Ep 42 (repeated as #82, 169 and 231) - The Midnight Special Episode | November 16, 1973

[@322flamenco]

Wow....this is magical seeing it for the first time in its entirety and with such crisp quality. As one of the founding members of our band CARMEN, I remember how excited and proud we were to have been given this amazing opportunity to be in such a landmark telecast. We first met Bowie through our record producer Tony Visconti when we were recording our 2nd album, DANCING ON A COLD WIND. I guess Bowie was so impressed by our unique musical vision/presentation that he invited us to be featured on his show. For us it was another incredible moment in our career, the first being signed by Tony Visconti and EMI records the prior year. CARMEN only lasted a short lived 5 years, 3 albums and a fantastic sold out U.S. tour as the opening act for Jethro Tull. But this time in my life provided me with great memories as well as influencing my artistic life beyond. After CARMEN, I returned to California from London and enjoyed a very successful 45 year career as a Flamenco dancer, choreographer and teacher. Since my recent dance retirement, I've returned to my childhood passion of art (abstract expressionistic painting) which I'm now enjoying in my home/studio/gallery in Rancho Mirage, California. And still, after these 50 years, I continue to remain in touch with my dear friends and fellow band members David Clark Allen, Angela Allen-Barr and Paul Fenton. RIP dear John Glasscock🌹

[@brianordelheide4661]

You KIILLED IT!!!

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Wow!! I’m so amazed and WHAT a LIFE you’ve lived, Fabulous story and thank you for sharing it with everybody!! 🤯 🥰

[@hubbsllc]

I remember when this aired - I wasn't quite ten years old! I remember the Bowie bits but as far as my memory goes these Carmen performances are new to me and I think they're amazing. You guys were fantastic.

[@RiotNrrrdUTube]

I bet Angela’s still a smokeshow. When she looks in the camera … 😵‍💫

[@hubbsllc]

@@RiotNrrrdUTube "Angela?"

[@londonstargazer]

I was at this show as a very over-awed 16 year-old (fan club members could apply for tickets and I was one of the lucky ones). I think I can even glimpse the back of my head in some shots. What a thrill to see this again.

[@johnned4848]

Wow what a great experience! So were you there for both days of shooting? Love to hear more about your adventures! Seems that Bowie was basically kissing off glam and the Ziggy era here. But determined to see it off right as well as looking ahead to new directions. But this was also for an American audience so I'm sure he wanted to make an impression. But as you point out this was for a fan club audience. Both good reaction for the cameras and just doing something nice for his fans

[@AldousHuxleysCat]

Since you were there, that looks like the spiders from Mars to me, so I'm guessing that they stayed with him long enough to get the special taped after he disbanded them only a few months earlier. That's at least Mick Ronson right? --- never mind, I was so excited watching the opening and now that I've gone through a little further I see yes indeed that is exactly who they are

[@londonstargazer]

@@AldousHuxleysCat Yes, obviously Ronno, and Trevor Bolder on bass, but it's Aynsley Dunbar on drums, not Woody, with Mike Garson on keyboards. So not really the Spiders.

[@jonathancook6557]

Awesome! Jealous? Me? No. Really, I’m not 🙃

[@astronette63]

You are one very fortunate woman. I watched this on Midnight Special every time it aired and I fell more in love with Bowie than I thought possible.

[@dllegg]

So, me & my mom were watching this. She said “look at that freak!” I was hooked! Bought every album of Bowie’s I could get my hands on. Been a fan ever since.

[@rodoza66]

"Don't tell your poppa or he'll get us locked up in fright" - ha...

[@kNeczpal]

I had exactly the same reaction from my mom and I found Bowie fascinating ever since.

[@AlmostReady504]

Dear God. I've never forgotten my 10-year-old self seeing David Bowie perform for the first time

[@thomasmartin2838]

Yep...I was 10 years old that night too...I had already gotten "Pin-Ups" and "Ziggy Stardust" so was a devout Bowie fan by that tender age...

[@KittyGrizGriz]

David has influenced sooo many youngsters-people and didn’t give a rats about what others thought of him. Such a brave trendsetter extraordinarily talented man. Sometimes I think he’s not of this earth, an anomaly sent to make us “think & dream” 💫❤️⭐️

[@dawnclaibourne2183]

Same here! I was 9 in 1973 when I saw Bowie for the first time on The Midnight Special. My parents, who listened to rock music and turned me on to so many great rock groups and musicians, didn't care for Bowie at all, but they graciously bought me a couple of his albums, and then had to listen to me play them all time - thanks, Mom and Dad!

