Musical Acts Used to Go on TV Shows and Lip Sync their BIg Hit

[Seymour Flops]

I realized that as a kid, when I saw my first live performance and the songs sounded different than the records I listened to. Next time I saw an act on TV, I realized they must be lip syncing. Then I noticed things like guitars not even plugged in or aucustic guitars with no microphone in front of the sound hole.

Anway, I have mad respect for this little protest of that:

 

[JGalt]

I realized that as a kid, when I saw my first live performance and the songs sounded different than the records I listened to. Next time I saw an act on TV, I realized they must be lip syncing. Then I noticed things like guitars not even plugged in or aucustic guitars with no microphone in front of the sound hole.

Anway, I have mad respect for this little protest of that:

I was gonna say "No way could they have pulled off that song live like it was originally recorded in the studio", but they done pretty well live in Monterey in '67. A little pitchy toward the end...

 

[protectionist]

It was not a bad idea to have singers lip sych their songs.

• the shows saved money, by not having to have numerous live musicians playing.
• Shows were not always able to get the same musicians to appear, as who made the studio recording
• the audience got a better sounding show, since studio recordings are much better than one shot performance, except in very rare cases were some performers generally were as good live as in the studio (ex. the Carpenters)

 

[Crepitus]

I realized that as a kid, when I saw my first live performance and the songs sounded different than the records I listened to. Next time I saw an act on TV, I realized they must be lip syncing. Then I noticed things like guitars not even plugged in or aucustic guitars with no microphone in front of the sound hole.

Anway, I have mad respect for this little protest of that:

Is this news to anyone? A live TV performance at the time was too big a deal to take a risk on a flubbed line or missed key.

 

[gtopa1]

I realized that as a kid, when I saw my first live performance and the songs sounded different than the records I listened to. Next time I saw an act on TV, I realized they must be lip syncing. Then I noticed things like guitars not even plugged in or aucustic guitars with no microphone in front of the sound hole.

Anway, I have mad respect for this little protest of that:

yep. Knew that in the 60s.

Greg

 

[gtopa1]

Is this news to anyone? A live TV performance at the time was too big a deal to take a risk on a flubbed line or missed key.

A notable exception...and there were many of course.



Greg

 

[GLASNOST]

Musical Acts Used to Go on TV Shows and Lip Sync their BIg Hit​

Everything on American Bandstand and Soul Train was lip sync'd. What used to burn my gizzard was "Greatest Hits" compilation LP's that had out-takes from the studio. "Original Songs by the Original Artists!" Yeah, the studio rejects by the artists alright. Anyone who listened to music as much as I did can spot the reject after the first two beats.

 

[GLASNOST]

A notable exception...

... would be this one:

 

[rosends]

Now this is a thread topic in which I have some knowledge!

 

[Care4all]

This was live, no lip zinc and was spot on fantastic! Gosh the 70s had them some singers and performers!








Watch it on youtube....well worth it!

,-------------------------------------

The good performers begged back then to be on The Midnight Special cuz it was always live performances! So look for Midnight Special for artists you like....

 

[Care4all]

And this is also live and 100% them!

 

[Muhammed]

Is this news to anyone? A live TV performance at the time was too big a deal to take a risk on a flubbed line or missed key.

Or this...

 

[Care4all]

Midnight Special live

Wild Cherry, Play that Funky Music

 

[Muhammed]

Beyonce lip syncing the Star Spangled Banner at Obama's inauguration was entirely appropriate. Like his presidency, her performance wasn't legit.

 

[Care4all]

Live Midnight Specials

 

[airplanemechanic]

... would be this one:

That song is unique in that the drummer is the lead singer. You just don't see that much.

 

[1srelluc]

Queen Made 'Bohemian Rhapsody' Video To Avoid Lip-Sync Performance On TV | iHeart

Brian May says the band hated the idea of miming a performance of the song to promote it on the BBC's 'Top of the Pops.' | iHeart

www.iheart.com

 

[1srelluc]

Double post....Fix your server USMB!

 

[Seymour Flops]

It was not a bad idea to have singers lip sych their songs.

• the shows saved money, by not having to have numerous live musicians playing.
• Shows were not always able to get the same musicians to appear, as who made the studio recording
• the audience got a better sounding show, since studio recordings are much better than one shot performance, except in very rare cases were some performers generally were as good live as in the studio (ex. the Carpenters)

Good points, all.

I will say that there are some great recorded performances of songs that were performed in front of audiences after being a smash hit on a single or an album. There are at least two versions of "The Boxer" performed in Central Park on Youtube that are great, and I can listen to them without video and never think 'I wish it was the original version.'

When I realized what was up as a kid, though it was a blow. All those years, I had been scammed by Hee-Haw!

 

[Seymour Flops]

Great discussion of televised lip sync music!

I was also hoping for a discussion of the protest. Did Michelle do the right thing, or the wrong thing, that type thing.

On the one hand, they had a contract to appear on the show and to act in good faith, which would mean going along with the lip sync and playing it straight. Ed Sullivan gave the Big Break to countless singers and comedians, and was deserving of respect.

On the other hand, I compare that banana-eating act of 'civil disobedience' to today's protesters who don't know the difference between civil disobedience and going ferel, and who are are in reality protesting the hand that life has dealt them personally. They are unwilling or unable to recognize that they practically were dealt the gin hand just by being born free Americans, but they misplayed it to the point that the only reaction they can come up with now is to hurt people and break things.

Sorry for the rant. Back to the musical discussion!