The origins of rock, when you get down to its basic elements, came from Black musicians - the Blues. Rock is basically the blues electrified, and played at a faster tempo. I am Black and can enjoy all types of music and not afraid to play it in front of people in my community. They call me a sellout, but I don't care. They just don't know the history of music. They don't know that our community laid the groundwork for the music I listen to, and that they can't stand. Just speculating, but other Black bands that had aspirations to follow Living Color back in the day, had the same fears of being labeled a so called sellout
A good friend of my husband, who happens to be black, experienced the same thing from his wife and kids! My hubby became friends with him when they worked together and went to his home met his family but they just couldn't listen to any rock music at all. We moved out of Chicago over 11 years ago but he still talks to him and they exchange Christmas cards and the whole nine yards. My husband loaned him a double set movie and music featuring Led Zeppelin(his buddies favorite band) and he was ecstatic!
I was going to say the same thing about the history of rock music. It's why I find this whole "reaction" thing so interesting because it's a "Me looking at you looking at me" sitution. As a white person who lives in a very white place I often wondered why there were not more black people playing rock music. I had high hopes for this band at the time this song came out. I often wondered why they didn't do more. Then you have prodigies like Jimmy Hendrix. It makes me sad to think that more people didn't play rock because they were thought to be "selling out". It really began with black people. Perhaps now with so many young black people experiencing thing music through this "reaction" format, maybe more young black people will be inspired to play it. It's like...It started with a bunch of white kids being inspired by the southern black music, they put their own musical traditions in it and Rock came out. Now if black people take it back and put all the hip hop influence into it...It's exciting to think what music could be made. Music is for sharing. Sharing is caring. :)
As a 50 year old who grew up on metal in the 80's, these guys were at the top of the list when this album came out. The entire debut album is musical gold through and through. Corey Glover gave metal a soulful voice it needed and Vernon Reid can go toe to toe with any guitar God in history.
This is the prime example of "speaking truth to power," about how many leaders cultivate that following of "true believers." The most recent example of course, was our last president (the Noisy Cheeto) who had his rabid followers even after he was ousted.
Vernon Reid could really shred on that guitar and Cory Glover could really belt it out, vocally! Malcolm X opening the song with "And during the few moments that we have left, We want to talk right down to earth in a language that everybody here can easily understand. JFK "ask not what your country can do for you. " and FDR closed with "the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself". Great reaction!
Ricky Jeffrey: word, Word, WORD. What this man said. Word. By the way, Ghandi and Mussolini were also assasinated. Vernon Reid is one of the BEST guitarists in the WORLD. Vernon Reid is G.O.A.T.
All of them are mofos. Both bass players. Corey of course. Will won the Buddy Rich prize at Berklee. Best drummer in his class! Vernon went to my High school, 10 yrs ahead of me
Oh yeah. He only gets do much respect cause after the 2nd album, Living Colour weren't as big. Dr. Know is another one. Great Player. Somebody mentioned Rocky George too.
Unfortunately, we also tend to do it with rock stars, athletes, actors, religious leaders & tv stars as well. The "cult of personality" covers more than just politics, and will always be relevant. You have to think for yourself.
@@chrisf.7980 Which is why I liked the little girl in the video. Through the course of the video, it looked like she was growing enraptured by the images of solidarity and conformity, but at the end, she shook her head as if to snap out of it, then exercised her power to turn the TV off.
The most impressive part is that this came out in the 80s. These guys were so far ahead of their time. And I love that you instantly knew that was Malcolm X at the beginning. Much respect.
Sean Mondout , it's not Danny Glover; they're actually not related (to their knowledge, anyway).... but Corey is related to Melle Mel (cousins) and a distant relative of Rick James...
That was Franklin D. Roosevelt at the end. "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself". Kennedy said the "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" part.
The Band: Cory Glover - Lead vocals, Vernon Reid - Guitar, Muz Skillings - Bass, and Will Calhoun - Drums. Other songs: Middle Man, Glamor Boy, An Open Letter To A Landlord, Elvis Is Dead, Type, Who Shot Ya?, and many others.
These guys still rock! Saw them live 2 years ago. Super friendly too. Stopped to talk to everyone and take pics. Great band. This whole album is amazing!!!!
The other black rock bands: Band of Gypsys (feat. Jimi Hendrix), Mother's Finest, a band called Death, Fishbone, Xavion, Jon Butcher, Living Colour of course, and Lenny Kravitz.
