Being a teenager in the 70s was really something special. The music was out of this world. It seems like yesterday, very grateful to have lived it. A galaxy far,far away.
As a New Yorker who grew up in NYC during the Mad Men era of the 1960s and having graduated from Richmond Hill High School in 1974 I agree with you 100 percent! What music series do we have now on TV ? Nothing but good for nothing late night TV talk show hosts from CBS,NBC, and ABC.
Real Musical talent. In those days they had to practice. I was 19 when this song came out. No computer less TV. We had to engage in person more often then now. Great times and fun with more love songs. Lots of music back then that told a story.
Sadly singing to a track here....the beginning of the end to many live performances as disco took over the charts like The Blob in the Steve McQueen movie.
@@bloozedaddy That's too bad too, because the Spinners with a live band was a *force* (check out the desert-island record SPINNERS LIVE, recorded at the Latin Casino, then in Cherry Hill, New Jersey). There are MS performances by the group properly backed by a band led by the indomitable Maurice King on TH-cam.
@@bloozedaddy Union rules, I'm afraid. Live vocals done over newly-recorded tracks. When War was on Soul Train, they were 100% live, but, those performances were few and far between.
@@CoCotheTurtle pretty sure it wasn't against AFM rules to have a live band on the show... It was just cost probitive for disco groups and they wouldnt be able to have the orchestration for that Philadelphia Sound. It's just a shame it so much of TV into Karaoke Night. I grew up watching all the live performances on this show and Rock Concert. Things radically changed within about a five-year span.
@@deirdre108 yep.. Looks like he's on that one for Do It Again and both pups for Reelin'. Skunk has some weird looking bucker in his also. Denny's looks like a PAF.
@@bloozedaddy Thanks! Enjoying the warm, bluezy tone with his setup. Liked to have heard more SD in this episode. Interesting that Larry Carlton was in the Johnny Rivers band for this show. Carlton was fantastic when he played with SD--one of my favorites.
Absolutely amazing band with a ground breaking original sound all of their own. Nobody ever sounded like Steely Dan. Skunk very underrated guitarist this dude could shred. And of course we know all about the incredible musicianship of Walter and Donald. One of the greatest bands of all time.
They were using tricks of technology available to them at the time. Most midnight special guests "performed" their own song that had been edited down to an acceptable time to fit the shows schedule. They are really singing and playing - but it's not really what you are hearing. The drums are almost always real and being played over their own song.
For me, each and every one of these Midnight Special shows is just pure gold. I was so young at the time of the original airing. Now, as an adult, being able to see all these episodes is truly phenomenal. I can truly appreciate how really wonderful this era of music and television really was. These were they days growing up, good times, and great music. Wonderful memories! 💖 Happy Friday 🥳 Thank you for sharing! 💖 Happy Cinco de Mayo! 🍻 🥳
@@themidnightspecialtvshow Are we going to see all of the episodes in time? I would love to see the episode with Sparks from 1974 which I haven't seen in almost 50 years. Thanks!
@@themidnightspecialtvshowcan you upload Paul Williams ""Cried Like a Baby" from the Midnight Special September 19 1975 episode 1 season 4? I hope I can show it to the singer songwriter Paul Williams since I know him. I loved the clip of him singing out in the county and he hopes to see that September 19th 1975 performance of Cried Like A Baby too.
Loved and STILL love Paul Williams! He's 83 and STILL working!! When you look at his music bio, you can't help but notice the HEART in all his songs - which could ONLY come from a big, warm, insightful, loving heart!! ❤❤❤
They hired the lead singer because Donald Fagen had such terrible stage fright, he didn't want to be front and center. They ditched the lead singer not too long after this. Skunk Baxter on the congas, by the way...
@KevyNova I grew up on Steely Dan in the 1970's. They had one great hit song after another, & a unique sound.."jazz rock." Great songwriters, great musicians!
I was 14 years old when this came out in February 73. I tried to watch every show that I could. I believe I was so lucky to have been living in the 70's as it gave us some of the best, most iconic music. I appreciate this YT Channel for keeping this show and the music current and available for a new generation of listeners...
