The Midnight Special Pilot - August 19, 1972

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

This Friday, June 9th, we will be releasing Episode 7 hosted by Paul Anka as a Live Premiere at 8pm EST 5pm PST. We look forward to meeting everyone in the live chat and enjoying the episode together. Hope you can make it!

[@teresahooks3746]

I just subscribed. I was eight years old when this premiered. I would sneak down stairs when my parents were asleep and watch it. Mama would have a hard time getting me up for church the next morning 😅.

[@ichabodcrane4240]

Please continue to release full episodes. Individual performances are great, but there is something about watching the complete show that transports me back to those days. If only there was a way to add the old commercials...

[@jumpnjiminycricket]

​@@ichabodcrane4240 Interesting that you mentioned the commercials. That's how I lrarned about Tower of Power. There was a portion of What is Hip and I was all "Who is that.I want the whole track". I was hooked from then on.❣

[@philipmarx1819]

Thanks for posting this. The quality is amazing. I remember watching this when it aired. I was 13 and was a big Harry Chapin fan.

[@jimcolby2885]

More yes please

[@thrillofthechase3313]

For those of us lucky enough to grow up in the 70's, let me tell you this, it was magical in many ways.

[@retrolady66]

The 50s through 70s I was lucky!

[@Nicksonian]

Until we ran into disco. Then it all started to fall apart.

[@thrillofthechase3313]

@@Nicksonian upon listening to some old disco music I hate to admit, but I think it still holds up well. For example, I love watching old live performances of KC and the sunshine band.

[@Nicksonian]

@@thrillofthechase3313 Ya, Can't argue with that. I liked soul and funk, but the commercial disco ala the Bee Gees made my skin crawl. I really liked Donna Summer.

[@patrobles13]

​@@Nicksonian*Bee Gees are unique. No one can even come close. Real singing and music.*

[@kirahastings9900]

No fireworks, no nearly naked dancers, no autotune, no gimmicks -- just real music.

[@Jim-co5fb]

I was thinking the same thing. Focus performing hocus pocus, so tight with no effects.

[@NancyAndros]

Right, just the music please.

[@jpr1845]

Yes Indeed 💯 Agreed & NO AUTO TUNE Either, Just Raw Musical Talent Music🎸🥁🎶🎵🎤👏✌️😁

[@peterbetts858]

FOCUSED On the Music . AHHaaa , What A Breath Of Fresh Air ! !

[@honeycone71]

You said it.

[@jayhouse3149]

Oh Man Oh Man, watched this show every week when I was 13 - I was hooked after this Pilot! Who else is 66 and still watching it?

[@VickySwindoll]

Me too, loved it ❤

[@tmark64]

I'm with ya. Watched it every Saturday night while my parents played cards.

[@wombly5596]

62

[@kennethmcfarland8556]

Me 65

[@wmmseo]

Same for me. I guess I'm a year older than you.

[@vinceboston7451]

0:34 John Denver - (Take Me Home) Country Roads (with backup harmonies by Mama Cass Elliot) 4:35 Linda Ronstadt - Long Long Time 8:16 Argent - Hold Your Head Up 12:44 The Isley Brothers - Pop That Thang 16:05 John Denver and 'Mama' Cass Elliott - "Leaving on a Jet Plane" duet 22:03 The Everly Brothers - "All I Have to Do Is Dream" 25:22 War - "Slippin' into Darkness" 30:20 Helen Reddy - "I Don't Know How to Love Him" 33:41 David Clayton-Thomas (singer from Blood, Sweat & Tears) - "Yesterday's Music" 37:55 Harry Chapin - "Taxi" 46:51 John Denver juggles 47:37 Linda Ronstadt - "The Fast One" 50:56 David Clayton-Thomas (singer from Blood, Sweat & Tears) - "Nobody Calls Me Prophet" 56:35 The Everly Brothers - "Stories We Could Tell" 59:33 Argent - "Tragedy" 1:03:23 John Denver - "Goodbye Again" Please give a Thumbs Up 👍if you appreciate the time stamps. They are time consuming to add but hopefully helpful. Doing so will "bump up" the post. Thanks. vb

[@dimebagdave77]

Thnx very much

[@phoenixjim0527]

You rock 🤘🏻

[@teresaschlichting3607]

Thank you!

[@marygriffiths2950]

🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@sanford943]

As old as I am, there were some songs I had never heard of.

[@jtcummins1304]

More talent in one show, than we have had in the last 20 years.

[@sandib4234]

You got that right 💞

[@kennethross9310]

Amen brother

[@Advisorit]

💯 agree say last 30 years!

[@GilQaneida]

It would be great to have a show like this today. Problem is, you need talented performers to fill an hour and this ain't the seventies.

[@athecheat]

50 if we go by this air date

[@steveking3434]

This is not just a KZbin channel , this is a museum of rock n roll history ! Thank you so much

[@jonstone2466]

Who ever is responsible for bringing these Midnight Special episodes to KZbin for access, thank you from the bottom of my heart. They are so well rendered with such great audio it is like being there 50 years ago. I always looked forward every week to another edition of Midnight Special featuring the best musical performers of that era. We now get to see them on hi res screens with better audio than a 3 inch speaker. Incredible.

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

Our pleasure!

[@belkishenderson4591]

@@themidnightspecialtvshowthank you!!!!🙏🙏🙏

[@Neilfrozn]

I could not agree more! The Midnight Special has always been my favorite music TV show! To be able to relive those moments is fantastic!

