EP 20 - The Midnight Special | June 15, 1973

[@robd5886]

So bitter-sweet to see Jim Croce host the show. He seemed like such a nice, down-to-earth guy. What a terrible loss for us all.😔😔😔

[@davidf3883]

couldn't have said it better rob

[@michaelweigel8253]

Why hasn't anyone done a biopic on Jim Croce?

[@charleskollin1221]

And one of the most gifted singer/songwriters of all time.

[@charleskollin1221]

@@michaelweigel8253 Very good question.

[@RZK1966]

@@charleskollin1221 exactly

[@thesamwilder]

Been waiting for Jim’s episode to come out! 50 years ago this month we lost Jim and Maury

[@anthonykimball7463]

And don't forget, we lost Gram Parsons the day before Jim and Maury died. ☹️ What happened to all of these people was a terrible tragedy and deprived the world of some major musical talents.

[@ItsOnlyRockAndRollPODCAST]

@@anthonykimball7463 ​ Now THAT I didnt know. Thanks for pointing that out (I discovered Gram late in life but love him as much as I do Jim Croce). I'm 52 and my first rock & roll tragedy was losing John Lennon when I was 9. I'd been a Beatles fanatic already at that point for over a year, so it really affected me and still does to this day.

[@bobwhammer4237]

I'm 66 and I was too young to feel the loss of Buddy Holly in 1959. In the summer of 1973 I was 16 and Jim Croce was my 1st musical hero. I can't describe the devastation I felt when he got killed. It left me with bitterness and questions of why? 50 years later I still listen to Jim and Maury's timeless music.

[@deja75m]

And a thousand other stoopid victims of our cia..govt perverts

[@OWR0406]

⁠Parsons didn’t care for his health for a long time. It’s a wonder he lived as long as 1973. He abused his body very much.

[@peterzang]

Operator. I don’t think you can write a better song. It’s perfect

[@davidchavers5881]

I agree 100 per cent about Operator. That one really tugs at the old heartstrings!

[@miketocci]

It's simple and profound all at the same time.

[@Music--ng8cd]

I think Jim actually had two perfect songs: Operator and Time in a Bottle. Gordon Lightfoot's If You Could Read My Mind would be another choice.

[@warriorv9359]

Time in a bottle

[@sageunknown6307]

It's not just a song. It's a whole story.

[@EdKazO-Vision]

Croce was a man with absolutely no pretense. On stage in rumpled denim street wear, just a regular guy you’d meet in a bar and have long interesting conversations with. So sad he left us so early.

[@johnr8820]

Salt of the earth…just a regular American guy, he used to be a trucker too. He reminds me a lot of a Merle Haggard in spirit and in talent. Pure Americana through and through.

[@weskitten]

Oh well, he had 3 months to live here. I recall '73. I was age 7.

[@TerryM-eu5ou]

I remember I was on the radio at a top 40 Radio Station in Connecticut when Jim died in that plane crash..😢 loved playing his music on the air..big hits he had during that period..Time in a Bottle, I’ve Got a Name, Photographs-and Memories , Bad Bad Leroy Brown, Operator, Say I Love You In Song..I can’t imagine how many more he would have had…that was in 1973…my wife and I were married less than a year back then..we’re still going strong 51 years later..we loved his music..

[@ernestcruz6316]

​@@TerryM-eu5ouWhat station was that? I moved to Connecticut from the Boston area shortly before Jim died, so I'd be likely to at least remember your station.

[@TerryM-eu5ou]

@@ernestcruz6316 Hello Ernest..That day I was on the air at WWCO in Waterbury Connecticut…I also worked at WDRC, WTIC FM and spent 7 years on the air at WWYZ, Country 92.5 all in Hartford. I also did middays at WICC in Bridgeport…were you on the air in Connecticut..?

[@JeffSchreiber99]

I grew up in the 1960’s-70’s. One of the few things I’m certain about is that the music of that time was the most entertaining and engaging I’ve heard in all my days. And it brought everyone together in a way people nowadays can’t even imagine. And Jim Croce was an absolute treasure who like so many others was with us briefly but left his mark forever.

[@scottlarson1548]

I don't remember this music bringing old people like my parents together. They all told us to turn this damn racket off.

[@HoustonRebel]

I grew up in the 70s and 80s but I always preferred the 60s and 70s even as a teen in the 80s. I find myself wanting to say the same thing about today's music, "Turn that racket down". Lol. Not because it's too loud and not because I'm old, the louder the better (My motto is still "If it's too loud, you're too old"). But because today's music stinks. They have more technology yet it doesn't sound genuine or from the heart. Real musicians that actually play their own instruments are almost extinct today.

