Divinyls Live 1984 - Elsie
Вставка
- Опубліковано 31 сер 2008
- Christina Amphlett gives it her all in this 1984 performance for Rock 'N' Roll Tonite. The song "Elsie" appears on the Divinyls debut album -- which, depending upon your location, was either "Monkey Grip" or "Desperate."
She owned that stage and everybody in the theater whenever she performed. Unbelievable
when i hear this it sends CHILLS down my back !!! this rocks still in 2023
Christina Amphlett: what a woman! This clip is astonishing and shows Divinyls at what must be their peak. When she bangs her head and pogos she is genuinely eerie -- is more like performance art than a rock gig. And then after she scrawls all over herself with lipstick it's like she's channelling Linda Blair in the Excorcist!
After almost 40 years, this track just seems to improve with age. I think all of Divinyls work has held up incredibly well but (for me) Elsie was always and continues to be, a stand out number. The music so appropriately haunting and Chrissy delivering to perfection in her inimitable style. I find this particular performance simply riveting. Many thanks to all the good folk for posting these treasures.
For sheer balls, she reminds me a lot of Patti Smith. Talented, with no fucks given!
stevie65able ......I dig Patti too (I’d love a “Fuck the clock” T-shirt 🤣), but she never impacted me the way Chrissy did. To be fair, I’ve never seen Patti live either but have always known and enjoyed her material and still have several of her original vinyls including one I’ve never seen before or since titled “Superbunny”. Chrissy though, would go from hiding (almost shyly) under her fringe, back to crowd, only to scare the be-Jesus out of the audience in a heartbeat, the lady was a mammoth talent.
Linda Jones....Regarding your main comment: The first time I heard this piece I was immediately captivated. It's beautifully haunting nature seductively imprints and inhabits....and one can never quite break the spell. But why on earth would anyone want to? Regarding the other bit below that: Linda..nice shade of blue....Lord have mercy, child. Now where did I put that soap.....🤨
@@lindadote Had a huge crush on her as a teenager, still do. The music scene in Melbourne back in the eighties was incredible.
john king .......as you know John, I love most everything Divinyls ever did but there was always something special about Elsie. I see the fabulous unedited version has found its way back but you’d be hard-pressed to fault this performance. Mark’s understated but crystal-clear guitar, the keys, bass, *everyone* just plays so well and then of course, there’s Chrissy’s mesmerising performance, it’s a beautiful piece of work imo. The fact that the song was based on a real person makes it even more profound imo.....Oh dear yes, busted haha! Patti wears a T-shirt with that on it and it nicely sums up how I feel about “time” and/or age. ☺️ Naturally, it’s the one site I didn’t check, ain’t that always the way? Be well....
Legend & Light.
80s Music was CHRISSIE.A. and DIVINYLS.
Hope one day soon we will watch this video in ultra HD,coz DIVINYLS are all quality.......
I remember seeing her smearing the lipstick on her face on TV somewhere in the 80's and never forgot that. Chrissy was a one of a kind, spellbinding performer and she was such a class act off stage in later years on interviews and her book is fascinating. Just a great lady and one of the greatest rock stars ever.
I think GG Allin saw it too and was like "hold my syringe"
I have just seen this for the first time, wow!, what a performance. I now have another life regret, not seeing the Divinyls live.
I remember watching this exact performance on TV when I was a kid back in'84 it was on late for my bedtime, but i snuck into the TV room to watch it, I was about 12-13yrs old
There was a time when I was 18, I used to see the Divinyls when they were touring Sydney, they played for quite a few years at Caringbah Inn, South of the city Centre, on a Thursday Night, it cost $2 at the door, this performance was always 110% this is what I stepped into every Thursday Night for around 2 years... Lucky am I to experience this Shamanic opening, the doorway that lead to a future of Amazingness, Thank You Chrissy, for being my teacher, my muse...
JUST AS MARK P. SAYS. I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH CHRISSY - SHE STILL GETS ME OUT OF MY 'COMFORT ZONE' - TO SEEK BEYOND THIS FLESH.
Brilliant performance proving that Chrissy Amphlett was one of the greatest rock singers ever. I saw them perform this song many times in Melbourne and it was always a highlight in a show filled with highlights. The band was always loud and tight and Chrissy put her soul into every song. She lived each song before our eyes. Her voice was always perfect and her performance was art. No one was like her. She was mesmerising. ELSIE was one of their heaviest numbers but they tackled difficult subject matter with the same commitment as lighter songs. With Mark McEntee's excellent guitar playing and arrangements, Divinyls were one of the best live bands ever. They were consistently good even with numerous member changes in latter years. They were better and more challenging than more famous bands, definitely one of the best live outfits ever.
