Yes but keep in mind that it was still very hard for Blacks to get on TV. He was probably told to do it. Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys (1944-1983) sang lead on this Song on Shindig before Brian had his Nervous Breakdown. He did a really good job too. In those days it was a common practice to cover songs as Filler to fulfill an album contract to have certain amount of songs on the album.
just saw an interview by grateful dead bassist phil lesh. he said that the guitar player on this record is the indescribable jerry garcia. Could be the earliest recording of ol jer out there and im sure many dead heads dont even know. Jerry would have been 16 years old which also blows my mind!
interesting as i couldn't find the phil interview, but i did find this article which points out that jerry did not play on this song, but did play on other bobby songs: bestclassicbands.com/singer-bobby-freeman-obituary-1-30-17/
Great musicians have to start somewhere, often as an anonymous session musician who performs on a record for some pocket money. Neal Sedaka got his start on the small Melba label, playing the chimes in “Church Bella mat Ring” by the Willows. Jimi Hendrix was employed by Little Richard in the early 1960s.
This is Bobby Freeman's Biggest selling single as it is Called Do You Wanna Dance from 1958 just missed going to No1 in The U-S got to No2 in the U-S Singles Chart
And once again, Dick Clark's audience spoils a perfectly good performance by clapping on the one and the three instead of the two and the four. Bobby's great here, theatrics, props and elephant aside. Nice intro by Tony Randall, too.
Well, some of them were. It looks to me like a lot of them were clapping along with a different song altogether, with a completely different tempo and everything else.
Now I realize why the tempo of the song is much faster than in the record. Bobby wanted to get out of this ridiculous, humiliating misery as soon as possible!
Wrong. That whole show was circus themed. All of the acts were dressed accordingly and had similar circus interactions. And Bobby was one of the most respected and admired performers of the 1950's and the 1960's. Nobody was attempting to demean him with this show. (It's also interesting to see that the elephant was heading toward the audience and Bobby was blocking it with his body, pushing it backward onto the stage.)
@@ezerlenewatkins9644 “American Bandstand” often used a different theme and the guest performers had to dress accordingly. When The Skyliners appeared, the show ran on a “western” theme so they all had to dress like they were appearing on “Gun smoke”. (That performance can also be found on UA-cam.) It looks silly today but that’s how it was back then.
Yep I've to admit that costume was mighty ridiculous . (poor Bobby) but you can't help remember this performance forever. His music was top self as far as I was concerned.
Learned something from this video some people dont know the difference between the costume of a Ringmaster and a Lawn Jockey or what they wore on a Minstrel Show. If you are not completely certain about these things best to stay silent.
There were a lot of strange things on TV back then, remember, those were the pioneer days. I will say, this was rather bizarre. But I love the song, and Bobby Freeman was a class act. Does anyone know why the crowd was clapping in that particular way during the song? Just curious, thx.
looks likesome people are clapping on the downbeat "1 and 3" and others are clapping on "2 and 4" making it sound like it's on all 4 beats, which is definitely a weird way to clap along to a song.
! sure is. ..and that elephant goosing him, They must've been onsite at a circus with many acts coming on, different stages perhaps, music etc and this was some of it filmed for dick clark show that day
Shin Obi It's just something to think about. Like when you look at a giant redwood and realize that it was a sapling when Jesus was preaching in the streets of Jerusalem, or think that Susanna Jones, who is still alive, was already a teenager when World War I started.