[@scottlarson1548]

@@HoustonRebel Dude, stop listening to the top 40!!! There is more music available to listen to and purchase now than ever before so generalizing "today's music" is ridiculous. The only difference is that now you have to *look for* music you like. You can't just sit around listening to the radio and expect to hear songs you like anymore.. And your statement that musicians don't play instruments anymore is pure ignorance. There are more musicians playing instruments in the U.S. right now than ever.

[@HoustonRebel]

@@scottlarson1548 That's why I don't listen to the radio or top 40 anymore. How am I supposed to go about looking for them? I don't know where to start. I mean, what am I supposed to google? I'll admit it, you're right, I'm ignorant in that regard. That's why I'm asking. At least I'm acknowledging it by asking instead of acting like I know everything.

[@scottlarson1548]

@@HoustonRebel The main sites are Spotify and Pandora. Pandora has a "similarities engine" so you can select a song you like and it will try to play songs that it thinks you'll like based on that song. Spotify has playlists made by people so if you find someone with similar musical interests then they can lead you to a lot of good music. Then you can just spend as much time as you want on KZbin since almost every song is on it somewhere. I have stumbled on dozens of great songs by just clicking around or by going through playlists. Finding music you like is much more fun than complaining that there's no music you like anymore!

[@deirdre108]

What Jim Croce said in his first set about how much music had changed in 10 years, which would have been 1963--1973. This is so true and something that has always amazed me. If you think about 2013-2023, what have been the revolutions in music during those 10 years? Besides popular music getting worse.

[@joeyoungs8426]

If you have to ask what’s happened between 2013-2023 you haven’t been listening. I’m not sure about popular music since I’m guilty of not listening.

[@ardiris2715]

Dude, Starcrawler and Olivia Rodrigo rock as hard as anyone in the 70s. They are pushing rock into new territory. (:

[@encyclocollab1653]

@@ardiris2715 Almost noone know these artist. This is the big difference before and now. Before it was mainstream, now its underground (often)

[@ardiris2715]

Yeah, you got to turn off the radio and put a little effort into it.

[@joeyoungs8426]

@@ardiris2715 Exactly, I made that exact same comment on another thread where someone eluded to the fact that music was dead. It’s not going to fall in your lap.

[@bobthortwack7960]

Everybody wishes in their heart that we could all go back to that time and not take it for granted when it was right in front of us seeming like normal times when now we know that was a very special time in the USA.

[@chasphotography]

Maybe you took it for granted. But I didn't. I knew at the time it was a very very special thing and I counted every moment and to this day remember every one of those moments. And I still realize how we are still having such moments that I don't take for granted. Nowadays you just have to look a little harder . Maybe you're just not seeking enough them

[@WendyDickson-k8h]

I was born 1970 I wish I would've been born earlier to enjoy this music I love Jim Croce and the Eagles and Billy Crash Craddock's "Rub It In" Elvis, and Stevie Ray Vaughn, ect....... rock on Midnight Special . Loved the 70's before my time

[@darrylsevier6121]

I remember what a treat this show was on Friday nights as a kid. Apart from the Album cover you didn’t often get to see who was making the magic coming out of the radio.

[@Jeannie-fk5bv]

Those of us who grew up in the 70s know how blessed we are to have these recordings.

[@solocam1962]

Jim sounds as good on this show as he does on his recording. Sure miss him! An old Rocker here, but Jim and a few others transcended ... to infinity and beyond. They got to the soul!

[@teastrainer3604]

He was 30 years old here. Three months later he was dead.

[@myguitardetective5961]

This is HUGE! I'm so happy this is being uploaded in its entirety in perfect quality. These incredible Midnight Special uploads are simply beyond belief! THANK YOU !

[@johnparsons1466]

Jim Croce! Are you kidding me? 🤗

[@myguitardetective5961]

@@johnparsons1466 Ah, so you're not a musician or songwriter I see....

[@KoolT]

😂❤❤❤❤

[@johnparsons1466]

​@@myguitardetective5961No relation to Gram or Alan as far as I know. I played clarinet but didn't stick with it because I wasn't passionate about it, but I've always enjoyed music of all categories as a fan. This era of rock is still my favorite. You are so right about the video quality on these.

[@sciencemansandera]