[@girpo]

Such a fantastic memory and a wonderful performance from David and the band! I too watched it the first night it was on in America and was completely blown away! I was 14 and had become a Bowie fanatic since the Ziggy album had come out, and 7:23 this was one of my earliest, amazing memories of David , as it wasn’t like it in now where you have access to so much stuff, videos and more! Sh*t it was exciting! There’s so much more I’d like to say but I better stop now. So fantastic to see this again and again…..BOWIE FOREVER!!⚡️👨🏻‍🎤💙

[@alangraham1009]

And me too, at 12. Just blown away by the show. When the show was rebroadcast at a later date I was already with a reel to reel tape recorder. It was such an eye-opener to see someone look and perform like that.

[@LemonJello17]

I saw this original airing while visiting my Grand parents in Stanton Texas. Let’s just say after hearing their disgust they finally went to bed and I was able to relax and enjoy the show.

[@ricklohn4140]

Too funny

[@mjh5437]

Reminds me of the first time I was at home watching The Sweet on television in about 1973,my father was disgusted which just made me love the band even more lol

[@kelleegeimer6517]

In California, the Midnight Special ran after Johnny Carson at 1 a.m. I used to sleep during Carson. Mom would wake me up to watch and parents went to bed.

[@loraa3873]

Generation gap😂

[@MyHumanWreckage]

I literally bumped into David Bowie and Iman back in the 80s while going for a walk in London. Both were incredibly friendly and we ended up having a short conversation. David Bowie was such a great talent.

[@andyroid5028]

*That's incredible! That was nice of him (and his supermodel wife) to speak to you.* _I heard/read that he was a pretty nice & unpretentious 'rock star' in real life. I'm still saddened & shocked that he passed away at such a fairly young age. He was a LEGEND. RIP David Bowie._

[@KittyGrizGriz]

How very lucky 🤩 you got to meet them! I’ve heard nothing but good things about Bowie and how he treated his fans. Iman and David were totally IN love with each other and WHAT a beautiful couple they made! I’m so glad they found each other. Remember reading when they were just newly dating, he picked her up at the airport carrying a bouquet of flowers, she was totally smitten. So romantic 💘

[@MyHumanWreckage]

@@KittyGrizGriz Funny thing is at first I didn’t realize who they were. It was only afterwards looking back I realized it was Bowie and Iman walking arm in arm. It happened on either Savile Row, Old Burlington or Cork St. I’m sure we could have continued talking. I didn’t wash my arm for a year afterwards.

[@GaFo-qb6up]

must have been 1990's @@MyHumanWreckage

[@davidfanning1600]

Didn't happen. David met Iman in 1990.

[@aladdinsane.]

Been waiting for this quality re-release of Bowies 1980 Floor Show in its entirety from the Midnight Special for 50 plus years! ...Thank you Mr. Burt Sugarman for blessing us with this particular episode and all the Midnight Special re-releases as haven't missed a one yet since you have been generously posting them and this one's been on my episode countdown list! 😀

[@thomasmartin2838]

As a major Bowie fan in my pre-teen years, you don't know what it meant to watch him on TV that night in 1973. "Pin-Ups" was my favorite Bowie album of the year at that point, and seeing him play a full concert on TV that night was a dream come true! THANK YOU for finally giving us the whole broadcast again after all these years!

[@aladdinsane.]

@@thomasmartin2838 I watched it back in 1973 on TV also and was blown away! ...From that point on the Midnight Special changed and became more open to other bands and genres of music! ...Bowie changed the way music was in every way and if it wasn't for him a lot of bands and music would not be around today!

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

You are very welcome, Burt Sugarman

[@aladdinsane.]

@@themidnightspecialtvshow Thank you for your kind reply Mr. Sugarman as it's an honor to me just hearing from you!

[@KittyGrizGriz]

⁠@@themidnightspecialtvshowThank you Mr Sugarman for providing us this content! It’s very much appreciated. I couldn’t live, without music ❤❤❤

[@serenadevon]

The best rock show in the history of television!

[@jtmichaelson]

Wow! Didn't expect this. My god this is spectacular. I'm blown away! I was 5 when I first saw this laying next to my mother on the couch. She never missed the show and every weekend I could find her watching this, or Don Kirshner. And then when MTV came around Mom and I sat for hours watching every single video over and over again. But I remember this vaguely. It was my first time seeing Bowie and it attracted me right away. Later I'd go on to love his songs like, "Young Americans", "Fame", "Golden Years", etc. But this was it. My very first ever rock show and it got me to go toward working in radio as a career, and in the many bands I drummed and sang for. This is it. This was the very beginning for me.

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

You sound like a wonderful fan of the midnight Special, thank you, Burt Sugarman

[@Dr_Paul_Proteus]

Mick Ronson had a lot going on at that time. Lou Reed's Transformer came out that same year. "Mustn't forget Mick," said Reed.

[@gbontempi7905]

Mick was the inspiration to Bowie which was why he had to get rid of him.

[@Dr_Paul_Proteus]

@@gbontempi7905 I did not know that.

[@jackal59]

@@Dr_Paul_Proteus You didn't know that because it's not really true.