14 myself at this time. A January kid. We were all freaking out over The Midnight Special. The best acts live every Friday -- cool, man ! With comedy mixed in, too. Ultra cool !! Steely Dan definitely stood out. As many of the younger generation are finding out through today's Reaction Videos Channels, the music from the 70's is incomparable. No disrespect to the 60's, 80, and 90's. They have their great music, too. But there is no arguing the fact that the 70's had it all, and was the seed for all of the good music that was to follow. With the release of the The Midnight Special series on TH-cam, the talent of the bands and solo artists that were around throughout the 70's is now on full display.
These were times with no autotune on singing voices. The Spinners are soooo smooth and sound so nice!!!!!! And Steely Dan must be the hardest working band around and sound very tight!
Big Paul Williams fan here! Love this guy. Someday Man LP is a lost gem of an album and what an incredible songwriter. He was fantastic in Phantom of the Paradise as the satanic villain. The music from Paul on the soundtrack displays a wide array of talent. Covering everything from Surf to Glam to melodic pop. Incredible. Thanks Paul you need more recognition. ✌️
The Spinners=pure class and wonderful music. So thankful I was a teenager in the 70s. Such an awesome decade for music. Loved all the music on this show.
Shout out to what I consider to be the classic lineup of The Spinners with Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne, Billy Henderson, Henry Fambrough, and bass-vocalist extraordinaire Pervis "12:45" Jackson. Interesting how groups would occasionally sing live over pre-recorded tracks. Thom Bell gave them those songs, arrangements and production, but their chemistry made the material iconic.
@@shable1436 Paul Williams wrote many of the monster hits of the '70's. "We've Only Just begun", "Old Fashioned Love Song", and my personal favorite "Where do I go from here". I wish he'd come up with a third verse for that song since it's a story song but comes to no conclusion.
I was 13 when I watched this back in 1973, this show was one of the only ways to see bands unless you went to concerts, rockandroll was my thing for sure. Thank you for great flashbacks.
Paul Williams singing his tune “Out in the Country” (a hit for Three Dog Night) is pure gold. Thanks Burt S. for sharing these full MS episodes. It takes me back to my adolescence in New Orleans.
Back in the 1970s; being a kid going to give you a lot of things. You had the thrill and excitement being out in the air playing all day, being safe. Hearing someone say; "Come on, we're going to McDonald's" and knowing that every Friday night, you get to watch a two-hour live concert in your livingroom or your bedroom.
I was on the air at KEIN in Great Falls Montana by way of Hartford Connecticut when we played this on the radio when it was a current hit..great tune, great group! Nice memories..🎤🎸👏👏👏
I grew up in the 60s and 70s and while the records I bought leaned more toward Robin Trower, Hendrix, etc. these songs were the real soundtrack of my youth & strike a melancholy yet joyful chord in my memory. They were played in Dad's car, on jukeboxes, at restaurants, grocery stores and school cafeterias. Everywhere! I was young and (thought) very cool. I wish I would have appreciated the art, ingenuity and craftsmanship of these gems more than I did. Every single one was unique. Very little showboating, just awesome melody, poetic lyrics and outstanding arrangements. We are so lucky to be able to revisit them and reminisce. Thank you so much for making them just a tap away! 🎶
I saw Johnny Rivers in a free concert at the Hatch Shell in Boston and he is one amazing singer! He gave us a great show in which he sang all his hits! I don't know who was having more fun---him or us! He is my favorite male singer of all time and I have to agree with some of you that Johnny Rivers should be in the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame!🎸🎶🎵
Paul Williams wrote We've Only Just Begun, Rainy Days & Mondays for the Carpenters, Out In The Country and Just An Old Fashioned Love Song for 3 Dog Night, So Many People (recorded by The Neighborhood & Chase), just to name a few of his songs
That dead audience didn’t appreciate the Spinners. They KILLED it. Had that been brothas out there, they would’ve been dancing and enjoyin the performance.
Played a yacht club gig recently. Scattered applause while they were eating dinner. Took 2 hrs of alcohol to get them to get up and dance.. then they went pretty nuts.
What a throwback in time! The euphoria of the end of the Vietnam war was so evident. All the acts were great … and then Steely Dan… the most perfect band. A year later and Becker and Fagen stopped performing live. This show preserved them at their prime. Thank you Midnight Special!
Anne, yes I love that song. Have you ever heard Three Dog nights cover? Its very good as well imo. You know I never knew Paul was so good until I recently watched the Clint Eastwood film Thunderbolt and Light foot. Paul does a great song in that movie called " Where do I go from here".