From tv.com: AIRED: 4/26/58 Saturday Night Beechnut Show. April 26, 1958 - Circus-themed show --Connie Francis - "Who's Sorry Now?" --Bobby Freeman - "Do You Want to Dance?" --The Chordettes - "Lollipop" and "Zorro." --Tony Randall (actor) talks about his role in the Broadway musical-comedy "Oh, Captain!." Additional guests/songs (scheduled): --Somethin' Smith & the Redheads - "My Secret Inspiration." --Melvin Smith - "Open the Door, Richard." tv.com also says Bobby chose to do this show to get coverage and bowed out of another gig he was scheduled to do.) Beechnut GUM sponsored these shows which ended up so popular the company outsold other gums. Viewers may have noticed young people busily chewing gum which was as promotion given out to people who mailed in labels and ticked off the post office ;) (from Historical Almanac of Rock n Roll) Bobby was one of many who had RECURRING ROLE on it. Children and their mothers surely got a thrill watching this and dancing up a storm. I got to see the circus only once as a kid; to this day I'd "give my eye teeth" to be able to dance with a baby elephant and especially ... to go to the circus once again; to see Bobby or any music star of that era today on stage with a little "Dumbo".
I went to a circus when I was 6. I didn't like it, and frankly I was bored. Went to a zoo for the first time in 1967, when I was 11, and felt there was something wrong. Well now in 2021, none of that type of circus exist here in the UK, and the zoos are much improved.
Both did good!! The only fucked up shit was the outfit!!!! I would have declined. But remember this was the 50's & bobby probably didnt have a choice!!
He was having fun and so was the elephant, you know every body today is judging the past by current standards,. Would you prefer this never happened, Bobby Freeman was never on Dick Clark, the elephant never got paid...LOL
@hapi jen On behalf of elephants everywhere, your comment is insulting. You're probably just jealous because you don't have an elephant in your own life.
Elvis Presley dressed in a top hat, white tie and tails singing to a hound dog on the Steve Allen TV Show was farcical. This is even worse,,,, PS.. Thanks for uploading this piece of...................... Rock n Roll history
Dressing the great Bobby Freeman as a ring master and having him dance with an elephant, who was the Einstein who conceived that? The hoops Bobby had to jump through to appear on network TV. The man's terrific pipes alone should have paved the way for that without any humiliating gimmicks forced on Bobby,
Ridiculous set up, but it was 1958. Bobby you sound great. Love that song. ❤
It was 1958 people... Lots of other people covered this song. I just hope he got his royalties. He passed away this year in January 2017. RIP.
Yes but keep in mind that it was still very hard for Blacks to get on TV. He was probably told to do it. Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys (1944-1983) sang lead on this Song on Shindig before Brian had his Nervous Breakdown. He did a really good job too. In those days it was a common practice to cover songs as Filler to fulfill an album contract to have certain amount of songs on the album.
You’re exactly right Phyllis. And let’s not forget this is not too far removed from the era of Vaudeville. Thankyou for your post.
Thanks u ✌🏻👍🏼👌💕🌹🙏
Was the elephant to distract from him being black then? They would rather have the circus than a black performer?
The Del Shannon and Ramones versions are just perfect. As is this original
RIP Bobby. I wished they stil made music like this today.
One of the Very Best tunes of 1958 as it is by Bobby Freeman with Do You Wanna Dance
This is HORRIFIC
i liked Dick Clark..had good personality..great.guests..made day when i was a young teenager!! rip Dick clark !!
Sjcdc CO. ☝️
Just love this song. Great singer and entertainer. Died way to young. 😊
love this song !!! American graffti Fan !! thanks Bobby freeman u were so Handsome !!!!
Great RnR I broght the Original 45 in 1991 in New Jersey . And since a have these, i like his Musik !
Look for Bobby's "Need Your Love" (late 1958). It's one of his best.
RIP, Bobby loved your music..
This is HORRIFIC
@@rockyruane9379 the music is good but you right the scene it's really sad to see
Bobby and the elephant both brilliant, seeking a better life in a constrained reality.
Agree 💜💜💜🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏼🙏🏼💕✌🏼
Yeah, it's actually very disturbing watching this, fuckin' racist USA, still racist as fuck.
just saw an interview by grateful dead bassist phil lesh. he said that the guitar player on this record is the indescribable jerry garcia. Could be the earliest recording of ol jer out there and im sure many dead heads dont even know. Jerry would have been 16 years old which also blows my mind!
interesting as i couldn't find the phil interview, but i did find this article which points out that jerry did not play on this song, but did play on other bobby songs:
bestclassicbands.com/singer-bobby-freeman-obituary-1-30-17/
I prefer this song by Cliff Richard and The Shadows.
