl in Chicago area when this came out. It's been an anthem for me through out my life - when I lost my first real boyfriend, when my husband left me pregnant, when we discovered that my child had an autism spectrum disorder . . . abd last week when that blessed child graduated from college. People, have hope, because one way or another, whether internally or externally, things do get easier. I awoke with it in my head this morning, checked UA-cam -bless you Stairsteps!!!!!!!
Susan Wright I had been with student who were Austic and it made me cry I get what you mean,special education is a true minor hoax. I don't even want my son to be in it and he died of lupus at age two,de' old man.
Thank God they wrote & recorded this & thank God you found it. God bless.....
They need to acknowledge the Stair Steps they are music pioneers and deserve recognition from the industry, How do we get this movement started, seriously!!!
There has to be an Unsung episode on the 5 Stairsteps after all they are "The First Family Of Soul!"
I believe it was one .
These songs can only shine brighter and brighter for generations to come.
This is my baby, Jerome "Bigfoot" Brailey, when he was very young playing those drums and he is just as amazing as he was there with this legend group!
Johnny McGhee (later of LTD) on guitar
What a beautiful and unique contralto voice Alohe had. I love hearing her open "Ooh child".
Very Unique the girl has a deep alto voice
and the brothers have tenor voices,,,
Incredible....very unique voices Great Performance!
That was Barbara McNair, voted at one time the most beautiful woman in the world. She had her own own musical variety show between 1969 and 1971 and was one of the first Black women to do so. This is a classic performance, clearly showing leads on "Ooh Child" alternated between Alohe, Clarence and Keni and showing their entire band, being led by Clarence and Pop Stairstep.
The Stairsteps put out so much great soul - "Danger! She's A Stranger" (1966) "Come Back" (1966), "World of Fantasy" (1966), "Stay Close to Me (1968) and the list goes on and on-
I've known the drummer personally for the last 40 years, Jerome Bigfoot Brailey. He went on to play for the Chambers Brothers, Parliament Funkadelic, Quazar, Mutiny. There is no drummer better than Bigfoot, he has the FUNK covered and anything else anyone wants him to be the backbone for.
Do you know if he played the drums on "Don't change your love"? if not, who was the drummer? :)
@@samueltan4483 the drummer on "Don't Change Your Love" is Morris Jennings
Thank you ! Do you know if for a fact as I couldn't find any official crediting of the drummer. :)
I needed to listed to this today - feeling the need for positivity...
No auto-tune for Clarence, all talent.
*memories*
They certainly needed auto tune.
This song doesn't make me sad
I just always felt How SoulFul they WERE!
i have heard this song a thousand times before, but watching the live version gave me goose bumps. god bless classic music
Clarence was supremely talented. A product of the south side of Chicago.
I went to the same high school in the late 60's early 70's John Marshall Harlan they did a surprised concert for the Jr's & Sr's I was sophomore I had to listen outside the auditorium until they made me and others go to class. I sang "Danger she's a Stranger". Clarence was a great r&b guitarist and Kenny played bass on a lot of their studio hits. Jackson's were very good friends. He was a great choreographer too!
Clarance was one beautiful man with a beautiful voice.
George Stone God, yes.
God Bless the Five Stairsteps! I feel in love with them when I was 9 years old and had a major crush on Keni! Rest In Peace, Clarence! Thank you for the memories and comfort of your music!
Great Taste ..Love Keni too
Keni is like WOW good looking
its a world of fantasy when you find a gem like this from the windy citys first family of soul....thanks for allowing the world to view...
Awesome raw live Jam. Powerful singing. Emotions are right at the surface. I would have loved to be alive and at this taping.
I am so happy that i've had the privlege to see the 5 stairsteps growing up in Newark NJ. We used too see them at the RKO proctor back in the day for $3.50 a ticket.
Seeing all these groups back then help shape me, kept me out of trouble. They put on
such a fantastic show each time i saw them live. It was a very exciting time in my life.
Clarence Rest in Peace my friend for God has a spot you. RIP!
Bless you It gives me hope and inspiration to hear that, that child graduated from college. I am a grandmother of two on the spectrum. The 6 year old will start kindergarden, and is still not talking, with out be coached and the 4 year old is talking some but not in a sentence. We are a whole family caring for these kids. I am sure you are a wonderful mom, this song came out in 1970 , my last year in Jr high. Loved it then, love it now. Again God Bless you, you've come through a lot!!
It's a LIVE mix (as in NOT a lame-ass lip-synch cop-out!) so that makes it even cooler than the original recording!! I LOVE the fact that they're actually playing it live!!
I have always felt comforted by this song.They have beautiful voices,like lullabies.I will always be greatly indebted to them...peace and bless you for this...