@@jimdep6542 Absolutely, as are the rest of the bandmates. I'm just really impressed with Paul's vocal phrasing and energy on this tune, I know he wrote the song and TDN made it a big hit but just a side I hadn't seen from 'ol Paul, great times for sure! ;-)
I never really appreciated how hugely talented Mr. Williams is but he blew me away in this episode. I certainly appreciate him now and can't wait to delve into more of his music
@@lauracook8203 Two of Paul's top knoch LP's are "Life Goes On" and ""Just An Old Fashion Love Song", in fact I think they are his best. Look at the list of outstanding musicians who play on them (including Linda Ronstadt as a background singer) and a full orchestra with full string section. Could never make those LP's today, it would cost a fortune
middle of third grade when this came out and also when my mom allowed me to stay up late on Friday nite so I could watch my late night horror movies. I started watching this instead and became a musician for life!!! Such grade memories...
I had just turned 13 2 months before TMS started, and I wasn't allowed to stay up to watch, so these early shows are the first time I'm seeing them! Probably around junior year I was able to catch the show more consistently. So cool to see The Dan of Steel before they quit playing live. The Midnight Special was such a great show, always a good cross section of music for everyone to enjoy. Thanks for presenting these gems!
John, wow I am really impressed that you know exactly how old you were when the show started. I think you and I are about the same age, what a time that was. :-)
Not so rare...I saw Paul in 1970's in Berkeley Community Theater in the mid 1970's give a full concert of his songs. He also supported via concert every LP he released (appearing in concert all over the U.S.) and I know one Paul Williams concert (1 hour long) shown on t.v. from Canada (in Edmonton) and appeared on Johnny Carson's tonight show over 30 times and sang during each appearance. The Midnight Special still has several appearances they have yet to release of Paul, including the times he was the host of the Midnight Special (as J. Rivers is doing here) himself.
Wow! This Midnight Special channel is awesome. Thank you very much for posting all these incredible performances. I was a big fan of this show in my teenage years. Looking forward to all your future clips.
@@themidnightspecialtvshow Thanks for posting the entire shows! I was incredibly young when theses originally aired. Remember opening the bedroom door so I could listen. Didn’t last long, got busted by my own nightlight! Yes, that young 😆
The troupe consisted of Willard, founder Michael Mislove (formerly of The Pickle Brothers), Patti Deutsch (who became well-known as a regular on Laugh-In), Bill Saluga (best known for his character Raymond J. Johnson, Jr.), and George Memmoli (a character actor you’d know from a ton of movies).The company was active from the late 60s through the mid 70s, and was frequently on variety programs like The Tonight Show, Mike Douglas, Dick Cavett and The Midnight Special
Love the uploads. This is the sort of episode what would have been so disappointing to teenage me. Stay up late on the weekend, tune in, and the lineup... no one I liked!!! But they're a lot more fun to watch now.
pure human voices singing with spirit! Musical instruments played live by other humans. I recall the late night enchantment watching these at 10-11 years old. Still WOW!
I was born after the show stopped airing, but I discovered it via the DVDs through the library. I look forward to seeing these full episodes and clips of the artists my parents grew up listening to and exposed me to.
This show was the soundtrack to my childhood. During the summer we had no bedtime so my two sisters and I would watch this show every Friday night. Good old Wolfman Jack. Johnny Rivers, Peter Frampton, Wild Cherry, Steely Dan, Steve Martin in his “let’s get small!” days. This show was the best! Along with Soul Train.
🎉❤Liebe Grüße aus Kassel,Deutschland. Ich bin Jahrgang 1958 undfreue mich, das ich jetzt die Helden meiner Jugend in dieser tollen, lebendigen Qualität erleben darf. Thumbs up😊
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 89 | คู่เอก "ยอดไอคิว vs คิริลล์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z3vYkHJ_5Ig/mqdefault.jpg)
Johnny Rivers doesn't get much mention these days but he was an excellent singer and a talented musician.
I used to see him at Whiskey’s mid to late 60’s when Memphis was a big deal. Always like him.
I liked JR. He was an average guitar player though.
When Johnny Rivers starts, people became INSTANTLY happy.
Saw him locally not too long ago. Top flight, better than new!
He is 80 and performed last week in LA.
Being a teenager in the 70s was really something special. The music was out of this world. It seems like yesterday, very grateful to have lived it. A galaxy far,far away.
