Steve Martin's grand plan was do be a rich and famous comedian so he could play banjo full time. And it worked.
@Taphfy Жыл бұрын
ABSOLUTELY !!!
@orbison Жыл бұрын
Yeah. That makes sense. He joked that he never wanted to make a career strictly as a banjo player because there is a sentence no one ever utters, "Oh, look. It's the banjo player's Porsche." So he needed to sneak in by being a comedian/actor/screenwriter/author/playwright. Imagine doing all that to be able to play music.
@vetterburns1048 Жыл бұрын
@@orbison "Ohhh, I'm picking out a thermos for YOUUUU..."
@m.montague5228 Жыл бұрын
LOVE HIM!!!!!!!!
@evananderson5855 Жыл бұрын
Yes it did!!
@sadem1045 Жыл бұрын
Not enough people realize the beauty of this instrument.
@christopherparks2987 Жыл бұрын
Bazouki is better. Used often in Irish musics too. And has 8 strings. Best number.
@goofe.washington953 Жыл бұрын
Great comment
@sadem1045 Жыл бұрын
@@goofe.washington953 Thanks
@svenjansen2134 Жыл бұрын
Respecting it more. It sounds joyful and this man can play from the heart.
@namonrice177011 ай бұрын
Everyone does in NORTH CAROLINA HOME OF EARL SCRUGGS, AND DON RENO!!!!
@strongbongus Жыл бұрын
i love his look of concentration as he narrows down from his more goofy comedic persona to being a person who has legitimately spent hundreds of hours honing his abilities with this instrument.
@christopherparks2987 Жыл бұрын
If you play any instrument then you know what it’s like to be in the zone, for lack of a better phrase.
@svenjansen2134 Жыл бұрын
You're completely off the world at that moment especially when you're improvising. It's the best feeling ever. Getting out a great guitar solo for example seems to be a lost skill almost.
@svenjansen2134 Жыл бұрын
You can't be more connected to music than that. And I also make electronic music. Nothing beats the real thing.
@twilliamsusmc4 ай бұрын
Thousands of hours.
@crazyman847210 ай бұрын
He’s playing it finger-style, no pick! That’s awesome! 😎
@patmcintire98758 ай бұрын
Frailing or clawhammer style like the old timers did
@mikeabbott85212 ай бұрын
Drop-thumb is another term for this technique. Grandpa Jones, String Bean, and Doc Watson played this style.
@wildfireintexas4 ай бұрын
Steve Martin, keeping it classy since the ‘70’s.
@saniclube5 жыл бұрын
The banjo is the most badass instrument and nobody can convince me otherwise.
@mouija14505 жыл бұрын
It has the most soul in the right hands, but it's hard to coax feelings out of it.
@jameshowen24454 жыл бұрын
bass guitar
@dean88424 жыл бұрын
As one who has played the 5-string banjo for over 47 years, I can attest to your sentiment that the banjo is, indeed, THE most bad-ass instrument around... and the mandolin runs a VERY close second!
@Srcsqwrn3 жыл бұрын
It's very cool. Lots of history behind it too!
@LoudGamerzTM3 жыл бұрын
Nuh uh! Oh man I just ended your whole career with that takedown
@sixpakshaker884 жыл бұрын
He did this during a STADIUM stand up routine.
@RataStuey4 жыл бұрын
sixpakshaker88 I was just thinking that. He was on top of his game
@Ekkis254 жыл бұрын
I saw him in a live indoor arena with 19,000 other fans he was amazing. I will never forget the amazing dime trick, his best magic ever!
@sixpakshaker883 жыл бұрын
@Cindi Thomas He played stadiums at least the size of basketball arenas. So it was in front of 10s of thousands of fans.
@kevinkuenn57333 жыл бұрын
At the height of disco, no less.
@banjobailey18493 жыл бұрын
That’s the only way they’d allow it
@gr1mrea9er822 жыл бұрын
Looks like we've been wrong about Steve Martin all along... He is a professional banjo player that is also a world-renowned comedian.
@DiogenesLantern Жыл бұрын
Writer, dramatic actor, dancer, singer, etc.
@wesgarland2 жыл бұрын
Holy crap. He's playing a medley of Loch Lomond (Scottish traditional) and Simple Gifts (old Shaker hymn).