I’ve played guitar since I was about 10, my brother, even built his own left hand guitar but I didn’t even have a guitar. The neighbor loaned me his Sears Silvertone, which was a Dan Electra I guess in the same way many of the people of my generation started I love the midnight special I saw Black Sabbath on there, Jim Croce man what a loss for a soul. He was such a heartfelt voice, like when we played acoustic that we were all Jim Croce‘s. Then the big inspirer Ritchie Blackmore, an Deep Purple and Eric Clapton during cream first I had the big amplifier with a cassette player so maybe we were the first karaoke practicing lol because it 10 years old, we already started the neighborhood saying in my backyard sheds it was sort of set up like a camping fort. That’s where we used to sing and play guitar. Find me a boat 1975 I bought my first used high-quality guitar turned out to be a 1972 fender telecaster for $150 used with the case in Detroit. I had some disasters with fires and I need to work with thunder but I’m pretty sure I still have the old everything for the put the guitar pick together but I need a new body. I know the pick ups are in the other room my house burnt and I’m living in a camper. It kind of sucks it’s like a 1950s keep camper. But when I saw this video tonight I thought what a treasure. I am so glad that they posted this. I know many younger bands now that do covers I know a couple of them that could probably, do a fine job on this. Maybe we will see thank you so much for posting this. God bless Jim Croce may he be up on the big stage and loved by the big man above. I wonder if many of our personal friend Tim Pearce guitar has any stories to tell about Jim. I always love a good Tim story he is a wonderful teacher to us all and knows all about the production of music in things seem Rick Beato. I have found the best place to meet musicians from all over the world is KZbin and Instagram I believe we are all one family right now in the world is in turmoil there’s just too much bad out there, but you know what I believe. All of us are the light that can bring the good. There’s some girls I’d like all of you to know if you don’t know them yet I want you to look up the warning I believe there may be a Grammy for each one of them coming if they’re going to be recognized as number one all over the world and I think they were needed because they sort of brought back the energy of the stage of the big hairy days that it’s not just about the music it’s the performance I love Little Danny and her guitar. I see myself little Paulinho on the piano, especially when she played the grand piano, I see the future. I’m from Detroit and I feel like we lost so many great some days I think about Aretha Franklin on that piano in some of the mini grades that we lost. I couldn’t believe we lost Christine McVie God she was such a beautiful soul many of the singers and players from yesteryear are they had a way to reach right into your heart and send ice cold shivers down your spine. Where are you? Just went. Wow. I think God for Jim Croce. I think many of us played the operator song or pieces of it. I’m so glad we have these types of history. Thank you so much I guess you touched my heart tonight and brought me some personal. memories for all of you. I would like to see the year copyright laws changed so people can maintain more control the way Taylor Swift age so many of you were hurt when you were such great musicians, because the corporations came in and do what corporations do yesterday I saw Roy Clark on guitar and they were referring how great he was, I just am so thankful that I was a 1977 graduate and I got to grow up during this period of time because I feel it was the greatest history and time in music ever. God bless all of you you are my brothers and sisters of America baby you are my people in the world is my community and it’s yours to figure out their plan. I just pray you keep on keeping on and entertaining us all. I couldn’t believe I actually sort of chatted with Ian Pay sound here one night the whole Deep Purple put in band was my idol.❤👍👍👍 The Midnight special to me, was sort of like I can remember sleeping on the floor by the TV watching it it was sort of like the first version of Saturday Night Live but not about humor about music. It was great. At least I thought it was me and my brothers couldn’t wait to watch it.

[@ansonpollice5957]

Now that’s a man the world lost much too soon!! Oh the things Jim Croce represented; Nomadism and peace were found by him in his travels and he used them to turn his own pain and questions into beautiful BEAUTIFUL music!!

[@TuckerSP2011]

Maury was such an amazing support for Jim. These two men were such brothers in arms. Both so talented. Here you can see how Maury and the pianist add to the chorus so unobtrusively to support Jim voice.

[@pugnugger4600]

Jim, he connected with everyone through his music. An everyday, working class musician with talent. So sad he's gone.

[@whiteyfisk9769]

The jews killed him when he got too ballsy regarding his record deal and his anti-zionist messages. Its a real shame, but we cant hold them accountable, theyre literally Gods chosen people and can do no wrong

[@janicetrimmell6897]

Looking forward to this episode. Jim and Maury together were guitar picking magic.

[@Jay-nq2jl]

The best decade for modern music bar none

[@helloitsme-w9n]

Looking forward to this, the whole show! Great memories of the summer of 1973 when I was 13. I never missed the Midnight Special then and I was a new Jim Croce fan. It will be great to see him and Maury ( and Tommy) hosting the show again. RIP Jim and Maury, we still miss you! So sad you two were taken so young.

[@GingerbreaddGypsy]

Oh wow! What did you think of the show when you saw it then? I am so excited for tonight. I’m a huge,huge Maury fan (and Jim) but Maury is my love !

[@helloitsme-w9n]

@@GingerbreaddGypsy I know i loved it. I didn't have a lot of money then but had the 45 of Leroy Brown. After he passed my parents helped me buy all the records that were out of him then, I am so grateful they did. Just watching his introductions again tonight make me think what a great host and personality he was. He was so charismatic and easygoing. There was a Don Kirschner's Rock Concert that was made shortly after Jim passed that was a tribute to him with different artists talking about him between a live performance of his and I will never forget Karen Carpenter saying he was "the Johnny Carson of Our Generation". and he really was! I am sure he could of done so much more.... he could of done it all!