So was I. And I couldn't agree 👍 more
Yes! Real music, real musicians! It was a great era.
Yes it was the very best music
It’s also better than most of today’s new music.
As a New Yorker who grew up in NYC during the Mad Men era of the 1960s and having graduated from Richmond Hill High School in 1974 I agree with you 100 percent! What music series do we have now on TV ? Nothing but good for nothing late night TV talk show hosts from CBS,NBC, and ABC.
Watching this at the end of 2023 and I can’t believe it has been 50 years seems like yesterday.
This Steely Dan performance was what made me a fan. I just turned 30, and I was definitely born in the wrong generation. Such an incredible band.
Steely Dan is "Da bomb." But, somehow, to me, that lead voice is not the voice on the "Do It Again" song I've loved for 50 years.
His name is David Palmer, fagen had bad stage fright and insisted he had David sing in the live performances early on
Doesn't matter when you were born or how old you are. It's all there to enjoy as much now as then.
With Skunk on bongos to boot!
Real Musical talent. In those days they had to practice. I was 19 when this song came out. No computer less TV. We had to engage in person more often then now. Great times and fun with more love songs. Lots of music back then that told a story.
Johnny (ramistella) rivers for the rock & roll hall of fame! Thomas greco / kissimmee, florida
Johnny Rivers is a Legend. These were the days when the artists had actual talent!
Congratulations to the Spinners for making it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
Takes me back to my middle school days, one my favorites ❤✌😁
Sadly singing to a track here....the beginning of the end to many live performances as disco took over the charts like The Blob in the Steve McQueen movie.
@@bloozedaddy That's too bad too, because the Spinners with a live band was a *force* (check out the desert-island record SPINNERS LIVE, recorded at the Latin Casino, then in Cherry Hill, New Jersey). There are MS performances by the group properly backed by a band led by the indomitable Maurice King on TH-cam.
@@bloozedaddy Union rules, I'm afraid. Live vocals done over newly-recorded tracks. When War was on Soul Train, they were 100% live, but, those performances were few and far between.
@@CoCotheTurtle pretty sure it wasn't against AFM rules to have a live band on the show... It was just cost probitive for disco groups and they wouldnt be able to have the orchestration for that Philadelphia Sound. It's just a shame it so much of TV into Karaoke Night. I grew up watching all the live performances on this show and Rock Concert. Things radically changed within about a five-year span.
OMG. Those Steely Dan performances! So gooooood!
yeeepppp....great musicians all around.
Denny playing a Tele with a neck humbucker?
@@deirdre108 yep.. Looks like he's on that one for Do It Again and both pups for Reelin'. Skunk has some weird looking bucker in his also. Denny's looks like a PAF.
@@bloozedaddy Thanks! Enjoying the warm, bluezy tone with his setup. Liked to have heard more SD in this episode. Interesting that Larry Carlton was in the Johnny Rivers band for this show. Carlton was fantastic when he played with SD--one of my favorites.
@@deirdre108 yeah.. I'm gonna work on the Kid Charlemagne solo later this year.. One of my all time faves for sure.
Johnny Rivers is under appreciated!!!!! Great singer and all around great entertainer!!!!
Awesome!
Not too under appreciated. His rendition of Midnight Special inspired the opening theme - pretty much created this show. 👍🏽
Steely Dan what an amazing band.
Looked like Mr Fagen was PO'd dual singing
Absolutely amazing band with a ground breaking original sound all of their own. Nobody ever sounded like Steely Dan. Skunk very underrated guitarist this dude could shred. And of course we know all about the incredible musicianship of Walter and Donald. One of the greatest bands of all time.
@ronaldolaquidara64just the first album. Donald Fagan didn’t like singing live so David Palmer was in the band as a 2nd lead singer
This has really brightened my spirits tonight! I am 73 and my husband is having some memory problems. I needed this!
Yes, He will probably love this !
🙏🙏
🥰
God Bless!
Real talent on this show. No lip synching, or auto tune
It's how music should be played!
@@PurpleDreki 🎯
They were using tricks of technology available to them at the time. Most midnight special guests "performed" their own song that had been edited down to an acceptable time to fit the shows schedule. They are really singing and playing - but it's not really what you are hearing. The drums are almost always real and being played over their own song.
