NOBODY on Earth Has EVER Been Able to REPLICATE Iconic GUITAR Sound on 70s Classic-Professor of Rock
Рет қаралды 372,200
24 күн бұрынComing up, an interview with Norman Greenbaum. He is a rockstar that I’ve been trying to track down for almost 8 years to get the story of what I believe is the greatest one-hit wonder in the history of music... Spirit in the Sky. But I couldn’t find him. I had heard rumors that he had just disappeared and couldn’t be found. Then fate stepped in and I met him at a concert. To celebrate a million subscribers this is one of a few special episodes we’re doing. Norman started as a goat Farmer and then he developed a guitar effect on today’s classic hit that no one in the world has ever been able to repeat, not even him. A special interview is coming up next on Professor of Rock.
Thank you to this episode’s sponsor, Zenni
GET ZENNI Glasses HERE: imp.i279709.net/vn5gLd
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Producer
Brandon Fugal
Honorary Producers
Kimberley Rumburg, Brent Gephart, Glenn Beardmore, Jennifer Selvidge, Carl Curcuruto
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out my Hand Picked Selection Below
Professor's Store
- Van Halen OU812 Vinyl Album amzn.to/3tLsII2
- The 80s Collection amzn.to/3mAekOq
- 100 Best Selling Albums amzn.to/3h3qZX9
- Ultimate History of 80s Teen Movie amzn.to/3ifjdKQ
- 80s to 90s VHS Video Cover Art amzn.to/2QXzmIX
- Totally Awesome 80s A Lexicon amzn.to/3h4ilrk
- Best In Ear Headphones (I Use These Every Day) amzn.to/2ZcTlIl
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check Out The Professor of Rock Merch Store -bit.ly/ProfessorMerch
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check Out Patron Benefits
bit.ly/ProfessorofRockVIPFan
Help out the Channel by purchasing your albums through our links! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you, thank you for your support.
Click here for Premium Content: bit.ly/SignUpForPremiumContent
bit.ly/Facebook_Professor_of_...
bit.ly/Instagram_Professor_of...
#classicrock #70smusic #vinylstory #onehitwonder
Hey Music Junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and songs of all time; if you remember laughing at the sheer cheesiness of the 80s after-school specials or serious teen commercials that never quite hit. You’ll dig this channel of deep musical nostalgia Make sure to subscribe below and make sure to hit the bell so you always get our daily features. Also, check out more content on our page on Patreon to become an insider.
I’m really excited to bring you a special edition of our series Revelations- where featured artists go deep on their greatest songs and albums. We’ve hit a million subs and in celebration of that we are going to be featuring some very special episodes over the next month or so starting with this one. WE really appreciate all of the support though the years so we are going get the story of what I believe is the greatest bottled lightning hit of them all.. the greatest one hit wonder in the history of music. This episode is a hybrid of revelations and bottled lightning… I told the story years ago and it became our first video to hit a million views. but I always wanted to track down the artist who wrote and sang it. so for about 7 years I tried to track him down but I came up empty every time, then I was touring with Kenny Loggins doing a live story and song even in San Franciso and I heard a yell from the side of the stage after the show was over and it walked right smack dab into Norman Greenbaum and so this interview has been a long time coming, I’m finally getting the story of SPIRIT in the Sky from the man who created it and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s such a compelling story and the get all new details from Norman So let’s get into it.
As we do, I want to thank our sponsor Zenni Eyewear. Look with Summer around the corner. You’re going to need some sunglasses. If you’re in the market for those or other types of frames whether prescription of reading glasses. Get up to 80% off the price you would normally pay for glasses.
Here’s Norman with the story.
Leave us a comment about this amazing song… Is it the greatest Bottle Lightning classic ever? I think Norman deserves entrance into the rock hall for this song alone. It will live forever. What is your take what are you memories of this classic song. Stay tuned for more special episodes to celebrate million subs. Let’s discuss in the comments. If you dig our content and our videos, make sure to subscribe below so you never miss out on our content. Make sure to look us up on Patreon for more content help us Keep the music alive my friends.
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
Poll: What is your pick for the GREATEST GUITAR SONG of the ROCK ERA?
@peterd.9978 23 күн бұрын
Black Magic Woman
@sweet--richard.4981 23 күн бұрын
Frampton Comes Alive. Do you feel like we do
@mournblade1066 23 күн бұрын
1950s: "Rebel Rouser" by Duane Eddy (R.I.P.) 1960s: "Bombora!" by The Original Surfaris (no, NOT the band that did "Wipe Out") 1970s: "Time" by Pink Floyd 1980s: "Surfing With the Alien" by Joe Satriani
@aspalovin 23 күн бұрын
Money for Nothing - Dire Straits
@randytessman6750 23 күн бұрын
ooooh .... guitar song - BACK in BLACK !!!
@earthlingjohn 21 күн бұрын
My mother casually mentioned to me (age 15) back in 1970 that she would like to have this song played at her funeral service... 2016 and her request was honored Love you mom
@montyrayza7220 20 күн бұрын
RIP to your mom.
@earthlingjohn 20 күн бұрын
@@montyrayza7220 Thank you 🙏
@butchjohnson40 17 күн бұрын
Thank you for sharing, I believe your mother was smiling down at you.
@earthlingjohn 17 күн бұрын
@@butchjohnson40 Thank you
@seagertblack 17 күн бұрын
Very Kool.
@duvacorada 22 күн бұрын
My husband loved this song. He told me almost jokingly that he wanted it played at his funeral. He died in an accident in 2001. I made sure that this song was played at the very end of the service as the pallbearers carried him out. Everyone was on their feet, clapping to the beat. We rocked it out! It was awesome!