This was inspirational to a whole generation of Black Americans. That is where Funk started. with a ral message of hope. It's been fun! Later!
TVOne Unsung need to do a story on this group..The First Family of Soul
The Burke family out of Chicago great group, young Kenny Burke keep rising to the top
pure talent I love this song.
This is a GREAT song! Can't believe I found this video, but thanks so much for posting it!
Just found what show this was shot; The Barbara McNair Show 1971 in case anyone wants to know.
Thank you!
Anthony Mackey I remember her show comes on Saturday evening in new York on wor-tv channel 9. barabra McNeil she was fabulous too, more highly balanced than Leslie uggums. but I live Leslie too and her acting as well, including in the film black girl. so, Barbara show is in syndication.
Soooooo good. You can tell people have talent when they sound just as good live.
GOD....I SO MISS THE 70'S!!!!
I know right? My youngest is 24 & has always wished she couild've grown up in the 70s. im forever telling her stories. I hate being old, but absolutely loved growing up in the 70;s (6-16) & 80's (17-27).
I love live performances of classics like Ooh Child. This one is from the Barbara McNair show in 1970. That's her doing the interview in between the songs.
Actually brought me to tears. One of my favorite songs of all time. Thank you for the music Clarence. R.I.P.
I've heard this song so many times but this is the first time, VISUALLY, seeing this group.
Thanks for this one! never seen them perform live before, classic stuff! Right on!!~~
I had this album back in the day!!
They need an UNSUNG!!!! Mature voices, just pure and singing songs relevant TODAY
This group would practice at Tuley park on King Drive, southside Chicago, the girls would scream like they were the Black Beatles. Thanks for the memories!!
Ooh Child things are going to get easier!!!!! Don't ever forget this! We create our reality.
Aloha was so damn fine !
Thanx for this clip. I was looking for some clips of Jerome Brailey and didn't expect this. I like this one since I knew he was with this group at the time.
GREAT GREAT FANTASTIC WONDERFUL AND SUPER GROOVY!!! Thanks for posting this fab gear clip!!!
The Stairsteps were the coolest cats on the planet! Keni Burke went on to have a successful recording career, but I'm not sure about the others. This song must have been covered a hundred times, but none like the real deal!
I just realized how so many family groups that were prominent back in the late 60's early 70's and look at the institution of marriage now and can't imagine any family acts now.
What a great video,song, and group! Many Thanks, FJA New Jersey
What does this song mean to me?? Growing up in inner-city poverty with all the odds against you, this song provided a ray of hope. It allowed me to believe that there is a ray of hope that life could improve. Despite many difficulties I have realised the American Drean while remembering where I came from. Just thought I'd say thanks. Great Song!!!
Just gorgeous. That couldn't be more of a treat if it came with whipped cream and a cherry on top!
best song eva. God bless an thanks for posting.
gday luv
listen to this everyday
battered and bruised but
not broken not physically
someday I will walk in the rays of the beautiful
sun love this saw it on the show
61 years old and a survivor
love this that conga yep
when folks had talent and PRIDE..
Great video, this song stuck in my head for 40 years ( I blame my older sister), never knew they were a Chicago Family.
Thank you Stairsteps!
My brother was singing this song earlier today, got it stuck in my head. I love this song.
A Raiz de boas musicas de classicos como estes não só nos remete ao passado mas tambem mostra que ritimos com soul music .jazz blues,R e b eram artesanalmente , incrivelmente abençoados com arranjos. e vocais..que emociona quem aprecia a maior das artes.
He was sosososo incredible
He was the greatest
I love how they are killing the funky chicken on Vice the Light LOL!
Weren't They Doing It?! Lol....
June covid-19 2022
"Ooh-Child" Man! what if, what might have been had the group continued on
together. They had a strong 2 or 3 years of good recording success. But the music business being what it is, a corrupt business model breeds its share of discontent from artist though on the surface they may appear successful.
Well, the Stairs-Steps gave us what they had and I appreciate their effort and output. They definitely added to the soundtrack of my youth, and soul generation.
the song is SOUL HEAVEN. ITS BEEN IN MY HEART FOR SOOOO LONG.
I love this song. I put it on my youngest daughter's mp3 player... it worked, she loves it now as well.
I still lose it a little bit every goddamn time I hear this song. This was one of the very first songs I remember hearing on the radio (along with "I'll be there", and that one still levels me every time too. AM radio was magic to me at age 6.
i jus love dis song i cried on dis sung n i really love wen a band plays dis song i can listen 2 dis song all day
That drummer is on fire.
OMG dude on the bass at 05:15 is killin me with that white hat, I love the 70's, lol!!