The Midnight Special show was the highlight of my week, when I was a kid.♥️
For me, each and every one of these Midnight Special shows is just pure gold. I was so young at the time of the original airing. Now, as an adult, being able to see all these episodes is truly phenomenal. I can truly appreciate how really wonderful this era of music and television really was. These were they days growing up, good times, and great music. Wonderful memories! 💖
Happy Friday 🥳 Thank you for sharing! 💖
Happy Cinco de Mayo! 🍻 🥳
And everyone is singing LIVE!
Our pleasure. Glad you are enjoying them. More to come.
@@themidnightspecialtvshow Are we going to see all of the episodes in time? I would love to see the episode with Sparks from 1974 which I haven't seen in almost 50 years. Thanks!
@@themidnightspecialtvshowcan you upload Paul Williams ""Cried Like a Baby" from the Midnight Special September 19 1975 episode 1 season 4? I hope I can show it to the singer songwriter Paul Williams since I know him. I loved the clip of him singing out in the county and he hopes to see that September 19th 1975 performance of Cried Like A Baby too.
#fff#ffy
Whoever is responsible for releasing these videos, many thanks. The 70s was the greatest era for music!
I am feeling great that I can hear "I won't last a day without you" in live by Paul Williams.
Loved and STILL love Paul Williams! He's 83 and STILL working!! When you look at his music bio, you can't help but notice the HEART in all his songs - which could ONLY come from a big, warm, insightful, loving heart!! ❤❤❤
I remember Leon Russel too. Composers and singers
But his singing voice is not the greatest in the world.
@@rayjr62 I would rather hear Paul Williams sing his songs than anybody else. His LP's on A&M are some of the best ever produced by A&M Records
Still diggin' The Spinners soulful classic all these years later - just pure class.
Why Johnny Rivers is still not in the Rock’n Roll Hall of Fame is beyond me.
I don't know, but they put rappers in instead. Such a travesty.
Probably because people keep posting this on line constantly.
Johnny Rivers is a legend
Well because his career didn't come across to Britain & Europe at all, nice but not great.
@@seltaeb9691 That's just only your opinion.
This is the first time I've seen Steely Dan perform a song live.
First time for me too
It wasn't what I had pictured in my mind
They hired the lead singer because Donald Fagen had such terrible stage fright, he didn't want to be front and center. They ditched the lead singer not too long after this.
Skunk Baxter on the congas, by the way...
They sound GREAT, don't they?!?❤
Same here.
@KevyNova I grew up on Steely Dan in the 1970's. They had one great hit song after another, & a unique sound.."jazz rock." Great songwriters, great musicians!
I was 14 years old when this came out in February 73. I tried to watch every show that I could. I believe I was so lucky to have been living in the 70's as it gave us some of the best, most iconic music. I appreciate this YT Channel for keeping this show and the music current and available for a new generation of listeners...
14 myself at this time. A January kid. We were all freaking out over The Midnight Special. The best acts live every Friday -- cool, man ! With comedy mixed in, too. Ultra cool !! Steely Dan definitely stood out. As many of the younger generation are finding out through today's Reaction Videos Channels, the music from the 70's is incomparable. No disrespect to the 60's, 80, and 90's. They have their great music, too. But there is no arguing the fact that the 70's had it all, and was the seed for all of the good music that was to follow. With the release of the The Midnight Special series on TH-cam, the talent of the bands and solo artists that were around throughout the 70's is now on full display.
Wow. Musicians who can actually play instruments. What a concept :).
Here,here !! You hit it on the head!!
You don't need to have good looks, but pure talent.
Still happens
These were times with no autotune on singing voices. The Spinners are soooo smooth and sound so nice!!!!!! And Steely Dan must be the hardest working band around and sound very tight!
Are not The Spinners incredible?? The heyday of one of the greatest soul groups ever.
Absolutely!
Thank you Midnight Special for these full length episodes!! Please keep posting the Episodes in chronological order! 🙏🙏
Can't wait for episode 3
WOO YEAH! Steely Dan ROCKS!!
✨⚡️🎸⚡️✨
The Spinners…incredible vocals,choreography and of obviously timeless classics!
And an appearance by Fred Willard in his little selection of folks from Second City - The Ace Trucking Company
My favorite of theirs is I'll Be Around.. still is :o)
Thank you Burt Sugarman for these great memories.
Loved The Spinners performance of "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love.'" Philly Soul at it's best!