[@anitathompson9360]

Miss you so much, always looked forward to seeing the show, we would go roller skating and rush home to see you and I was 8-9yrs old 1972 when I discovered you,❤❤❤

[@JeffThomasBlack]

@@themidnightspecialtvshow ☮♥🎶

[@davidw5731]

Being a teenager in the 1970's meant you never missed The Midnight Special. The Midnight Special, Roller Derby, Drive-Ins, Casey Kasem's AT40, Sat. Night Fever, and Bruce Lee. Boy, I miss the 1970's!

[@BrenB125]

I graduated high-school 1979. Listened to the top 40 every Saturday morning in PA.

[@humanaddictions]

Can't we go back?...

[@thomaskauser8978]

They let the juniors graduate ?

[@paisleyprincess7996]

I was a little girl then…But I remember

[@primitivedaisy]

We didn’t know how special those times and music were! 🥰

[@zoltank3915]

RIP John Denver - you are Missed 😢

[@hotdogsmith1]

I am a rock ‘n roller. Rest in peace Johnny John Dover was a heart and soul of America.

[@hotdogsmith1]

John Denver not Dover

[@susanb2015]

I loved him in the 70s when I was little.

[@barrysmith8920]

SO missed! I cried deeply when he died.

[@barbaraeisenhower454]

Yes he sure is. I still love his music so much. It makes me sad to know that he was so depressed.😢

[@JTRocks4Ever]

Linda Ronstadt, no makeup, looking beautiful and singing like an angel.

[@thevoid99]

that voice makes me cry. i fucking love it. especially when she sings "long long time".

[@That_AMC_Guy]

Nothing sexier than a woman with talent.

[@davidwesley2525]

@@That_AMC_Guy Unlike Today's female pop stars. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@DianaJG8]

...and probably barefooted, too. ❤

[@JTRocks4Ever]

@@DianaJG8 yes that was her thing! She was so lovely, I wanted to sing like her but I have mediocre pipes, lol. Its so sad that she is not well.

[@SweetJungThang]

And the very best thing here, children, is that every single act is plugged in and performing live. No pre-recorded tracks, no double-tracking, no auto-tune, no lip-synching. This is the real stuff.

[@NihongoGuy]

Which is why the Midnight Special was, indeed, special. Back then, it was really my only chance to see and hear live music.

[@Mgarguemare]

And you could actually understand the lyrics and sing along.

[@ShaneKennedy1969]

That's just not true... Do you see any mics on the drums for Argent? The drummer doesn't even start moving until after the drums start.... A lot of times they just played backing tracks & the singers sang over them.

[@BlazinRiver1]

Pitch correct aka auto tune came out in 1975. The company Evertide put out the first harmonizer. Argent had a backing track for sure. Being a rock musician since 1971 I was glued to the tv watching these shows and looking for live vs pre-recorded. Your statement would be true if you were talking about the 50s-60s.

[@Retired1-b4v]

And NO cellphones

[@jeffs.692]

Linda had amazing voice and was B-E-A-utiful woman

[@timwebber8630]

From Argent, to right into the Isley Bros. From the Everly Brothers, to right into WAR. That's how badass The Midnight Special was. We had it all in the '70s! We were so lucky to be growing up back then.

[@byrdman0182]

OK boomer

[@marygriffiths2950]

💯💯💯💯

[@nashtndawg]

@@byrdman0182 And we're proud of it!!!!!

[@byrdman0182]

@@nashtndawg ok boomer

[@paultreadaway102]

Rock Funk Country and Rock n Roll quite diverse genre music here and the 70s

[@terryjohinke8065]

As a Boomer I'm glad we had real singing and lovely songs. Weren't we lucky? We lived through the best of popular music.

[@sandib4234]

Boy did we ever!!

[@Richard-qx6el]

You said it, so true.

[@byrdman0182]

OK boomers

[@sandib4234]

@@byrdman0182 why are you making a comment and even listening to this music if you don't like it 🤔🤐

[@byrdman0182]

@@sandib4234 ok boomer

[@papapaul5167]

Being a kid in the 70’s was magical, the best music, great tv shows when you were a kid with no parental ratings needed. I miss the 70’s

[@BryonBrady-xc5cv]

the music was great but you're forgetting one thing of the 70s that's the muscle cars. I had a 66 g. t. o a 70 g. t. x. 426 4spd

[@JasonNation72]

This show is a sheer testament to how special the 70s were when it came to music.

[@dannyowens7452]

I was a 16 year old when this first aired. Sad to say many of us took this show for granted and didn’t realize what we had back then. I watched it “hit and miss “ now wish I watched every episode. It was a great time to grow up in and I sure do miss all the best music ever made. We didn’t know how lucky we were. 😊

[@r.p.mcmurphy6623]

I was 16 as well. I agree with your sentiments. But it wasn't all that long until we realized that the soundtrack of OUR youth just happened to be the 2 greatest musical decades ever!

[@byrdman0182]

OK boomers

[@Slartybartfast465]

@@byrdman0182 OK hater

[@byrdman0182]

@@Slartybartfast465 ok boomer

[@justgivemethetruth]

I was 16 as well. We used to think the Midnight Special was too commercial, but looking back on things we had no idea what commercial was - this is really great. I can't even force myself to watch what's on TV musically these days.

[@DrMattWalton]

Man, John Denver and Cass Elliot sound so good. I forgot how good artists were back then

[@Granddad56]

Wow! Cass Elliot saying that it's not so important who you vote for, but that you vote. That is a far cry from the hateful divisions that we have today. I miss those kinder days when we respected each others opinions even if we didn't agree with them.

[@fernandozaragoza5801]

That is 👍

[@AZKathy07]

Amen!

[@sjs1555]

Today is a little more complicated than that. When you have white Supremacist groups supporting one side and lies are being told and accepted as easily as breathing air, it’s not a simple matter of varying opinions. It’s a matter of right and wrong.

