In 1962 the then 18 year old Al Kooper came to our sixth grade classroom and played for the class. It seems he was an alumni and had the same teacher, and was doing it as a favor for her. He played the song "Runaway" by Del Shannon, that was a huge hit in 1961. 62 years later, I still remember it vividly. What an amazingly talented man.

Watching this, you can see why honest people may be reluctant to do interviews with zealous TV hosts. Thanks to Al for trying.....

Al Kooper made me want to be a keyboard player. He was an incredible keyboardist.

Al kooper albums are classic and eternal.

I hope somewhere in this world someone has built a statue of Al Kooper. He is the very essence of what a musician should be, and his intuitive organ illuminates possibly the greatest American single of the 20th century.

Loved Kooper since about 1968 and still play his records.

Al Kooper is one of my all time favourits. I was lost whenn I heard the CBS samplers "Fill your head with rock" and "Rock Buster" He is great.

How cool to stumble unto this little gem. Al Kooper played The Bottomline in The Village on November 22-24, 1974. I saw him, front and center, on one of those days. It was a rock trio, drums, bass, and he played guitar. Don't ask me if I remember the set list but it was an awesome show. Great to have seen some of these people in their prime.

Loved this....met Al Kooper at the TK recording studio 1973 in South Fl....He was shy and I had no idea who he was when he asked if I wanted to go to dinner...I was so young and a bit afraid....You all know who and what I did with my life so far.....Loved seeing him again....it was just an older version same person....loved this! Wish I could get him to produce some new music with me....

Thank You Al Kooper ! You have been an influence to my music collection. You truely are a MASTER!!!

Al is a reluctant legend.

God this interviewer is dragging Al through the mud

Why this guy is not in the R&R HOF is a frigging mystery!? God bless Al! Love him! The jerks that forget him is a joke. Love you Al. Keep rockin’ big guy!!!

The Great Al Kooper. Enough said!!

Super Session is on my list of 100 greatest songs ever. And “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know” is too.

I've heard the story, but I also bought and read his book "Backstage Passes and Backstabbing Bastards, Memoirs of a Rock and Roll Survivor". He is one of the greats and was an eyewitness to important moments in the history of rock music.

I heard the story for the first time last week from Steven Van Zandt on Little Steven's underground Garage - and what a great story it is! What an incredible piece of Rock n Roll history. Loved watching this interview with Al Kooper and enjoyed his tongue-in-cheek testiness, too.

Al Kooper's autobiography is best book on rock ever written.

Doesn't matter that this was a typical shit interview by someone from the media or that Kooper seemed high or just pissed off, Al Kooper was a genius that slipped through the cracks by bad luck or whatever and never got what he really deserved as recognition. BS&T 1 was all AL KOOPER. If his style would have gone on with a band of that nature he would have been known worldwide forever. LISTEN TO HIM!!!!!

What an amazing talent. He has done so much with so many. I feel I owe him for that.

Al Kooper's intro and fills on Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" are the milestone moment of the beginning of 60s folk rock.

I would like to give a shout out to Al's solo projects. The one that I suggest first is "I Stand Alone", with Al on the cover impersonating Lady Liberty. This was his second project away from Blood, Sweat & Tears, the first being "Super Session". I also recommend "You Never Really Know Who Your Friends Are", with the photo of the Chicago police doing their worst at the Democratic Convention in 1968, on the cover.(Double Album). His masterpiece for me was "Super Session". Young guitarists need to look for this album, buy it, and listen to it often. I made a wreck out of TWO copies of the vinyl, as a 16 year old, who had been playing only 4 yrs., trying to learn Mike Bloomfield's licks. But guitars aside, Kooper's B-3 renderings on this record are masterful.

No ones has a flatter delivery than Al. ... The Henny Youngman of music with all the sly humour. ... I spoke to Al on the phone,15-years ago(?), and he gave me nothing but, "why are you bothering me?". ... I still like the guy because Al's book 'Backstage Passes and Backstabbing Bastards' is the greatest rock book ever written. A bible of the era. ... This is great interview right to the end. ... Next up, Al Kooper and Donald Fagen do a 10-minute interview, please expect 7-mins of silence.

For me, from Portugal, Al kooper is the father of Rock`n`roll american as we know today.