@TheOriginalRick 22 күн бұрын
Most any funeral director will admit that this song is in the Top Five of requested songs at sometime during the service.
@TWayneD1020 22 күн бұрын
Awesome !!
@nicholasdalessandro1958 22 күн бұрын
🙏🙏💖💖
@patrickbullock2136 22 күн бұрын
Awesome! What a wonderful way to end his service. Thanks for sharing.
@ronh.798 22 күн бұрын
Great story.
@1satisfiedmind 21 күн бұрын
I wasn't raised in a religious family, didn't have a church background, but Spirit in The Sky spoke to me on a deep level. To this day, I count 3 songs as planting seeds of faith, or maybe making me aware anyway of Jesus. They're not religious songs, Per se, yet something about them sparked faith in me that later impacted me: Mrs Robinson (Jesus loves you more could know), Spirit in the Sky (Gotta have a friend in Jesus), and Jesus is just Alright (Jesus, he's my friend..took me by the hand...). Norman is right. He was chosen. Norman, thank you for the song, it's still one of my favorites. Great to see and hear you share your story.
@73cgreene 17 күн бұрын
Isn't it great that a jewish man was among those who inspired you to look to Jesus?!? I love it. Doobie Brothers helped me along as well!!
@MaxPower-js1sk 16 күн бұрын
@@73cgreenefantastic! 😁👍
@lagodifuoco313 15 күн бұрын
You do realize it was hippies mocking religious beliefs, right? Oh, and Jesus was at most a wacky preacher. At the least, a fictional character.
@dpixvid 12 күн бұрын
Great share!
@tomkeffer9861 17 күн бұрын
I was born in 1960 so my teenage years were the 70s. And I remember that we didn't realize that spirit in the sky and put your hand in the hand were religious songs. We just knew that we really loved them. So thank you Norman, for being part of my teenage years.
@splenderella9 14 күн бұрын
Wow - you must have had NO religious education at ALL!
@melodymakermark 13 күн бұрын
@tomkeffer9861, me too! High school class of ‘78. Great time to grow up musically.
@boominator64 13 күн бұрын
@@splenderella9yeah, many people had zero religious experience growing up. I didn’t until I got into college. My parents were good moral people but never went to a church. I too was born in 1960 and my teen years were in the 1970’s. Possibly the best years of rock & roll in my humble belief.
@boominator64 13 күн бұрын
@@melodymakermarkme too. Class of 1978. We would say that “78 was great!” I have nothing but great memories of my life back then in HS.
@1crazypj 12 күн бұрын
Came to comments to say pretty much exactly what you said even though I'm a few years older. I didn't have a particularly religious upbringing, did go to church Sundays for several years but mainly because friend was vicars son (pastor?). Sang in choir for years as well but had no clue Spirit was religious until years later when I actually listened to ALL the words
@johnathansaegal3156 23 күн бұрын
The fact that Norman Greenbaum watches Professor of Rock on KZfaq and knew who Adam is was awesome. You, Adam, were looking all over for him and here he is seeing you with Kenny Loggins and he comes up to you... that's fate. That's proof this interview was meant to be.
@splenderella9 14 күн бұрын
It's fortunate he was still living - he's 81!
@gerrym.9354 19 сағат бұрын
@@splenderella9 The Professor of Rock looks great for 81 🤣
@gerrym.9354 19 сағат бұрын
He had watched the Professor of Rock's original video regarding Spirit in the Sky.
@drumdad54sdl47 23 күн бұрын
That fuzzy guitar tone is absolutely EPIC. If an artist is only going to have one hit in their lifetime, this is the quintessential one.
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
That's right!
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 23 күн бұрын
He just struck GOLD.
@haroldhaywardiii9226 22 күн бұрын
Demands to be cranked up to “eleven.”
@user-vk4el9oy6m 21 күн бұрын
Black Betty also comes to mind.
@franklee2683 5 күн бұрын
Also..."Schleedleschlagle's Train Song...." Epic....
@ronaldbaradziej9274 22 күн бұрын
My uncle died back in December and he requested this song be played at his funeral. So it was.
@raymondcastro2613 16 күн бұрын
I'm 70 and every time I hear this song, I crank it up (if I can). I love this song.
@1crazypj 12 күн бұрын
you got me beat by a few years but 100% agree
@cathiwim 12 күн бұрын
Me too! 68 here!
@javiercarrasco4496 2 күн бұрын
I’m 67, I still remember going to the music store and buying the 45 rpm vinyl record.
@lookinatyou931 22 күн бұрын
Agreed. He should be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
@lear1980 22 күн бұрын
For you to be looking for Norman Greenbaum for 10 years and he finds you. That's the very definition of serendipity. When Spirit in the Sky comes on the radio (all too rarely these days) the volume will always go up. My family is well aware that this is the one song that must be played at my funeral.
@justachristian4072 17 күн бұрын
Not serendipity, fate. That’s how God does things!
@tonylaudin3777 22 күн бұрын
"I'm mixing this for the car because that's where everyone's going to hear it." So, it's the summer of 1970 and my wife at the time and I are just miserable, driving from Boston to Guadalajara Mexico, packed into a 1966 VW bus with everything we own after my parents talked me into going to medical school down there, against my better judgement and wishes. We had the AM radio going pretty much all the time, channel surfing from station to station as we moved south searching for something other than country music and farm reports. The trip had many, many low points, but the highlight each and every day of the trip was the fact that multiple times during the day, we would find a station we could listen to and without fail "Spirit in the Sky" would come on. We would smile at each other, sing along, and for a few miles, forget all our cares. The coolest part was hearing the DJs on Mexican stations with their great radio voices announce our spirit-saving summer song was about to be played one more time.
