Ep 15 - The Midnight Special | May 11, 1973

[@clapolla]

Once again, thank you MNS & Mr. Sugarman. You've no idea how appreciated these shows are by so many of us.

[@sardeeni]

32:38 to 39:03 Wow. The Crusaders - a perfect, tight rnb funk instrumental groove - into Incredible String Band - wide-eyed eclectic celtic psychedelia - what a musical transition!! Man the 70s was a monster music decade…

[@christinacrocker9917]

My hubby and I cannot wait to finally see the Incredible String Band on this show. This group influenced Page, Plant, The Beatles, The Stones, and countless others. The extremely talented Robin Williamson and Mike Heron could play a wide variety of musical instruments. We saw Mike Heron and Clive Palmer perform at Joe's Pub in 2004, it was an amazing performance. We never thought we would ever see this footage, thank you Burt Sugarman for making this possible!

[@ericvonharding3421]

It will be weird seeing them in 74. Wonder if Licorice was still with them

[@deirdre108]

In the early 1980's Robin would give concerts in his house in Los Angeles, usually for around 30-40 people. I went to a few of these --all solo, mainly playing Celtic harp as his vocal accompaniment. What a brilliant musician, poet, song-writer, ranconteur, performer. I was always go glad to see/hear him in such an intimate setting.

[@kevingoins9858]

Ronnie Dyson....what a voice. Departed at such a young age (40). Great singer.

[@vincentdavis3453]

Ronnie Dyson - One Man Band. Sadly R.I.P at (40) Thank you Midnight Special for giving him a fantastic opportunity to perform on your show.

[@thomasmartin2838]

WOW! An amazingly diverse lineup...as always. Did not know that The Incredible String Band were on The Midnight Special! Can't wait to see this one.

[@agumperz]

The O'Jays sounded great!

[@darleneschneck]

Man, this the best time machine-taking me back to age 15!

[@drmorqWarrenProject]

I also have to thank you for putting these back out like this... It takes me back to moments in time where it seemed that the answers of life were within our grasp. We had solved the civil rights and everything was getting more and more equal and fair every day... because we were working on it. It wasnt even close to perfect or finished... but it seemed we were trying to come out of that dark cloud of hatred and war and assassination... We need to get back to fixing the problems we have and not just pining a pretty picture.

[@matthewclark9652]

I never heard of Mark Almond until now!! The song "The City" is one great song more than 7 minutes!!

[@georgepetty4096]

Mark-Almond sounded great

[@matthewclark9652]

@@georgepetty4096 NOT the lead singer Marc Almond from Soft Cell (1982 "Tainted Love").

[@concatinate]

...right...but named after founding members Jon Mark (guitar) and Johnny Almond (sax).

[@gtaylor1812]

@@concatinate Both of whom did some fine work with the great John Mayall

[@philsatterley5297]

Looking forward to this! Interesting bit of trivia, Jack Burns went on to become a producer and was Co-Producer of another late night TV series, Fridays. He was also partly responsible for orchestrating the infamous "fight" he got into with Andy Kaufman on air.

[@tgrum3316]

He was also the voice of the Dale Gribble-like neighbor on the 70s evening syndicated cartoon, Wait Till Your Father Gets Home. Avery Schreiber became the Doritos guy.

[@Oppeldeldoc1]

People usually don't mention most of the things he did. He's usually mentioned as just the person who had to follow Don Knotts on The Andy Griffith Show, which is really lopsided.@@tgrum3316

[@irasimson3088]

The Crusaders sound great!

[@garyt7855]

Especially with guitarist Arthur Adams and legendary bassist Chuck Rainey in the band.

[@irasimson3088]

@@garyt7855 And Joe Sample on the keyboard

[@adamcarrey9115]

Ronnie Dyson is very underrated.

[@RalfHusch-cp5fl]

Thanks a million for this episode! Love Burns & Schreiber and The Crusaders...

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

Glad you enjoyed them and thanks again for your support, it goes along way to help keeping this channel going.

[@DannyO-j4q]

The Crusaders were tight. Chuck Rainey wasn't in the Crusaders for long, but he was during this era. He later played bass on every track on Steely Dan's Aja. Keyboard player Joe Sample also played on Aja as well as the follow up album Gaucho.

[@matthewclark9652]

Burns & Schreiber had a Summer replacement but short lived TV variety comedy show on ABC from June 30 till September 1, 1973. One of the musical guests were The Doobie Brothers performing "China Grove"!!

[@jonellison2331]

I am totally out of superlative comments about these full episodes! We line them up in our weekend playlist & can’t wait-THANk YOU so much!

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

Loved seeing The Crusaders!! Interesting to see Steve Martin doing routunes later recorded for his comedy albums. He definitely perfected his delivery on those albums.

[@ronnieparker4311]

Here I am at 1:42 am. Sat morning ! Always love traveling back to the 70’s with the midnight special! Space ace Ron ⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@markvonwisco7369]

Steve Martin is a hell of a banjo player!