Gosh we loved this band. Corey Glover’s voice was made to rock with an element of soul. Vernon Reid is up there with Jimi Hendrix on that guitar. Go back and listen to the words. It’s about cult behavior... good and bad. They name several world leaders from JFK to MLK to Ghandi. They might be touchy now but in the 80s? This was an anthem to young people to who believe in freedom and equality. Go back and listen. You’re still caught in the group, check out the song. As far as the group being all black, remember our music came mostly from the radio. It wasn’t until MTV that we actually saw the band. So it really didn’t matter what they looked like. It was all about the music. I’ve seen recent interviews with Corey. He is my age and we grew up with music in the home and I feel he has a real understanding about the power music has.
Yeah. He is madd cool on Twitter. Discussing things w/ ppl. He had another band Masque. Living Color r back. Do albums every so often. Tour. They r bigger in Europe
That guitar player is the great Vernon Reid. He's absolutely amazing. Another that might blow your mind is the inimitable Stevie Ray Vaughan: Texas Flood (live at El Mocambo).
One of the best bands to come out of the 80s. Loved this whole debut album. Insane guitar skills. Sad that our species just never seems to learn. 30 years on, same issues.
That is Vernon Reid on lead guitar. Also plays lead in the band Sexual Chocolate in a coming to America. Corey Glover is in Charlie Sheens platoon in the movie Platoon. “Where gonna get a high high.”
If you go back and watch the movie "Platoon", towards the end when a soldier tells Charlie Sheen "we gonna get HIGH high"....that soldier was this lead singer, his name is Corey Glover, I think he's Danny Glover's cousin actually, they look similar, especially now that Corey's older....and yes, Vernon Reed is a guitar god, he shreds, and he was voted as one of the top 100 guitarists ever for good reason.... 🤘🏻🇺🇸
Vernon Reid, one of my favorite guitarists. Was sad when Living Colour broke up. Vernon is one of the most under rated guitar players, just like Prince. You should react or review, Open Letter To A Landlord. All their albums are dope.
The "we have nothing to fear but fear itself" was FDR (Frank Roosevelt), I believe. The "ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country", I believe was JFK. If you want a song about the slain civil rights leaders, check out "Abraham, Martin and John" by Dion, which is about Lincoln, MLK and JFK with an extra verse thrown in about Bobby Kennedy. If you haven't reacted to it yet, it would be a good one.
I take it you WERE surprised. 😆. The band's lead singer Corey Glover is the nephew of actor Danny Glover. Vernon Reid is THAT guitarist. Another all black rock band from way back is Mothers Finest. Mickey's Monkey and Baby Love were their biggest hits.
And Dr King!!! “ when a leader speaks, a leader dies”. Everything by them is fantastic and socially conscious. This was around ‘88. Can you believe it?
Great reaction! Imagine seeing this on MTV as a 7 year boy. Totally changed my life. Amazing song, amazing message. We need more songs like this right now. Also, Vernon is a guitar legend. A true national treasure. Keep up the good work!
Lead singer Corey Glover was an aspiring actor when guitarist Vernon Reid reportedly saw him sing “Happy Birthday” at a friend’s party and recruited him into Living Color. Nice review! You may also enjoy “the glamour boys”
Believe it or not Jayy Vernon Reid and Cory Glover were very influential in the 80's & 90's rock era. Very talented and well respected musicians. Had nothing to do with their color but with their message and talent. I had the privilege seeing them play live. Mad props to true artists!
🤘🤘❤🤘🤘 Fun fact, Vernon the lead guitarist played the riff on Black Cat one of Janet Jacksons songs on Rythm Nation the album. He also toured with her on the tour for that album, and he played on every song live!!!! It was fantastic!!! 🤗❤✌
Almost every song by them is as good as most other groups. Very underrated. Just go through each album song by song. Open letter, funny vibe, broken hearts, nothingness, flying, glamour boys, etc.
Vernon Reid is a show to watch,also in his other bands.l was lucky to be at the Living color concert more than twenty yrs ago,watching this brought out some memories...