[@dennisakins1767]

I agree

[@AuburnBlue]

It's a different world than those days. Funny that we can't really say, "innocent" days because there was division and war tearing the country apart. Thing was, politics was very different, really until the 1980 election, and then dramatically different as the 1990s really saw the birth of absolute partisanship. The shift from, "we may believe different things but our end goal of making the country better for everyone is our mutual goal," became "you're wrong and you're evil and only my way is right and I'll tear the country apart to get my way." And all of that led us to the last decade of one side wanting to burn the whole system down with no regard for truth, justice, and concern for anyone who doesn't look like, believe like, sound like, or love like me! Eventually, even Rome fell. 12:56

[@Tav57]

Used to love The Midnight Special- NEVER missed it!! Such a great concert every week. Nothing like it today.

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

Another episode will be available tomorrow morning. Hope you enjoy it.

[@ziggyustar3137]

It's called You Tube taking us back nothing could be better

[@Izkolouk]

yes and no, so many music channels here like KEXP, From the basement, Arte Concert, BBC music or Radio 1 or 2, Tiny Desk Concert and many more... it is possible to discover or listen to many new artists.....

[@peterbetts858]

@@Izkolouk there s a difference between new and quality . Every body on this show had a band that actually played real instruments , so snyth s replacing instruments or voice auto tune . i not saying there is no good new artists but i am saying they are few and far between compared to 1963 to 1977 .

[@barbaraeisenhower454]

My sister and I used to watch it together every Friday night. Never missed an episode.❤

[@davidhetting4007]

I was born in 1960, and the music of 70s is in my soul. So many memories it is incredible.

[@hanginlaundry360]

Same ! 🥂

[@cherryragan7945]

Me too! Born the same year....so many great memories!

[@emilywickler8871]

Yes!

[@corinnerobinson4949]

I was born i. 59,mi hear you..❤❤😂

[@michaelvillarreal8838]

Same here !

[@ScottJohnson80]

Linda Ronstadt can make a grown man shed a tear singing “Long Long Time”! Beautiful!

[@darrensiegel6651]

That was by far the best performance on this episode. She is pure magic.

[@seandaley5807]

@@darrensiegel6651 Willy Nelson said it best "there's two types of men in the world, those who have a crush on Linda Ronstadt and those who've never heard of her.."

[@g.mantua1195]

She's my favorite female vocalist of all time, well, with the exception of my daughter.

[@alanconrad8490]

she just did.....she's fantastic

[@paulvon2378]

Linda Ronstadt and John Denver were really good. The rest not so much

[@crestonburks2141]

Yes!!! I never missed this show. Between The Midnight Special and Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, my Friday and Saturday nights were filled with great music. I started playing bass in 1973. Never missed an episode. These shows were my instructors.

[@BlazinRiver1]

I think you left out one other important part of Friday and Saturday nights...Tales From The Tomb. lol

[@Mike-ws7bc]

And let's not forget The King Biscuit Flour Hour,andDr. Demento

[@jameshughes7953]

I am 71 still watching tonight. Memories Priceless!!

[@greglavine4035]

I'm a old rocker but Mama Cass and John Denver ,Wow what magic putting those two voices together

[@susanlineberry6360]

They sound really good together I agree!

[@annieskywalker6405]

You’re not kidding!! The harmonizing!!!

[@stacyclark5910]

When Cass goes from singing in unison to harmony…. Flawless! As much as JD was maligned he was an incredible performer & guitar player!

[@SarahWells777]

Right?!!

[@jonrhythm3686]

That harmony between John and Cass is just simply magical.

[@moeruss2726]

💯! Was amazing. RIP to both of them.

[@danvalcour9456]

@@moeruss2726 Magical...

[@MAGGOT_VOMIT]

All I can hear is the music from JAWS and horrifying but delicious images of a Ham Sammich. 😳

[@chonddak]

A perfect match!

[@MrJSpicoli]

Everly Brothers on the same show. Surprised that is the harmony you noticed.

[@sharong8841]

I love Harry Chaplin such a terrible loss when he died so young. To see these singers in their prime and knowing their fates that they have no idea of is so heartbreaking.

[@healthyone100]

Wasn't he killed in a car crash on the LIE!

[@lucguenette7534]

@@healthyone100 Killed in a taxi NYC.sadly.

[@healthyone100]

your wrong he was killed in his car on the LIE!@@lucguenette7534

[@ritamccomas9271]

​@@lucguenette7534how ironic, huh

[@warrengently6418]

​@@lucguenette7534he was driving a Volkswagen Rabbit on the Long Island Expressway and was hit by a semi.

[@Me97202]

Real musicians, real singers. No autotune, no drum machines and no sampling other’s music.

[@davidwesley2525]

No Annoying Britney Spears Taylor Swift Lady Gaga 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@dawn8542]

And your milk used to be delivered by a milk man. So what?

[@dawn8542]

​@@davidwesley2525all these bands are annoying to me. Like nails on a chalk board. Especially John Denver. I can only stand Linda Rondstat

[@davidwesley2525]

@@dawn8542 I guess Heavy Metal would be EVEN MORE Annoying. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@hylanddilligaf6023]

@@dawn8542 Not Soy. Not Almond. Straight from the teat of a bovine.

[@darrensiegel6651]

The early 70s was such a wonderful period of music. So many greats at their peak powers.

[@g.mantua1195]

And so many styles and genres. Pop music was a different animal back then.

[@pmscalisi]

@@g.mantua1195 now it’s just overproduced computer generated auto tuned bullshit.