@grausound 20 күн бұрын
That is awesome
@rosemaryabbott1020 20 күн бұрын
That is a great story! I could feel myself in it! I am 68 so I remember it being in the summertime.
@MegaSnakegirl 16 күн бұрын
So did you finish Mexican med school?
@tonylaudin3777 16 күн бұрын
@@MegaSnakegirl Nope. Knew it was a mistake. Left after one semester. Came home and got a PhD in Biochemistry instead. Had a long, happy, and successful career in healthcare. 😊
@cathiwim 12 күн бұрын
@@tonylaudin3777good for you! Not everyone is meant to be a doctor!
@CarolineinCanada 23 күн бұрын
It doesn't matter where you are, when this song comes on you can't listen to it at normal volume. It's gotta be loud enough they can hear it in heaven!!!❤️😘🇨🇦
@johnkelly425 22 күн бұрын
So true. Maybe we could see an episode on songs that people turn up when they come on. It’s a legit category!!!
@SailorAllan 19 күн бұрын
hell ya--I keep a list of songs that I HAVE to turn up to eleven when I hear them !
@ulrichw.6374 18 күн бұрын
What a great and humble person! Wow, this guy is 82 now and vivid as a twen, just look at his face with barely no wrinkles and his hands without any age spots; he is a truely blessed person, may he live on healthy and long
@Smedleydog1 23 күн бұрын
If there was ever a song that was in it's own genre, it's Spirit In The Sky. There was nothing like it before and hasn't been anything like it since.
@davidschmude 19 күн бұрын
Well, I can tell you one thing for sure. When I die and they lay me to rest I wanna go to the place that’s the best. Thank you, Norman for those immortal words.
@mikejmcd 21 күн бұрын
I had coffee with Norman about 20 years ago. What I noticed is he is very friendly and generous. Thanks for the great songs!
@ronnelson7828 23 күн бұрын
When I die And they lay me to rest I hope someone plays this song.
@justJelene 23 күн бұрын
Same!!
@bowtoyoursensei554 22 күн бұрын
Make sure people know you want it played at your funeral.
@Keyspoet27 20 күн бұрын
This and "Speak to the Sky" by Rick Springfield, which came out two years later. Self-professed pseudo-Christians turned me off years ago, so I call myself a follower of Yeshua rather than Christian, because I do my best to follow his actual teachings. Life is wonderful!!!
@Brian_L_A 20 күн бұрын
@@Keyspoet27 John 16:12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now." If you look at the context, there were spiritual truths that could not be revealed while Jesus was on Earth. You are missing out.
@jeffreydavis4277 19 күн бұрын
We played this one at my Father in law's funeral, per his request. It was awesome!
@chrisdepoy3370 23 күн бұрын
30 years ago we had a 13 year old babysitter whose parents were extremely strict baptists and wouldn't let her listen to ANY rock music. They had never heard "Spirit in the Sky" and after I introduced them to it and the lyrics - they loosened their beliefs for her.
@DashCrashCam 23 күн бұрын
Ah yes, the religious extremist kinds unfortunately. Where racism was totally okay, but rock music was of the devil. Glad they loosened up a bit after hearing this song.
@Yesica1993 23 күн бұрын
That doesn't even make sense. The song is explicitly UN-biblical: "Never been a sinner, I never sinned I got a friend in Jesus"
@jongilbertson2106 23 күн бұрын
@@DashCrashCamthe abolitionists were religious extremists.
@tomforsythe7024 23 күн бұрын
@@DashCrashCamWhy do you assume that they were racists? That's not really fair.
@kelseymariel2127 23 күн бұрын
@@tomforsythe7024It’s assumed by certain people who believe others are the intolerant ones, when in reality it’s them that are the ones slapping a label on others they’ve never even met.
@chriskenney4377 21 күн бұрын
I'm 74 and I want to thank you for reintroducing me to Norman Greenbaum. Memories are past and past is memories. Thanks.
@davidtaylor954 19 күн бұрын
75 and totally agree.
@johnnyjohnson1326 15 күн бұрын
I used to be a serious Christian. This song was up there with Dust In the Wind, Jesus is Just Alright, and a few others that were rock songs that talked about religion. I'm no longer Christian (I don't care if you are or not), but these songs still bring me joyful memories of my youth. Some songs are priceless to me. This is among them. Thank you Professor for keeping the music off my youth alive!! JJ -South Alabama
@teejayryan1 10 күн бұрын
JJ - Jesus will welcome his child back with open, loving arms. Prayers for you brother.
@revsharkie 23 күн бұрын
Talking about hearing "Spirit in the Sky" at work... I'm a pastor and one day I was in a room in the nursing home keeping vigil with some of my members as their mother/MIL was dying. The hospice nurse came in and sat with us for a bit. Her phone rang, and her ringtone was "Spirit in the Sky"!
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
Wow! Such a cool story!
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 23 күн бұрын
That’s amazing!
@BBQDad463 21 күн бұрын
That is totally off the hook!
@franklee2683 5 күн бұрын
@@ProfessorofRockno,not really..
@thetitleisours1 23 күн бұрын
That was nice of him to say he saw your original show on this song and loved it. What a truly down to earth guy
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
So cool!
@gojade3968 23 күн бұрын
I think he was even fanboy-ing a little. I can't blame him.
@gojade3968 23 күн бұрын
(NG for PoR, I mean)
@thetitleisours1 23 күн бұрын
@@gojade3968 Mutual respect :)
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 23 күн бұрын
He’s such a sweet guy.
@songofhope1455 14 күн бұрын
Hold a Contest to award someone who gets the closest to the original sound. A Guitar with Norman's signature for the prize will probably bring out many hopefuls...
@kyleb3754 15 күн бұрын
My dad's favorite song. Yes, I played it at his funeral. Thank you Norman. And Thank you Adam for bringing us this great interview.
