Rare footage: The Blues Magoos on the Kraft Music Hall with host Jack Benny, circa 1966

The Blues Magoos were at the forefront of the psychedelic music trend. Originally from The Bronx this band got their start playing clubs in New York’s Greenwich Village. In 1966 they released their first album Psychedelic Lollipop, one of the first records to have the word “psychedelic” in the title. There most successful single off the album, ‘(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet ' peaked at #5 of the Billboard charts and led to a host of appearances on TV including 1967’s Kraft Music Hall hosted by Jack Benny.

On the show The Blues Magoos performed their second single, ‘Tobacco Road’, and tried to explain their musical style and philosophy to the bewildered host. It’s a great piece of archival footage that captures the juxtaposition between the old and new ways. But the whole thing looks pretty staged including Benny’s reaction to the “loud” music and the show biz flourish by which he removes earplugs at the end of the bands performance. Check it out here and judge for yourself.

You can listen to the Blues Magoos and other 60s Psychedelic bands on Dusty Discs Radio.