On Wikipedia that's denounced so idk what's true
Great musicians have to start somewhere, often as an anonymous session musician who performs on a record for some pocket money.
Neal Sedaka got his start on the small Melba label, playing the chimes in “Church Bella mat Ring” by the Willows.
Jimi Hendrix was employed by Little Richard in the early 1960s.
This is Bobby Freeman's Biggest selling single as it is Called Do You Wanna Dance from 1958 just missed going to No1 in The U-S got to No2 in the U-S Singles Chart
RIP Bobby. You were the best and your songs live on.
lol the best
LOLOL sure he was.
I’m 28 and I love this song fasho
That’s some situation that they put him in to sing such a rock n roll classic !!!
RIP Bobby Freeman
Such a SWEET SWEET elephant !!!!
Thanks for your memories Bobby, may you rest in peace ever... and God bless San Francisco..... our home.....
Super record bought in 1958. Still sounds great. No need for nasty comments. RIP
Rory White agreed, always someone has to start crap about race, nothing racist about playing a character which chose to his gig
Hammer Time 50s-style!!!
Yes, and a high school kid who already had been immersed into the music scene with his West Coast vocal group, The Romancers, nearly four years!
And once again, Dick Clark's audience spoils a perfectly good performance by clapping on the one and the three instead of the two and the four. Bobby's great here, theatrics, props and elephant aside. Nice intro by Tony Randall, too.
The house mikes were live for audience reaction.....once again another stupid comment from someone who never watched the show.
This is HORRIFIC
Well, some of them were. It looks to me like a lot of them were clapping along with a different song altogether, with a completely different tempo and everything else.
like the 'fill-in' beat as the guy next to me said when I clapped on the up-beat to see if he would pick-up on it
As Prince once sang, "All the white people clap your hands on the four, now..."
I don't know who I feel sorry for the most, Bobby or the elephant.
LOL...how about that?
Lighten up
Better than today's shit
Neither! The 500-kg gorilla sitting backstage!!!!! #fakenews
Rest in peace Bobby. Jan. 23, 2017
Rest in peace and . . . thanks!
Arr clapping to both the melody and the beat, can't beat it.
So much fuckin style.
I used to play this record All the time when I was young.
I like the way he dances to it.
love this
R.I.P. Mr. Freeman.
Wow, I'm speechless!
Wonder what Bobby thought about sharing the stage with the adorable elephant.
Doo wop of 50s early 60s was some best romantic love songs ever better than R&b love songs of today
It’s 9/12/24 in Austin, Tx! Great song and singer! I’m 75 and still rockin to the ladies today🥳🎶
Loved both The Ramones' and T. Rex's Version, now I'm here - thanks youtube!
The elephant is a better dancer than I am.
God times. .Rest in Peace. BF. .....🌷
Bobby Freeman is a legend. Rest in peace x.
Love his voice and the song.
The guitar solo is by a then unknown teenager named Jerry Garcia...
@James stop!
Remembering Robert "Bobby" Freeman
(June 13, 1940 - January 23, 2017)
[06/13/2020]
R.i.P. Bobby.
I love history
RIP Bobby
You just can't turn away from this video.
Now I realize why the tempo of the song is much faster than in the record. Bobby wanted to get out of this ridiculous, humiliating misery as soon as possible!
Blatant industry racism of the 1950's
Wrong. That whole show was circus themed. All of the acts were dressed accordingly and had similar circus interactions. And Bobby was one of the most respected and admired performers of the 1950's and the 1960's. Nobody was attempting to demean him with this show. (It's also interesting to see that the elephant was heading toward the audience and Bobby was blocking it with his body, pushing it backward onto the stage.)