[@kelseycurtis1546]

Tommy passed in 2021 , we lost a lot when we lost those 3 .

[@helloitsme-w9n]

Yes so sad Tommy had Parkinsons

[@joelliebler5690]

I was 13 as well and loved just about all his songs. A couple of years later my high school chorus sang Time In a Bottle . Just loved his stuff!

[@mr.mikeyg.5282]

Thank you Midnight Special for taking back when I was 15 watching these shows. The era when Ovation guitars ruled. Thank you Charlie and Bill Kaman!

[@simonvanderheijden432]

Ovation guitars suck..

[@Matt-dj4cb]

I worked at ovation new htfd ct about 1970.i màde the round backs.injecting molding with 2 sheets of fiber glass .I formed onto mold 2 sheets then shot in tar and pulled hood over mold .I would get 1 out of 10 that were usàble.i had one of the first hollow body elecs.llooked like a gretch

[@cameramanzoomit]

Fascinating to hear Jim Croce speak. We sure missed out on a lot of great music losing him so early. Genius writer. His songs are in my blood.

[@jamesmack3314]

Yes..seems like a cool dude

[@joejones9520]

genius singer too, he makes it sound so easy but in reality virtually no one can sing his songs correctly, there was something very unusual about his voice...just like with JHendrix, TPetty...their singing is so casual it seems like an afterthought but then try to sing it and you cant.

[@jamesmack3314]

@@joejones9520 I mean, you can probably say that about a lot of different singers. I can’t see anybody, but Roger Daltrey doing the Who or Jagger doing the stones. He has a pretty unique voice that’s for sure.

[@joejones9520]

@@jamesmack3314 Ive been a singer in a lot of cover bands, people like jagger, daltrey, any of the Beatles, JTaylor, are easy to copy, in fact most singers unless they hit incredibly high notes, are pretty easy to passably copy, however, JCroce, TPetty, Hendrix, young John Fogerty, KCobain,, Layne Staley and for women, Janis Joplin; almost no one can even passably emulate them, even AJ Croce cant sing his father's songs correctly...it's bizarre and unexplainable why some voices have this inimitable quality. Oh wait, another one is Johnny Cash, certainly his songs in their low keys can be easily sung by any male singer however it wont sound anything like him; he had a deep timber that was incredibly unique. But then Hank Williams Senior; I can sing almost exactly like him, I bet I could pass for him vocally if I really tried and I dont think Im unique in that ability. I think it's so damn cool tho that there are certain voices that are so unique theyre almost magical.

[@jamesmack3314]

@@joejones9520 I understand what you’re saying my point is, is that the who wouldn’t be the who, without Daltrey singing those songs and stones would not be the stones without Jaggers voice singing those songs… sure any number of people ,cover bands ,bar bands can sing those songs, but it’s never going to match the perfection that the original guys provided. their voices are unique just like Jim Croce, tom Petty, or Jimi Hendrix etc, definitely Credence wouldn’t be credence without Fogarty‘s voice

[@Afterburner2]

Thank you,thank you ,thank you!!!🙏👍finally Savoy Brown and Wishbone Ash see the light of day once again! Bless you!, Rock history LIVES !!!!!!!

[@DavidB.Rockin]

I don't think my Dad ever heard of either band but I did play some songs for him a few years ago.

[@sg-yq8pm]

Both those bands are still around, in some form, as are Foghat who were formed out of Savoy Brown in 1970.

[@mark240862]

The guy on guitar in the yellow jacket playing in Savoy Brown is the late Paul Raymond of UFO.

[@Afterburner2]

@@mark240862 yes, before he joined Savoy he was in Chicken shack, That particular time for Savoy was a transitional period Kim was having problems with personnel due to heavy handedness from Kim's brother/manager who held back in paying members, as a result the lps suffered for a time, Paul decided to opt out and went with UFO and finished out his career successfully and with class

[@rafael16759]

​@@sg-yq8pm savoy brown disbaned the main singer died

[@rubyfisch5077]

There are a lot of days when I can't remember what I got up and went into another room for, but I can still sing along with all of these bands and singers, and remember every word. Loved dancing to Little Anthony, had a huge crush on Jim Croce, and even remember seeing Sean Phillips play at a small MN Jr. college before he got big. I was a young mother in 73 so I didn't get to stay up too often to see Midnight Special, but loved it when I got the chance. It was a magical, musical time to live.

[@marthawelch4289]

Highlights for me: "Dance to the Music". Little Anthony and the Imperials came to show their talents and entertain their audience. Everybody had a solo. Their dancing was great. And the gentleman second from the left WOW! "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" Jim Croce's masterpiece was my Dad's (born in 1916) favorite song.