[@rigelmoon9030]

This was the year I gradiated High School (1972) In '68, I saw Tommy James and the Shodells: the first of many live concerts. I'm so fortunate to live through these remarkable times. Now, we're all living thru post trump times. And, they suck. There's alot wrong with the internet; but, we got youtube. We can all escape the bullshit safely.

[@tiffanyhall3182]

The 70’s was a golden era to grow up in. This music is what I love.

[@jml-rj5re]

@@tiffanyhall3182 The music was great. But there were riots in the early 70s, radical leftist terrorists, smog, pollution, lead in the gasoline, horrible fashions, Nixon, energy crisis, lines for gasoline, High misery index (inflation, high unemployment, high interest rates), no computers, 3 or 4 TV stations. Nostalgia = rose colored glasses. Having said that, Trump and the American Taliban have f*cked this country up today.

[@greenbeagle13]

Wow, I miss those days.... 😢😢💔💔

[@blindbaby34]

In 1972 I was a senior in high school when I started to watch the midnight special every weekend, I had 20 of my friend at my parents house to watch this every weekend. I am now in my 70's and I enjoy my music I grew up on.

[@jonhaynes1577]

Boy the time seems to go by way to fast but what a time to grow up

[@kingforaday8725]

Me too. Still living at home would watch at a married friends house. Usually a bottle of Boones Farm Apple Wine. Some folks smoked a doobie or two. I really wasnt into it.

[@randallamirante3112]

Hello I was also a senior year in high school that year 1972-73 and I didn't miss one episode of the MIDNIGHT SPECIAL

[@yancyjenkinssr1824]

We're you guys able to see Jimi?

[@acornsucks2111]

That was back when people actually had families.

[@wendybutler1681]

"Leaving on a Jet Plane" has to be one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. So beautifully sung.

[@sandib4234]

👍❤️

[@williambilyeu9801]

It was written by John Denver, but the hit version was by Peter, Paul & Mary who sang it beautifully. Still John Denver and "Mama" Cass Elliot sounded great. She has a great voice. Wish she had done one of her songs. 😊👍

[@tod3msn]

Harry Chapin wrote a masterpiece with Taxi as he explored the emotional depths of failure, broken dreams and lost loves in this epic song. I see so many knuckleheads on KZbin doing their “reaction videos” to Taxi and literally have no idea what the song is about. A savvy listener can put the headphones on and be drawn into to world of Taxi to figure out for themselves the message of Taxi. A very authentic song.

[@randallpelaez901]

The greatest thing about this is that we can relive these moments in time that brought us together for the one love of music. Too young to attend a concert, but brought into the home, it was MAGICAL!!!

[@Manuel-gv6qt]

well stated.

[@wanderinggeri8477]

…and you had to be up and awake when it aired ..or wait for the rerun.

[@gregpaspatis9425]

@@wanderinggeri8477 For the first eight years, the Midnight Special wouldn't start until 1:00 a.m., it wasn't until 1980 when the Tonight Show (w/Johnny Carson) permanently switched to being just one hour that Midnight Special was able to begin at 12:30 a.m.

[@tiffanyhall3182]

Yes definitely. The visual was incredible. Too see these performances,the hair ,the clothes,stage costumes etc,etc,was wonderful.

[@rjs2005]

The duet by John Denver and Cass Elliott gave me chills, thinking of what might be had they both not been taken from us so soon. Both had voices gifted by the angels.

[@rjs2005]

I will agree that his most commercially successful period was behind him, but 1990's "The Flower That Shattered the Stone" and 91's "Different Directions" were both superb, and 1997's "All Aboard!", a children's album, showed he still had a lot of creative energy. He was 53 when he died, still too young.

[@timhoovermusicman]

​@august west man this is so dam cool! I was 10 and these were my early songs of life.

[@jimnewl]

She wasn't onscreen, but I'm pretty sure she was singing harmony on Take Me Home, Country Roads too. It sounded awesome.

[@timhoovermusicman]

@@jimnewl it does sound like it...

[@w9x7cv3vg6]

well as u know..johndenver made it till he crashed his plane..

[@RandallDenison]

They showed Linda Ronstadt twice. Easy to see why. Very beautiful, very talented, the networks knew all of us young boys couldn't get enough of her.

[@MacDaddyRico]

Growing up during this era was a magical experience... The bands, their songs, the instruments and the electronics cannot be matched today..!

[@rigid1454]

Cass Elliot singing off camera with John Denver sounded awesome. Two extremely talented vocalists - we won't see or hear their like again.

[@hudsony777]

Hopefully we will or still do. It's not the talent...it's hearing it. I find great new talent on college radio stations or here on YT. That's part of the problem. The kind of music I'm interested in isn't mainstream anymore, wherever you find mainstream nowadays. Good to hear Denver; he had a wonderful voice.

[@edwhite7475]

I KNEW THAT WAS HER ON COUNTRY ROADS- she had an unmistakable voice...and the harmony was perfect...wow. Best version ever-

[@rogerfrueh1310]

Thanks - I was curious who that was... makes sense now that you mention it.

[@oldvet7547]

How I loved Linda Ronstadt. A show full of magnificent musicians. Really miss those days.

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

Her first song is the ultimate painful love song for those moments when the one you love doesn't love you back. How many teenagers from 1970s sang that song over and over to survive an ugly breakup. 🎵🎶🎵

[@zigwil153]

As a fifty year-old West Virginian, 'Country Roads' sends shivers down my spine, and gets the 'teardrops in my eyes'

[@ogam5]

.....my late mother (would've been 96 a month ago this Friday) made friends with Bill Danoff's father later in life; the family of course being Springfield MA natives (wish I'D been old enough to have made friends with TAFFY - before Bill MET her, of course! LOL)

[@jstar1000]

Sad mama Cass singing harmony wasn't on stage with him, she rocked.