There are not many songs that can pull your at your heart strings and this is one of them.
what a great time for music. i remember hearing this all over the radio back in the day.
The Ooh Child period was an experimental phase for the Steps// Such a pity that the performance they did on the TV show SOUL is not available. It was the one performance that would have silenced ALL critics of this performance.
This live version is a million times better than the lip-syncing I witnessed on the Soul Train performance.
This used to be a favorite song of mine as a young kid living in California listening to 93 KHJ.
#1 feel good song ever!
I never realized how many family group's were performing during the 60's and early 70's. Those days are definitely gone. What family wants to be together performing the nonsense that is out now.
Simple as that, things DO get easier! Thank you for your sharing part of your life with us, sanegirlio!
What a lovely song everbody should embrace.
I have their greatest hits. World of Fantasy, The Touch Of You, and Danger! She's a Stranger are my favs.
I love this group, verry underrated, excelent talent and smooth soul with real feeling from a musical family from the Windy City. The first record I owned was Ooh Child/Who Do You Belong to? The only LP I own is "Our Family Portrait" 1967, their first BUDDAH LP. Great Music
fuzzy dice n bongos in the back my ship of love is ready to attack
Awesome song. That afro is too cool
This saved my life as a kid also. Thank you for posting!
Omg,this video makes me cry every time i got here to see him!
tanx for life dude!
He was sosososo fantastic
hi craigstarr, thanks for the uploud..........Great!!
this song is amazing iunno somethin about the sound
makes you feel good
and the lyrics touch you
Craigstarr, let me extend a hearty thank you for posting this excellent performance! The film and sound quality are superb. Man, that song is a perfect wish for any New Year. I remember hearing that song first in "Boyz in the Hood"--Jason 'Furious' Styles (Laurence Fishburne) turns it up for his son to hear on the car radio--but I couldn't track that tune down on any compilations. Today it's featured in Will Smith's new film, "The Pursuit of Happyness." WAY TO GO FIVE STAIRSTEPS!!!!
A Great Time; Great Year;, Great Voices; The Best Song....
@sanegirlio Oh Girl. You too? I have sang this song all of my life. Once, years ago, my mother held my face in both of her hands because I was sobbing over losing a man. She started singing this to me softly as she gently wiped away my tears. I asked her how did she know. She smiled and answered, "It's your favorite song, I've heard you sing it for years." Congratulations on your baby's graduation !
peachfuzz1204 very heart warming I loss my son to Lupus as I read your piece. very sentimental.
Wow! All these years I thought it was only one of the brothers singing lead and the others were in the background. Didn't know they all took a turn. They're older than I thought too.
Yeah Yeah Martin... My Big Sister use to babysit him,... I'm all up in Hollywood now. And now that I've found you again. You will be too... MAN I MISS YALL...
I had this on original vinyl till an ex put a massive scratch through this beautiful track coz he knew how special it is to me, Love It still and can listen and see it on here so its all good!
Sooo beautiful,mistakes or not(didnt hear many).I like nothing in life more than watching old performances.I just cant get into the new stuff unless it has alot of soul.
Last I heard all but one lived in Atlanta. I know that Cubie (the baby of the family) went on to be a dancer for Dance Theater of Harlem and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He is now a dance instructor in Atlanta.
THIS is music thx for posting
the music business of the day freaked out when they heard this band from Chicago.
They were introduced to the Beatles, Billy Preston, and The Jackson 5...oh and the Isley Bros...well hell, EVERYBODY IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS!
WOW music has lost an important gem by the passing of Clarence Burke and now we all just got Beyoncé and Jay-Z, damn we have really fallen in terms of talent and imagination...
I remember seeing them in person when I was a teenager ( a long time ago ). This was before the other famous five came on the scene and blew the 5 Stairsteps out of the water.
Thank you for this.
Jerome is fucking fierce!!!!!!!!! Wish they recorded this version would of been hectic
I love this song.
He was sosososo awesome
Great song, i remember when this song was put on an end of a movie made in 1977 or 78 with Matt Dillon in it. Way before the days of Boyz N Hood made it popular again
I love this love it love it live!
He was sosososo underrated
@coreybrails96 it's called "VICE THE LIGHTS"that's what we used to say back in the day.and oh yeah,that's poppa stairstep on th deep deep voice.and dancin with lil cubie.love those stairsteps.the first family of soul,then along came michael.those were the days my friend,we'd thought they'd never end.
R.I.P. Cubie Edwin Burke
Ty...
He was sosososo superb
Yes, 'Over the Edge' was released in 1979/1980 I think.
Good movie and great song.
Drummer was locked in!
merci c est grace au film boys n hood que j ais connus cette belle chanson olalala llaaalala sa me fait penser a ma famille ma soeur ouidade