[@chuckm4540]

One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Thank you Jim Croce and Maury Muehleisen for creating timeless songs we'll be listening to 200 years from now.

[@martron1962]

MAN THIS WAS SUCH A GREAT TIME TO BE ALIVE!!!! The Midnight Special was one of the best things on TV in the 70’s, and Little Anthony and the Imperials KILLED IT, and bro in the middle could DAAAANCE!!!

[@jzkramer]

Sure could, sing too

[@kevincarpenter115]

I think one of the most under-rated singer\songwriters of our time. I got my mother (born in 1030) listening to his songs and she absolutely loved the songs and the stories they told. A truly gifted man that left us entirely too early. I know alot of younger people (early 30's, late 20's) that still enjoy the music of that era , and that says alot for how fortunate we were to grow up in that era. Long Live R&R

[@toma5246]

There's no one who's EVER been like Jim..Maury backing him up in his music and life..his wife as well..now his son carries on his music...an extremely unique artist, human being and song writer!!❤️

[@dennispovlak3074]

No doubt

[@darrelyoung3485]

Saw AJ few years back, now he is on tour this year, seeing him again.

[@SKHoolinary]

​@@darrelyoung3485What is his son's name? I would live to see him sing. Jim was my favourite singer back in the day.❤

[@simonharper4199]

what a treat to see Wishbone Ash on here

[@giuliocaputi8106]

I don't understand they play only one song instead of the others

[@miketocci]

Jim Croce died a few years before I waa born, but he's one of my favorite singer songwriters (up there with Billy Joel and Harry Chapin). Jim went to Villanova University and Upper Darby High School, right by where I grew up. My dad was in the National Guard with Jim, apparently Jim liked to sneak off and sleep by the dumpsters. A legendary talent, gone too soon.

[@bettyriley7295]

I wonder if the people in that audience realized how lucky they were. Jim Croce was an American treasure, the likes of which will probably never happen again. A true legend.

[@TheLeadSled]

Jim Croce an American icon, a giant among musicians, as a guitar player I'm still amazed at his song writing ability

[@vincentdavis3453]

Croce was 30 years old when he died on September 20 1973 in a plane crash, in Louisiana. Others killed in the crash were pilot Robert N. Elliott, Croce's bandmate Maury Muehleisen, comedian George Stevens, manager and booking agent Kenneth D. Cortese, and road manager Dennis Rast. Thank you Midnight Special for the upload this is big.

[@sergioluiz6997]

Three months and five days after this presentation

[@trueknowledgeispower]

​​​@@sergioluiz6997The last show he did on the day he and Maury were killed was a make-up show at Northwestern University that had to be rescheduled..

[@DeptOfRevenue]

Always a bummer when people feel the need to tell us everyone's dead.

[@harmonium8198]

@@trueknowledgeispower Close. The final show was at Northwestern State University (in Natchitoches, Louisiana), not Northwestern University (which is in Evanston, Illinois).

[@ritamccomas9271]

​@@DeptOfRevenueit was a sad day when the plane went down with all of those people on board. Their names should NEVER be forgotten.

[@chriskroll4166]

Savoy Brown Yaaaayyy 🥳

[@Steven-pv1xr]

Just think what we would have had if jim croche had just lived longrr. God bless him for his extrodinary gifts to music

[@ericligotke3542]

I was a giant Jim Croce fan. Even though I was ten years old in 1973 I had his first two albums. I played them all the time. Then, I remember getting into the car one day and my mom telling me that he had died in a plane accident. That hit me so hard, and I cried for days. He really touched me with his music and enthusiasm. After he passed the song I got a name was released. Rollin me down the highway, what great lyrics

[@neilnola3520]

Three months later he was gone. So sad. What a loss!

[@lanzo1976]

I love his stories. Such a gift. RIP Jim.

[@TheMisterGriswold]

Little Anthony and the Imperials, damn! 🎶

[@bennyscissorhands6477]

Bobby Womack just killed it!!! RIP Bobby👊🏼

[@garyt7855]

I remember when performed this on the Midnight Special. It's so cool to see this after 50 years

[@KavonWilson-zj9wk]

I wanna see the episode of midnight special where he perform facts of life an harry hippie

[@danstone8783]

I knew I would love Jim and Wishbone Ash but Bobby Womack was crazy good.