[@geinikan1kan]

@@jackal59 or else it turns true with so much repetition. YT is just rock rumor in the digital sphere.

[@dusanpogacar1399]

This is november 73, after Alladin Sane and Pin Ups.

[@giteducalme]

Omg - this must have been mind blowing for kids watching Bowie for the first time in 1973, it was so futuristic, theatrical, artistic and wonderous. Whoever uploaded this, thanx.❤😁👌

[@thaismatsumoto]

It was. As a fourteen year old I was already a fan. And myself and my best friend tried to dress like him. It's funny how many people came up to me as an adult and said oh I remember you because of the weird way you dressed. They certainly did stare when we went walking down the main st.

[@SomewhereInside]

Agree was four or five , listening to Bowie on the radio , in the North East of England , he was like a magical being , from another dimension …watching him at approx 26 years old with all those facial impressions , during the song Time …he was a masterful impersonator as well as a brilliant singer / performer and songwriter .

[@rodoza66]

So true. Something like this would not be shown on TV in these fascist times. The right-wing nuts would shit their conservative pants!!!

[@mangasky7]

This is truly iconic. The most epic episode of the Midnight Special ever. Ziggy's last stand. Bowie showing an American TV audience the 21st century in 1973.

[@BlackMan614]

Ziggy's last stand?? Ziggy was over July '73. This was Diamond Dogs tour.

[@RiotNrrrdUTube]

@BlackMan614 You are clueless. This was a one off, 2-day taping at The Marquee Club in the fall of 1973. The “Diamond Dogs” tour didn’t start for another 7 months or so, in mid 1974. This is the last time he ever shared a stage with both Mick Ronson and Trevor Bolder. It was truly “Ziggy’s Last Stand”.

[@BlackMan614]

​@@RiotNrrrdUTube Bowie publicly ended Ziggy in July of '73. Ziggy was a character, you idiot. Ronson played on Aladdin Sane.

[@tubester4567]

@@RiotNrrrdUTube Yep this is peak Bowie and peak cocaine, A legend was made

[@robmatlock7675]

Bowie is such a showman, this is very European, naturally, about 6 months after the Ziggy Stardust tour ended, probably explains the webs on the dancers' outfits. Carmen, playing songs off their debut album Fandangos in Space. Mick Ronson on electric guitar, love the Skylab footage. Those dancers are so flexible. Bowie doing a Who song, made it his own. Haunting version of As Tears Go By. First time seeing the Troggs perform, Wild Thing is the only song of theirs I've ever heard before this. Mick really fired up the Les Paul for Jeans Genie. Marianne Faithfull on her way to a guest appearance on the "Flying Nun", as Sally Fields druggy sister. This episode reminds me of the Eurovision Song Contest I watched while I was stationed in Turkey. Great episode, thank you The Midnight Special, perks like this make the membership fee a bargain.

[@howardbarish]

Glad you enjoyed it. Marvin Gaye concert is next this coming Monday.

[@robmatlock7675]

@@howardbarish Marvin Gaye was the conscience of the early 70s, can't wait.

[@johnned4848]

If its still available check out the 8 hour complete 1989 Floor Show rehearsals and outtakes. You see what a consumate professional Bowie was and how hard he worked on this. Definitely a perfectionist who intended to make the most of this opportunity

[@robmatlock7675]

@@johnned4848 He's not just great, the hard work shows.

[@johnned4848]

@robmatlock7675 in the 8 hour complete rehearsals and outtakes you see Bowie really doing professional rehearsals repeatedly until he got his performance right

[@DrTomoculus]

THANK YOU MIDNIGHT SPECIAL! I'm watching the performance by Carmen, and I look at the bass player and think, that looks a lot like John Glascock , who was in Jethro Tull (of whom I'm a fan) and it turns out I was right! . I am now listening to their first album Fandangos in Space (1973)!!

[@friendlier]

I didn't know this. I've watched a bootleg of this show many times over the decades. Loved him Jethro Tull as well.

[@DrTomoculus]

He was great! Songs from the Wood!@@friendlier

[@DrTomoculus]

BTW FANDANGOS IN SPACE IS A REALLY GOOD ALBUM!!!

[@andyroid5028]

*_I'm in love with their keyboardist! She is HOT! 🔥LOL._* *_I'm sure she's probably in her mid 70s now, but when she was young... she was quite a stunner!_*

[@henryhoward8341]

It is Glascock. Carmen opened for Tull on the Warchild tour.

[@Gobear1]

I remember watching this episode so clearly because it was my first exposure to the cosmic magic that was David Bowie. Hard to believe that was more than 50 years ago.