Living Colour, Awesome AF.... When I first saw them, many ages past via MTV (before MTV turned into a Debauchery & VH1). I was EXCITED - I still am - to see an all Black Group Protest current affairs and future affairs through a solid medium for all to hear. In the age of their stardom they were pioneer's, among other groups, like RAGE Against the Machine and Phill Collins Paradise....these songs attempted to wake an audience to raising power's and politics using History / Historical medium's to do just that. The idea ( like the Song 14 or Fight from the 60' / 70's ) was to inspire people to become more "Proactive" in their Government's to maintain balance and equality. Yes, Malcolm X is the 1st voice at the start and Ex - U.S. General (WWII) and Ex - President Roosevelt was the Last. I could go on for days about this Song, but you nor those here have that kind of time, unless you choose to make that time...protest's aren't just about picket lines and crowded street's ( Woodstock was in its action a Protest throughout ).
great song, it really punches you in the face - some of the lyrics: when a leader speaks that leader dies'; you give me power in your God's name; I'm everything you need to be -- which dictator, which demagogue comes to mind for you in particular? How safe is leader worship, but how necessary to motivate the people?
I love Living Colour, and have for over 30 years now. I have seen them live at least 10 times, and they always rock. They have so much music that is great, and most of it is very deep both in lyrics and in how they put their music together. Their newest album came out in 2017, and is called Shade, their tribute to the blues that is the base of rock music. I love Bless Those from that one, although they also do their own versions of some blues classics. Their second album was Time’s Up, and my favorite one from that was Type, although Time’s Up is still timely. They use so many different types of music in their work, and they are all amazing. I hope you check them out some more. They didn’t have a hit as big as this one, but it was always a struggle for them to get air time and label support because they didn’t fit any of the usual boxes. They probably would not have gotten a record deal at all if it wasn’t for Mick Jagger, which is a shame because their music is so good.
They had fans. They were big in NYC. I am from there. Vernon went to my HS. They just had a following w/ the College , alternative crowd. They were opening for Anthrax but gad sold more records. Time' s up was better than Vivid. The 3rd record was good too. They r out playing again. After the pandemic, look for them
So glad to see this group is finally getting some recognition by being a staple of this summers festival concert circuit. This band crushes every song. Huge crowds going nuts.
Cory Glover if you didn't know this came out in the movie Platoon I can't remember the name of the character he played but he was in the foxhole with Charlie Sheen b4 they were over run by the Vietcong. Cory is the lead singer.
Vernon Reid was such a underrated guitarist. This song came out in the mid 80’s. I still jam this song today. The guitar solos give goosebumps every time. I love watching people’s reactions to this song.
I'm really loving watching you explore the music that molded me growing up. I'm thankful for it, if I hadn't been sneaking these cassettes I don't think I'd have learned really important lessons so early on. We desperately need more black rock bands, the stereotype that you have to rap if you're black and the industry making it so hard is because they know damn well the people who need to understand certain things probably don't listen to or understand rap, so you get the message out through rock and roll but that's a huge no no for the big wigs who like things how they are. Its culture control. Ignorance and racism go hand in hand because in this case, it's almost a form of brainwashing that I don't think most see for what it is.
The year this song came out was around the time the movie Platoon came out. My brother had a VHS tape of this song. He wanted me to listen and didn’t show me the VHS tape and then said this band is all black. That shocked me because the lead singer was also in the movie Platoon. Looks and sounds like 2 different people. The movie was about Vietnam war and he had short hair. I still have the album and cassette ❤️ they are still touring. The lead singer is the same, probably about 59yrs old. The others I’m not sure if they are the originals or have been replaced
Vernon Reid is a guitar player's guitar player - he loves collecting gear and making new/interesting sounds and pushing the instrument to extremes. This song was and still is one of the most powerful hard rock songs there is. Everyone in that band is excellent and they can still pull off this song as good as and maybe even better than back in the day.
Vernon Reid the guitarist, also played on Mariah Carey's song Someday. Living Colour is definitely is one of the most underrated bands of the late 80's/early 90's. Check out "Open Letter To A Landlord" also off the same CD "Vivid" as this song. Vivid is the name of their first CD. Trust me, this is definite MUST HAVE for anyone's CD collection.
God I remember waiting by the radio to catch this one on tape. Still an epic song, and given the state of the world today, I this it fits even more so now than then.
I my self! The first time I heard this song! I thought they where white rocking to this song! My surprise when I saw the video was priceless! No disrespect! They're where a big hit when they came out with this song!👌😎👍I get chills listening to this song! Amazing vocals and guitar, drums, and base!