@brendalg414 күн бұрын
Thanks I recognized It's a Gift to Be Simple but never heard the other one
@fazergazer4 жыл бұрын
The banjo. Simultaneously the happiest and most melancholy of instruments. Steve, always be with us with your smile and banjo at your side.
@JewandGreek3 жыл бұрын
I've played the banjo for over 45 years, and let me tell you this guy could play. What he's doing here is called frailing. Notice the banjo's open back, and the lack of finger picks. That's how you play the clawhammer or frailing style. I can't frail worth a crap. Steve also plays Scruggs (bluegrass) style very well, with finger picks and the back in place (he put the fingerpicks and back on at 2:25). That's my style. Very few banjo players can do both styles as good as Steve Martin. He could have been a professional banjo player, but as he once said nobody ever says "look at that banjo player in that Porsche". I guess he made the right vocational choice.
@ewokwarrior26563 жыл бұрын
And then he came out with a music album and played on NPR tiny desk and late night shows with banjo legends and was AMAZING! In a banjoish sort of way. ( Seriously he was/ is amazing as a musician.)
@marvinmeeker57653 жыл бұрын
Yes, he is good, both in the clawhammer style and 3 finger picking. One of the best in the world. I bet that if he could have made money with the banjo, he wouldn't have bothered with stand-up. He is world-class. Few are better. Never liked his acting, but I like his stand-up and his appearances on SNL, but I like his banjo picking best.
@JeromyBranch2 жыл бұрын
He did indeed play with Scruggs n Flats. Was badass when he did too. I play guitar and started with mountain music a million years ago and you are right when u say Steve is an awesome banjo player.
@DavyMackNYC2 жыл бұрын
Watch his new show, “murder in the building”. He is very “un-Steve” and shows off some serious acting chops in the subtle moments.
@MikeBarnhill2 жыл бұрын
One of the best comments ever. I did start playing banjo about a year ago and practice in the back of my Tesla while my son is at his drum lesson.
@Breakbeats92.5 Жыл бұрын
You can see it in his eyes that music was his true passion.
@JoelEmberson4 жыл бұрын
Can't believe this clip is 41 years old.
@allistairmitchell38452 ай бұрын
😮😮😮!
@kishascapeАй бұрын
And Steve Martin looked the same age ever since.
@blackshirt55303 жыл бұрын
He’s 34 here... wow, looks the same now over 40 years later, respect
@ghomerhust2 жыл бұрын
when you reach max level, you just stop leveling! haha
@kadenwatt20332 жыл бұрын
I for one believe Steve Martin was born with white-gray hair lol
@kaymuldoon35754 ай бұрын
@@kadenwatt2033he may as well have been haha. Actually there are clips of him on the Smothers Brothers show from the 60s and he has brown hair. Looks kind of odd on him. Lol
@dev55763 ай бұрын
this video is super low quality, though, if you recorded him now on these cameras, with this level of compression, i'm sure look the same
@johnemerick58604 жыл бұрын
What a wild and crazy guy... 🕺
@cherrybarb46513 жыл бұрын
I don't know if I love him more being funny or playing the banjo.
@ZacBLive3 жыл бұрын
You don’t have to chose!
@catmom13223 жыл бұрын
This guy is so multi-talented! I've always loved him.
@svenjansen2134 Жыл бұрын
He really puts soul in his playing. And in 79 the cocaine wasn't too bad either. Just kidding Mr. Martin can really play and you don't need drugs for that. Talent and practice. Peace
@hotjapanrockbandsyes29615 жыл бұрын
Saw him live opening for Johnny Cash and others. Too young too get it then, before he was known. What a talent
@RataStuey4 жыл бұрын
Hot Japan Rock Bands Yes wow
@RataStuey4 жыл бұрын
Hot Japan Rock Bands Yes when was that?
@portalbuilder702111 ай бұрын
@@RataStueyere’s him with Johnny cash in 1978 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hJeflbylqJuWmHk.html
@DiversifiedMachinist4 жыл бұрын
The musician who was funny. One of my idols.
@tamie3414 жыл бұрын
Man, myth, legend.
