Really brings up sad memories. This song is indelibly written in the minds of so many of us who lived thru the assassinations of JFK and MLK and RFK. It seems things should be better by now😢

My father wrote this song a few days after Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June of 1968. While he is proud to have written it, he wishes the circumstances hadn't happened which brought him to write it. Yes, the Marvin Gaye version is the more popular of the two in Europe. Whitney Houston also does a heartfelt live version. Even Bob Dylan covered the song. Thank you HarriBest for your reaction. I'll play my dad your video. Peace & Love in 2024

This song can still make me cry. It’s so touching still after all this time.

This was released by Dion less than 4 mos. after Bobby's assassination , everything he sings about were still very fresh in our minds.

I was 10 when JFK was shot and just old enough to understand the sadness that brought a nation to it's knees. Nothing prepared us for the horror of seeing MLK and Bobby Kennedy both shot within the next 5 yrs. By the time I was 16, I was already lamenting over what might have been. It's been 55 yrs since then, but for those of us that lived through those tearful days, it still seems like it was yesterday. Since then we have experienced so much and learned so little. Thanks, Harri, for the memories of those bittersweet days of my youth.

Dion DiMucci born 1939 started singing In1957 and is still performing 65 years. Songs like The Wanderer, Run around Sue, Ruby Baby, Dion and the Belmont's brings back lots of memories. Peace out.

When Lou Reed inducted Dion into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he called Dion one of the greatest voices in the history of rock music. He was absolutely right. A legend who would have been even more legendary if not for his heroin addiction taking a decade out of his prime recording career in the '60s.

A stunning classic that is both sad and beautiful.

Such a touching song. I remember it coming in the radio with my dad driving & he had to pull over to cry. So very, very sad. 😞 No, Dion recorded it first & had the hit.

These FOUR men were great. Abraham, Martin, John and Bobby. I mourn for all, killed in my lifetime. This song brings tears to my eyes. I watched Bobby killed on TV. He was the best hope for America at the time.

I was in the 8th grade when John was killed. Was taking a test which I had not studied for....so I had my little transistor radio down my blouse, ear-piece up under my long hair...grooving to an old dj station in Dallas when they broke in an announced he had been shot. I stood up and yelled the president has been shot ! !. I yanked out my ear-piece and turned up the radio...we all sat and listened.

Every collection of 1960's music should include this song . You cant understand the decade without pondering this song and its hope in the face of national tragedy .

Such an amazing vocal. Gets me everytime.

1968. Written by Dick Holler and first recorded my Dion DiMucci.

If only there were still men and women with conviction like these today in politics and leadership. More concerned for all of mankind. Not just for enriching themselves.

I'd hadn't heard this in years & forgotten about it. It was so impactful when I heard it as a teen. Thanks for playing this and reminding me of it. God Bless.

Marvin’s & Dion’s are both stunning ❤

Dick Holler wrote the song, but Dion released the first recording of it. Dick Holler started out playing in bands and was in a band that first released "Double Shot of My Baby's Love" but it wasn't a hit for them, although the cover by The Swinging Medallions became a hit a year later. Holler also co-wrote "Snoopy and the Red Baron", and he wrote "I'm Leaving It All Up To You". - Edit: Although his entry in the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame states "Holler’s next effort was I’m Leaving It All up to You, which had been a number one song for Baton Rouge duet Dale & Grace in 1963." Holler did not actually write that song, it was written by Don Harris and Dewey Terry, who also performed the first recording of the song.

This song was written by Richard Holler and covered by Dion DiMucci, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Moms Mabley, Bob Dylan and Whitney Huston. This version was done just four months after Bobby's assassination.

Written by Dick Holler. It was first recorded by Dion

"Didn't you love the things that they stood for," always puts a lump in my throat.

It was such a sad time. I was very young and it seemed like all of my heroes were being killed. Bobby was the last hope, and when he died it was devastating.