Got to meet him twice. First time in a Philly club where he did a solo show. Afterward I just walked backstage and said "I've been waiting 15 years to meet you", to which he replied "well that means I've been waiting 15 years to meet YOU". Second time was for his book, which he signed for me.

The interviewer tried to get at one interesting question I wish he'd have articulated better. Al is known so much for what he's done with other people: Bob Dylan, Stephen Stills, Mike Bloomfield, Shuggie Otis, Lynyrd Skynyrd, et al. But none of his own records did anything. He was around at interesting moments in rock history, but his own solo career never happened -- and he put out a lot of records under his own name. Wonder how he feels about that? (FWIW, Al's music was very formative for me in my early years -- my early bands played a LOT of Blues Project & BS&T. Fascinating guy -- just never was widely-known to the record-buying public.)

Al should , if he could, be canonized for his tact and patient tenor with this interviewer... if you see this Al ..yes it’s me Lisa.. ,,, much love and happiness... 🎸🙏🕊💜

You could have mentioned his work with The Blues Project.

You can thank this guy for spawning the Hammond organ being used in hundreds of famous rock songs.

Gary Rossington has some great stories about Al. He says he was awesome cool back in the day.

Love Al! Crappy interviewer.

the chemistry between the two is ... errr....

The Blues Project

Mike Bloomfield was the most beautiful person I ever met,.. it's an ugly evil world.stop the hate💜✡️☮️

Van Zant called him a city slicker but among these other choice superlatives, he's been party to some truly indelible moments in the history of rock n roll.

Western Union Man (1969), one greatest hit. We hope so, but Sony Music (through Legacy Recordings) will release a album collection. Thanks Jim, I'm watchin' every weeknight this programme and I'm listenin' every weekday morning the BPR show with Margery, all on 'GBH!!!

I never heard ANY of these wonderful Al Kooper stories! Thank you!!!

You had / have an ear for talent & good music. And a real nack for recalling and telling the priceless stories in an honest light just as they happened. The best ! Those who grew up knowing him love him

Kooper is being honored with a special award in Nov. 2023 at the Rock Hall Induction ceremony. Yes, it is overdue.

AL KOOPER is a tremendous legend that you cannot compare with STING into the musical horizons in creativity.KOOPER was a pioneer established innovator when STING was NOBODY.I write this because I;m very pissed that many fuckers put STING as a genius when AL KOOPER US THE REAL GENIUS that was born in a period of time full of changes:The 60s.

Sometimes an artist's worth is highlighted by the incompetence of the interviewer.

Loved the Blues Project.

My favorite R&R biography ever.

He also played the organ on Free Bird

I don't know why anyone agrees to go on this show.

AL KOOPER - NEW YORK CITY is a masterpiece. Blood Sweat & Tears , he added soul LYNYRD SKYNYRD , who better to discover arguably the Greatest Band Ever! Sooo much Everything!! ...and asking Kooper a tired old question like that, is like asking Liberace about his rings.

Why do interviewers think that being obnoxious and many times just flat out rude to their guest is what the guest secretly wants? There are clIps of guests being interviewed by some "self anointed gods gift to news media" types that when the stupid questions start, the guest politely stands up, then walks out of the studio. Huge props to all those that have reacted in that manner!!! 👌👍👍🇺🇸

rock stars should come out of the clouds and i am huge fan.

Amazing guy, Al Kooper. Was hoping to hear him talk about the great Lynyrd Skynyrd early years. Shame on that reporter for not asking questions about them.

The tubes first album has this legend all over it

can't watch it. i have too much respect for Kooper

This host (Jim Braude) currently co-hosts a radio show in Boston and he's just as terrible there as he was here - mildly obnoxious, constantly interrupting or "correcting" (he's frequently wrong) his female co-host Margery Eagan... it's cringeworthy radio and is basically a daily, three-hour black hole in WGBH's schedule. His behavior here just confirmed my feelings - the fact that he felt compelled to poll his co-workers about Mr. Kooper's story is incredibly childish and unprofessional.

That was fun. Liked the audio inserts of early obscure songwriting. This is good. Thx for uploading.

The interviewer "hated the second Blood, Sweat, and Tears"?? Well it only won Grammy record album of the year. One does not have to "hate it" if one liked the first one with Kooper. In fact, both are super albums in different ways.

I love the interviewer is so excited to interview the great AL Kooper. It's great he's a fan..

The intro to like a rolling stone is so great Im almost disappointed when dylan starts singing

He is still gold! Talent is in the DNA...