[@Stevie-hn7mp]

My daughter would sing this song with her dad playing the guitar when she was four . Rip John . Linda can’t sing no more but in her mind she can ❤

[@alanrice39]

Me too!

[@donpietruk1517]

That song is beloved around the world. I've been in pubs in Ireland where the entire place will start singing it when it's played. Same in a hofbrau Haus in Germany.

[@Bdub1952]

I was 20 years old and in basic training at Lackland AFB, TX, when this was aired. 50 years later, I'm 71 and very happy to finally see this episode. VOTE! 😊

[@kevinwalsh4652]

Hi from Providence RI, in August 1975 I arrived at Lackland AFB, old dorms, we had a sister flight, each day we switched from chukka boots to combat boots, I have no idea why. I was 6"0, 165lbs, coming off a summer league basketball tournament, our first run was a quarter mile, I was laughing all the way leading everyone else, I did it in like 1:20, now this was for the National Girard, I returned a year later, new air conditioned dorms, for a ten day bypass test, no buzz cut, ended up at Dover AFB. At the time I was obsessed with first album by Earth, Wind, & Fire. It was a great experience...my rent is $1000 per month, VA pays $800 of it, so a decision I made over 40 years ago is still blessing me.

[@makthnife]

Nice! I live the one with Bobby Darin in ‘72. And thank you for your service!!

[@makthnife]

@@kevinwalsh4652 cool stories! Thank you for your service!

[@josmotherman591]

I was at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. 😅. I won the Lottery. Peace.

[@donnaleeclubb119]

It's a little late to vote in the election they're pushing for. LOL 😅 😆 🤣. I'd probably vote for Richard M. Nixon.

[@tomasso1468]

I was 15 when I watched this show for the first time. Life passes like a whisper.

[@sammccue500]

"Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana." ~ Groucho Marx

[@1927su]

Doesn’t it? We really are only young for about 5 minutes!

[@leokimvideo]

The Everly Brothers seemed to be from another era of music. So much talent in this one show it's mind blowing

[@WaltGekko]

They were. I believe this was their attempt at a comeback.

[@jpozenel]

They were in the first group of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (before it became a joke), so yeah, they are from the early rock era. They had many great songs. Too bad they weren't showcased here.

[@paultreadaway102]

15years before this the start that made way Rock n Roll the 50s Everly Brothers huge massive popular acts with many songs their impact

[@darrensiegel6651]

The Everly's influenced everyone from the Beatles to the Beach Boys to Simon & Garfunkel just to name a few. Nuff said right there.

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

The Everlys haydays were late 50s-early 60s pre-Beatles. By 1970, acts like them and Ricky Nelson were just about done. Classic stuff. I really love it.

[@terrinew9474]

Oh we lived for this every Friday night when I was a teenager! Oh the memories so much fun. Thank you so much for releasing all of these shows.

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@michaelbrabant5326]

Every Friday night watch this with my aunt and have fishsticks and pop😮

[@darleneowle8792]

It was one of favorite shows. We enjoyed watching it every Friday night. Those where good times!❤️

[@jeremiahlarkin1134]

@@themidnightspecialtvshow Aww 🥰 The Memories! Thankyou!! All my favorites!!! And Linda Ronstadt I had the biggest crush 😻 on!! Had her plastered all over my teenage room!! What music 🎶 back then!! None compare to THE 70’s!!!!!!!

[@michaelbrabant5326]

@@darleneowle8792 Watched Midnight special, Don Kirshners rock concert , and sometimes Soul Train

[@NickWebber-vp4pd]

Linda Ronstadt…the voice of an angel. I miss the’70’s…

[@davidf3883]

Linda Ronstadt was a natural titan in music, both beauty and a voice that killed every song. She was a Midnight Something Special. Needed no makeup, no frilly hairstyle, just jeans and a top will do ..and then get out of her way.

[@bluebear1985]

History was made when this episode first aired on NBC. It was the first time any of the major networks showed any type of programming at 1:00am. Before this came along, NBC just signed off for the night at the conclusion of the Tonight Show on weekdays. This show may have aired a little before my time, but it paved the way for future programming in the later hours. Thank you, Midnight Special. :)

[@saratogasevn]

Big cities often had late night programing but some rural areas didn't even show the Tonight Show. After the 10 o'clock news they would scroll the days list of KIA and MIA and then sign off.

[@dennyalexander3891]

I was a 16 year old DJ at the time this aired and brought all these great songs to our audience - and this music still holds up.

[@rghilino6734]

The talent on display here is really stunning. The Midnight Special was an event from day one.

[@smilinmoo]

Wasn’t it just THE BEST? I turned 16 in 1972. I’m pretty sure I’d watch every week-there was always a group, a band, duo or soloist that I liked. Great show.

[@davidkosa]

Why don't we have songwriters like Harry Chapin anymore? What an amazing show Midnight Special was.

[@waynejohanson1083]

What a great story teller. I miss songs that tell a story.

[@billh.5737]

We do have great songwriters today - people like Slaid Cleaves, Luke Bell (RIP) and Gretchen Peters. They work in relative obscurity, playing small venues for people who love music or writing songs for the auto tune artists record companies love. Unfortunately the big corporate music machine has moved away from music lovers like David Geffen and Seymour Stein. We’re lucky artists have online outlets to send their tunes out to the world for anyone willing to look.