@rogertemple7193 23 күн бұрын
I'm 59 and I have heard Spirit in the Sky on AM radio a million times over the years and I always wondered whatever happened to him Thanks for the meet up with Norman Greenbaum.🎵🎶🎼🎼🎶🎵
@DashCrashCam 23 күн бұрын
Always puzzling why AM radio lasted so long for music... sound quality is terrible and laughable and only in mono. Great song though, and I remember older music was designed to sound better on AM so maybe that's why it was tolerable.
@ramosel 23 күн бұрын
@@DashCrashCam If you went from a hand held Japanese transistor radio with a single speaker smaller than the palm of your hand... or worse yet, a crystal (piezoelectric) earpiece in only one ear.... on larger, sometimes multiple speakers in a car...it was glorious!! And, even an 8track on a car stereo really wasn't that much better.
@SmallSpoonBrigade 23 күн бұрын
@@DashCrashCam It's because of the range it can cover, has more bandwidth and the massive install base of radios.
@seanswinton6242 23 күн бұрын
I remember hearing "Spirit In The Sky" as a kid, two versions. I heard the original and later an 80s remake by a British band, "Doctor & The Medics." Their appearance was like Robert Smith of the Cure and the band Dead Or Alive.
@LazyIRanch 23 күн бұрын
I'm happy to learn that I share something with Norman Greenbaum, I'm a goat "farmer" (it's rancher, actually since goats don't grow out of the ground) and I live in S. California, leading a simple life off-grid.
@TheTtribe 18 күн бұрын
Generally, I find old hippies that have tried to keep their glory days hair to be a bad look. Norm, you've kept it glorious.
@jackm6307 14 күн бұрын
Hair? What hair? But seriously, I have just enough for the bad look...very bad.
@larrykeefer7681 18 күн бұрын
I have a friend who tragically lost her son who suffered from addiction and mental health issues. He had a good heart. H3 wouldn't hurt a fly but was self destructive. She came to me for advice on music to play at his funeral. I didn't even have to think about it this song immediately came to mind.
@RICHFOW 19 күн бұрын
I remember loving that song when I was 16, driving to school. I’m 70 now and still love hearing it. Thanks for the insight.
@Winter-Lake 23 күн бұрын
I remained friends with my first boyfriend (since the late 80's), we became more like brother & sister to each other. I'm Christian, and he's Native American and worships Great Spirit. One day, we were having a conversation, and I began to say to him, "I know that we dont worship the same God, but..." when he interrupted me and asked me, "What makes you think that we dont worship the same God?" He began to explain to me and went into great detail how that we do worship the same God, but that I as a Christian refer to Him as Holy Spirit and he refers to Him as Great Spirit, but that we are both referring to the same One. He passed away in 2018, he had a seizure while he was asleep and never woke up, at least, not here in his earthly body. I was utterly impacted by that conversation we had that one day. Probably one of my most favorite conversations I've ever had with anyone. I'm certain that I'll see my "brother" again one day. This song, has always reminded me of him and that significant conversation we had. ❤
@carlacook5181 23 күн бұрын
I do believe that you will see your dear departed friend again.
@Winter-Lake 23 күн бұрын
@carlacook5181 Aww, thank you! We will all meet in everlasting joy!
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 23 күн бұрын
So sorry for your loss and he seemed like a wonderful man.
@marklennard9503 22 күн бұрын
Awesome story and thanks for sharing
@danbardos3498 22 күн бұрын
I once heard a story about the first settlers in America sharing Christ with a certain tribe of natives. As they were sharing, the natives said, "Yes, we know already this." When asked how, the natives said, "It is written in the sky." The Gospel is written in the stars. God did that so every man could be saved without directly hearing from his prophets. So when someone tries to discredit God by saying, "What about the people who had never heard of him?" You can tell them, "All they had to do was look up." Now many used the stars to gain power from Draco the dragon, aka Satan... but not all. Some got it.
@ronedee 23 күн бұрын
My Mom, wanted this song played at her memorial. And I'm sure she got to meet the Spirit in the Sky! RIP Mom
@leemontree1 23 күн бұрын
Praise the Name of Jesus.
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 23 күн бұрын
May she RIP.
@judgedrekk2981 23 күн бұрын
My mom had one of Bob Seger's songs played at her service, the song Like A Rock, we tried to think of the best song to play and that came up cus my mom was our rock....the port in storm, the glue that held us together, my dad was the fire, the calamity that drove us away lol
@patrickbullock2136 22 күн бұрын
I'm sure she did!
@mattmenkee4381 20 күн бұрын
In 69 through 73 we lived in Cotati and my mom drove out to Norman's farm to buy eggs every week. End of the beginning was the little bar in town and the tunes were the regular Thursday night band, the dead did surprise shows, that place was magical back then
@thecliffdweller1212 22 күн бұрын
I grew up in Oak Park, IL and knew Erik Jacobsen the producer. He was older than me in our high school years but we shared a love for the American Folk scene in the early 60's. By 1970 I had hitchhiked to California. A benign hippy cult called Jews for Jesus discovered me on the beach at Bodega Bay and invited me to crash with them on a chicken farm in Petaluma. That farm turned out to belong to Norman Greenbaum bought with the money he made from the settlement with Jacobsen (a long story you probably already know). When we discovered we knew many mutual acquaintances I was overcome by the aura of serendipity that surrounds him. Now you have experienced that sense of predestination and the cyclical nature of the universe. Peace
@bobanderson3881 20 күн бұрын
Norman was a cult leader?