@triplerushhd47993 жыл бұрын
He’s not dead
@DiversifiedMachinist3 жыл бұрын
@@triplerushhd4799 Correct, not dead. Who said he was dead?
@lonzo6110 ай бұрын
I recall his first album from, I think, 1978. A classmate had it and we listened to it at his house. The guy was funny without being filthy. Shorty after I "discovered" him, he started making appearances on SNL. What a nut he was. And that he has evolved into this brilliant, but still occasionally funny, musician is a gift to the world. His banjo playing is probably nearly as good as anyone who has command of this five string instrument.
@haildarthvegeta1094 Жыл бұрын
You can tell this is his true passion. Brings him joy it seems. Good on ya Martin!
@pablojose48904 жыл бұрын
The guy has 5 Grammy Awards, 1 Emmy Award, and 1 Academy Award, among others.
@freedapeeple40493 жыл бұрын
Plus numerous awards for his music
@orbison2 жыл бұрын
The only one to have won both music and comedy Grammys
@tylerlewis2619 Жыл бұрын
I will tell you something,He has brought so much entertainment through the years, he's hot and cold, just like us.What a wonderful teaching person, I am so proud that he is part of my generation.
@pascoett Жыл бұрын
If someone told he, that guy is just one of the best banjo players, I would believe him. But then he will tell me what this man has achieved in other fields, I'm blown away.
@tomfile31312 жыл бұрын
One of my favorite entertainers of all time. What a guy.
@svenjansen2134 Жыл бұрын
His playing touches and heals the heart. He's amazing.
@markayers10273 жыл бұрын
Did you ever see Harpo Marx play the harp in one of the Marx Brothers' movies? He would stop being "Harpo" and would suddenly become a serious musician...same expression on Steve's face...
@eaglebauersrecordcollection2 жыл бұрын
I thought the exact same thing watching this. Both Steve and Harpo were self taught also.
@datetley2 жыл бұрын
Yes thanks for the good reminder :)
@s.willis84262 жыл бұрын
Sometimes serious but still mostly silly. Chico could play the hell out of a piano too. The Harpo/Chico combo was usually the best part of the Marx Bros in my opinion. Chicolini and Pinky forever!!!
@proudamerican21332 жыл бұрын
I noticed that expression too!
@ifbpeanut Жыл бұрын
@@s.willis8426 one of the best, although, I think a little Rufus T. Firefly thrown in made it so much better too
@eugenesis818811 ай бұрын
I was not expecting him to be exceptionally good at that. Like, I'm a guitarist, I have some reference for how to play the banjo, and he is legitimately insanely good. Id be really impressed even if I didn't know who he was.
@AyeCarumba2215 ай бұрын
Watch Steve play banjo on David Letterman with Earl Scruggs. They do Foggy Mountain Breakdown. Steve is a world class banjo.
@amathenderson7318 Жыл бұрын
There are stars in the sky... and some fell to earth... you Mr. Martin are one of those beautiful souls... peace be with you.🤗😁
@RamblingJim2 жыл бұрын
This concert changed my 14 year old life. My humor, a lot about what I found funny. Unreal - genius.
@samsochet74365 жыл бұрын
True all around talent
@rockinredneck573 жыл бұрын
I've seen Steve play banjo but never clawhammer style. Most play one style or the other. 3 finger roll, Scruggs style or clawhammer but not both. Talented guy.
@theusher2893 Жыл бұрын
Anyone who can play both styles knows what the hell they're doing.
@chinngis83Ай бұрын
He really draws the music out of it. It's beautiful.
@bt10ant4 жыл бұрын
I saw him in the late 1970s as an opening act for Janis Ian in Los Angeles. He had just begun to zoom in popularity and it was interesting to see him do his set and then many of the audience members leaving, having seen who they really wanted to see.
@IvoMiller3 жыл бұрын
That’s IMPROVISATION to the MAX. Love ❤️ and ALOHA
@kurteichholtz59133 жыл бұрын
I saw him in 1978 at Indianapolis convention center, I’ll miss him
@edwardhass25613 ай бұрын
As far as I am aware, he's not dead .
@everready1937311 ай бұрын
Steve should be declared a living National Treasure.
@robinleebraun77395 ай бұрын
Obsequious purple and clairvoyant. He’s a comic genius.