Big Paul Williams fan here! Love this guy. Someday Man LP is a lost gem of an album and what an incredible songwriter. He was fantastic in Phantom of the Paradise as the satanic villain. The music from Paul on the soundtrack displays a wide array of talent. Covering everything from Surf to Glam to melodic pop. Incredible. Thanks Paul you need more recognition. ✌️
I adore Paul Williams!
I have almost every one of his albums on vinyl.
Marvelous songwriter. And I must say is love his voice as well.
He was a excellent songwriter.
I'm smiling so fucking big right now watching Steeley Dan!
And Baxter playing the conga’s.
The Spinners=pure class and wonderful music. So thankful I was a teenager in the 70s. Such an awesome decade for music. Loved all the music on this show.
Shout out to what I consider to be the classic lineup of The Spinners with Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne, Billy Henderson, Henry Fambrough, and bass-vocalist extraordinaire Pervis "12:45" Jackson. Interesting how groups would occasionally sing live over pre-recorded tracks. Thom Bell gave them those songs, arrangements and production, but their chemistry made the material iconic.
RIP Henry Fambrough. Passed away just a few weeks ago.
That Steely Dan performance was mind-blowing - not what I expected.
So many hits written by Paul Williams and Wolfman Jack’s message still resonates for our times. Such precious memories. ❤️🙏🏻💎🌴⭐️
I just thought Paul was an actor in the 70s😂 Smokey and the bandit
@@shable1436He was also in the movie Planet of the Apes in 1968. As an orangutan! 😊
@@shable1436 Paul Williams wrote many of the monster hits of the '70's. "We've Only Just begun", "Old Fashioned Love Song", and my personal favorite "Where do I go from here". I wish he'd come up with a third verse for that song since it's a story song but comes to no conclusion.
Finally, the correct audio to clips that have been floating around the net for years. Love this channel!
I love it too. This is about the best channel on TH-cam.
Amen. Tired of the audio from the studio recording dubbed over the live performances….
I was 13 years old these were wonderful shows
I was 13 when I watched this back in 1973, this show was one of the only ways to see bands unless you went to concerts, rockandroll was my thing for sure. Thank you for great flashbacks.
glad to share them with you
I turned 7 on this day... 3 or 4 years away from becoming a rocker lol.
I was 13 also. It was the only way I ever saw most of these performers.
I'm 54. All this music resonates in me. So simple yet so grand. Thank you God for all this in my life.
Thank You Midnight Special for letting me time-travel back to a great time in music.
I had Johnny Rivers greatest Hits album we wore that album what a bunch of great songs he was a great entertainer singer songwriter all around great
Paul Williams singing his tune “Out in the Country” (a hit for Three Dog Night) is pure gold. Thanks Burt S. for sharing these full MS episodes. It takes me back to my adolescence in New Orleans.
Back in the 1970s; being a kid going to give you a lot of things. You had the thrill and excitement being out in the air playing all day, being safe. Hearing someone say; "Come on, we're going to McDonald's" and knowing that every Friday night, you get to watch a two-hour live concert in your livingroom or your bedroom.
Thank you Johnny!!!! God Bless You!!!!
To see a 50 year-old memory again like this is fascinating, Thank you for this!
I was on the air at KEIN in Great Falls Montana by way of Hartford Connecticut when we played this on the radio when it was a current hit..great tune, great group! Nice memories..🎤🎸👏👏👏
Steely, unreal, 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽, raw performances, probably wondering, are people going to like this , oblivious to what laid ahead ….two for the road!!!
Watching this episode of Midnight Special as a way of celebrating New Year’s Eve!
All genres of music and talent that will never be seen together again.
I miss culture like this. What we have lost in America is profound.
I grew up in the 60s and 70s and while the records I bought leaned more toward Robin Trower, Hendrix, etc. these songs were the real soundtrack of my youth & strike a melancholy yet joyful chord in my memory. They were played in Dad's car, on jukeboxes, at restaurants, grocery stores and school cafeterias. Everywhere! I was young and (thought) very cool. I wish I would have appreciated the art, ingenuity and craftsmanship of these gems more than I did. Every single one was unique. Very little showboating, just awesome melody, poetic lyrics and outstanding arrangements. We are so lucky to be able to revisit them and reminisce. Thank you so much for making them just a tap away! 🎶
Smoked weed and listened to Robin Trower all the time, I'm 62 and still smoke weed and listen to Robin Trower!
