Little Willie John

I was breathless, 

speachless.

Yes, I just found a wonderful-sounding clip on YouTube, 

the world's greatest tribute to Peter Le Marc.

Yes, that is also the (Swedish) title for the clip.

Världens största hyllning till Peter LeMarc.

An astonishing version of LeMarc's classic song Little Willie John.

A song that in itself is a touching, full, life story in a few short minutes. 

The tribute is arranged by Alliansveckan, which is said to be the world's largest roller-skate race, organized in Peter LeMarc's hometown Trollhättan. And the lyrics also namedrop Trollhättan places, like Stallbackas bilfabrik (Stallbacka car factory). So you could argue that it is his local childhood hometown community celebrating the town's (perhaps) most famous son. Young, old, and middle-aged, men and women and children, with or without disabilities, professionals and amateur musicians, representants of choirs, classic music, pop, rock, and genres in-between. I really don't know the back story, I just found the clip. 

However, one thing I find sad, and a little worrying, is that multicultural Sweden is not at all present here, or visibly represented in the videoclip. I don't think LeMarc's fan base is that mono-cultural, and Little Willie John, the artist in the song title, was a famous American r&b-singer. 

And it would have been nice with some female voices singing lead too.

Otherwise this clip show up some nice views of Trollhättan and great live energy on stage.

Stage here is the whole Nova arena in Trollhättan. 

And sound-wise, I really like the bigger-than-big-band joyful soundscape of a thousand singers and players. You can clearly see, hear and feel the passion among the participants.

Peter LeMarc is what Swedes call "folkkär". 

English hasn't a word for it, but the meaning is: Beloved by the people. And Peter is. 

And the people, at least the thousand or so present here, sang and played his song with great passion, together, celebrating a great (local-national) artist that writes beautiful songs with touching lyrics. Often with very everyday life and love topics. 

Quite a tribute! 

Here is the link!

And below is a link to how the original sounded, live at Grammisgalan 1991, when the song was freshly new and LeMarc was prized as Lyricist of the Year (in Sweden). A worthy winner. The parent album, Sången dom spelar när filmen tar slut (The song they play when the movie ends), is a Classic. 

Little Willie John/Peter LeMarc

Actually, I have met Peter LeMarc once in Helsinki, many years ago, for an interview. I showed him a 5/5 record review and we discussed his albums, music and lyrics, and when the pre-planned time was up he extended our meeting with another halv hour because he enjoyed the discussion. 

A nice memory.