In your face vocals and stage presence, definitely set the bar for all frontmen of any band from then onto now, this is entertainment folks, a class act!
This was recorded June 1983, Perkins Palace in Pasadena CA - a few days after the US Festival.
I was there somewhere in the grainy shadows just off stage left...
Kimo91024...Thanks for the timeline reference. You're the envy of many of us who consider this a genuinely epic performance. To help eliminate any possible confusion, Divinyls also played 'The Palace' in Los Angeles... 10 August 1983. Book source: Pleasure and Pain by Chrissy Amphlett.
Warren552011....That would certainly catch my eye in a crowded room...but it seems as though there are no crowded rooms these days. Wings of Pegasus ''British guitarist analyzes'' regularly asks for suggestions of performances that might be of interest for analysis so in his latest posting I suggested one. Probably wasting my time but I'd love to see him take a close look at this one and allow more people to see that there was a hell of a lot more to Divinyls than ''I Touch Myself''.
This is how I remember the Divinyls In Melbourne. About 6 times I saw them from memory, best live gigs ever. Thankfully this performance of Elsie isn't ruined by mindless out of time audience clapping throughout. (yeah, that was at "Ritchies" in Preston, Melbourne)
Such a unique voice, such passion, such talent. What a loss to the world of music, we'll miss you Chrissy. xxx
She had energy and passion in bucket loads!
The Melbourne " Pub circuit" in the '80's was a dreamland for me and many others. Divinyls,Oz Crawl,INXS,Church, Men at Work,Hoodoo Gurus,Oils,Goanna, etc,etc. It was magic! A total eclipse of the mind.
Hard to believe now looking back. Took it for granted then.
What a time,but Chrissie reigned supreme.RIP 💔💔
Sydney too. Selina's was my hang out
Dont forget the Angels and The Talking Heads
Rose Tattoo, also. We were blessed to be alive then.
Look, mom! No dancers or ropes. But I got me a band, energy and a whole lot of grit. Celebrating the late, great, Chrissy Amphlett of the Divinyls.
Fuck that was beyond words. Never ever seen it before n I'm glad I took the time to watch it. R.I.P u beautiful creature.
like
+jodie thomas I got to see them in concert. They were amazing. R.I.P Chrissie, you are missed, but your music lives on.
High energy orig rock!
Makes you proud to be Aussie!
Only now are they truely regarded for what they were. AWESOME!
Greg K .......I’d wouldn’t say Divinyls weren’t recognised as the massive talent they were, I *never* saw a gig that wasn’t sold out. If you mean abroad, thanks to the internet I’m sure there *are* more viewers now (sadly a little too late for Chrissy) but the band was always held in very high regard here and that was back when we were spoilt for choice.
A perfect performance from Chrissie, mesmerising ❤😮😊
I never fully appreciated this when it first came out. I always knew when they played it live, it meant "show's over folks" and the crowd slowly, begrudgingly & unwillingingly headed for the doors. Your adrenaline high for the night ebbed as the song reached its inevitable conclusion. But many times I stayed behind until the very last note was played, not wanting yet another brilliant performance to end. Watching this clip sends a chill up my spine as I re-live the brilliant band, The Divinyls.
No doubt about it,that group was a powerhouse in the early days!!👍👍
What an incredible performance! She's so fucking raw & beautiful! So glad we have this on film ❤
Easily my favorite Divinyls number... Reminds me of a mate that gassed himself in his car "OPEN THE DOOR WALLY"
Gave women the okay to be strong and sexy something that seems to be missing these days boys were HER trophys not the other way round. The freedom she created for us young girls was liberating. Thanks Miss A you were divine - all!
Saw them a lot in the early days when they came down - pubs, clubs, the Music Bowl. Always absolutely mesmerising. Melbourne was an awesome place to be a young adult in that era! Chrissy was a one of a kind trailblazer for so many young women like myself.
I absolutely love this song and she performs it with all the emotion and intensity it deserves. I love this band. If they aren't in the rock n roll hall of fame then they ought to damn well be!!
Rest in peace Chrissy. You shaped my youth. I loved you a lot and the great role model you were for young women.
The insanity of the facial expressions, drawing on herself with lipstick: classic Chrissie‼️👍🏼❤️😎
same here! i had heard boys in town on the radio, but hearing elsie on the radio broadcast of their US Festival performance had me hooked!
This was such an amazing show and performance... RIP Chrissy, you are sorely missed!
TOTALLY agree! DO NOT mention Courtney Love in the same sentence as Christina Amphlett! Chrissy was sexy, unique, frightening, charismatic, had an amazing voice and was extremely talented-none of which any of these adjectives describe Courtney Love whatsoever!