@Benjj994139 ай бұрын
Just because everyone should see Steve Martin play the Banjo at least once in their lives. He's probably the greatest entertainer of all time, if you really consider his entire body of work and it wasn't all him either. Probably why he looked 70 when he was 30 and he was probably born that way. My appreciation for him has grown just watching his stuff of late. The banjo and all of it. It's amazing how all of his acts he would always do something different as well. This is truly awe inspiring to me. With all that can seem wrong with the world all you have to do is replay it to this and you can die happy or sad or rolling laughing or whatever. This breaths so much energy into things that can seem so lacking at times even if they really are.
@colette261210 ай бұрын
Steve, You ALWAYS make me smile!
@brianegendorf20232 жыл бұрын
He really shreds on that banjo!
@svenjansen2134 Жыл бұрын
Improvising.. He's gifted.
@hollylynn93224 жыл бұрын
Luv his Banjo playin❣🎶🎵🎶❤
@marcoalessandro20345 жыл бұрын
you gotta love Steve Martin, man!
@jessesass520910 ай бұрын
The single most talented entertainer out there. He has honed his every craft. When someone says "I just don't 'get' him, it tells me everything.
@hamlinpools24775 жыл бұрын
Legend! The only celebrity I would cry to meet. I love you man 🧡
@MamaShmoi2 жыл бұрын
I chatted with him as we waited to cross the street in Paris in 1982..he was so nice and told me a few jokes!😊
@debrabrabenec37317 ай бұрын
@@MamaShmoi What a great memory to. treasure!
@personanon-grata50838 ай бұрын
The first and only time we ever met was much like this moment. An arrow was going straight through your head. I sat in the audience mesmerized. What a talented, very strange young man. Oh, we were just kids then. Remember? Thank you for your life.
@The_Real_Indiana_Joe6 жыл бұрын
Damn boy! Tore it up! Love the banjo and Steve Martin!
@seanquinn59896 жыл бұрын
A big thank you for posting this video!!! I've loved it since I was little.
@MNMC-fs8tx11 күн бұрын
He seriously wanted to be known for something other than comedy. I love it.
@dmmchugh37143 жыл бұрын
Such a talent ! He has a magic act too !
@BLFulle Жыл бұрын
I was in high school when he was on tour with this show. I went to see it with a guy I was dating. Steve was amazing. The crowd was amazing. I'm still thrilled I got to see him.
@svenjansen2134 Жыл бұрын
Read that as 'I was high in school' my bad lol
@martinpope38352 жыл бұрын
EX-CUUUUUUUSE- ME!!!!!! I can't remember any time I watched one of his stand up routines where I could still breathe normally (from laughing)....truly my favorite comedian ever.
@proudamerican21332 жыл бұрын
Do you remember....." Grandpaaaaa bought a rubber ".....
@sharonleaf61054 жыл бұрын
i sadly missed him here in fargo damn i wanted to see him, i love his banjo playing
@bpoirier44 жыл бұрын
I’m here from Steve’s video on twitter. Simply amazing
@stevehinkley90992 жыл бұрын
First piece of music I ever fell in love with, on the first record my parents ever bought for me (Comedy Is Not Pretty). Wasn't until way later, after I had already developed a similar love for Simple Gifts that I realized the two were the same.
@lauragn43003 жыл бұрын
I adore Steve Martin💙🇺🇸
@mouija14505 жыл бұрын
"You're a wizard, Steve."
@gjernegan11 ай бұрын
always thought how impressive it was that one minute he's so random and funny and then could just click into the silent concentration of playing an instrument like the banjo. pretty cool!
@izom6 жыл бұрын
LOVE it thanx
@mesajom5 жыл бұрын
I had this on video and lost it. Thanks for uploading.
@silverstrike60482 жыл бұрын
It was cool that the audience did not start clapping along while he played that first tune.
@rodham89355 жыл бұрын
gotta adore this man, so incredibly talented
@gregoryjgarcia38622 жыл бұрын
Agreed!🪕
@maxwellhowell6 жыл бұрын
Asheville, nc resident. (I wonder if he still lives there) I love this man.
@figlectorjuanarasa85173 жыл бұрын
Love Steve Martin, so multi talented and all around funny.