[@michaelabbott516]

This was first broadcast on my thirteenth birthday, the day I officially became a teenager. It was My Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation all rolled into one. It's a moment, when looking back, was one of those moments when you make choices that alter your path and you start to follow your own instincts and dive in against all odds. My age of enlightenment with Bowie shining a light on all aspects of the Arts worthy of exploration. Musicians, naturally, but also poets, writers, film directors, mimes, painters, dance troupes, fashion designers, actors, and the world of theatre in all it's forms. I couldn't have asked for a better education. Getting to finally see the complete show, and in HD, was like meditative time travel and it was 1973 all over again. Life was just beginning for me and the experience of watching it in 1973 sent a subliminal message that I was not alone, there are thousands of others like you, and eventually, I would find my tribe. I did, and I owe it all to David Bowie and this broadcast. So thank you David, and thank you to the people behind the scenes, making this happen at The Midnight Special we really, really appreciate it. Keeping David's artistry available and alive for future generations to experience is important to me. If you've never watched the complete episode, get ready, TheTroggs, Marianne Faithful, and Flamenco Glam Rockers, Carmen, who I was most interested to see again. They did not disappoint. Bowie is in top form all around, just his voice alone is incredible, and he's risk taking right out of the gate when you think he opened the set with a brand new song he was working on for his proposed musicial of Orwell's 1984 and he f&%ing nails it ! He's exhilarated at the end of the song, having pulled it off, he shares a wonderful moment of acknowledgement with Mick Ronson that they nailed it. 👁🧡⚡

[@doggod07]

I too turned 13 in November 1973. I have never seen this video footage before with the exception of Sorrow which was shown here in Australia to support the single. Cheers

[@howlinwulf]

Well he was before his time. 50 years ahead id say

[@mjh5437]

@@howlinwulf Not really,here we are 50 years later and there is nothing anywhere near as good as this (unfortunately).

[@rodoza66]

"The church of man, love - is such a holy place to be"

[@victorkreitner754]

That look in Bowies eyes while singing that song "Sorrow" and gazing in Amanda Lears eyes. There was some serious chemistry going on there. Amanda Lear is still around today at the age of 86. Wish Bowie was still with us.

[@sierragold]

I noticed that, too... Gotta wonder if they had a "fling" either before or after the show LOL

[@patsystone666]

@@sierragoldthey dated for more than a year

[@ARIZJOE]

It was that "long blond hair."

[@taradevine6026]

She seems to have that Iman confidence and sexuality, too.

[@stephencarroll230]

He was gorgeous!

[@JamieLovett-t7l]

If it wasn't for Midnight Special, a lot of these great songs, and intimate performances of the greatest musical legends of all time would have been lost, forever.

[@Exisles]

Troggs, wow had forgotten about them. Reg Presley lives !

[@patrickmegan8224]

That version of Space Oddity was spectacular. Mick Ronson... cool as a cucumber and the drummer....absolutely amazing. And Bowie....OMG.

[@petebourne]

The great Aynsley Dunbar on drums.

[@SuperAnimelover100]

@@petebourne I thought that was Ansley Dunbar. Who was the other guy on guitar. I see Mick Ronson and Trevor Bolder . Hmmmmmmmmmm

[@petebourne]

@@SuperAnimelover100 Second guitar player is Mark Carr-Pritchard (AKA Mark Pritchett). Apparently a neighbour of Bowie and the owner of the Les Paul Bowie posed with on the Spiders From Mars cover.

[@StephanieJeanne]

Wow, that was a treat! It felt like part concert- part cabaret show! Really cool! I liked Carmen a lot! That Flamenco/prog rock style was awesome! Marianne was cool, and that duet she did with David was awesome! It reminded me of Rocky Horror Picture Show, which came later, of course. Excellent entertainment!🤩😎💜

[@TheRealPynkPanther]

oh yes - Carmen was great. this episode is the epitome of what is missing today - not much original creativity nor musicality.

[@StephanieJeanne]

@@TheRealPynkPanther Agreed!! 💯

[@gregoryduncan3067]

This is pre-Rocky Horror Picture Show. The Midnight Special was The Rocky Horror Picture Show before The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

[@gregoryduncan3067]

Without the gay sex in it.

[@StephanieJeanne]

@@gregoryduncan3067 Yes, I did say RH came later. You crack me up though with that last part.🪨+ e + 👻 /🧌 🤣

[@MsCandy1967]

The quality of these shows are so amazing. Thank you to Burt Sugarman for sharing these great shows in their entirety. My husband and I look forward to this every Friday night.

[@jimsutthoff4642]

I remember watching this as a 12 year old with my sisters. They were very vocal with their disgust of David Bowie. I just kept my mouth shut, but inside I was thinking it was the greatest thing I had ever seen. Eventually, even my sisters grew to respect him. I feel lucky to have seen the touring Bowie exhibit in Brooklyn back in 2018. Some of the costumes he wore on this show were part of the exhibit.

[@themotownboy1]

Seeing that duet with Bowie and Faithfull was priceless!! David in androgynous glam and Marianne looking like a rogue nun was amazing.