@dogstar7 20 күн бұрын
Good question and I should clarify. Norman’s chicken farm was known as an open place to camp on the land if you were in the area. The cult was well known and would hold parties in the fields. Norman was the flip side to Manson sort of thing, chaotic good
@bobanderson3881 19 күн бұрын
@@dogstar7 Yeah there were a lot of cults back then. Moonies, Children of God, Hare Krishna. "Gotta have a friend in Jesus" lyric makes sense if he was with the Jews for Jesus. On the Mason note would you be suprised to find out Mason and his crew are crisis actors and to this day the whole thing was a fabricated psyop operation. Miles Mathis has a long 95 page document easily proving it. Search... Miles Mathis/ tate.
@surlechapeau 23 күн бұрын
The #1 Lightning In A Bottle song of all-time !!!! How serendipitous you ran into Norman!
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
Right?
@ronaldnelson6692 23 күн бұрын
@surlechapeau And ran into him at such a milestone for the channel.
@sleepyhollow783 23 күн бұрын
I would say it is Providence. Quite proper to call it #1. It is the greatest because about Who the song is. 🕊
@Hutzjohn 23 күн бұрын
WHO doesn' love his "Masterpiece"?
@SeaDanceDream 22 күн бұрын
It’s iconic! 🤌
@ramongolden2157 23 күн бұрын
I was 9 years old when Spirit in the Sky hit the airwaves and I was absolutely blown away when I heard it. I have been a raging fan ever since. I still crank my stereo to the max whenever it comes on my iPod/cellphone. Drives my wife nuts because I don’t want to talk, just sing my “Hippy Music”! It really takes me back. Thank you Norman!
@monicacall7532 22 күн бұрын
Same here!!!
@jvz773 15 күн бұрын
During my high school rock band days, my dad always used to tell us we should play this tune. It was one of his favorites. When my dad passed away last month, the guitar player from that band reached out on Facebook & reminded me of this fact. I put together a playlist of some of my dad’s favorite music to play during the visitation. This was absolutely on it! Thanks for a great episode about an amazing classic song! 🙏💛😇 🎶🎸
@Zippy-I-O 22 күн бұрын
YES...Norman Greenbaum definitely needs to go to the Hall with this song. One of the most intense energetically fulfilling songs EVER. The best version is Mr. Greenbaum's...Favorite among the songs reminding of 'David' dancing in worship and thanks in God.
@celestearellano3720 23 күн бұрын
Great story and great song I loved Porter Wagoner and I'm a native Ute, Comanche and Apache North American 41% and am a born again Christian Love this song.
@suzanmcgaw888 15 күн бұрын
❤
@randyman1739 14 күн бұрын
Amen n halleluYah! All glory to God for reaching you. 🙏✝️💞
@celestearellano3720 14 күн бұрын
@@randyman1739 Thank God for the white race for making America great and bringing Christianity,
@celestearellano3720 14 күн бұрын
@@randyman1739 Without the beauty of the JudeoChristian values we the American Native Americans would be pagans. The constitution is beautiful,
@lencavallaro6781 20 күн бұрын
The number of times he expressed gratitude
@johneupgrade555 23 күн бұрын
I remember when Spirit in the Sky” came out, and you couldn’t walk a block without hearing it blasting out of a store, car, or apartment window. One of my Top 3 One Hit Wonders, thanks Professor!
@SmileyMikey 23 күн бұрын
N.G.: "I didn't write anything about the weather. I left that to the Turtles." LOL! I actually got that reference. (The line in "Happy Together's" outro: "And how is the weather?")
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
He is so witty. Really enjoyed this interview.
@irishgrl 23 күн бұрын
I caught that too! That was my mom & step-dad’s song “Happy Together!”
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 23 күн бұрын
Yup, that was a great pun!
@D-Fens_1632 20 күн бұрын
Wasn't he famous for a song about early morning rain?
@waffalobill 18 күн бұрын
Great song. Great guy. 81 years old. God bless him. Hope he's around for many more years.
@butchjohnson40 17 күн бұрын
I always stop to listen and respect that song, thank you Norman, a truly a masterpiece.
@napoearth 22 күн бұрын
My Great Aunt, who was a devout Catholic, passed away some years back. After the graveside ceremony, we got back in our car, and as soon as we started the car, this song started playing on the radio on the first note.
@eggsngritstn 23 күн бұрын
One of the greatest songs of his era, and it's because it's unique.
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
For sure1
@robertsherman871 23 күн бұрын
Of ANY era!
@mellowyellowvision 23 күн бұрын
Norman and his wife Bonita are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. It was an honor to play with them on the On The Blue cruise recently. I grew up listening to Spirit In The Sky and it has special meaning for me.
@dbf1dware 11 күн бұрын
The Gods of music came down and touched this song, this production. All Hail the spirits in the sky.
@flybob3480 15 күн бұрын
I'm 77 and I love this song, the riff, the lead, the vocals, all of it. It will be what people hear when they come to my funeral.
@gregh3248 23 күн бұрын
Lightning in a bottle. It was meant to be. Thank you for the interview. And thank you Norman. Love your song. May it live forever. It’s on my playlist and will be played at my funeral.
@danatowne5498 22 күн бұрын
Thank you for writing what I feel too. :)
@RSGill1903 23 күн бұрын
I was only 13 at the time and this was a HUGE hit on the radio. 54 years later and I've never heard anyone replicate this sound. Literal lightning in a bottle. Thanks for the wonderful childhood memories Mr. Greenbaum.
@paulwooton4390 23 күн бұрын
My eight year old niece loved this song in the early 70's. Mid-70's she was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away a couple years later, 12 years old I think. Very special kid. I still think of her when I hear this beautiful song. Great interview. I always wondered what happened to Mr. Greenbaum, and he sounds like a very cool person.