[@KavonWilson-zj9wk]

@@danstone8783 that's bobby Womack in his prime... Y'all gotta see the video of him singing Harry hippie an facts of life on midnight sung it so long they stay on a extra 10 mins

[@danstone8783]

He and Wilson Pickett got the best throaty screams I have heard so far@@KavonWilson-zj9wk

[@CowGirlKat8691]

So sad that Jim was going to retire from the road to spend time with his little boy & wife but he was killed instead. Love his music today just as much as I did when it came out! Thankx for sharing him with us again! 💜

[@kropkamark]

And that little boy grew upto be a talent in his own right .....AJ CROCE

[@tommihail2178]

So sad to watch 😢 jim&Maury were and will always be in the pantheon of America's greatest songwriters..❤

[@rebeccawagner4167]

Awesome for putting Jim Croce on the Midnight Special 🎉🎉he's a fantastic artist and story teller🎉🎉

[@thomaswalker4806]

Finding many comments saying: Yes finally for Savoy Brown! some actual Television footage of this classic Progressive Blues Rock Band in one of there early formations👍

[@MusicFromAnotherTime]

I've never heard of Shawn Phillips before, but my god what an interesting guy. Holy hell I gotta look into this guy.

[@jzkramer]

Fantastic musician

[@jefflahr5159]

Fantastic! Barbara Fairchild is outstanding singing her classic "Teddy Bear Song".

[@StephanieJeanne]

I had never heard of her, but I liked her! I'm not a huge country fan, but classic country is the best!

[@ianman15]

“Teddy Bear Song” was written by homicide detective Don Earl. He wanted to forget all the crime and wreckage he saw in his job and create a song about being warm and tender...and he succeeded.

[@JamesThomson-gj9nv]

The Teddy Bear Song always reminded me of the childrens book Corduroy about a bear in a store.

[@susanb2015]

I was 6 years old outside playing with my friend Sean singing Leroy Brown. The last happiest days of my life.

[@merlinsclaw]

I can't thank you guys enough for continuing to post these incredible shows. It's hard to believe it's almost 50 years since we lost Jim and Maury. Jim Croce's music is truly timeless. 💙

[@GingerbreaddGypsy]

I am so excited. I have waited a lifetime to see this episode and never could find it. ❤

[@jerrybrowning8422]

Thank you so much for keeping this age of music alive. We will never hear this diversity and songwriting again. ❤

[@billjordan3639]

Man, I’m watching this on Friday night and my watch says 11:59. I was born late ‘58, this is right in my wheelhouse.

[@karaDee2363]

I loved the music of Jim Croce while growing up in my early teens and was totally heartbroken he was tragically taken from us all far too soon

[@shytown2406]

Back when music was real music. RIP.

[@ryancasablancas8361]

Wishbone Ash! Holy Cow! Thanks Burt!

[@mikemazz3377]

Was a huge loss to not only the music scene but to the entire world Jim Croce was such an amazing man truly missed

[@lauriebarnes2999]

Can't wait for Friday night, The Midnight Special. I've been waiting patiently for Jim to host this show!

[@janicetrimmell6897]

LJ - On my way to be with Mom and Dad tomorrow. Hoping wifi is semi reliable. See you later.

[@lauriebarnes2999]

Safe travels, J3. I know we have next week's show to look forward to but that crazy boss of mine has me working 8 to 5 next Friday so I'll be cutting it really close by the time I leave the store (quite tired mind you) and probably will have to still water the plants because I don't think it's going to rain a lot next week and it's still so hot down here. We did get a "cold front" yesterday that gave us some rain finally and lower humidity but that's only gonna stick around through the weekend. Then we're back to heat and humidity with not much rain in the forecast. Sending my love to everyone. ❤️

[@janicetrimmell6897]

@@lauriebarnes2999 Rain? I don't remember the last rain here. I'm down to trying to keep the grass alive (sort of).

[@EduardoOrendain]

Jim one our fogotten classic

[@StephanieJeanne]

Can't wait for Jim live! 😍

[@janicetrimmell6897]

Great episode! I'm attaching a link to the Shawn Phillips song I mentioned. It's a little more folk rock, great lyrics and impressive percussion. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKuXdXaCqLejaqs This is how I remember him.

[@StephanieJeanne]

Well, it was definitely worth the wait!! Seeing Jim brought back so many good vibes from my childhood! What a nice guy he was, and a great host! ☺️💜

[@matthewclark9652]

Jim Croce made 1 more TV appearance on The Helen Reddy Show on NBC in the 1st week of September 1973 but that was it. I forgot that Croce & the other guitarist was on a PBS 30 minute special as well that was taped & shown in October of 1973 as a tribute!!

[@andytaylor5476]

Great to see Jim Croce again, and Bobby Womack and Shawn Phillips. We lost so many musicians in plane crashes! Buddy Holly, Patsy Cline, Rick Nelson, Richie Valens, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Otis Reading, the group Lynyrd Skynyrd , John Denver, Aaliyah and others...But thankfully through recordings and shows like The Midnight Special, they live again.

[@lw216316]

lessons to be learned - get the best airplanes and best pilots you can afford, don't fly in bad weather, don't overload the plane, be sure the runway is long enough for your plane.

[@RockinEd]

Three months later he'd be gone :( we still miss him and his music.