[@igaryspillett4052]

OUR SO-CALLED MUSICIANS ARE NOT TAUGHT OR ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP And PERFECT THEIR CRAFT, THEY ARE NOT SLAVING FOR THEIR ART,

[@sunnystormy4973]

-#cheers-- !-

[@sunnystormy4973]

​@ÏGary Spillett -why the caps ?-

[@4Mr.Crowley2]

I still start “cutting onions” (bawling like a baby) when I hear John’s beautiful and one-of-a-kind voice - his tone, his musicality, and his generous spirit - and here combined with the brilliant Cass Elliot, the person who made the Mamas and the Papas work as a group as her voice anchored the group, in such a superb performance is just breathtaking. We miss you both so very much!!

[@AnMWei]

It's a happy cry whenever I hear John Denver❤😢😊

[@mmurray1963]

The harmonies from John & Cass was absolutely beautiful. I was 6 yrs old in 1972 when this aired and heard this song alot growing up, it was one of my favorites. A very sad song along with many that John wrote about his separation from his wife that he loved dearly. Definitely a tear jerker.

[@williambilyeu9801]

​@@mmurray1963I usually heard the Peter, Paul & Mary version which is beautiful. 😊👍

[@willied8909]

50 years ago. Wow! What a diverse collection of talent. John Denver's and Linda Ronstadt's voices were pure magic.

[@tomscerbo1588]

Thank god I'm a country boy Yahoo

[@bravo3279]

@@tomscerbo1588 Far out

[@tomscerbo1588]

@@bravo3279 I CAN DIG IT!😁😆✌️👌🎵🎸

[@thewkovacs316]

linda had the voice of an angel

[@douromali]

John Denver, Cass Elliot, Harry Chapin, Helen Reddy, R.I.P.!!!

[@randybuckland7297]

I'm 66 yo and remember this night, sure brings back some great memories.

[@MiracleFound]

I forgot how magical John Denver and Mama Cass singing together was.

[@jeffrichards9431]

Harry still gives me chills. Man what happened to music

[@sharonammirati2042]

check out Billy Strings, Marcus King, Rachel Pryce, Sierra Ferrell, you'll see there is goo😂d music, just have to look for it in the right places. Adam Lambert also has an amazing voice. enjoy the search.

[@sobrevida157]

Don't despair; there's TONS of great music, but you won't find it on commercial radio..

[@bak-mariterry5180]

​@@sobrevida157 One thing about the internet, we can look them up .

[@kmcg6444]

Big John Wallace doing the operatic counter melody at the bridge!

[@Tx1113]

Cass Elliott had such a wonderful voice! what a great job she does singing with John Denver 👍🏻🛫

[@genghiskhando5507]

Musical magic 🪄

[@patrickvanrinsvelt4466]

Yeah, that one is just so special. They were just to connected during that performance. And Cass' message could not be more true today.

[@johnahearn7964]

The song lyrics try to excuse Denver’s cheating ways but otherwise it’s a nice song.

[@mthivier]

They're both extremely missed.

[@RealPeterGunn]

This first Midnight Special was a blast to watch again. My friends and I were crazy acting back in those days. Drinking, partying and devoted to the music. For me as a guitar player and singer I was especially charged to see two of my favorite singers Harry Chapin and John Denver sitting together. I perform their music whenever I'm on stage. Linda Ronstadt was drop dead beautiful back then and Cass Elliot's voice was in perfect pitch. Where did the time go, when did I get old and out of style. It makes me thoroughly depressed and not at all happy. Old videos of the Greatest Musical Generation always make me blue, yet I should be happy that the music will live on even though I won't. I physically ache to be young again. Oh poor me, yea I know. Still, the sun will rise again tomorrow and I am continuing to play the guitar. Not so bad after all?

[@rbraxley]

Personally, I just physically ache.

[@aldonapolitano5979]

"That's alright, I still got my guitar." Jimi Hendrix

[@athecheat]

Billy Joel's voice hasn't aged one day.. You'll be as old as you let yourself feel. Rock on!

[@ParkerKenpoist]

Bro, Listen to Toby Keith, "Don't let the Old Man in"

[@aldonapolitano5979]

@@athecheat In reality he sounds better. On his earliest records that didn't really get released he sounded kind of like a chipmunk and he was angry.

[@JohnAllsopp-jk2mn]

Real music..no voice modulators/synthesizers, just real, honest talent and effort into writing, production and vocals. Real talent

[@TimMallick]

Man, I miss this time, I sure miss John Denver, never knew he opened this legendary show, memories of long ago

[@hx823]

John Denver belongs in the rock and roll hall of fame no doubt, no questions asked!

[@hx823]

@@PersonalStash420 Downhill Stuff is a pretty rocking number

[@mymusic8414]

​@@PersonalStash420 irrelevant point, grandmaster flash and run DMC are rap artists but they're in the rock n roll hall of Fame. John Denver most certainly should be in the hall of Fame

[@johnnyV2194]

The so called rock and roll hall of fame doesn’t deserve John Deutshendorf.

[@tomgebarowski8156]

Interesting, I never thought about Denver going into the RHOF, but why not?!? Everyone else is in there nowadays from Dolly Parton to Willie Nelson to Abba!

[@hx823]

@@tomgebarowski8156 You forgot to mention eminem (ack)

[@Bigeazy87]

Seeing Linda Rondstadt on her upward arc is so fantastic!

[@ldubdj]

Not to mention Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Bernie Leadon on stage with her!

[@Bigeazy87]

@ldubdj thank you! I was wondering if they were there. I was saying to myself my God she had a killer band too!

[@marythecoolcat]

@@ldubdj none of the Eagles are playing with Linda.