@MrTrailerman2 22 күн бұрын
Sorry 😞
@robertiddon9270 17 күн бұрын
I always wondered what Norman looked like, I loved that song I was one of the million buyers, I'm still listening to it now I'm 70, it reminds of my youth what a cool guy you are Norman thanks for the song. 😃😃
@tehfiredog 23 күн бұрын
Man, don't know what is cooler... the interview or just how you finally were able to connect with him in the first place!
@mattmatthews6064 23 күн бұрын
Finally, somebody who correctly refers to foods that are good for you as “healthful” as opposed to “healthy”. Thank you, sir.
@dicedrice7216 16 сағат бұрын
This song resonates deeply with everyone. About 20 years ago I was in a restaurant that had a bar and a DJ -- it was in a small country town. Someone requested Spirit in the Sky, and when the song came on everybody went crazy with excitement People who were in the teens and twenties were as big of fans as the boomers.
@MartinBartonLartonFargo 2 сағат бұрын
That opener is like the classic live jazz improv performances … they will never be replicated. And that’s not a bad thing.
@mournblade1066 23 күн бұрын
Yeah, "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum and "Driver's Seat" by Sniff 'n' the Tears are tied for #1 in my list of greatest one-hit wonders.
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 23 күн бұрын
Two great ones!
@caseyjones6197 20 күн бұрын
I’d add Black Betty by Ram Jam to your list. Great music.
@80s-el9vc 23 күн бұрын
In '08 and '09 when I was deployed to Iraq with an MP Unit here in Indiana. I was a Driver and my TC (Truck Commander). would play, Spirit in The Sky, every morning before we started our mission for the day. Hearing this today, first brought a smile to my face and then made me emotional. Myself, the gunner, and the medic would occasionally ask the TC to play a different song. He wouldn't do it. We heard this song or no song at all. Thanks for this episode! 🥂BTW. I would like to see you do your own top 10 episode.
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
So cool! Thank you for sharing!
@hgodvilla00 23 күн бұрын
There is a great cover of the song from the 1980s as well. How ironic you had a medic listening to the song with you. The only person missing from your group was a doctor.
@richardchambers3533 23 күн бұрын
@80s-el Thank you for your service!🫡
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 23 күн бұрын
This is awesome!
@johnkelly425 22 күн бұрын
Adam’s top 10 episode would be three hours long because I’ve kept track and he has named 87 songs to be in his top 10 or higher.
@boominator64 13 күн бұрын
This was one of my favorite songs played at a funeral until I heard a talented guitarist play “I can only imagine.” Brought tears to my eyes. This is the song I want played at my funeral. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
@1949cr Күн бұрын
This guys memory is incredible. You can live the songs development day by day.
@chrisb4331 23 күн бұрын
What a great score. He was famously a recluse.
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
That's right!
@SmallSpoonBrigade 23 күн бұрын
@@ProfessorofRock It's a testament to the job you're doing in terms of covering these songs with dignity.
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 23 күн бұрын
Not surprising at all!
@robertcuratolo5339 22 күн бұрын
20:39
@MARRANCA2 20 күн бұрын
Dignity and respect. And the full honor that they deserve for entertaining the world
@tammywooley2635 23 күн бұрын
I worked with a lady whose mother had that played at her funeral, what a better song to have telling everyone there she was going to a better place.
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
Thanks!
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 23 күн бұрын
It’s a perfect funeral song.
@vernaraney9870 16 күн бұрын
I had this played at my son’s funeral I think of him when I hear it I was a kid when it first came out I loved it
@josephallsen3135 22 күн бұрын
PORTER WAGNER!! Never in a million years would I have thought that there was any connection between this song and Porter Wagner.
@odditiesparanormalmysterie1723 23 күн бұрын
What a great way to celebrate a million! Thank you Professor!
@jefferywise1906 23 күн бұрын
“Even though it’s a song about dying”…. yep but it’s about dying and not ending. There’s hopefulness in that, so it’s a hopeful song. “Death is only the beginning”…. Another great background song from my youth.
@Matt45895 12 күн бұрын
I have been providing karaoke in bars since 2003 and I am the only person in 12 years who performed "Spirit in the Sky" always absorbing the applause and appreciation. There are very few who don't let the message and thrill enter their hearts...and make it to their faces!
@davidglenn-xf6hv 2 күн бұрын
Spirit in the sky, a beautiful song , still played everywhere
@DashCrashCam 23 күн бұрын
There is nothing else like this song , definitely way ahead of it's time. So glad you finally got an interview with Norman, that guitar sound is just ear candy. Congrats on 1 mil by the way! Such an amazing accomplishment.
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
Thank you so much! He is such a great guy!
@brandontingley7059 23 күн бұрын
Not ahead of its time. Just timeless. That's better.
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 23 күн бұрын
It’s just a cool sounding guitar.
@allengray5748 23 күн бұрын
1969 6 years old going on 7 still living on Oahu!! One of 20+ songs that takes me back there. A couple others; BAND ON THE RUN, BENNIE AND THE JETS, MY SWEET LORD, BLACK WATER!! Those were the days my friend!! Thanks Professor!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎
@vixstert.5642 23 күн бұрын
I was born in late 1969 & I know every song you listed. 🤘 Music was so much better back then, in my humble opinion. 😉 Lived on Oahu (Hickam AFB) from 75 to 79.
@LazyIRanch 23 күн бұрын
That sounds like an amazing childhood! I've never been to Hawaii, but it was my parents' favorite place to go to rekindle their romance during their 40 years together, and Oahu was their favorite island. I was 8 years old in 1969, and I love the music we grew up with.
@user-lh3dq4zt7u 23 күн бұрын
What's it like to be in your early 60s like me?