I was fortunate to see them live, I recall The Cult, and/or Billy Idol on the same bill...Beekman theater, NYC...
How odd. The last time I saw this was in 1984. I was weeks or months from leaving home and going into the USMC. Seems like yesterday, except I remember yesterday a whole lot better. Anyway this performance came on late night TV, like at half past midnight. I remember it airing twice which was unusual in '84. She was absolutely terrifying when she growled in that outfit and reminded me of The Exorcist. 32 years between hearing this song!
Me too...Parris Island 2nd Battalion
Summer of 84
Semper fi
The Divinyls performances have been the single greatest I,v seen , bar none
I was lucky to be able see them in my city (USA, I am not going to say my state.) It was an amazing concert.
This is unbelievable! I dont know why I'd never seen this b4. What an amazing performer. Imagine someone rocking up to The Voice or one of those shows & doing this ROFLMAO
Chrissy, what a horn husky voice..
Top aussie rock, bring back the 80's and all our great bands! Bring back $1.50 schooners, and the ability to go see 4 bands for $10
Amazíng performance. I have so much love for the lady. X
This album (and song) made me a fan for life. Divinyls Forever. RIP Chrissy
I fell in love with Chrissy and this band from the moment I heard this song played live, which was probably 1980/81 on Night Moves...... Remember that music program..??
This woman is so AWESOME....... Bonus Factor, she grew up in my home town, so I'm really proud of that......
This band was so underated.
Transcendent.....Ethereal......Spellbinding!!!...all apply and then some. The first time I heard this piece (about a month ago) it instantly crotch grabbed my attention and I was hooked by the time the drums cut in.... (50 sec)....and by the end I was a dedicated Divinyls fan for life, HUNGRY AS HELL for more and fully understanding why so many Australians love this band. Thanks for carefully nurturing this amazing creative rock phenomenon....the only place it could have happened......DOWNUNDER! cheers from Canada
john king I saw Divinyls perform this in 2007 and it was captivating and harrowing in person. This are few musical performances as gripping as this one
West Oz Rocker....This particular posting of ''Elsie'' has become something of a mecca for me, as I'm sure it has for many Divinyls fans. There is an aspect of power and essence that transcends all other performances from any band that I would have previously considered singular. It has the ability to transport the receptive listener to another place almost immediately. Holy cow, I love this piece and this band. I'd like to add that I've enjoyed your commenting style on another posting.....''this stunning piece of ragged beauty''.....says it all. It is quite understandable considering the song and that extraordinarily remarkable album that inspired it. come down to earth - underworld
Was so fortunate to see The Divinyls several times in Adelaide in the 80s. Most memorable was a gig at Thebarton Town Hall (support for Jimmy Barnes?) & she was unbelievable that night - just such a powerful voice, persona & stage presence.
They were a very,very tight band! Just fantastic!
I keep coming back to this video. Everything good about rock and roll is here. And much, much more.
Awesome saw chrissy live a few times this really takes me back
The album Desperate really set such a high benchmark. It was all down hill from there as far as I’m concerned.
lost count the amount of times i've watched this now
I guess it's standard to call someone an angel when they pass. But I say with utmost admiration and respect....that woman was a bona fide sultry succubus. She's haunted countless dreams of countless young men.....one of the hottest of the hot women of rock.
This album (and song) made me a fan for life. Divinyls Forever. RIP Chrissy
adore Chrissie, why did she have to go?
Wow. Amazing.
I just love this, you can see by the look on some of the audiences faces that they are scared when Chrissy starts roaring towards the end - Fantastic and thanks again!
Amazing performance.so emotionally heavy, that guttural cry goes right through me,love you forever Chrissy.
Thanks once again, I am sure Chrissy scares the crap out of some of the audience when she roars - LOL
My favourite Divinyls track on Desperate. Never had the opportunity to see them live.
Fucking awesome performance. My respect for Christina just tripled.
Incredible!!!! This is one the best PERFORMANCES I've ever seen .. more than that ... totally UNDERRATED!!!!
Death is only a gateway. Keep rocking girl!
What a voice.. awesome.. powerful... clean and clear....
RIP... :(
the most amazing voice....RIP Chrissy
Ditto you said exactly what I was thinking. Gotta love her. I like it. alot
Outrageous! Not many female vocalists like her. Missing Chrissy Amphlett who left us almost a year ago.
Melbourne- Aussie national titles. (Cycling) Mark webb took me as a16 year old. Shitting myself and in awe at the same time. St Kilda I think. We had raced at Bacus Marsh.