I'm guitarist who's been at it since the mid 70's. Rock guitar is a marriage of the minor pentatonic and the major pentatonic including the blue note. That's Blues and country. Hendrix did it so did Stevie Ray Vaughan. They called it Rockabilly. A mixture of the dark minor with the bright major.
This band. Was so much life! They were the first band I saw live because they were opening for the stones. How lucky was I? ! Holy crisp they n so much to me. Shout out to my dads who took me to that show in 89. The man that gave me the music. I wish I could tag him. But he’s not on here... but I’ll send it to him. ❤️
The origins of rock, when you get down to its basic elements, came from Black musicians - the Blues. Rock is basically the blues electrified, and played at a faster tempo. I am Black and can enjoy all types of music and not afraid to play it in front of people in my community. They call me a sellout, but I don't care. They just don't know the history of music. They don't know that our community laid the groundwork for the music I listen to, and that they can't stand. Just speculating, but other Black bands that had aspirations to follow Living Color back in the day, had the same fears of being labeled a so called sellout
You are absolutely right you nailed it
A good friend of my husband, who happens to be black, experienced the same thing from his wife and kids! My hubby became friends with him when they worked together and went to his home met his family but they just couldn't listen to any rock music at all. We moved out of Chicago over 11 years ago but he still talks to him and they exchange Christmas cards and the whole nine yards. My husband loaned him a double set movie and music featuring Led Zeppelin(his buddies favorite band) and he was ecstatic!
I was going to say the same thing about the history of rock music. It's why I find this whole "reaction" thing so interesting because it's a "Me looking at you looking at me" sitution. As a white person who lives in a very white place I often wondered why there were not more black people playing rock music. I had high hopes for this band at the time this song came out. I often wondered why they didn't do more. Then you have prodigies like Jimmy Hendrix. It makes me sad to think that more people didn't play rock because they were thought to be "selling out". It really began with black people. Perhaps now with so many young black people experiencing thing music through this "reaction" format, maybe more young black people will be inspired to play it. It's like...It started with a bunch of white kids being inspired by the southern black music, they put their own musical traditions in it and Rock came out. Now if black people take it back and put all the hip hop influence into it...It's exciting to think what music could be made. Music is for sharing. Sharing is caring. :)
Well said my UA-cam friend
You need to see their live performance of this song on The arsenio Hall show.
Also look up King's X song Over My Head.
As a 50 year old who grew up on metal in the 80's, these guys were at the top of the list when this album came out. The entire debut album is musical gold through and through. Corey Glover gave metal a soulful voice it needed and Vernon Reid can go toe to toe with any guitar God in history.
I wouldn't change a word of what you said.
True. Muzz was a good bassist. The 2nd album was better than Vivid. They always had chops
Lyrically it is one of the best written songs ever . I think intellectually this song goes over many peoples heads .
Love the lyrics to this song.
Highly advanced political observations.
"I exploit you.Still you love me.I tell you one and one makes three."
And this song’s observations are EXTREMELY relevant right now.
I love the fact their political message is right in your face.
Not my head I love it
This is the prime example of "speaking truth to power," about how many leaders cultivate that following of "true believers." The most recent example of course, was our last president (the Noisy Cheeto) who had his rabid followers even after he was ousted.
Vernon Reid could really shred on that guitar and Cory Glover could really belt it out, vocally! Malcolm X opening the song with "And during the few moments that we have left, We want to talk right down to earth in a language that everybody here can easily understand. JFK "ask not what your country can do for you. " and FDR closed with "the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself". Great reaction!
Why are using past tense language? Vernon and Corey can still do those things.
@@fildog5150 point taken. Of course, you are correct.
Ricky Jeffrey: word, Word, WORD. What this man said. Word. By the way, Ghandi and Mussolini were also assasinated. Vernon Reid is one of the BEST guitarists in the WORLD. Vernon Reid is G.O.A.T.
@@fildog5150 so can Doug. So can WC!
Mussolini was not assassinated. He was executed by his country for war crimes and dictatorship.
Living Colour was no joke. Each member is a superior musician.
They're still a working band. Their live show is phenomenal.
And possibly one of the most underrated bands ever. Especially "that guitar player" Vernon Reid. A guitar god for sure.
Vernon Reid is that dude
Don't forget Muzz cuz everyone duz...