I'm shocked Al isn't in the R&R Hall of Fame.

wow he looked like Beethoven Ray Charles

This host could be me. I agree with everything he said. My freshman roommates in college loved the first BS&T album. When the second came out, and I heard David Clayton-Thomas, I was traumatized. I'm still recovering. Al seems a bit spaced out, but who wouldn't be? Excuse me while I go listen the The Child is Father to the Man for the 4 millionth time.

Almost forgot...this is when you were doing "We Three Music" ...ring a bell I am sure... anyway, good wishes to you and hope all your dreams come true. You do desire a place in music history.

Good little interview.

The interviewer should seriously consider retiring and entering into a life of contemplation. For while Rock'n Roll will never die, the coroner actually came by with its death certificate a few decades ago.

he was great,,,,Botom Line 199o's produced great stuff

I don’t know why these media people have to think they need to talk more than a guest and guide him around just let Kooper talk and shut your mug

Why isn’t he in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? He’s had an incredibly versatile and interesting career and life. Broke my heart when he left BS&T. He did not have a great voice, it I believed every note and word he sang…the man feels what he sings. I’m currently reading his autobiography, and loving it; but it pisses me off how he got burned so much in the sucky music business. Love this man!

Álbum " Soul of a Man!! Love it

one of the giants

Pure 24kt genius.

Al is really funny. I like his dry wit.

Al must have needed some bread, otherwise what the hell was that interview, looks like he couldn't wait until it was over. Me to.

his organ playing on HIGHWAY61 & BLONDE, and many others after that made Dylan Dylan!!!!

Stop. Al Kooper and Mike Bloomfield is the greatest track of all time. The only thing I was surprised about in this interview was that he was still alive. Nice one Alphonse.

Just finished watching this interview. To Mr. Al Kooper : I have been a music collector for almost 60 years. I have never heard of the story of how you came to play on any of Bob Dylan's music.

I want Al Kooper's pink shirt!

I'm a big fan of Al Kooper.. I never heard the story.

I was friends with Al when we were around 20/21 years old when we lived in Forest Hills, Queens. One day I was visiting and he played a song for me on his dinky home organ ...it went on forever. If memory serves I said it could never be a hit single because those days singles had to be three minutes or less.......worst prediction ever.

Al its good to see you Al: its good to be seen.. 😂😂

Thanks for More Information on Al Kooper

How wrong was he on Reagan??? One of the greatest presidents ever.

I have no idea why this is the first time I ever come across an interview with AL Kooper, considering that he was the legend that he was in the Rock scene already when I was in my early teens and I am now almost 64. The fact that I had never seen an article or interview of Al Kooper all these years until now , it intensified his legendary image for me. One thing is sure, his hair looks better now than when he had the crazy wet look hair back in the days

Very few musicians from the 60’s and 70’s are as full of themselves as Al Kooper.

Love this guy, but Al, if you don't want to be interviewed, don't show up.

I'd heard the story several times.

This interview should be deleted from history. Not only is it disrespectful to AK, but highlights the pure arrogance of the interviewer and the station he works for. It should never have been released.

Still not in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in any way!

I have heard the story three or 4 times.

Me encanta el arreglo a la canción I can't keep from cryin sometimes !!

Al’s podcast “Koopercast” is absolutely fantastic and gives insight into the legendary recordings Al did and people in the music business-both good and bad.

I liked the second Blood Swear and Tears album 🐧

"Do you mind if fawn over you for second?" "...so long as I don't get anything on my jacket."

In person he was a Jerk-Off for sure. I met him at The Bottom Line in NYC, and asked for his autograph and he fliped out on me. Not a nice guy. On this video I ask you do you think he's a Jerk Off or not!

studio dudes taking the piss love it :)

The question I always wanted to ask Al Kooper is, how did he get Norman Rockwell to paint his picture?

Uno de mis preferidos, un genio musical!

I never heard the story either.

A very talented artist. Too bad so many creative people are politically naive.

Born in Brooklyn but raised in Queens.

If he didn't want to be interviewed- which appears to be the case- why did he turn up at the studio?

Anyone who doesn’t know the story of how Al came to play organ on Like a Rolling Stone has never had any significant interest in Al. I will say however, I’ve heard the story dozens of times and have yet to tire of hearing him tell it, but obviously he has, and he’s not kidding.