Elsie.....descending into madness - sad and fantastic - what a performance!
@taipan185
i was there too....
mark was rocking the white steinberger guitar, ill never forget it, my first rock n roll gig....
Dear sweet Chrissie, she set the benchmark. May she Rest In peace. A true goddess that grew wings and became an Angel......
I met Chrissy once working for Tower Records..and it's all a stage act. She said was trying to be like a female version of Bon Scott, after his death.
Thanks, from the glory days of Aussie Rock when we were churning some awesome bands. But Chrissy was something else.
Awesome performance,came to this vid tonight because it's so powerful
RIP dear
To me this was one of the most haunting and frightening songs of the time. The lyrical content, and how timely it is today as we hear more about parents neglecf and abuse, along with trafficking.
Definitely a defining performance by the Divinyls. RIP Christine, you were unique and real, and as I've said before on another post, You ranked right up there with the greatest female rock singers of all time.
KnEpH131 Agreed!!!
In a world where good taste and appreciation for innovation and craft prevail, this defining performance would enjoy 145,000,000 rather than145,000 views.
john king .......yes, the views are criminal on *all* Divinyls sites (except I Touch Myself) people don’t know what they’re missing.
Fave LP in 1980,,,still is...Nobody seemed to get it. What a show it would be her & Iggy doing a duet
favorite Friday afternoon song right here. I envy anyone who had the chance to see this awesome band back in the day when they were up and coming.
I fuckin' love the howling @ 3:26!!! Always did and always will
how utterly hypnotic
I remember seeing this on late night tv back in 84 and was blown away by Christine. I bought their album the next day.
I missed out on Chrissy in the 80's...glad I discovered EARLY DiVinyls. Chrissy says it all the way I hear it in my head. THANK YOU, CHRISSY!
God I love her.
Rest in Peace Chrissie. :(
Yes Chrissy has been living with MS for some years now. On a brighter note Charley (Chrissy's husband and Divinyls drummer) has posted a message on the Divinyls Facebook page to say that something is bound to happen, although he is not sure what, and a brief message from Chrissy to say stay tuned for 2009!
What a fucking show. You go girl. RIP Chrissy A.
been watching this over and over the last couple of days. just gutted right now. what an amazing performance, just stunning. rock goddess.
I saw this on TV back in 84, its etched in my memory banks, RIP Chrissy
Gawd, what an amazing woman Chrissy Amphlett was! Fierce, freaky, roaring, uncompromising and unafraid to explore the boundaries of performance art in the rock 'n' roll context. Whenever I find someone who only knows Divinyls for "I Touch Myself", I give 'em a link to this video.
So well said. Such a powerful performance. Amazing.
I agree, though I love their later stuff too, I was right there when no one knew who they were here in the states and I had the Desperate album and was entranced, never had seen/heard such punk power. I too always tell anyone who does the Touch Myself thing that "you don't know the half of it". Her death broke my heart like few others have.
Oh I agree, and yeah, they were big amongst the underground post-punk scene, then when they started being shown on MTV with the temperamental album (Sleeping beauty and Pleasure and pain) a lot of us felt both vindicated and a bit stuck-up since we had been there since Boys In Town. Even Courtney Love stated her entire persona was Chrissy and Stevie Nicks mashed up together.(One of the first big rockers who named her as a total base influence she mimicked, and I knew where that school girl dress came from the second I saw Hole's Pretty on the Inside album in the store) I don't think the majority of people in the US and Euro have any clue just how much of an influence Chrissy had on groups and singers they DO know. She was the first, the Genesis of it all. Elsie can still make me tingle all over and have some kind of "fit" that's a cross between Ecstasy and Crying.
one way conversation, strong, powerful, emotional, moving, sad, a beautiful voice elevated to the sky, goodbye goodbye RIP :_(
Rest in Peace Chrissy. XX
So amazing voice, i love this live so much
Her falsetto here is so emotional it cuts right to the bone.
I'm absolutely gutted hearing that she is gone.
Elsie mercy beaucoup...your voice is magnificent wish God could bless me like he did you! I have the voice of a long lost horn in the middle of the night.
I like her dress. This song is gorgeous too.
Man that is some deep, dark misery, where did she bring it up from? In interviews she seemed pretty down to earth, intelligent, if not wild and intense! Impressive entertainer even if you don't get it, you gotta appreciate how she poured herself out! RIP.
Pure magic - such a great band - thank-you for posting this.
I love this song....Elsie is the inner me....
I remember watching this live, it change me forever. Thats when I started getting into punk
Will miss you Chrissy. A true, underrated talent.
That was insane! Beauty and the exorcist fucking, live on stage.
Thank you - This is still tops..