I know not everyone will agree with me, but... I believe... these four great men, and admired by many ...each cut down by an assassin's bullet, God help us...

Dion DiMucci -- the Bronx singer who started his career as a successful 50s rock/doo-wop singer and went on to a great pop-rock career, spiritual & folk career. He was inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame by Velvet Underground legend Lou Reed (who has sung on some Dion records including the masterful "King of the New York Streets"). Today, at 83 years old -- Dion is indeed the last man standing since Jerry Lee Lewis died. Dion still records & performs today & has won awards as a blues singer. His recent albums (two went to #1 on the blues charts) have featured many formidable famous blues players. One single that was released had Paul Simon (Simon & Garfunkle). "Abraham, Martin & John" is still one of Dion's signature moments in a long pop career.

I was a volunteer for Robert Kennedy's Presidential campaign in 1968 at the age of 17. I remember waking up that morning to hearing funeral music on my clock radio, which is normally a rock station.

There's another powerfully moving version of the song performed by the elderly comedienne Moms Mabley in 1969. She did it in mostly a spoken-word fashion with her distinctive cracked voice, which ultimately breaks down in heartbreaking fashion. Her version made it into the Top 40.

Dion is still putting it out great music to this day he was on tour with Buddy Holly when they had the Fatal plane crash he had given up his seat

I’ve heard this song numerous times. All four men were taken before my lifetime, yet it never fails to bring a tear to my eyes.

I remember hearing this song as a kid, it brings tears to my eyes today as well....the feeling of losing hope in this world, of leaders who tried to move humanity forward somehow but were cut short. They represented the notion and ideals in our minds of what this world could be and that's what hurts the most. But it is now up to all of us to find our own inspiration and try to do something good for this world.

This song always made me sad even as a preteen when it was played on the radio

70 years old weeping through this !

Makes me cry still to hear this ,so many fine people who were cut down in the prime of life...Ty brother for this

Oh how I love this song…..beautiful yet tragic meaning.. thanks for this.

Dion did a fabulous job on this song. And he did it long after his doo-wop glory days with a sound that wasn't particularly in vogue at the time. Damn, there was so much great music happening back then. But time moves on, it must, though so often leaving a trail of tears.

A meaningful song that has stood the test of time.

I met Dion DeMucci in Texas where he was preaching at a little church in Alice. He is quite an interesting person and his love for God is undeniable.

I grew up in these turbulent times. To this day, I cry every time I hear this sound. I wept when these current events were unfolding; I cry now for the sense of loss we all felt and for how little we have learned since then.

Such a beautiful song that tugs at the heart strings. Thanks Miss Blondie and Harri. 💞

This song was written by Dick Holler. Incredibly he wrote two other top ten hits: "Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)" the ultimate drunken party song done by the Swingin' Medallions and "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron" by the Royal Guardsmen. Each of these are among the most unique hits ever, and nothing like each other.

The best and most sincere version there is.

It was written by Richard Holler. In 1968 I heard Dion, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles sing it...many other artists have done they're own rendition of it, but I've never heard Marvin Gaye's version. I'm going to look it up right now!

A very moving song...April 4, 1968 that afternoon I met Bobby Kennedy in Indianapolis that evening Martin Luther King was assassinated, that day still gives my friends and I chills.

Still have this 45... handed down to me from my much older brother. Beautiful song.

What a beautiful song. I had heard it on the radio before but had no idea what it was all about. It makes me love it even more.

I just watched (listened to) Marvin Gaye sing this song. Just exceptional....Then I watched Moms Mabley's version from 1969 on The Merv Griffin Show. It is so from the gut. She became so emotional, I wasn't sure if she would make it through. Just a heartbroken woman.

Sad times brings a tear everytime

FOUR men. Abraham, Martin, John and Bobby. Don't forget Bobby.

"Abraham, Martin and John" was written by Dick Holler. It was first recorded by Dion.