@@jerkwater407this bass player duzz nawt fawgeht da Muzz….
Vernon is a guitar god!!!!!! He was well respected and considered one of the top guys. Regardless of race.
...you mean like Hendrix :)
All of them are mofos. Both bass players. Corey of course. Will won the Buddy Rich prize at Berklee. Best drummer in his class! Vernon went to my High school, 10 yrs ahead of me
Vernon Reid is a beast on that guitar!!!
Oh yeah. He only gets do much respect cause after the 2nd album, Living Colour weren't as big. Dr. Know is another one. Great Player. Somebody mentioned Rocky George too.
Vernon is universally respected by those who have heard his work but I think he's still severely underrated.
“When a leader speaks,that leader dies.” Gets me every time- I’d love to see your brother react with you!❤️👍✌️
Best and most hard hitting line in the song especially since many of the actual voices in the song were assassinated. Malcom, MLK, and Kennedy
I've always gotten chills from the line "You gave me power in your god's name."
These guys were the real deal. Would have been great if they stuck around longer. This song still slaps so many years later.
They're still around.
They are still around making music. They get together and tour often. Releasing a few albums along the way. They didn't stop in 1988.
@@neuroticandroid that's great to know!
@@GatorScribe726 I see them every chance I get
They broke up after the 3rd album. They got back together tho. Saw them some years back. Killing it still
it is about how easily we treat politicians and leaders as "gods" instead of human.
Unfortunately, we also tend to do it with rock stars, athletes, actors, religious leaders & tv stars as well. The "cult of personality" covers more than just politics, and will always be relevant. You have to think for yourself.
@@chrisf.7980 AMEN.
@@chrisf.7980 Which is why I liked the little girl in the video. Through the course of the video, it looked like she was growing enraptured by the images of solidarity and conformity, but at the end, she shook her head as if to snap out of it, then exercised her power to turn the TV off.
This song changed the ignorant views of a lot of my friends.
The most impressive part is that this came out in the 80s. These guys were so far ahead of their time. And I love that you instantly knew that was Malcolm X at the beginning. Much respect.
The lead singer Cory Glover played "Francis" in the movie Platoon. They are a very underrated band, great reaction.
Sean Mondout , it's not Danny Glover; they're actually not related (to their knowledge, anyway).... but Corey is related to Melle Mel (cousins) and a distant relative of Rick James...
The guitar player is Vernon Reed. We have mutual friends & met a few years back. Really nice guy!
Vernon Reid is His name.
That was Franklin D. Roosevelt at the end. "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself". Kennedy said the "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" part.
The Band: Cory Glover - Lead vocals, Vernon Reid - Guitar, Muz Skillings - Bass, and Will Calhoun - Drums. Other songs: Middle Man, Glamor Boy, An Open Letter To A Landlord, Elvis Is Dead, Type, Who Shot Ya?, and many others.
These guys still rock! Saw them live 2 years ago. Super friendly too. Stopped to talk to everyone and take pics. Great band. This whole album is amazing!!!!
The surprise was not the color of the band but the freakin awesome performance!
The other black rock bands: Band of Gypsys (feat. Jimi Hendrix), Mother's Finest, a band called Death, Fishbone, Xavion, Jon Butcher, Living Colour of course, and Lenny Kravitz.
I saw them live back in the day when they opened for the Rolling Stones. They did not disappoint. Great band!
Mick is given a lot of credit for discovering them and getting them noticed and signed
"I exploit you, yet you love me." Indeed.
Gosh we loved this band. Corey Glover’s voice was made to rock with an element of soul. Vernon Reid is up there with Jimi Hendrix on that guitar. Go back and listen to the words. It’s about cult behavior... good and bad. They name several world leaders from JFK to MLK to Ghandi. They might be touchy now but in the 80s? This was an anthem to young people to who believe in freedom and equality. Go back and listen. You’re still caught in the group, check out the song. As far as the group being all black, remember our music came mostly from the radio. It wasn’t until MTV that we actually saw the band. So it really didn’t matter what they looked like. It was all about the music.
I’ve seen recent interviews with Corey. He is my age and we grew up with music in the home and I feel he has a real understanding about the power music has.
They ain't no Glamour Boys 🤘 They FIERCE!!
Vernon Reid, a very underrated guitarist. Love him. He is still actively playing I believe.
