Happy Birthday Mason Williams.

[JohnnyRingo]

Today is Mason Williams 81st birthday. It was in 1968 that he released "Classical Gas", one of the few instrumentals to crack the top ten Billboard chart, but it was a composition that could not be ignored, even in the era of hard rock.

This song was everywhere back then. It was like my generation's Dueling Banjos, but I don't recall getting as sick of hearing it.

Here's the original LP version:

Here Williams plays it live back in the day:

...and this is a much later live arrangement with a harp accompaniment.

...But this live period rendition by Jim Stafford on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour is pure entertainment gold:

Happy Birthday Mason. I loved that song. It was a gift.

[bronxiteforever]

1. Kick and recommend. One of the great songs.

[louis-t]

2. Learned to play it at age 12. Sort of.

Took years to perfect it.

[Ohiogal]

3. I remember it well

always loved it, never get tired of hearing it!

Thanks, JohnnyRingo.

[hlthe2b]

4. I never got tired of hearing it and still have it on a playlist to this day.

[Ilsa]

5. All 4 performances were a joy to hear and watch.

I remember seeing #2 on tv, but don't remember which show.

[JohnnyRingo]

6. I felt bad putting up four, but I couldn't pick.

The original is important because that was the recording that the world fell for. The second one was what the song sounded like live back then and the one with the harp was what may be the pinnacle of evolution for the song.

And I just like Jim Stafford. I don't like spiders and snakes.