[@davidsthubbins176]

It’s amazing how much music has changed in the past 50 years.

[@leestamm3187]

Yes, and with a few good exceptions, not for the better.

[@clapolla]

for the worse - decade by decade

[@joejones9520]

i played a live vid of JCroce doing Operator for this girl at work in her 30s...she just laughed; the whole thing made no sense to her , like it was a joke, all she knows is rap and dance type nonsense and somehow has zero interest in exploring other music. I think theyre almost all like this too. Dont trust anyone under 45.

[@gordonspond]

@@joejones9520 My son and daughter are around 25 and LOVE music from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

[@valsteve2000]

OMG...first time ive seen and heard Jim Croce sing live. I discovered him in the early 80's and started singing his songs with my guitar back then. Its just amazing the midnight special episodes were well preserve to this day and im very thankful to those people who painstakingly did an excellent job. Who would think that we will still be able to witness these great talents of that era.

[@joymcdonald8240]

1973 was a great year for me. Great to see this again. Watched every episode. Ah memories

[@babygerald4645]

For me too. I came into the world at the end of March. I asked my mom if she and dad ever watched Midnight Special when I was little but she had no idea what I was talking about. She's a big fan of Motown and Doo-Wop so it will be a treat showing her these episodes. My old man might remember otherwise, but doubtful.

[@Stevie-hn7mp]

Year I was born . Absolutely great era of course only remember the last half. It was simple and life seemed to not be in a hurry.

[@robmorrison1043]

Great year until September, when we lost Jim and Maury. Great memories, from a time we will unfortunately never see again.

[@humormewithspecifics]

My parents were in high school during this time. Great to see the pop culture they were following at the time and boy were they lucky, because the music was just groovy!

[@Thadmotor1044]

Savoy Brown clean and smooth blues . Many great LPs . Train to Nowhere is awesome . Add going to Louisiana .

[@marcelosalgado9729]

Croce rocks it ! Great lyrics, great music, great voice and awesome fingerstyle guitar. What else can one ask for?

[@DavePlaysTrombone]

WHOOOOOAMACK! Bobby KILLED IT!!

[@timguzz8844]

Wow two rock acts Savoy Brown & Wishbone Ash plus Jim Croce...Finally

[@tubetea]

I got to see Savoy Brown 4 times in Houston, if you haven't heard the lineup with Pete McMahon give that a listen, all the lineups are great but that's my favorite, check out Pete's solo work also and he fronted the Kingsnakes too. He's fantastic.

[@timguzz8844]

@@tubetea do you know what album they would be touring?

[@tubetea]

@@timguzz8844 Not sure I understand the question, when I saw them in Houston they had just released the Bring It Home album, but I saw them 3 more times after that with different lead singers, I like them all but Pete McMahon was my favorite of all his singers, Pete's solo work is fantastic plus he fronts a band called the Kingsnakes, (there are two bands called the Kingsnakes and both are good buy Pete's band is my favorite by far)

[@timguzz8844]

@@tubetea Bring it home was from 90's. I meant what album do you think they were promoting during this Midnight Special episode. Think it wuda been '74

[@timguzz8844]

Nope '73

[@AR-pm9nv]

Jim the legend.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@novakingood3788]

Little Anthony & The Imperials just looked and sounded out of this world! 😍 Read this about Bobby Womack: "[He] said in an interview that he had told Sam Cooke he did not want the Rolling Stones to record their version of [It's All Over Now], and that he had told Mick Jagger to get his own song. Cooke convinced him to let the Rolling Stones record the song. Six months later on, after receiving the royalty check for the song, Womack told Cooke that Mick Jagger could have any song he wanted."

[@Patriotic545]

What a great live performance of the song operator, Big bad leroy brown, dance to the music and tell mama. I only hear those in our radio during the 70s. Now i see and hear the artists Live on stage.

[@foreignfilmfan711]

I recently saw a concert by A.J. Croce, Jim’s son. He explained the background of Operator - that Jim got the idea for it when he served in the New Jersey National Guard. He did so mainly to avoid getting drafted to fight in Vietnam. While stationed in Fort Dix, NJ, he used to wait in long lines at the phone banks to call his new bride Ingrid. He overheard many phone conversations, which proved to be fertile song writing material. He also said that his father’s career really lasted only 18 months, and abruptly ended when AJ was 18 months old 😢. RlP, Jim & Maury, see you down the road, hopefully in acoustic guitar heaven! 🙏🏼

[@mavisdv]

Imagine if Jim Croce were alive today and could see how music has changed over the past 50 years or more. How would he envision these changes?

[@RicLamoXIII]

Jim could've made 10 more albums and collaborated with Paul McCartney.

[@markwright2751]

Great music is timeless and iconic....the song Operator could be released today and would be a major hit.