[@rebeccawagner4167]

The Midnight Special was the show to watch every Saturday night. It had the most amazing music 🎶 🎵 and groups. My teenage years were so good with this type of show. I loved my generation. It will never be replicated or duplicated. This is what actual music 🎶 🎵 sounds like. Ty,Midnight Special.

[@rbrobbi]

Aynsley Dunbar holy crap! This was one of the greatest hard rock bands with the addition of his powerful drumming

[@jeffmcdonald9004]

The best

[@stevenvacek5044]

I couldn't tell who the drummer was...just knew it wasn't Woody....was he fired?

[@ARIZJOE]

@@stevenvacek5044 Kinda. Spiders disbanded in '73 before this. I was surprised Trevor was there. I believe Dunbar had worked on "Pin Ups" that summer.

[@RiotNrrrdUTube]

Who was the 2nd (and somewhat useless IMHO) guitarist, btw? I’ve forgotten.

[@ARIZJOE]

​@@RiotNrrrdUTube Mark Carr-Pritchard, in obscurity literally

[@troygaspard6732]

😢Thank you for posting this. Rare footage, to see Bowie sing songs from his Pin-up, Diamond Dogs and Alad Insane albums is a treat.

[@secnola6320]

Man, I miss the real music of the 70s; no digital pretending or enhancing. Real music, and you can’t get better than David Bowie! I miss him. I still have my ticket stubs! Then there’s “The Midnight Special “ show that came on TV every weekend! I’m so glad I can watch them again.!

[@rt3593]

A life altering moment....I was there the first time, not knowing who Bowie was....I wonder how many copies Bowie's records 8tracks, cassettes, CD's, iTunes I purchased because of this show.....FTR, this was the first pre-taped showing of this show: we know because the word " screw" was cut....the first time was live and it made it through. I still have ( and play) the Carmen FANDANGOS IN SPACE. I've gone 50 years wanting to relive it...and here it is. Never anything like it....THANK YOU FOR POSTING.. LONG LIVE BOWIE.

[@LIZZIE-lizzie]

These shows were GREAT! Would get home and sit in front of the TV watching THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL!!!!

[@Semiam1]

Bowie was a prophet with the opening song 1984 “They’ll split your pretty cranium and fill it full of air”

[@KenLieck]

You mean that line wasn't from the book? (Kidding!)

[@catholiccowboy8545]

.. lol ... Yes the spider from mars who died like a stupid fly crushed on the wall.

[@1KJO]

@@catholiccowboy8545 Horrible statement.

[@MrMusicbyMartin]

Sharon Osborne later stole David’s hairstyle. No-one looks better than Bowie in a topless spandex jumpsuit. What a great upload, thank you!!

[@jeffreymorris4827]

Your moms looks better in that. You know cause she's a girl

[@Phil-r6k]

My very first Bowie recording, before I had any of his albums, was when I put my Sears tape recorder up to the TV speaker and recorded this episode. I jammed on it for years! Alas, the tape has gone the way of the dodo (all pun intended), so it’s awesome that I can finally relive this rare Rock experience again here on KZbin.

[@abzesxx009]

i'm crying. greetings from Buenos Aires, Argentina

[@mikeyg8002]

What a great moment in rock and television history. Glad to finally see a good quality version. Like waking up from the bad dream of the VHS version I had back in the day. Thanks.

[@tabithathewitch2001]

This is Bowie Performance Art and I love it! So creative!!

[@rickl5596]

Wow, such a crystal clear quality. I watched this episode the night it came out at the age of 16 and it changed my musical life forever.

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

This is one of the best. So cool to see Bowie at this stage, from the Marquee Club no less. I remember getting his first album and it was like nothing I’d ever heard before. Thanks for putting all these great shows up for us.

[@elliegee7334]

Oh this is GOLD ... finding such a vintage episode with BOWIE! I grew up with the weekly Midnight Special tv show in the '70s. It was long before MTV and music videos, and the only way to see your favorite bands play live. I was mesmerized watching Bowie, his stage show, his costumes... I was forever changed.

[@Rawblah]

When I was a kid that’s how all the grownups watched concerts, sitting on blankets. I’m lucky they brought me to some. Had to take myself to see Bowie many years later myself ;D So fun to see this❣️®️

[@KweenBee37]

Jesus! I thought I’d seen everything about this man. Thankyou for this!! Amazing!!

[@bluejay5931]

Thank you so much for this amazing performance of bowie! I was a bit too young for concerts then, and i discovered bowie later in life. But i love everything about him because he was so unique. These costumes are outrageous, like the man who wore them. Bowie will never be forgotten!

[@CTBeachWalker]

Imagine that - stellar live performances without lip sync and computers. ♥ Wonderful video!

[@tefenstrat]

Man O man it's sure great to see these old episodes of The Midnight Special magically reproduced to their original ( or even better than original) quality.

