Uploaded February 2022 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
Celebrating OLIVER'S birthday 77 years ago today - 2-22-22
A very special heavenly birthday wish for a very special man - OLIVER whose real name is
William Oliver Swofford, or just "Bill".
The video is originally from a black and white, poorly shot clip of about 23 minutes long - it is of a single song rehearsal that was taped on June 29, 1970 for the DORA HALL SPECIAL "Once Upon A Tour". The portion of the video showing him dancing is about 10-15 seconds long and he was standing in the far lower side of the film. What's a girl to do???
Chop the thing up and make it into a 3:40 minute happy birthday celebration!
Yeah, it's a little juvenile looking, a little too far out there, but none of that matters... we have him dancing! No need to go on about Bill - if you knew him, you loved him. Period. I've gone 6 years making nearly 100 videos honoring his life, his music, and conveying some of his writings. It is my honor to continue to do so, so long as there is a song to listen to, an old photo found, or a story that's important to tell. Many thanks to those special fans who over the years have supplied lost recordings and photos. The link to this particular rehearsal clip was conveyed to me by Patti Robinson, a solid Oliver fan as well.
For today, this 2-22-22 birthday video is only one of 6 new ones for this month and so, it can be silly and fun.
So happy birthday to my favorite voice ever, my hero, my inspiration, my teacher, and my sweet, kind, and loving prince. The world became so much darker when you left. See you soon, again!
BTW: Check out Oliver's Facebook page. Just click on the link on the main page and read, hear, and see so much more of why this guy was so awesome.
Check out Oliver's Facebook page to for more detail information on his life, music, and many of his perspectives which he carefully recorded in his journal over the years.
William Oliver Swofford "OLIVER"
2-22-1945 - 2-12-2000
Celebrating OLIVER'S birthday 77 years ago today - 2-22-22
A very special heavenly birthday wish for a very special man - OLIVER whose real name is
William Oliver Swofford, or just "Bill".
The video is originally from a black and white, poorly shot clip of about 23 minutes long - it is of a single song rehearsal that was taped on June 29, 1970 for the DORA HALL SPECIAL "Once Upon A Tour". The portion of the video showing him dancing is about 10-15 seconds long and he was standing in the far lower side of the film. What's a girl to do???
Chop the thing up and make it into a 3:40 minute happy birthday celebration!
Yeah, it's a little juvenile looking, a little too far out there, but none of that matters... we have him dancing! No need to go on about Bill - if you knew him, you loved him. Period. I've gone 6 years making nearly 100 videos honoring his life, his music, and conveying some of his writings. It is my honor to continue to do so, so long as there is a song to listen to, an old photo found, or a story that's important to tell. Many thanks to those special fans who over the years have supplied lost recordings and photos. The link to this particular rehearsal clip was conveyed to me by Patti Robinson, a solid Oliver fan as well.
For today, this 2-22-22 birthday video is only one of 6 new ones for this month and so, it can be silly and fun.
So happy birthday to my favorite voice ever, my hero, my inspiration, my teacher, and my sweet, kind, and loving prince. The world became so much darker when you left. See you soon, again!
BTW: Check out Oliver's Facebook page. Just click on the link on the main page and read, hear, and see so much more of why this guy was so awesome.
Check out Oliver's Facebook page to for more detail information on his life, music, and many of his perspectives which he carefully recorded in his journal over the years.
William Oliver Swofford "OLIVER"
2-22-1945 - 2-12-2000