Song written by Dick Holler, sung by Dion, first recording.

Thank you❤️!

I remember this gigantic tune. Sir Harri sure picks the winners.

If there was ever an American song, this is it.

One of my favorite songs from back in the day. 💔

John was born like 15 miles from me When I was in the USMC and station in Washington DC I went to Johns grave daily at Arlington National Cemetery saw the eternal One day when I was 11 in 1962 I saw John as he drove by me going into the Callahan tunnel coming from Logan Airport Uncle James (my fathers twin) lived in a 3 decker kinda close to the entrance Johns window was down halfway his head was down reading What I remembered most was his red hair he was in a Caddy with a running boards which i wanted to run up and get on and say I love you Mr President I knew not to do it I will listen to Marven Gayes version while on Marvin Gaye please checkout Mercy, Mery, Me The Ecology) /The Soul Puffection verison about 12 mins long I like your reviews you do a good job

Have always loved this song from my youth.

He also mentions Bobby, John's brother that was shot when He was running for President! (so it is about 4 men)

Always loved this song, definitely a classic

It was really *four* guys - Abraham, Martin, John and Bobby. Now would be a good time to start praying for RFK, Jr.

I cry every time I hear this. I remember when Kennedy was killed. I was a kid but I remember distinctly. They brought us out of the classroom to the gym, & sent us home early & my mom was crying. When MLK was shot, I was at my friends house & it was all over the tv. Same with Bobby Kennedy's assassination. 4 great men. Their lives taken from them. What more great things they could've done. Their lives affected us all. Their deaths affected us all.

Oh Harri this beautiful song by Dion, brings back tremendous heartbreak, sadness And joy because of the lyrics! I always love that Robert Kennedy was included in this song 🎶 still shed tears of sadness & joy when I hear this song

876/5.1K 12 hours ago 98.1K I enjoyed this video Thanks you I enjoy spontanous clapping to show appreaction because it comes from the heart the song is powerfull to all

All these years later...still hard to hear this without a lump in the throat...incredible days...where has this country gone

This is a song that made me start listening to songs for a message.

This was a comeback song for Dion. His earlier success was with Dion and the Belmonts. They had many hits, likely the most successful was "A teenager in Love". Check it out, you will like it, and his unique songstyling in it. Thanks for the great reaction. I do like Marvin Gaye's version, but this one is and endelible print.

Thanks for this. It is a great song written by Dick Holler. He first gave it ti Dion but it was covered by so many singers. Smokey Robinson did a version that sounded more like a gospel song. Even Bob Dylan did a cover, which he rarely did.

I remember singing this song with my class in our auditorium back in 69 in the 4th grade.

Great song from back in the day...:)...Glad you liked it...They died young because they were all assassinated...

Dion was the first one to have a big hit with this. Once a great song is out done well, other artists put it on their albums, but cannot match the first great version because greatness has already been done, no matter how good the next cover it in this case. Because the song is so topical at the time it touched a nerve....today it is considered by many only history, except for those who have lived the history directly.

I loved this when I saw him do this back in the day. And of course this is the Dion from "Runaround Sue."

And I'm in tears, as I am every time I hear this beautiful song.

This is the one and only original legendary tune!

It's funny what I remember about each of their deaths. I was 6 when John was assassinated and remember school closing and being sent home and that was all that was on the 3 channels for days and I still can hear the drums from his funeral procession. Martin died about a month before my 11th birthday and Bobby about 10 days after. Even at that age I was glued to the tv just astonished by what had happened with Martin. With Bobby, my family had been watching the results of the California primary and we hadn't been in bed an hour when my dad came in and woke us and told us and we got up and watched as long as we could. I remember the train Bobby was put on for his trip home and I remember his brother Ted's eulogy. Our country was really in a bad place in 1968.

Listening to this song and the harp I believe represents that they are in heaven with the angels.

It tugs me every time. Thank you for playing it.

