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vlmagee · 11-02-2003, 05:50 AM

quote:Originally posted by Auburn Annie:

Having said that, Roger Miller ("King of the Road") recorded "Me and Bobby McGee" on his 1969 self-titled album. So I think Roger got there first. Janis Joplin didn't record it until summer 1970; it was on the posthumously released PEARL in January 1971 - and was, I think, her only #1 hit.

You are correct that Roger Miller's recording was the first one out there; however, as I understand it, Gord was the first to record it but held back releasing it when asked to, so that the much better known Miller would be the first one to release it on a record.

I don't know the exact timing in 1969, but I can say that as of the summer - August 9th, to be specific - folk DJ Skip Weshner in LA had never heard of Kris Kristopherson. Lightfoot sang the song live on Skip's show that day, perhaps the first broadcast performance of it (along with a number of Lightfoot originals including Looking At The Rain which wouldn't even be on the next album).

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Valerie Magee

Visit my GL web site at gordonlightfoot.com and Cathy Cowette's site at cathycowette.com

[This message has been edited by vlmagee (edited November 02, 2003).]

11-02-2003, 05:50 AM	#6
vlmagee Senior Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Ballston Spa, NY Posts: 724	quote:Originally posted by Auburn Annie: Having said that, Roger Miller ("King of the Road") recorded "Me and Bobby McGee" on his 1969 self-titled album. So I think Roger got there first. Janis Joplin didn't record it until summer 1970; it was on the posthumously released PEARL in January 1971 - and was, I think, her only #1 hit. You are correct that Roger Miller's recording was the first one out there; however, as I understand it, Gord was the first to record it but held back releasing it when asked to, so that the much better known Miller would be the first one to release it on a record. I don't know the exact timing in 1969, but I can say that as of the summer - August 9th, to be specific - folk DJ Skip Weshner in LA had never heard of Kris Kristopherson. Lightfoot sang the song live on Skip's show that day, perhaps the first broadcast performance of it (along with a number of Lightfoot originals including Looking At The Rain which wouldn't even be on the next album). ------------------ Valerie Magee Visit my GL web site at gordonlightfoot.com and Cathy Cowette's site at cathycowette.com [This message has been edited by vlmagee (edited November 02, 2003).]