Yeah. He is madd cool on Twitter. Discussing things w/ ppl. He had another band Masque. Living Color r back. Do albums every so often. Tour. They r bigger in Europe
That guitar player is the great Vernon Reid. He's absolutely amazing.
Another that might blow your mind is the inimitable Stevie Ray Vaughan:
Texas Flood (live at El Mocambo).
Black rock bands are a rarity.
Check out the Band "Body Count".
CM Punk always comes to my mind when I hear this song
Check out this band called Body Count the song is called The Winners Lose The Lead Singer is Ice-T
One of the best bands to come out of the 80s. Loved this whole debut album. Insane guitar skills. Sad that our species just never seems to learn. 30 years on, same issues.
That is Vernon Reid on lead guitar. Also plays lead in the band Sexual Chocolate in a coming to America.
Corey Glover is in Charlie Sheens platoon in the movie Platoon. “Where gonna get a high high.”
yup. Stabs himself in the leg later
Thats boys good, that boy's good!
If you go back and watch the movie "Platoon", towards the end when a soldier tells Charlie Sheen "we gonna get HIGH high"....that soldier was this lead singer, his name is Corey Glover, I think he's Danny Glover's cousin actually, they look similar, especially now that Corey's older....and yes, Vernon Reed is a guitar god, he shreds, and he was voted as one of the top 100 guitarists ever for good reason.... 🤘🏻🇺🇸
Vernon Reid, one of my favorite guitarists. Was sad when Living Colour broke up. Vernon is one of the most under rated guitar players, just like Prince. You should react or review, Open Letter To A Landlord. All their albums are dope.
Love this band, love this song.
This song never gets old
Ice T has a African American rock band called body count
Body Count is metal and they are multi-cultural. Their Slayer cover is jammin
Slayer & Ice-T - Disorder („Judgement Night“ Soundtrack)
@@jon-pauldupont5746 it is actually a medley of the UK punk band Exploited. With some added lyrics from Slayer and Ice T
@@neuroticandroid I meant the cover of raining blood and Postmortem that they did ua-cam.com/video/LPHJLB1ZeAc/v-deo.html
@@jon-pauldupont5746 oh OK, that one is really good too. As is the cover of Institutionalized.
The "we have nothing to fear but fear itself" was FDR (Frank Roosevelt), I believe. The "ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country", I believe was JFK.
If you want a song about the slain civil rights leaders, check out "Abraham, Martin and John" by Dion, which is about Lincoln, MLK and JFK with an extra verse thrown in about Bobby Kennedy. If you haven't reacted to it yet, it would be a good one.
I take it you WERE surprised. 😆. The band's lead singer Corey Glover is the nephew of actor Danny Glover. Vernon Reid is THAT guitarist. Another all black rock band from way back is Mothers Finest. Mickey's Monkey and Baby Love were their biggest hits.
Yes at that time it was shocking because it was new but it was also accepted. It was a hit song but no one black afterwards followed behind.
One of the BEST Rock Bands and they STILL are AWESOME!! LOVE them! Such talent...real Black Magic!!
And Dr King!!! “ when a leader speaks, a leader dies”. Everything by them is fantastic and socially conscious. This was around ‘88. Can you believe it?
This is my generation, when MTV was the real meal deal, this video was so powerful! And still relevant today. I never tire of hearing this song.
Great reaction! Imagine seeing this on MTV as a 7 year boy. Totally changed my life. Amazing song, amazing message. We need more songs like this right now. Also, Vernon is a guitar legend. A true national treasure. Keep up the good work!
Check out this band called Body Count The Winners Lose The Lead Singer is Ice-T
"I'm surprised as a fiddlestick" lol you're so cute
Lead singer Corey Glover was an aspiring actor when guitarist Vernon Reid reportedly saw him sing “Happy Birthday” at a friend’s party and recruited him into Living Color. Nice review! You may also enjoy “the glamour boys”
Believe it or not Jayy Vernon Reid and Cory Glover were very influential in the 80's & 90's rock era. Very talented and well respected musicians. Had nothing to do with their color but with their message and talent. I had the privilege seeing them play live. Mad props to true artists!
Yes! Check out Open Letter; powerful lyrics and ripping bass line.