[@timhoovermusicman]

​@@marythecoolcat I didn't think that was them

[@ethelroast9671]

​@@ldubdj LOL🤦‍♂️

[@paulsf1990]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this in the comments but that stage setup was simple, yet stylish and awesome looking. Nothing too flashy, centered around the artists and their music. Nothing else. Love it.

[@mtantiques9384]

When a musical program (station) actually had music. Music that is still good after 50 years

[@j9struwig]

As a gen z who loves '70s music, PLEASE post all the full episodes.

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

We are working on it so please keep checking back.

[@Dr.Thirteen]

@@themidnightspecialtvshow especially the one where the cars were the host and suicide was on there

[@johnmartin1114]

Sure do miss Linda ronstadt

[@jmason2838]

@@johnmartin1114 Linda is still around .. not deceased .. she just changed musical gears.. 40'$ era stuff..🤑😔😭..I liked her better when she rocked..Just my humble opinion all stated here .. 'Long Long Time' sounds like a funeral dirge..😬😝... 🙄⚰️⚱️🏺😭😔👎👎

[@ThamiumOne]

​@@jmason2838 They might have just meant that she's missed as a performer, since her MS forced her to retire.

[@richardpeetrinpeetrin9817]

Man, I was 11 years old In 1972, I remember these songs very well. So many great things were happening in '72!😊

[@charliefreeman-6855]

Iam so glad I read your comment i were 12yrs but at the end of the year i would have been 13 so i skip school that day just to watch the house burn to the ground that day Dec.1972 And it were a song out By Mel &Tim (Starting all over again)Every time i hear this song tears would fall from my eyes we lost Everything we had

[@richardpeetrinpeetrin9817]

@@charliefreeman-6855 I'm sorry to hear about your loss back In '72. But yeah, I do remember that song too! "Starting all over again Is gonna be rough, but I know, we're gonna make It" Sounded like a Chi-lites song....

[@WendyMiller-w3w]

I was only 6 but I remember them all. Music was always important to me. Still is my greatest love ❤️

[@emilyw842]

10 here.

[@lynnbell8757]

63 years old now. Grew up with these amazing artists

[@alangray9117]

Growing up in the 70s I discovered so much great music because of this show. I watched all the music shows I could from hee haw, soul train, midnight special, Don Kirshcner's Rock Concert and a British show called Supersonic.

[@georgelevin6134]

God we were so fortunate to grow up in the 70’s!

[@gullreefclub]

Music by musicians who composed music that you could feel in your soul and songs with lyrics that everyone could understand and sing to.

[@themotownboy1]

Five decades later and we still have the same issue with people not registering to vote and not voting. The music here is great.

[@themotownboy1]

@@ThraxMan84- And by doing nothing, those who don't vote do absolutely nothing and yet complain.

[@billlozier5551]

Like Cass said apathy. Still a problem today only now it's much worse. Kids are being taught strange things in school. Parents are paralyzed and social media has taken over real live social interaction. 😢

[@PatriotSteve]

but there wasn’t the rabid hate between the two sides back then

[@briarpalek9254]

​@@PatriotSteve that was before the Democrats were devoured by the left.

[@bobthortwack7960]

You can see and feel the goodness of our shared humanity in the hearts and souls of these fantastic artists. Listen to the beautiful harmonies and remember our country's innocence. What the hell happened to all this? Who is causing the current chaos and confusion about what's correct and purposeful in our current existence?

[@mackhopper]

One of the best shows I’ve experienced was seeing WAR perform live. They were completely outta sight!!!

[@marygriffiths2950]

💯💯💯💯💯

[@Capgpro1]

Yes sir!!

[@cassaleelee]

WISH I could have seen them! Wasn't born 'til '70 though. My favorite music is all 50's blues through 70's; didn't have the chance to see any of it live in real time; but I loved Midnight Special as a kid. And later, Night Flight.

[@rockinrich90]

War was absolutely great live, they had their own sound and people felt every note !

[@andytaylor5476]

I love the diverse styles of music that appealed to the public and was appreciated. Singers, writers and bands were free to be more creative .

[@sandeesimons6045]

I grew up watching the Midnight Special and Don Kirschners Rock Concert. Good old shows from the 70's. Thanks for the memories❤😊

[@WilliamTBooth]

Today's music is so contrived and synthetic compared to back when this awesome show premiered.....real artists singing in their own voices with feeling and emotions that are missing in this current age...thank you for bringing back this and unlocking my 🎵🎶 love of real musianship

[@dumfriesspearhead7398]

Synthetic is the word, esp with the use of auto tune.

[@byrdman0182]

OK boomers

[@juliemnm8273]

@@byrdman0182 shouldn't you be taking your meds???

[@debbiesmith4186]

This is how it was to hear and enjoy music in the 70’s. Maybe kids don’t have the same reverence today because it was just so damn good then. We listened, really listened cause the lyrics were as important as the music. Pure poetry…

[@karenfields-sb4cq]

My brother was a senior in high school and I was a freshman in 72. Loved Midnight Special every week ❤

[@murraychadwick9362]

I still only listen to the 70's-80's music to this day.

[@ScottCaplener]

As an NBC Page in the late 80’s, I would lead tour groups and tell stories about The Midnight Special taping on (if memory serves correct) Stages 2 and 4. I absolutely LOVE these clips, and am thankful to have been able to spent my first career (soap opera) being trained by and working side by side with many who crewed Midnight.

[@robertlange1772]

This was a great show. So many incredible performers. John Denver telling youngsters to vote!

[@georgefaulk2528]

When I was a youngster, I went off to Vietnam without the right to vote. Most of the people leaving comments didn't have to go to war. They had the luxury to be at home, smoke pot and watch these shows.

