James Brown - The Payback

Man, no one puts on a show like James Brown. This song is a good example of the influence funk music had on other genres; only a few years later, breakbeat DJs would transform songs by James Brown, George Clinton and other funk artists into early hip-hop.

Stevie Wonder - You Are The Sunshine Of My Life

A brilliant 1974 performance at the Rainbow Theatre. "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" would become Wonder's third number one single and won him a Grammy for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance.

Sugarhill Gang - Apache

Legendary cover of Apache by the Sugarhill Gang. This video cuts out and starts over, does anyone have a better copy?

Joey Scarbury - Theme from Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)

A smash hit in 1981, "Theme from Greatest American Hero" is the extended version of a television theme song written by Mike Post and Stephen Geyer. Singer Joey Scarbury helped propel the song to #2 on the Billboard Top 100, but failed to follow up on his success and quickly fell into obscurity.

Elton John - Benny and the Jets

Elton John at the Rose Theatre, performing a classic from the album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". Great improv section; Elton's an accomplished soloist.

John Cage - Water Walk

(via WMFU's Beware of Blog) The innovative work of experimental composer John Cage on the 1960's television show "I've Got a Secret". Audience members may have gotten a chuckle, but Cage produces a brilliant ambient work.

Elvis Costello - Radio Radio

His infamous appearance on Saturday Night Live. The new-waver was told not to perform the song "Radio Radio" on the live broadcast, as his label wanted to promote his new album with an already established song. Costello had other plans.