Oh now the whole show was a circus theme. Um hm ok.
@@ezerlenewatkins9644 “American Bandstand” often used a different theme and the guest performers had to dress accordingly.
When The Skyliners appeared, the show ran on a “western” theme so they all had to dress like they were appearing on “Gun smoke”. (That performance can also be found on UA-cam.) It looks silly today but that’s how it was back then.
@@sjb8849
Was wondering how safe that was
And now, for something completely different!
Great to see these old clips
Man this clip it's very sad to see
@GhostlyJordy you not see the poor bobby here it's terrible, the humiliation, the 50s really bad time for black people.
Great record
I'm so in love!
One of the first 45's I ever bought. It's just so danceable. Bette Midler did a great cover, but did not copy the original.
This is HORRIFIC
Awesome!
I love you, mommy.
,1940-1960 black American singers endure some of the most racist people and nothing has changed sad world we live in ...
People that have them realize they need to put them out for everyone to enjoy. So many videos so little time.
Yep I've to admit that costume was mighty ridiculous . (poor Bobby) but you can't help remember this performance forever. His music was top self as far as I was concerned.
Another Timeless Classic single from 1958 as it was done By Bobby Freeman as it was Called Do You Want To Dance as it was a huge single in 1958
Love the song
RIP
Love watching this cos my late dad was called Dick Clark, apart from that a great insight into music In years gone by which l love👍
Another timeless Classic hit single from 1958 as it is Called Do You Wanna Dance by Bobby Freemen
Love the RAMONES version!!!!!
I've never seen Tony Randall in profile and a most unlikely 'friendship' of Freeman and Randall, indeed.
Fantastic
Learned something from this video some people dont know the difference between the costume of a Ringmaster and a Lawn Jockey or what they wore on a Minstrel Show. If you are not completely certain about these things best to stay silent.
Muy bueno! Elephante grande .
There were a lot of strange things on TV back then, remember, those were the pioneer days. I will say, this was rather bizarre. But I love the song, and Bobby Freeman was a class act. Does anyone know why the crowd was clapping in that particular way during the song? Just curious, thx.
looks likesome people are clapping on the downbeat "1 and 3" and others are clapping on "2 and 4" making it sound like it's on all 4 beats, which is definitely a weird way to clap along to a song.
@@willyounts3308 correct
Some are clapping to the beat some are clapping to the melody so it's constant clapping
@@bonkeydollocks1879 But they moved one hand away as they clapped
@@mph1ish yes that's what usually happens in clapping
Every time I hear this I think of American Graffiti. Black 55 Chevy and a Piss Yellow 32 Ford Coupe drag racing.
Dick Clark, least racist guy in the 50's, fought hard to keep black acts on his stage. Although, what a bizarre performance
So true. Very bizarre. He was dressed like a lawn jockey.
And a lot if whitish people applauding. America was less racist back in the day.
! sure is. ..and that elephant goosing him, They must've been onsite at a circus with many acts coming on, different stages perhaps, music etc and this was some of it filmed for dick clark show that day
Same with Alan Freed.
@@Deontjie the kids are all right. Cheers!
I was a baby Remember it in the neighborhood
Bom demais. maneco - Brasil.
classic
Yay Area 💯💙🙏
i love you bobby hombrelibre
I can't believe my eyes.
Great song! Wonder if that beautiful baby Elephant is still alive?! He or she would be knocking on now!
The elephant could still be alive. It was quite young, and they can be long-lived.
Sailor Barsoom ummm so!? Whats your point?
Shin Obi It's just something to think about. Like when you look at a giant redwood and realize that it was a sapling when Jesus was preaching in the streets of Jerusalem, or think that Susanna Jones, who is still alive, was already a teenager when World War I started.
Sailor Barsoom
Yeah I agree, trees are beautiful living things
the elephant could have died serving in Vietnam or from 60's drug use.
poor chap, who on earth thought up this crazy presentation for him? thank heaven it didn't put him off for life lol
wild!
