I need help finding out who this performer is. (1 Viewer)

[James D S]

He appeared on Late Night with David Letterman a few weeks ago. He sang Steve Miller's Jet Airliner, dressed like a hobo. When Letterman walked over to congradulate him on his performance, he seemed feeble-minded. I don't know if in fact he is, he just appeared as such. He was in his 50's or 60's (unkept and it made it hard to pinpoint his age). This mystery man did a great job and I was really impressed and am looking to check some more of his music out. But any search for a singer of "Jet Airliner" is always gonna pull up Steve Miller. He was not Steve Miller.
Thanks!

 

[Greg_Y]

He sang Steve Miller's Jet Airliner,

It isn't Steve Miller's Jet Airliner any more than it's Jimi Hendrix's All Along The Watchtower.
The song was written by Paul Pena. His album was delayed a little while ... approximately 27 years. That might be who was on the Late Show. He's blind which may explain what you describe as an odd appearance.

 

[James D S]

Greg,
I listened to Paul Pena's version, and although I couldn't account for the age of his voice or the differences associated with age between the two versions, the two did not sound the same.
But thanks for the tip. I'll see if I can find a pic of Mr. Pena to compare.
Thanks!

 

[James D S]

By the way, no disrespect to Mr. Dylan, but All Along the Watchtower IS Jimi's.

 

[Mikael Soderholm]

but All Along the Watchtower IS Jimi's.

I thought it was U2's

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/Mikael
No! Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.

 

[Greg_Y]

You guys are heathens.

 

[Greg Robertson]

I thought I might have heard somewhere that Dylan started playing Jimi's version after hearing it.
This sounds like something I heard on vh1, so grab yourself a grain of salt.
Greg

 

[Graeme Clark]

It's not Neil Young's?
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[Mark Cappelletty]

Paul Pena is the blind bluesman who went to Mongolia about 5 years ago to learn Tuvan throat-singing, an effort which was captured in the excellent documentary "Genghis Blues." It shows up on Sundance from time to time and is on video/DVD-- it's worth tracking down.