[@joycehoward5193]

"In Memory Of*Jim*and my husband*Ira*We miss you so much and pray some of the goodness may be left to our children"

[@janicetrimmell6897]

I'm still reeling from how much I loved this episode. So much great music for many eclectic tastes. Now, I am already in crazy anticipation for next week and the incredible brothers Gibb.

[@StephanieJeanne]

I know what you mean! I feel like I just left a concert. My head is spinning! That was amazing! Have a great weekend, Janice! ✌️

[@jaygreen1313]

@@StephanieJeanne That’s how I feel. It’s like you went to an all day festival with so many high level musicians and groups . Try to get these types of lineups week after week now. Would never happen.

[@gavinsmit7752]

Wow awesome Shawn Phillips, what great musician and songwriter met him in South Africa a few years ago , what a humble gentleman, became a fireman when his popularity wained

[@musicalSFCat]

Savoy Brown & Wishbone Ash. Cool!

[@NCLUSA]

I was around 20 years old when this aired, and now I'm 70, and I'm still watching it. It's funny how time works. ( : Young people!!!, don't let time slip by you, enjoy it while you can.

[@steveperry3538]

Absolutely right on

[@Zac-ls6hn]

Jim Croce is one of the few artists that quite literally transports me when eye close my I's😂❤

[@charmerci]

I was looking forward to Jim but WOW - Little Anthony and the Imperials. Probably the best performance on the show so far! Holy S***!

[@GreenManalishiUSA]

Definitely wow...I was expecting them to do a heartfelt ballad like Tears on My Pillow, and they came out with a high-energy medley of Sly Stone covers. Great stuff!

[@KittyGrizGriz]

For sure! Had me dancing!! 💃

[@tonylara5318]

An icon of folk music

[@JayBird911]

I look forward to this every Friday. Such a good time!

[@billheuber5884]

One of the best singer and songwriters to ever exist!! It absolutely sucks that you passed so young!! We absolutely Miss you, so much, jim!!❤❤

[@BK-uf6qr]

Wow, what a show. The musicianship and showmanship is top notch.

[@debracalamia3837]

Always look like they're having so much fun. Got that toe tapping going on. 😂❤

[@ardiris2715]

By far, my favorite episode so far. Two upside-down leftie Les Pauls in a row! Go, Lefties!! Shawn's keyboardist is burning. Proof that Wishbone Ash received crap production in the recording studios. They needed what Roger Glover did for Nazareth. (:

[@mostlyharmless1918]

Love seeing Little Anthony and the Imperials - they deserved their induction into the Hall of Fame. Those guys were still performing in 2018.

[@philobeddoe8342]

Dang, not even 3 months later he was gone. I would say it wasn't until about 76 or 77 that I came to appreciate Jim's music. I was only 3 and a half when this show aired, but at 6 and 7 I was well aware of his stuff from the radio. Sitting in the backseat while the radio played the music of the day or recent past. It's basically what got me into Queen as a youngster.

[@mr.mikeyg.5282]

Rest In Peace Jim. You’re songs are timeless! 🙏

[@trbird100]

Still love wishbone ash ! Great rock and roll

[@marymuehleisen6980]

Setting my alarm. See you all at 8 p.m. tonight!

[@GingerbreaddGypsy]

❤❤❤

[@janicetrimmell6897]

My best to you sister💖💗

[@GingerbreaddGypsy]

@@janicetrimmell6897 watching in spirit with you 💜💜💜

[@gethappycyclingcampingoutdoors]

Real music, thanks for posting ✌️♥️to the World.

[@kellter70]

dang the little anthony n imperials tune at the end was sooo sweet. got me good. precious music unites~~ lives on forever. love love.

[@cheaplaughkennedy2318]

Great song , great artist, great memories, great times , when friends and family were still around, what I’d give for just a few days to go back.

[@juniperlea5693]

⚘🙏💕 Many thanks! I love this so much. A precious time capsule in loving memory of an amazing songwriter and performer. I'm catching his son at the Troubadour later this month.

[@StephanieJeanne]

Wow! That's wonderful!

[@anth1225]

Such a unique voice: Croce was a force of nature

[@1e0s]

Wow Bobby Womack was something else. I was born far too late🎶🎶🎶🔥❤‍🔥

[@37Dionysos]

Wow, Wishbone Ash playing "Jail Bait"! Them was tv days. Long gone now.

[@peterschott1500]

Savoy Brown -I like their sound!

[@KavonWilson-zj9wk]

Bobby Womack in his prime love that performance post more of him

[@VictorPersico]

It will soon be 50 years without Jim and Mauren. With just two acoustic guitars they make a more powerful sound that many bands today cannot achieve. Perfection! Wherever you both are, know that you are remembered!

[@sawboss216]

What a great show. What a great time for music! You couldn't get major artists to show up for a TV program like that in today's world.