Just so soothing to see this god fearing America......
PaulL yeah, and are you seeing it now (4 years after your comment).
Bobby Freeman didn't needed the pachyderm, great song. No idea he was a high school kid.
I was born in the 50s. Race relations in the U.S. are much better now.
❤❤
♡♡♡
From tv.com:
AIRED: 4/26/58 Saturday Night Beechnut Show.
April 26, 1958 - Circus-themed show
--Connie Francis - "Who's Sorry Now?"
--Bobby Freeman - "Do You Want to Dance?"
--The Chordettes - "Lollipop" and "Zorro."
--Tony Randall (actor) talks about his role in the Broadway musical-comedy "Oh, Captain!."
Additional guests/songs (scheduled):
--Somethin' Smith & the Redheads - "My Secret Inspiration."
--Melvin Smith - "Open the Door, Richard."
tv.com also says Bobby chose to do this show to get coverage and bowed out of another gig he was scheduled to do.) Beechnut GUM sponsored these shows which ended up so popular the company outsold other gums. Viewers may have noticed young people busily chewing gum which was as promotion given out to people who mailed in labels and ticked off the post office ;) (from Historical Almanac of Rock n Roll) Bobby was one of many who had RECURRING ROLE on it. Children and their mothers surely got a thrill watching this and dancing up a storm. I got to see the circus only once as a kid; to this day I'd "give my eye teeth" to be able to dance with a baby elephant and especially ... to go to the circus once again; to see Bobby or any music star of that era today on stage with a little "Dumbo".
I went to a circus when I was 6. I didn't like it, and frankly I was bored. Went to a zoo for the first time in 1967, when I was 11, and felt there was something wrong. Well now in 2021, none of that type of circus exist here in the UK, and the zoos are much improved.
This song became a mega hit in Brasil covered by Johnny Rivers. Everybody think it's his song.
Beach Boys too
That doesn't surprise me at all
Jerry Garcia played guitar on this.
No, he didn't.
What where they thinking LMAO 💀 not at him 😂
TONY WAS BORN THIS WAY
Wow, thanks for the info Al, keep on rocking bro. :-D
The smooth jazz version of this classic by Walter Beasley is beautiful, check it out.
This was also covered by The Beach Boys as well as UK Legend Cliff Richard who helped Olivia Newton-John get her big break.
The Beach Boys suck.
An attempt to show how non-violent and mainstream rock could be
i hope bobby got more peanuts than the elephant for putting up with this.. 😔
Both did good!! The only fucked up shit was the outfit!!!! I would have declined. But remember this was the 50's & bobby probably didnt have a choice!!
That was painful to watch.
Felt sorry for both of them -
The baby elephant was totally superfluous.
He was having fun and so was the elephant, you know every body today is judging the past by current standards,. Would you prefer this never happened, Bobby Freeman was never on Dick Clark, the elephant never got paid...LOL
An elephant cannot be superfluous.
@@sjb8849
It most definitely is in this situation.
@hapi jen
On behalf of elephants everywhere, your comment is insulting. You're probably just jealous because you don't have an elephant in your own life.
@@sjb8849
Such a superficial spurious projection - animals are not here for your moronic entertainment & exploitation.
0:00 Tony Randall before of played by Felix on the odd couple tv version
No comment!!!!
Elvis Presley dressed in a top hat, white tie and tails singing to a hound dog on the Steve Allen TV Show was farcical. This is even worse,,,, PS.. Thanks for uploading this piece of...................... Rock n Roll history
Man, what a getup. That must've been humiliating for Bobby, and that poor elephant.
THE NEW WAVE IS MORE AMERICAN THAT NEVER !
Dressing the great Bobby Freeman as a ring master and having him dance with an elephant, who was the Einstein who conceived that? The hoops Bobby had to jump through to appear on network TV. The man's terrific pipes alone should have paved the way for that without any humiliating gimmicks forced on Bobby,