[@sandy3482]

classic Burns and Schreiber skit, Hollies , O'Jays. early Steve Martin - all live music - great show

[@vincentdavis3453]

​Burns and Schreiber are one of the most underrated comedy teams of their era but boy were they pure gold

[@MinminSpaceCadet]

I've been watching every Saturday afternoon since you began posting a new show every Friday night, This one makes me feel really happy. My dad was the spitting image of Avery Schreiber (to the point that people would stop us all the time to ask for his autograph - which wasn't so crazy, since we lived in NYC back then). Every time I see any old videos of Avery, all I see is my dad...who also had pretty much the same voice and DEFINITELY the same sense of humor.

[@JamieAndersonMusic]

Especially loved the O'Jays and The Crusaders. Man, those guys could play!

[@StephanieJeanne]

Always liked Avery Schreiber! 😆 Will be fun to see Steve Martin and The Hollies and O'Jays! I'm not too familiar with the other names, so will be cool to hear some old "new" music!

[@johnfeatherman4942]

Another Christmas present in August. Thank you so much!

[@wendyhermes]

The perfect Friday Night. Shabbat Shalom!

[@AlmostReady504]

And a shama lama ding dong to you

[@Mo_Taser]

"Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" really suffers here without Allan Clarke.

[@PuggyBank]

Yes. Somewhat painful.

[@jm12green31]

I love it man discussing politics drugs all kind of taboo subjects

[@themanfromphoto]

Wilton Felder the sax player in The Crusaders played bass on The Jackson 5's I Want You Back, ABC and Marvin Gaye's Lets' Get It On.

[@akng_bass]

00:32:30 The Crusaders - Put It Where You Want It 00:53:38 The Crusaders - Don’t Let It Get You Down The bass player is Mr. Chuck Rainey!! His video in 1970s is very rare!

[@davidclements7696]

Not familiar with the Crusaders until this. Wonderful and amazing performance.

[@matthewclark9652]

Avery in those Doritos commercials!!! Jack Burns was in the short lived ABC TV series "Getting Together" (with Bobby Sherman & Wes Stern) in late 1971!!

[@gregoryduncan3067]

Well, the O'Jay's are going to be in it. That's always a positive thing.

[@StephanieJeanne]

Yeah! I like them a lot!

[@deirdre108]

I was listening, hearing how tight they were and then saw their band had a conductor. No wonder! Never saw that on TMS before.

[@StephanieJeanne]

@@deirdre108 Wow! I didn't even notice that! I went back and watched it. That's really cool!

[@deirdre108]

@@StephanieJeanne Seeing where he’s standing, the conductor is working mainly with the horn section which are most likely LA studio musicians who were brought together for this gig. Great sound!

[@StephanieJeanne]

@@deirdre108 Absolutely!

[@RIXRADvidz]

Steve Martin, man, he's a Wild and Crazy Guy !! Let's Get Small. like really small

[@thinkbeforyouvote]

The Dorito Guy before the nonstop commercials in the late 70's!!!!

[@seanwinkel8890]

Thanks Burt!

[@RustyCrawford-cc1zy]

I was at a high school dance in 1974 in farmers BR ANC, h, Texas. And saw a group of high school boys. Play mark Almonds the city.

[@AlmostReady504]

Another gem thank you

[@JohnnyJimsAZ]

Burns was the actor that replaced Don Knots deputy position in The Andy Griffith show.

[@CowGirlKat8691]

Missed the notification but another wonderful stroll down memory lane! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@개끌고산으로-c2p]

마크알몬드가 나오다니.. 대박~!~

[@romelovesdan]

Best remember Avery Schreiber from his Doritos commercials....but he and Burns were on many TV shows...

[@karenn.6760]

Incredible String Band??? Precious footage!

[@SteveKraus]

You maybe living under a rock if you weren't watching the great live performances on Midnight Special. The 70's were never better and will never be repeated.

[@michaelwalston2438]

What is the point of making a comment like this?

[@Patriotic545]

I laughed a lot when steve martins turn. I watched the Hollies O jays and Mark Almond. I skipped 00:13:33 thats why.

[@Patriotic545]

I asked Steve Martin 'what am i living for?" He answered: spend holliedays, drink O range Js , eat Almonds.

[@deadringer28]

15:01 Are ya kidding me? This is so awesome.

[@lostinmusic5431]

🌟🎵🎶👌🏾🎶🎵🌟

[@thompsongl]

yeah Toronto !

[@thepatchhead8422]

Mr. Schreiber had an Amazing Spot on The Rockford Files in the Episode Rattlers Class of 63

[@gregoryduncan3067]

And a great tv show the Rockford Files is.

[@samiam5557]

the Huh, ya huh, ya bit was funny

[@chriskroll4166]

When are they going to show the film of Savoy Brown when they were on the show. That would be nice 🙂

[@ktulu3000]

Chubby Checker on next episode, we don't miss it!

[@babygerald4645]

Folks who grew up on the '80s Saturday morning TV era might recognize Jack Burns as one of the voices of the crash test dummies from the 'always wear your seatbelt' commercials.