I grew up in America in the 60’s & 70’s so I’m familiar with the Dion version (written by Dick Holler). Accord to Wikipedia the Marvin Gaye version was a hit in The U.K. so it makes sense that you’d be more familiar with that version.

Im crying 4 best people we lost too soon rip thx Dion for this beautiful tribute❤😢

It still makes me cry. The last verse -- Bobby Kennedy had been killed that year, so the wound was so fresh.

Another great one from Miss B. I have been a fan of Dion throughout his 50+ year career. He is still putting out great music. This song in particular is one of my longtime favorites. I have been holding back on submitting my Dion collection but now I am inspired. Harri, another great review!

From the first note I felt the pain of being so young and knowing the heartbreak of death. Such famous people, and to know they were gone. I was only 11.😭😭 This song always makes me cry, even as a Canadian, absolute heartbreak. It is so beautiful and Dion's delivery so passionate. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Miss Blondie.A Masterpiece of timelessness. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

Boy, do we need those great men now.

Dion Dimucci is a living legend & yes he is *still cranking out tunes. Check his KZfaq channel. His tribute to Sam Cooke & his Blues collabs with a long list of very cool cats (Springsteen, Beck, Bonamassa, Simon, many more) are worth a visit. Not to mention his touching dialogue on the fateful Winter Tour & the loss of Buddy. Great reaction as always Harri!

The JFK assassination and televised funeral is one of my earliest memories. Didn't really understand what it meant, but I knew it was serious because of the reaction of the adults around me. I was 11 the summer of 68 when Martin and Bobby were killed, and took their deaths much harder because they both meant something to me. This song still brings tears to my eyes nearly 55 years later.

Have not heard this one in YEARS

I am familiar with both versions and enjoy both. Who couldn't love Dion and Marvin, both were good souls.

Richard Louis Holler (born October 16, 1934 in Indianapolis, Indiana[1]) is an American songwriter, pianist, and performer, best known as the writer of the folk-pop standard "Abraham, Martin and John". The song has been recorded by numerous artists including Dion, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Kenny Rogers, Emmylou Harris, Andy Williams, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, and Moms Mabley, among others.[

"Abraham, Martin and John" is a 1968 song written by Dick Holler.

My childhood in the 60s. :( I was only a third grader when JFK was killed, but remember every single thing about that day and the days following. Then came 1968, losing MLK Jr and RFK. I clearly recall sitting right in front of the TV and weeping my heart out in my NC home.

This song is so heartbreaking to me. And I'm old enough to remember when Dion wrote it. Anyone who can remember those days remembers it.

One of the most Beautiful Sad Song ever written 😢

This is one of the best songs ever written .. period, it's on a lot of my playlists and I always listen to it like it's the first time hearing it, it's just pure emotion.

Top 10 favorite songs of all time. The instrumentation has a melancholy feel to it even when it was new. Now it’s such an amazing memory from my childhood.

This is such a beautiful song Miss B about some great men. Thanks for sharing, makes me sad. ❤

This song always brings me to tears! I was home from school and I saw the live video of John's assassination. A little older in middle school, we hear about Bobby being shot. The whole class was crying. When Martin was shot, there was already so much unrest in the South. I was too young to understand, but I do now.

Kudos to you! Finally someone is reacting to this! Think ... Once you understand is another gtreat song.

"I will stick with love. Hate is too strong a burden to bear"~ Martin Luther King, Jr. ✌🙏

Please play "Mercy, Mercy me". With Marvin Gaye. "LIVE". Thank you. Have a Blessed Evening. Adios.

I'm an Aussie and I remember John Kennedy's assassination. My mother and our community were in tears, including me as a Kid. Then to lose by assination two more great men ? Martin Luther King and Bobby Kenedy. What a prick of a time in history ! Even now, that song brings tears to my eyes. Sad but beautiful.

It still makes me cry

THIS SONG brings tears.

Beautiful