@allengray5748 23 күн бұрын
@@user-lh3dq4zt7uThankful I can stand! ☮️
@allengray5748 23 күн бұрын
@@vixstert.5642 Cool!! I lived straight up from Barbers Point and Ewa Beach in Makakilo before the school was built.☮️
@jameswilburn6605 21 күн бұрын
Why not try to have him inducted for this song. A letter write in bombardment with your Acknowledgement that this is the best one hit wonder that spans the decades. Jim from Cincinnati
@GaryWHarper 17 күн бұрын
I don't know about anywhere else, but where I grew up back in the day, we were pretty much all churchgoers. And this song, was visceral, to the bone. I still love it. There was nothing like it, back then, and even now. I am talking the 70s, of course. That 70s Show, pretty much captures how it was, back then. And this song was on our playlist, after we left church on Sunday summer days, and headed for the mountains to truly find our personal G-d.
@waynevia6976 23 күн бұрын
One of the greatest songs ever made. I love this song.
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
Amen to that statement!
@kwilliams1958 23 күн бұрын
Must have been a "Spirit in the SKY" moment to meet Norman and have 1 million subscribes. Here's to many more of both, Professor! I somehow picture you, your dad and Norman riding on the open plains to "Spirit in the Sky" someday.
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
Thanks!
@LazyIRanch 23 күн бұрын
That's a beautiful image! It was definitely serendipity that brought Adam and Norman together for this wonderful interview.
@MichaelMadcock 12 күн бұрын
One of my all time favorites. God bless Norman and crew for bringing us this classic.
@michaelsullivan2361 20 күн бұрын
Timeless song!!! As relevant today as the day it first hit the airwaves!
@daBEAGLE1017 23 күн бұрын
I remember my born again church singing this song as a kid growing up in the 80s. Good ole Norm
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
Awesome!
@em7dim9 22 күн бұрын
It isn't a Christian song though. "I've never been a sinner; I've never sinned" pretty much does away with that notion entirely.
@robertsettle2590 22 күн бұрын
@@em7dim9...you're wrong.
@robchit1 22 күн бұрын
@@em7dim9 I noticed that and I can't seem to come up with an alternative to that, except maybe "I used to be a sinner, I used to sin..." Yes, we are ALL sinners but forgiven.
@gregorymoore2877 22 күн бұрын
@@robchit1 Whenever I've played it I changed it to "I'm just a sinner whose been forgiven" or "I'm just a sinner, I've been forgiven."
@dbmay1975 23 күн бұрын
The 70’s produced some mysterious guitar tones for sure. “American Woman” still trips me up to this day.
@John-zn4lp 7 күн бұрын
Every time I hear Spirit in the Sky, it still gives me the chills (in a good way) and a feeling of inspiration as well as a feeling that all things must come to an end, and we should live the best life we can, because there's someone watching us, and he has a place for those who try to do the right thing.
@jsherman385 12 күн бұрын
Divine intervention......thank you .....i love this song!!!
@raphaelszok8561 23 күн бұрын
You never forget it once you hear it.
@leemontree1 23 күн бұрын
Norman Greenbaum, was and is a Blessing from God.
@johnandersen6364 20 күн бұрын
This guy is real deal and very humble.
@joannaison8265 20 күн бұрын
Truly one of my all time favorite songs
@MyName-pl7zn 23 күн бұрын
One of the most iconic guitar riffs ever created and it can't be reduplicated because the parts aren't made anymore!!?? I know I have never heard that sound before or since! So mind-blowing Norm found you because of my favorite channel, Norman is great, tons of personality and I'm glad I got to hear his story behind the song the spirits gave him. One of a kind episode, Mr. Greenbaum looks great and is a blast to listen to. ❤
@SmallSpoonBrigade 23 күн бұрын
That's probably going to be more common over time. There's a lot of retro things that have their own characteristics based on old time technology. And it's really a range, from technical devices to just simple things like twinkle christmas lights.
@LazyIRanch 23 күн бұрын
I love his description of how the song gives the listener chills from the first note. That's my experience too, makes my scalp tingle and gives me goosebumps. About 28 years ago, my boyfriend and I had gone camping at the Red River in Texas when some ugly dark clouds came rolling in. We quickly packed up our stuff in his van and headed for home near Dallas, 60 miles South of that campground. We each had a son , both 4 year old little boys, and didn't want them to be frightened. We saw a funnel cloud behind us, and the reports on the radio were dire. There were several tornadoes that had hit Southern Oklahoma. We were idiots to try to outrun a tornado, but we did! I changed the radio from the scary reports to an oldies station, and this song came on! To this day, when I see a storm front moving in, I hear this song in my head. It has such power, and seemed to both illustrate the drama of the moment while giving us a sense that we were going to be okay. That campground we left was wrecked, trees uprooted everywhere.
@MyName-pl7zn 23 күн бұрын
@@LazyIRanch wow! What a wild and amazing story, it could not be more fitting of someone or something watching over you all that day!
@MyName-pl7zn 23 күн бұрын
@@SmallSpoonBrigade very true but will they ever be able to capture the feel of it
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 23 күн бұрын
He really had a competitive advantage with this song. A HUGE one.
@mitchellbaker9434 23 күн бұрын
This great song, Ma Belle Amie, by Tee Set, Ride Captain Ride, by Blues Image, and so many others. These were all part of the soundtrack of 1970.
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
Such a great time!
@loginregional 23 күн бұрын
And Where do you do to, my lovely? Je t'aime... moi non plus. We radiated mour music.