This band is amazing. Really liked them. Great lyrics, great message
🤘🤘❤🤘🤘 Fun fact, Vernon the lead guitarist played the riff on Black Cat one of Janet Jacksons songs on Rythm Nation the album. He also toured with her on the tour for that album, and he played on every song live!!!! It was fantastic!!! 🤗❤✌
Vernon Reid probably went through a lot of whammy bars playing this over the years 😆
Many people don't know also that Cory Glover was Francis in the movie Platoon.
And yes, as has been said Vernon Reid is a legend.
Almost every song by them is as good as most other groups. Very underrated. Just go through each album song by song. Open letter, funny vibe, broken hearts, nothingness, flying, glamour boys, etc.
Vernon Reid is a show to watch,also in his other bands.l was lucky to be at the Living color concert more than twenty yrs ago,watching this brought out some memories...
Living Colour, Awesome AF.... When I first saw them, many ages past via MTV (before MTV turned into a Debauchery & VH1). I was EXCITED - I still am - to see an all Black Group Protest current affairs and future affairs through a solid medium for all to hear. In the age of their stardom they were pioneer's, among other groups, like RAGE Against the Machine and Phill Collins Paradise....these songs attempted to wake an audience to raising power's and politics using History / Historical medium's to do just that. The idea ( like the Song 14 or Fight from the 60' / 70's ) was to inspire people to become more "Proactive" in their Government's to maintain balance and equality. Yes, Malcolm X is the 1st voice at the start and Ex - U.S. General (WWII) and Ex - President Roosevelt was the Last. I could go on for days about this Song, but you nor those here have that kind of time, unless you choose to make that time...protest's aren't just about picket lines and crowded street's ( Woodstock was in its action a Protest throughout ).
"Wow!" exactly. They're still a working band and their live show is astounding.
It's a great song. Love it. Listened to it many times in the 90's.
So appropriate for today’s news. Awesome 👏
Vernon Reid is underrated as a guitarist, the man could shred.
Can shred.
That dude was all over guitar magazines back in the day. He wasn’t underrated at all. He was held in high regard in the guitar community’s
James, he said is underrated, not was.
They did play a JFK clip near the end but the final words were Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
You need to listen to their song called " Type and watch the Video of the song . It also has a message.
Still so relevant today!!! Great lyrics, great music!!! Powerful!!!
One of the BEST songs ever! Love it! It’s a classic.
great song, it really punches you in the face - some of the lyrics: when a leader speaks that leader dies'; you give me power in your God's name; I'm everything you need to be -- which dictator, which demagogue comes to mind for you in particular? How safe is leader worship, but how necessary to motivate the people?
I love Living Colour, and have for over 30 years now. I have seen them live at least 10 times, and they always rock. They have so much music that is great, and most of it is very deep both in lyrics and in how they put their music together. Their newest album came out in 2017, and is called Shade, their tribute to the blues that is the base of rock music. I love Bless Those from that one, although they also do their own versions of some blues classics. Their second album was Time’s Up, and my favorite one from that was Type, although Time’s Up is still timely. They use so many different types of music in their work, and they are all amazing. I hope you check them out some more. They didn’t have a hit as big as this one, but it was always a struggle for them to get air time and label support because they didn’t fit any of the usual boxes. They probably would not have gotten a record deal at all if it wasn’t for Mick Jagger, which is a shame because their music is so good.
They had fans. They were big in NYC. I am from there. Vernon went to my HS. They just had a following w/ the College , alternative crowd. They were opening for Anthrax but gad sold more records. Time' s up was better than Vivid. The 3rd record was good too. They r out playing again. After the pandemic, look for them
Seeing all your responses makes ME want Blow the truth out. WOW. Believe what you want, but check your HEART.
The whole damn band was awesome!
Check out Black Death, a heavy metal band from Cleveland that originally had all Black members. They released an album in 1984.
One of the most underrated/overlooked bands ever!!!! They were/are amazing!!!!
One of the best rockbands of the 80's. One of the most overlooked as well.
They opened the door for other Black Heavy Metal groups like King's X.
Open Letter to a Landlord is another amazing song from them.
Solace of you
Nothingness
Type
They do great covers of James Brown and Jimi Hendrix too
1988 and I bought the Living Colour album "Vivid" . This song is the first track, and I still play it. Its great.
Yep. These guys were a straight up hard rock group... all black. Great stuff.
in the WWE this Wrestler name CM Punk had that Song for His Ring Entrance Music
So glad to see this group is finally getting some recognition by being a staple of this summers festival concert circuit. This band crushes every song. Huge crowds going nuts.