[@tennyc]

Im so glad this episode is available. I remember being 8 yrs old watching this in front of the tv with volume low to not wake my parents. I was scared of Bowie it really felt like he was an alien visiting Earth.. I love how Wolfman Jack refers to him as David Buoy!

[@beenaplumber8379]

Wolfman was American, and before David Bowie, there was Jim Bowie, an American hero from the 19th century (died at the Alamo with Davy Crockett), and his last name is pronounced BOO-wee. (The Bowie knife was named for him.) As an American, Wolfman learned about Jim Bowie long before he learned about David Bowie. David scared me too as a kid! He was way too disturbing, but I LOVED his music. How could someone that disturbing make such emotionally powerful music? I turned 7 in 1973, so I was almost your age.

[@lostinmusic5431]

Thanks a lot. I bought the album Fandangos in Space from the band Carmen in the 70s and this is the first time I see them live. Great.👍🏼❤️

[@dixiefallas7799]

Paul Fenton on drums he’s a friend of mine. Shame Carmen didn’t get the proper backing!🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@beenaplumber8379]

@@dixiefallas7799 This is the first time I've even heard of them, and I'm rather blown away! I dig prog that keeps one foot in hard rock, and this really hit the spot! That bassist was phenomenal! Are they Spanish? Latin? I need to learn more... I came for Bowie and found a real unexpected treasure in Carmen!

[@dixiefallas7799]

@@beenaplumber8379 I don’t know where they originated I just know Paul the drummer who is from my town in Yorkshire.UK.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@JerseyJon2]

The bassist is John Glascock, who would later join Jethro Tull. @@beenaplumber8379

[@beenaplumber8379]

@@dixiefallas7799 Thanks - A friend just told me like 3 minutes ago he saw them in Argentina. They had a hit there around this time, 1973-74. I wish they could have gone farther with their career. (Correction - he didn't say he saw them, only that he was living in Argentina at the time, and Carmen had a big hit there. He was like 7 or 8 then.)

[@Arasteele]

Bowie in his post-Ziggy Stardust no eyebrows space oddity look. MAN this takes me back. Incredible episode of the incredible Midnight Special. We will never see it's like again. But take comfort in the fact that the Earth is something like 14 billion years old and we got to live in the same time as David Bowie.

[@HawaiiJetboat]

Amazing what was happening musically in the early 70's. Loads of experimentation musically and visually. The cream rose to the top, the others faded. Great Program Midnight Special.

[@simonwilson1211]

I can't wait to see all these wonderful gems that will find their way to KZbin over the coming years.. A one-off! A Special one at that! Thank you for sharing this.. X

[@markwardel6751]

Fabulous...we never saw this here in the UK during the Bowie-mania 70s and I can't help chuckling to myself when I picture what middle America made of this ...Bowie's tartiest, draggiest performance ever when it was broadcast there in 1973! I'm picturing bullets though TV screens and very un-Christian language!

[@johnned4848]

Well he had a pretty strong cult following especially in major music markets. So they (we) were definitely into this. But glam/glitter was on its way out; and bands like Kiss and Aerosmith ( who opened for the New York Dolls) were on the way up. But Bowie being a relentless workaholic cultural chameleon would of course eventually get stardom in America

[@JJJJJVVVVVLLLLL]

very unusual performances

[@carlodave9]

Americans treated early Bowie and Alice Cooper as niche curiosities and didn’t get worked up. Alice had hits, but few knew Bowie until Fame.

[@Roikat]

@@carlodave9 I visited California in the summer of 1973 having never heard of Bowie, but discovered absolute Bowie-mania there. He was already the most popular rock star on the west coast, while still being unknown where I came from.

[@andyacker991]

I watched this that night at a party in a Holiday Inn in Mississippi. Mushrooms, tequila, sensimilla. We loved Bowie. That year, and 74, with the Diamond Dogs music, were really wild. Bowie was quite popular in my crowd.

[@VinnieBlues1]

Really awesome ❤️

[@998cooper]

The spider with the platinum hair is one of the best and most influential guitarists of this era.

[@johnned4848]

Mick Ronson!

[@rt3593]

RONN!....MICK RONSON was so well known His first solo album ( which features Bowie in background vocals) was called SLAUGHTER ON TENTH ALBUM...damn good album.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Ronno!! 😍 I love his song “Only After Dark”. He never wanted to be in the limelight, like Bowie. Whew!! 🤩 He’s so yummy to look at, too!

[@chegeny]

As a young teen, I watched Afternoon Plus with Mavis Nicholson speak with David Bowie back in 1979. It was an exceptional interview. Even though Bowie's personas could be quite avant-garde, he was still accessible as well and always focused on the integrity of his music. He was one of my favourite musicians. It's sad he's gone.