[@jeremyc9593]

That John Denver was full of sh!t man

[@63002]

Liked him. Wonder how he was telling them he was a little one sided..

[@gruvdrums]

Holy crap. This is absolute gold. Real music and real talent. LINDA'S VOICE! Kill me now! Harry Chapin? Argent? Everly Brothers? War? Don't forget the Wolfman! Rock and Roll Heaven right here.

[@paulschut5873]

Takes me back to my Army days. I was very fortunate to have stateside duty and the Midnight Special was a staple on the TV in the barracks.

[@gretashepherd770]

Thank you for your service. God bless you Mr. Schut.

[@beatleme2]

@@gretashepherd770 what service ? So the house and senate can pass laws to take away our freedoms ?...J.K just trying to put out the vibes of the 60s and 70s, flashback , thanks for your service

[@BeachLife61]

Amazing how this music means so much more then it did growing up..just didn’t appreciate it as much as now..and speaking about the election of 72, what an impact it had , fast forward to now to our upcoming election is the most important of our lifetime..have to get this administration out before we are doomed ,with all that is happening today!! Make America great again! ❤️🇺🇸💙

[@editorgyrl17]

THANK YOU, BURT SUGARMAN! Just read your interview piece in the LATimes - and thank you for transferring your masters from 2” to 1” and then to digital files. Your foresight once again preserves this music and makes it presentable. Anyone who stayed up late to watch these as a teen of the ‘70s will certainly dig seeing them again. Count me in!

[@robster7316]

I'll second that! Thx Burt!

[@marygriffiths2950]

🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗👏

[@alkitzman9179]

I was a member of that group

[@jml-rj5re]

No lip sync common in the day or autotune. Real live, human organic music.

[@robster7316]

@@jml-rj5re As it should be!

[@nanaberry4120]

We thought music would always be this good. I can’t imagine a show now like this one, with so many great artists every single week.

[@byrdman0182]

OK boomer

[@juliemnm8273]

@@byrdman0182 I'm not surprised that's all you can come up with.....

[@katsujinkin60]

I can't either. All the auto tuning would probably damage your ears. Can anybody actually sing anymore? What is the definition of a musician these days when most of them can't read music or play an instrument? By the way, BYRDMAN is a notorious idiot with a one word vocabulary. It's best to ignore him, then maybe he'll fly away!

[@dougkendall6867]

Well, to be fair, the people who were my current age in 1972 thought this music was a sign of the decline of Western civilization and wondered why the Andrews Sisters weren't at the top of charts anymore.

[@nanaberry4120]

@@byrdman0182 you really need to up your game. That was a pathetic attempt.

[@t.s.9656]

Who would have ever thought that making music this way would become obsolete. So sad, I'm just glad my teenage years were spent in the 70's.

[@louisevad6091]

Linda’s voice with the pedal steel is mesmerizing.

[@frankbocchicchio1271]

man, Linda Ronstadt had a hell of a voice

[@b4its2L808]

“I’m not crying. You’re crying…” Love Linda.

[@garyc39]

got that right!

[@scottlafleur4148]

Effortless.

[@billimbriale]

And she could sing anything.

[@jchow5966]

Harry Chapin was amazing as was everyone else here. REAL music.

[@brookdyer6620]

“Slippin’ into Darkness”…took me back, way back. What a jam! Still soundz good…👍🏼

[@paulferranti8536]

Do you notice the similarity to “ Get Up Stand Up” ?

[@quicktastic]

We're no longer capable of this level of musical talent.

[@bravesirrobin1793]

Nope, but life was beautiful back then and what came from that was beautiful music.

[@throwball2248]

I forgot what a voice Linda Ronstadt had powerful.. we'll never see the likes of this talent again.

[@goldenagenut]

This show and Don Kirshner's Rock Concert brought us so many great performances! Late night gold!

[@roryschweinfurter4111]

I remember. Don Kirshner's Rock Concerts every Saturday night I remember that he had zero personality as a host. And his kids were the same.

[@goldenagenut]

@@roryschweinfurter4111 that's one of the things that made it great! His accent and nasally monotone delivery sounded like someone giving a report on farm stocks.

[@roryschweinfurter4111]

@@goldenagenut Then you do remember what I'm talking about

[@Slartybartfast465]

You can't forget about what they had going on over seas too with the Beat Club which later turned into Musikladen. Think it was from Germany.

[@markkalfahs1047]

....did you ever see Paul Schaffer (sp.?) do a skit on the old SNL portraying Don Kirshner?...I understand your point...

[@blest2x]

So great to see these performances again! Used to watch while babysitting cause I couldn't watch TV that late at home! 😅🕺We had the best music. Here's proof.

[@byrdman0182]

OK boomer

[@juliemnm8273]

@@byrdman0182 Ok What????

[@danstone8783]

David CLayton Thomas really was a great singer

[@tomcox22]

There is more talent in this one hour show than in the last full decade or so

[@arthurbishop3173]

25 years-at least.

[@byrdman0182]

OK boomers

[@juliemnm8273]

@@byrdman0182 and yet here you are.......

[@DylansPen]

@@byrdman0182 Ok Zoomer.

[@byrdman0182]

@@DylansPen 👍 Someone liked your reply: “Ok boomer 👍 😗 🌶️”

[@lynnemilazzo3904]

I was 17, and just graduated high school.... So long ago.... Well done show. It was a treat to actually see the bands and singers.

[@hiptonymusic1794]

Unbeknownst to the world at the time.. these performances are now historic artifacts just as important as any others in the galleries and museums of the world.

[@marygriffiths2950]

Whomever brought the Midnight Special to KZbin I want to thank you for the millions of people who are sooo grateful to you.🤗🤗🤗🤗