Yes, Vernon Reid is amazing, and Cory Glover voice is crazy.
Cory Glover if you didn't know this came out in the movie Platoon I can't remember the name of the character he played but he was in the foxhole with Charlie Sheen b4 they were over run by the Vietcong. Cory is the lead singer.
Vernon Reid was such a underrated guitarist. This song came out in the mid 80’s. I still jam this song today. The guitar solos give goosebumps every time. I love watching people’s reactions to this song.
Such a great band....Vernon Reid is an amazing guitar player
Great talent..Love this band
I'm really loving watching you explore the music that molded me growing up. I'm thankful for it, if I hadn't been sneaking these cassettes I don't think I'd have learned really important lessons so early on. We desperately need more black rock bands, the stereotype that you have to rap if you're black and the industry making it so hard is because they know damn well the people who need to understand certain things probably don't listen to or understand rap, so you get the message out through rock and roll but that's a huge no no for the big wigs who like things how they are. Its culture control. Ignorance and racism go hand in hand because in this case, it's almost a form of brainwashing that I don't think most see for what it is.
That band was so underrated.
Another incredible black guitarist that absolutely shreds; Rocky George formerly of Suicidal Tendencies
Good shout out! Truly forgotten
Kickass tune.
“I exploit you, still you love me” sums it up right there
I just wish more people knew about this excellent Rock Band AND this song which is still so relevant today!
The year this song came out was around the time the movie Platoon came out. My brother had a VHS tape of this song. He wanted me to listen and didn’t show me the VHS tape and then said this band is all black. That shocked me because the lead singer was also in the movie Platoon. Looks and sounds like 2 different people. The movie was about Vietnam war and he had short hair. I still have the album and cassette ❤️ they are still touring. The lead singer is the same, probably about 59yrs old. The others I’m not sure if they are the originals or have been replaced
Vernon Reid is a guitar player's guitar player - he loves collecting gear and making new/interesting sounds and pushing the instrument to extremes. This song was and still is one of the most powerful hard rock songs there is. Everyone in that band is excellent and they can still pull off this song as good as and maybe even better than back in the day.
Everyone in that band is a dammed MASTER of what they do!!!
Especially Vernon Reid!!! (The guitarist)
One of my favorite bands of all time!
I feel so old now 😂 I rocked out to this in highschool. The guitarist is one of the best in the world.
Mr. Reid's BLISTERING guitar work is extraordinary, iconic and really stands out by itself. Talented gentlemen in this group!!
Hi from L.A
Love your Channel
Saw Living Colour in 1989 at the L.A Coliseum with the Rolling Sones and Guns and Roses .
They Rocked
Vernon Reid the guitarist, also played on Mariah Carey's song Someday. Living Colour is definitely is one of the most underrated bands of the late 80's/early 90's. Check out "Open Letter To A Landlord" also off the same CD "Vivid" as this song. Vivid is the name of their first CD. Trust me, this is definite MUST HAVE for anyone's CD collection.
I agree. I'm a fan since 1988 and see them live only once in my life. But it was a blast !!
Such a great band and guitarist
Love them. I saw them in 1988 when they opened for Public Enemy. So good!
God I remember waiting by the radio to catch this one on tape. Still an epic song, and given the state of the world today, I this it fits even more so now than then.
"Open Letter (to a Landlord)" is another off this album that was played on the MTV thang.
I my self! The first time I heard this song! I thought they where white rocking to this song! My surprise when I saw the video was priceless! No disrespect! They're where a big hit when they came out with this song!👌😎👍I get chills listening to this song! Amazing vocals and guitar, drums, and base!
Living Colour has LOTS of great songs!! Please feel free to react to more of their music! They are GREAT!!
I'm guitarist who's been at it since the mid 70's. Rock guitar is a marriage of the minor pentatonic and the major pentatonic including the blue note. That's Blues and country. Hendrix did it so did Stevie Ray Vaughan. They called it Rockabilly. A mixture of the dark minor with the bright major.
This band. Was so much life! They were the first band I saw live because they were opening for the stones. How lucky was I? ! Holy crisp they n so much to me. Shout out to my dads who took me to that show in 89. The man that gave me the music. I wish I could tag him. But he’s not on here... but I’ll send it to him. ❤️