@coloradotrish7297 Жыл бұрын
Amazing!! I've known for a while that he plays. This video is about the only time I've seen him with a straight face with him concentrating on playing!! It's really cool we can see him play in a bunch of youtube posts. Sure wish I had seen him at Red Rocks Amphitheater in the King Tut era - the show must have been a once in a life time show for sure! Elvis and the Beatles played at Red Rocks too but before my time. Neat!
@Justine1756 жыл бұрын
Awesome!!!!!!
@francesmeyer84783 ай бұрын
I love the first part of this. I watch at least once a day. Love watching the fingering! Amazing!
@kimsherlock8886 жыл бұрын
Missed you back there..
@colenicholas37157 жыл бұрын
I saw Steve play on tv with Earl Scruggs and about 3 others, and he had no problems being just as good! Lee in Plainvillle!
@freedapeeple40493 жыл бұрын
He is absolutely 100% comparable to Earl Scruggs (although there never can be another Earl). Steve Martin is one of the three best banjo pickers ever.
@orbison2 жыл бұрын
Yeah, they even won a Grammy together for an all star version of Foggy Mountain Breakdown
@potatoesandgravy85525 жыл бұрын
I had no idea he could play, so cool
@hippiepeace86143 жыл бұрын
Check out steep canyon rangers with steve
@smackinbaits66932 жыл бұрын
The talent of this man...
@danamurphy4674 Жыл бұрын
Amazing
@evansaberon47527 ай бұрын
What an absolute legend 🤘🫡
@johnmccann83197 ай бұрын
Beautiful!😊
@whttrails2 жыл бұрын
Saw him play in westbury NY....awesome show,. He did some humor played banjo then the professionals played. great show
@alanatolstad482427 күн бұрын
Isn't this just amazing!
@MalcolmSmith-dj6ph8 ай бұрын
What a great video.
@lisazinna16942 жыл бұрын
Plays with such ease!!
@martinl.lazarinejr.27812 жыл бұрын
that song king tut was so popular back then
@PeloquiNB2 жыл бұрын
I can literally listen to this 100×'s over
@andrewbrown81483 жыл бұрын
So classic~! The man is a genius~!!
@roseredig3774Ай бұрын
That was amazing
@televisiondevil52355 ай бұрын
Saw him on the Let’s Get Small tour in St. Paul & obviously, he played this number 🪕
@helend2228 ай бұрын
Could listen all day long.
@chronictheweedhog88212 жыл бұрын
this guy is a legend.
@flautalee30903 жыл бұрын
Terrific Performance!
@jeffcranford54033 жыл бұрын
I was there! He was hilarious
@breyzenification2 жыл бұрын
I've always felt a relation to this guy. Either from him always being in the movies or that he seems like such an honestly good person.
@muliefriend4785 Жыл бұрын
How could put so much talent in one human?
@dougalmcdougal8682Ай бұрын
Almost as fantastic an instrument as the bagpipes 🤓 Huge react . That laddie is a master of his craft …☀️🤗👍
@blainelanders23619 ай бұрын
Wonderful!
@davisonh1 Жыл бұрын
He is my favorite comedian of all time
@marshmangunnar91503 жыл бұрын
Good ol Steve... in my top 10 comedian list... but just multi talented.
@debbieparker22173 ай бұрын
Im not sure Ive ever known Steve Martin could play the banjo! Im really impressed!
@crosleysparty3 жыл бұрын
So funny! We love you Steve
@lynnstewart23263 жыл бұрын
I have to say the banjo is my favourite instrument. If I could play it, I would.
@guslevy35065 жыл бұрын
The story of how Navin Johnson learned to pick the banjo was cut from The Jerk...
@jimrushing10256 жыл бұрын
I love how he plays.
@octagon77324 жыл бұрын
Look up Claw hammer banjo
@Bluelightcheaphotel4 жыл бұрын
That’s the Democrat style. Three finger Scrugg roll is conservative 😉
@averyellis3 жыл бұрын
@@Bluelightcheaphotel now as a liberal Scruggs style player I take offense! 😂
@hertzair11863 жыл бұрын
Saw him in 1979 at the UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls, Iowa.