It's Your Thing: Live at Yankee Stadium (1970) – The Lost Soul Concert Film

In the late 1960s, soul music was undergoing a powerful transformation. Gospel roots still ran deep, but funk rhythms and a new sense of artistic independence were beginning to reshape the sound of R&B. 

 

One of the most fascinating visual documents of this moment is the 1970 concert film It's Your Thing: Live at Yankee Stadium.

 

 

 Filmed at Yankee Stadium in New York City on June 21, 1969, the concert was organized by The Isley Brothers to celebrate the success of their hit single “It’s Your Thing.”

The event brought together a diverse lineup of soul, gospel, and pop performers for a massive outdoor concert.

 

Although the movie received a limited theatrical release in 1970, it has never been widely distributed on home video.

As a result, it has become something of a legendary “lost” soul concert film among collectors and historians.

More than fifty years later, the film remains an exciting snapshot of a pivotal moment in Black music history.

 

The Isley Brothers – Hosts and Headliners

The stars of the show are The Isley Brothers, who organized and financed the event themselves. 

At the time, the group had recently left Motown Records and launched their own label, T-Neck Records. Their new single “It’s Your Thing” became a huge hit and a defining early funk anthem.

 In the film, the Isleys deliver a passionate performance filled with crowd participation. Ronald Isley’s soulful vocals lead the audience through several songs, including their classic “Shout.”

 

 

 

 

 One of the most memorable moments comes when members of the crowd join the band on stage during the finale.

 

The energy is spontaneous and celebratory, capturing the excitement of a band that had just achieved artistic independence.

 Their performance anchors the entire concert and serves as the emotional centerpiece of the film.

 

Patti Austin – A Future Star

One of the most intriguing appearances in the film is by a young Patti Austin, performing early in her career.

 Even at this stage, Austin demonstrates a polished vocal style and confident stage presence. 

 Her performance hints at the major career she would later enjoy as a Grammy-winning jazz and R&B vocalist.

 

For viewers today, her appearance feels like discovering a future star in the making.

 

The Five Stairsteps and Cubie – Family Soul

 

Chicago family group The Five Stairsteps and Cubie bring youthful charm and harmony-rich soul music to the stage.

 Often called “The First Family of Soul,” the group mixes pop sensibilities with smooth R&B vocals. 

Their segment adds a lighter tone to the concert and demonstrates the broad range of styles that existed within the soul music scene.

 

Their upbeat performance fits perfectly into the festival atmosphere of the show.

 

The Edwin Hawkins Singers – Gospel Power

A highlight of the film comes from The Edwin Hawkins Singers, whose gospel performance electrifies the stadium.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh off the massive success of their crossover hit “Oh Happy Day,” the choir delivers a powerful display of spiritual energy. Their harmonies fill the stadium as the crowd claps along.

The segment reminds viewers how closely soul music remained connected to gospel traditions during this era.

 

Jackie “Moms” Mabley – Comedy Interlude

 Legendary comedian Jackie “Moms” Mabley provides comic relief between musical performances.

By the late 1960s, Mabley was already an established figure in Black entertainment. Her witty observations and storytelling bring laughter to the enormous crowd.

 Her presence also reflects the structure of many soul revues of the time, which often included comedy alongside music.

The Clara Ward Singers – Gospel Tradition

Another powerful gospel segment comes from The Clara Ward Singers, one of the most influential gospel groups of the twentieth century.

Their performance is intense and emotionally charged. The group’s dramatic delivery transforms the concert atmosphere into something resembling a church revival meeting.

 

The segment demonstrates how gospel music continued to influence the sound and spirit of soul music during this period.

 

 

Judy White – Smooth Soul Vocals

Soul singer Judy White contributes one of the concert’s more intimate moments.

 

Her smooth vocals and expressive delivery showcase the romantic side of R&B. Backed by a tight band, White delivers a polished performance that highlights the songwriting talent associated with the Isley Brothers’ musical circle.

 

Although she never achieved the fame of some of the other performers, her segment adds depth to the film’s lineup.

The Young Gents – Up-and-Coming Soul

The group The Young Gents represents the emerging wave of soul acts during the late 1960s.

 

Their performance features upbeat rhythms and lively harmonies that capture the youthful energy of the era.

 While not widely remembered today, their appearance provides a valuable glimpse into the broader soul music scene of the time.

The Brooklyn Bridge – Pop-Soul Crossover

Pop-soul band The Brooklyn Bridge adds stylistic diversity to the concert lineup.

Known for blending rock, pop, and soul influences, the group had achieved chart success with their hit “The Worst That Could Happen.”

Their appearance demonstrates how soul music was increasingly crossing over into mainstream pop audiences.

The Winstons – Rhythm and Funk

The concert also features The Winstons, a soul group known for their rhythm-heavy sound.

Their music emphasizes strong grooves and energetic instrumentation, hinting at the emerging funk movement that would dominate the early 1970s.

Their performance adds momentum to the concert and reinforces the film’s role as a snapshot of soul music in transition.

Ike & Tina Turner – Explosive Finale

One of the most electrifying segments in the film comes from Ike & Tina Turner.

Although their performance was filmed separately and later added to the movie, it fits perfectly with the high-energy spirit of the concert.

 

 

Tina Turner’s stage presence is extraordinary. Her powerful vocals and dynamic dancing turn the segment into one of the most unforgettable moments in the film.

 

Backed by the Ikettes and Ike Turner’s band, the performance delivers pure rock-soul intensity.

 

Why This Concert Film Matters

It's Your Thing is more than just a concert movie. It is a cultural time capsule documenting a pivotal moment in the evolution of soul music.

The lineup reflects the rich diversity of Black music during the late 1960s, from gospel choirs to funk-driven soul bands. 

 

The film also highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of the Isley Brothers, who financed and produced the project independently.

 

Despite its historical importance, the movie remains largely unavailable today. Archive prints exist, but it has never received a proper commercial home-video release.

For collectors and fans of classic soul, this makes the film one of the most intriguing lost concert documentaries of the era.

Final Thoughts

Watching It's Your Thing: Live at Yankee Stadium is like stepping into the heart of the late-1960s soul music scene.

 

From the gospel power of the Edwin Hawkins Singers to the explosive stage energy of Ike & Tina Turner, the film captures a vibrant mix of musical styles.

  At the center of it all are the Isley Brothers, celebrating their success and showcasing the artists around them.

If the film were ever restored and widely released, it would undoubtedly become an essential entry in the catalog of classic soul concert films.

Until then, it remains a fascinating and rare glimpse into one of the most exciting periods in soul music history.