[@pfanyc]

How utterly mind-blowing and disorienting and even slightly scary must it have been to see this David Bowie performance on your television in 1973!!!

[@catholiccowboy8545]

Error ! We weren't never afraid of buffoons in those years. One thing i can tell you it's that we lough a lot. Even dying of laughter.

[@crownprinceofgroovy]

Finally an authorized video of the show. Much appreciated.

[@CthulhuWaitsDreaming]

Carmen - Bullfight @37:40 is not to be missed. Such an amazing episode. Thank you so much for sharing this and everything else. I hope we can buy blurays of these episodes eventually.

[@stephenpowers51]

I'm 62, I've watched a lot of British tv music shows featuring Bowie, docs about Bowie, and never seen any of this. It's awesome, for me this is the start of his Golden Years, Pin Ups to Lodger (his take here on 'I Can't Explain' is THE version of all versions). Thanks for sharing. Now, somebody please shoot me while I'm happy.(That's a Fats Waller quote.)

[@TuckerSP2011]

Super awesome! Thank you so much MS for putting this show on in its entirety!

[@brucegrossman3531]

Saw Bowie on the Sound+Vision tour. So seeing this is just amazing.

[@milestonowhere]

CARMEN rocks! First time experiencing their music... Pretty amazing and deep. Great prog. rock elements.

[@altamiranoalcantara2874]

Wow, this video is a true treasure, we are seeing David Bowie in one of his best moments, the group Carmen are magnificent and the classic Wild Thing live, I had never seen it... applause 👋👋👋👋

[@gregoryduncan3067]

Society will be so happy when it sees this in less than 2 weeks from now.

[@StephanieJeanne]

I thought it was this Friday's episode. Oh well, I'm glad I watched!

[@gregoryduncan3067]

@@StephanieJeanne The next one is the Marvin Gaye concert episode. Oooo.

[@StephanieJeanne]

@@gregoryduncan3067 I can’t wait for that! Oh man, I love him!🤩

[@TheRealPynkPanther]

I agree!

[@jeffmcdonald9004]

I saw this special in 73. I was 10

[@kbcoop3249]

I watched this live when this first aired with my mom. This turned me into a David Bowie fan later that year I got Bowie live album for Christmas.❤🎄🤘🎸

[@philsatterley5297]

Bowie is awesome, but never in my life would I have predicted I'd ever see any video from Carmen!

[@MsAlien911]

Thanks. U made this old bowie fan very happy

[@kevinoshea4134]

The good ol' days of great classic rock music

[@SuperAnimelover100]

Agreed 100% !

[@markearnestfromreno613]

A brilliant episode in every way. I did sneakily stay up as a kiddo when this was first broadcast and was transfixed by the wildness and the great music.

[@AldousHuxleysCat]

It was called the 1980 floor show because the Orwell estate would not allow him to call it the 1984 show. I not only remember this show vividly, I remember his wife at the time, Angela, on the Johnny Carson show before this came on. She even sang the song under her stage name of Gyp Jones. As much as I can't wait to watch this I'd give anything to see that again, I bet it's in the Carson archive somewhere

[@NUAGEAPE]

Best Valentines present that feel to earth. So happy to see the full show and with decent quality ❤ Cheers for uploading this.

[@firstboyonthemoon8876]

It's amazing that in this short era Bowie was working on Pin ups, Aladdin Sane, diamond dogs and producing Lou Reed's transformer.

[@christophervaldez8746]

Don't forget him producing Mott the Hoople too.

[@logantyrelle97]

Just began my membership about 5 minutes ago and I'm already loving it!! You guys have struck gold with this idea!! I also still can't wait for the Ike & Tina performances from episode 53 to be uploaded to your channel!! I still can't believe they performed those songs and they haven't been seen in now 50 years as of 2 days ago!! 😍🤩 I really hope you post them soon!

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

Thanks so much for the support, it is greatly appreciated.

[@logantyrelle97]

@@themidnightspecialtvshow No problem!! I know this might sound random, but are you able to please tell me what Tina and The Ikettes were wearing for the performances in episode 53??

[@groovedohg]

​@@logantyrelle97 Thinking about being a paying subscriber, but what exactly do you get? I would be in like flash if you could automatically watch a treasured concert at your choice

[@billplate3125]

This was a whole different genre in music taking place. Innovative and a new sound I loved it

[@patxi601]

Bowie " on stage " was always much more Bowie. Time was incredible and the cover of " cant explain" was great. Thx for the whole video.

[@wonsworld61]

the Sorrow film clip that I have seen all my life came from TMS??? mind = blown.. well done guys and thank you

[@inwoodliver]

Check all the MS uploads

[@anas.9103]

The hair, the clothes, the songs, BOWIE & AMANDA LEAR OMG!!! #THANKYOU

[@Dr_Paul_Proteus]

Awesome work. Thank you for this!