@stevecrescini2081 23 күн бұрын
You got that right! Throw in The Rapper by Jaggerz, Instant Karma by John Lennon, In The Summertime by Mongo Jerry, Spill the Wine by Eric Burden and War, and Maybe I’m Amazed by Paul McCartney and it was a great year for the radio
@davidknight2749 23 күн бұрын
My Senior year. Throw in Tighter, Tighter and Galveston
@shuroom57 23 күн бұрын
@@stevecrescini2081"Go Back", Crabby Appleton, "Indiana Wants Me", R. Dean Taylor, "Long, Long Time", Linda Ronstadt, "Joanne", Michael Nesmith & the First National Band, "1900 Yesterday", Liz Damon & the Orient Express, "Looking Out My Back Door", Credence Clearwater Revival, "What's Going On"/"Mercy Mercy Me", Marvin Gaye, "Your Song", Elton John, "One Man Band", Three Dog Night, "Hang On To Your Life", the Guess Who, "Soul Shake", Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, "Who Needs Ya", Steppenwolf, "Our House", CSNY; 1970 was/is very near and dear to me. I was 13; my transistor radio was my best friend.
@MarshallLoveday 22 күн бұрын
From late 1968 through 1972, I was working at Woody's Smorgasburger in Westwood Village and going to Santa Monica College. By 1970, I was a shift supervisor and had the job of 'opening' the restaurant on Sunday mornings. Now the radio stations in LA frequently used Sunday mornings to meet their 'public service' requirements mandated then by the F.C.C. One rock station in particular had a fairly cool 'talk guy' who would intersperse his interviews and/or 'sermons' if you will, with some appropriate songs. It was driving into work on Sunday mornings when I discovered 'Spirit In The Sky'. I had been brought up in the Lutheran church but had drifted away as so many youth had done, but those thoughts and ideas about God and Jesus were still in my head, and years later when I returned to faith, I think listening to 'Spirit In The Sky' so much back when had something to do with that. Thanks, Norman.
@user-ud7xq4qq1b 18 күн бұрын
Another one-hit wonder which has been completely forgotten is "Tragedy" by Thomas Wayne. It reached no. 5 on the charts in early 1959. He was only 19 when he recorded it in late 1958. His girlfriend was still in high school and she formed a group with two of her high school friends and they called themselves The DeLons. They backed him on this song, which was recorded in a garage on Fernwood Ave. in Memphis, on the Fernwood label, and the only instrumental backing was one guitar. Their vocals were so haunting that's all they needed.
@darylkauffman6595 22 күн бұрын
I saw him in 1969 at the Honolulu International Center. He was the opening act and he said that he also played on a novelty song called "The Eggplant That Ate Chicago". He played that song too. Real catchy tune. Humble guy.
@bdheine2300 23 күн бұрын
Greenbaum is a legend
@ProfessorofRock 23 күн бұрын
Amen!
@francismullen9417 15 күн бұрын
I'm 66 years old and I remember at 10 years old. That I would roll escape to this song. And it was my favorite song every time I roller skated. I would request this song from the guy to play the music in the roller rink. Thank you, thank you, thank you.😊
@tammyshawl546 7 күн бұрын
Love this song and great interview. My 81 yr. old mother still calls this " that Indian song". And we both turn up the volume for this.
@katyf7090 23 күн бұрын
Hi POR❣️❣️❣️ I really needed this right now. Thank you for all the hard work you do🙏❤️🙏 I really appreciate you🥰🙏❤️ Norman is such a sweetheart❤️❤️❤️ We need more famous people like him in our world 🙏❤️🙏 I would love to sit with him and hear all his amazing stories ❣️❣️❣️
@LazyIRanch 23 күн бұрын
Norman is a beautiful soul! I love this interview, and I can see why Mr. Greenbaum chose Adam to do this interview. It sounds like he's a fan of POR for the same reasons I am. Adam is a gifted interviewer who doesn't ask cringey questions and always shows such respect to artists and true appreciation of their music. This is a special treat today!
@lynnestamey7272 23 күн бұрын
Thank you for this interview with Norman Greenbaum. I loved this song when it came out (I'm 70 years old now) and he certainly is deserving to be the subject of your Million subscribers channel. PoR, you're our very own Kasey Kasem today. I'm so glad that your Dad was able to instill the love of music and the history and stories of the artists. I love the way you honor his memory.
@davej.meister5421 22 күн бұрын
John Beaudin from Rock History Music claims he's the new Casey Kasem. He's good, but I don't agree. Adam is CK.
@craigw.scribner6490 22 күн бұрын
I'm 69 and I've loved this song from the very first time I heard it!
@thezombie7839 21 күн бұрын
That dude has a vibe where you just wanna be his friend. Very cool. Congrats on the M, Professor.
@tedtholenaer5552 13 күн бұрын
Norman Greenbaum should be inducted into the music hall of fame. From the first day I heard to my last I love and will love that song.
@kathycuster1714 23 күн бұрын
Even today if I hear it it gets cranked up! It's a great song!
@bongopirate0672 23 күн бұрын
💯
@stubby8663 22 күн бұрын
Same here, I'm 65 now and my Hearing is almost gone, But when This song comes on Everyone Else Better Cover their ears Because "I'm Gonna HEAR IT" !😉
@BestKaylee 23 күн бұрын
Thank the Spirit in the sky for Norman Greenbaum and this wonderful song. This is one of the few songs that really gives me chills every time I hear it. You hear people say they want to have a positive influence on the world, this certainly is!
@nj1639 6 күн бұрын
Last song of many rock classic songs played at a good friend's viewing. Everybody was up, singing and clapping. It was beautiful!
Professor of Rock
Рет қаралды 1 МЛН
Oddly Satisfying
Рет қаралды 140 МЛН
Professor of Rock
Рет қаралды 325 М.
Parlogram
Рет қаралды 224 М.
He Had 1 of the BIGGEST HITS EVER…and NOBODY Knew His TRUE IDENTITY for Decades! | Professor of Rock
Professor of Rock
Рет қаралды 567 М.