[@happytapir2916]

The music is absolutely timeless. 1970s comedy, however, really doesn’t hold up.

[@gregoryduncan3067]

Avery Schreiber was on Match Game a lot. That's about all I know about them.

[@redbarchetta8782]

Burns and Schreiber were great. And is it just me or do you think Cliff Clavin has a lost brother?

[@peterschott1500]

Avery Schreiber was on Saved by the Bell.

[@rexmaximilian9548]

When I first saw Cliff Clavin on Cheers, I immediately thought, "Wow! They copied Burns' persona and voice!"

[@maxpaape5412]

Can't wait

[@Merylstreep1949]

The ORIGINAL Marc Almond not the one from Soft Cell lol

[@RustyCrawford-cc1zy]

Soft cell was pedophile

[@Harrisonianne]

welcome back to the Hollies in this Midnight Special🤔 (?) wait, had they perform before there (?)

[@TheRedDevil_NC]

Ronnie Dyson incredible.

[@billtindal9141]

Is that Chuck Rainey on bass? I'm unaware of him playing with the Crusaders, but that sure looks like him.

[@silentlou4375]

That guy Avery… I remember him only in association with Cheetos or one of the cheese-powdered snacks.

[@CoCotheTurtle]

"Honey, I'm going to the store! Do you want some potato chips? . "Nah. Get me some of those cheese-powdered snacks." . "Love you!"

[@holoholohaolenokaoi2299]

@6:50 i can just hear my 'archie bunker' old man saying something snarky about the long hair in the mouth back in '73

[@Dr_Paul_Proteus]

Not the biggest names, but damn what a great show.

[@jnadle1]

It's a shame they couldn't employ a string section for The O'Jays on Love Train.

[@airdriver]

Wait a minute! Steve Martin had DARK hair?

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

Yes... even darker when he was writing for The Smothers Brothers show.

[@kennixox262]

You definitely don't see such a wide range of musical acts on television these days. On wait, TV is still a thing in 2023?

[@davidchavers5881]

Wow, Terry Sylvester sure can't hold a candle to Allan Clarke, the Hollies' original lead singer on Long Cool Woman. 😮

[@rockinremnants510]

Allen Clarke left the Hollies in 1973 and was replaced by a Swedish fella named Mikael Rickfors (he's playing guitar on the far right), who sang lead vocals on "Magic Woman Touch". Rickfors couldn't speak English well and if you listen closely to the song, you can tell he is singing phonetically. By 1974, Clarke was back for the LP simply entitled "Hollies" who's big hit was "The Air That I Breathe".

[@kevingoins9858]

Hey Terry did his best!

[@jeremyc9593]

Ah, okay. This is all shortly before my time, and I was wondering why the vocals sounded so different. Now I see why.

[@CoCotheTurtle]

First time I've ever understood the lyrics! It's not "whiskey bottles by my side!" And, there is a "bootlegging boozer on the West Side," instead of "cruising and boozing on the West Side!" And not much later, "Charlie" appears! Haha!

[@cliffford]

Allan had left the band in ‘71; Long Cool Woman was on a’71 album but not released as a single until ‘72. Allan would rejoin the band in ‘73, but had not yet done so when this was taped. I guess the band thought Terry’s voice was the best suited for this song at the time.

[@dmontes133]

Steve Martin is the greatest!

[@Shahmar]

32:35 Crusaders DESTROY.

[@robforrester3727]

Interesting to see how Steve Martin hadn't gotten the timing down yet. He was still telling jokes like a writer.

[@Jreb1865]

lol... Stiff, wasn't he?😅 Playing that banjo like a boss...

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

He even joked later on about ti-ti-ti-timing! :-)

[@RustyCrawford-cc1zy]

Was this televised on? Friday night or saturday night

[@Tickbryan]

Maybe The O’Jays will sing “Love Train”

[@kevingoins9858]

Yup!

[@doncornelius5277]

The Crusaders at the top : Joe Sample for ever...

[@sherrybirchall8677]

Awwww, where's Allen Clarke?

[@bobbyoakwood1]

Can we talk about that haircut on the sax player in The City? Works or doesn't? Discuss....

[@RustyCrawford-cc1zy]

We'd rather talk about. Your haircut. Beyond this, does mother approve?

[@Merylstreep1949]

The Incredible String Band holee f c k❤ and a 15 year old Steve Martin O m f g

[@RustyCrawford-cc1zy]

Are you an adult or simply a teeny bopper

[@drcornelius8275]

Steve Martin was really nervous and had a mediocre set. Isn't it amazing, in just a few years he would be on top.

[@ez865]

Nacho Libre in the Thumbnail

[@anytimecowboy]

an early Harry Enfield at 01:20

[@Alaskastratcat]

Crusaders without Larry Carlton on guitar seems less than a 100 percent.

[@williambaxter4628]

Not my favorite Hollies lineup.

[@DavidTucker-x5y]

Incredible string band is horrible! The Crusaders are top notch 😂!

[@davidf3883]

This was the worst of the first 15 episodes so far. But a subpar MS is better than no MS!