[@cornfilledscreamer614]

Best version of Space Oddity. Ever.

[@MichaelSmith-xb5cp]

Duet with Mick, both in full rockstar mode, top stuff.

[@slowmarchingband1]

Never thought I'd see Carmen with the late great John Glascock who went on to play with Jethro Tull. Brilliant.

[@brianordelheide4661]

I watched this when it first aired. It was a BIG thing - I had become Bowie crazed. This was right after he broke up the Spiders (though I guess he wasn't ready to give up Ziggy), and was done to promote Pin Ups that had just been released. It's fascinating that he included songs from Diamond Dogs, which wouldn't be released until the following year - no one had heard those songs. Bold move. Thanks to Burt and the team from the Midnight Special channel - looks and sounds GREAT!!

[@LolaP-q8l]

Thank you so much for this I love Bowie

[@MrSteveishere]

Wow thanks for uploading this, really enjoyed watching it...

[@neildixon8263]

So after a mere 50 years (really!), I finally get to watch this in near broadcast quality. I probably will not hold my breath waiting for the 4K remaster!

[@allisonreimers9411]

I was 8 years old when I stayed up late to watch. First time I saw Bowie. I was fascinated by him. I have one pupil that is always much larger than the other. Some of the kids teased, but after this show, I felt like the coolest girl on the planet.

[@patrickcappelli5250]

The peak of glam and an androgyneous Bowie who surely had schocked the American audience And these costumes ! No limit Thse show is historic

[@fredred8298]

I had just turned 17 and was already a Bowie fan. I still am.

[@RossLaHaise]

This was incredible.

[@ChristienGagnier]

so amazing to see a performance of the Gene Genie in 1973.......that song is iconic

[@maxthepupp]

Meeting Mick Cousin and spending A few minutes with him is absolutely one of the great joys of my life! It seems he's more appreciated these days than he's ever been. A golden god guitarist and sweet bloke!🤘😎🤘🙏❤

[@ThreeToesofFury]

THIS IS INCREDIBLE. thank you.

[@ARIZJOE]

This "Dodo" version of "1984" with Mick Ronson juxtaposed with the horns is a superior arrangement. I don't know why David changed it on the studio album. I was keen on the Spiders, but missed them. Then I saw this on NBC, and the "Diamond Dogs" tour the next summer. No matter what aggregation of musicians, they always had that Bowie art sound. And I loved the "Pin Ups" stuff. I saw many of these costumes at the V&A Museum in London. I believe it is now permanent.

[@chrisbenten9971]

Bowie...never be anyone like him...Brilliant! Thank you for sharing!

[@SteveKraus]

Such talent in David Bowie. RIP.

[@demah8655]

Micks' guitar blast off part in Space Oddity is amazing. He sounds just like him while singing I'm floating around in my tin can. WOW

[@ijustgottasay1281]

I can still remember being a rather bemused teen seeing Carmen's unique brand of "flamenco rock" when they opened for my all-time favorite band, Jethro Tull, on the latter's 1975 WarChild tour. Little did I know then that a short time later their bass player John Glascock would become Tull's bassist. So unfortunate that he died so young after such a short stint with them.

[@SuperAnimelover100]

Some how I couldn't get into Carmen.

[@jublaim]

This is great! First time seeing/hearing Carmen with later Jethro Tull bass player John Glascock ("Brittledick" by Ian Anderson).

[@thomaskauser8978]

My 13th birthday show! It was several years before my life turned upside down. My step dad hadn't got his orders to London yet! Two years later and the punks took over. One of a kind Mr. Bowie!

[@sawneyhasbean]

Troggs....A band much appreciated by early Punks In The Know!

[@alangray9117]

I remember when I saw this on a summer rerun in 1976, this made me a Bowie fan. Until then I had only heard moonage daydream in late '72 because of an art teacher in 1st grade. When I saw this I thought at the time it needed more Bowie. It could have skipped the others.

[@KannibalKrunch]

This has been a treat! Thank you!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@John60s70s]

I really like that group called Carmen 10:14, 37:42. I like their sound and performance. Space Oddity 16:44 is my favorite David Bowie song.

[@deathmetaldouglas69]

I'm real impressed with them too. Both their songs here are very different. I'll bet a full evening with them was something truly special. The lead singer for the second tune looks like magician of the era Doug Henning. I used to get people thinking I had his name with Doug Herring in 70's grade school. Musical talent aside the guitarist really has the "look".

[@ARIZJOE]

This "Space Oddity" is a great live performance, and really one of David's best. Mick Ronson helped a lot. I was so surprised that they parted.

[@SuperAnimelover100]

@@ARIZJOE It was a crying shame Bowie dropped Mick Ronson !

[@flashflame4952]

No matter what David wore he always looked so damn amazing!!!!!

[@rodoza66]

It's like he brought masculine/feminine "drag" to the masses....