Me too, so cool to reminisce.
The Spinners made my morning. A lot of Happy memories of Mom And Dad. I was 6 in 73. Great times. Wish I had been 16
Great taste. I was there, they took no prisoners, especially big Bobby up front, master showman.
I saw Johnny Rivers in a free concert at the Hatch Shell in Boston and he is one amazing singer! He gave us a great show in which he sang all his hits! I don't know who was having more fun---him or us! He is my favorite male singer of all time and I have to agree with some of you that Johnny Rivers should be in the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame!🎸🎶🎵
Paul Williams wrote We've Only Just Begun, Rainy Days & Mondays for the Carpenters, Out In The Country and Just An Old Fashioned Love Song for 3 Dog Night, So Many People (recorded by The Neighborhood & Chase), just to name a few of his songs
So Many People was also recorded by Sergio Mendes & Brasil 77 on their LP "Pais Tropical" (Tropical Country)
I have always thought Paul Williams was and is an exceptionally talented man.
Love the Spinners plus STEELEY Dan 😊I was 23 then, now I am going on 74 still loving this music ❤
Full episodes are the best.
The Wolfman....The Legend Lives On !...🎙🎶💯👏👏🙏
🤣😂.. that was a funny segment
I love it that I showed it to Paul Williams himself
Please tell Paul hello from Me, Burt Sugarman
@@burtsugarman-pq3mp I will
Loved all of Paul's songs. Terrific songwriter. Wish him well please. Tom Jones
@@tomjones5650Wow! Love the respect here.
Johnny had so many hits...
That dead audience didn’t appreciate the Spinners. They KILLED it. Had that been brothas out there, they would’ve been dancing and enjoyin the performance.
I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT. THE SPINNERS, TOP ACT, CLASSIC STYLE, SMOOTH AS IT GETS.❤❤❤
I think MS pit a lot of RESTRICTIONS on the audience as far as what they could do...Sadly!
(They'd just have to kick my little butt out!! LOL- ❤Diana
The country didn’t have a slobbering obsession of all things B at the time. We were not yet a fully N country. That would come in the next 30 years.🤮
Played a yacht club gig recently. Scattered applause while they were eating dinner. Took 2 hrs of alcohol to get them to get up and dance.. then they went pretty nuts.
Studio audiences were very polite back in the day. They were like that for every act.
What a throwback in time! The euphoria of the end of the Vietnam war was so evident. All the acts were great … and then Steely Dan… the most perfect band. A year later and Becker and Fagen stopped performing live. This show preserved them at their prime. Thank you Midnight Special!
Nice to see Johnny Rivers hosting.
I ❤ Paul Williams voice. It's such a time capsule of my childhood.
Wow. Great band. great performance. Paul Williams "Out in the Country"
Anne, yes I love that song. Have you ever heard Three Dog nights cover? Its very good as well imo. You know I never knew Paul was so good until I recently watched the Clint Eastwood film Thunderbolt and Light foot. Paul does a great song in that movie called " Where do I go from here".
Although TDN popularized it, I just love the way Paul and this band jazzed it up, Tremendous!
Wow, Paul Williams and that band are kicking it out, IMPRESSIVE!!!!
His bass player was really good !
@@jimdep6542 Absolutely, as are the rest of the bandmates. I'm just really impressed with Paul's vocal phrasing and energy on this tune, I know he wrote the song and TDN made it a big hit but just a side I hadn't seen from 'ol Paul, great times for sure! ;-)
This was better than sliced bread. Thanks for the joy of seeing Steely Dan perform live. Priceless.
Watching the Spinners sing and dance is a beautiful thing.
Such a great show! I’d liked to watch full episodes hosted by The Bee Gees too!
Thanks so much. Hang around there is a lot more to come.
I love the Spinners, smooth Harmony, don't hear that in music anymore.
"The Spinners" - definitely black silk. Love them.
The Midnight Special was one of my favorite shows ever.
What a golden era of music. Keep them coming.
The spinners with Bobby Smith & Albert Hammond were AWESOME!
Paul Williams has always been on my top list
I never really appreciated how hugely talented Mr. Williams is but he blew me away in this episode. I certainly appreciate him now and can't wait to delve into more of his music
@@lauracook8203 Two of Paul's top knoch LP's are "Life Goes On" and ""Just An Old Fashion Love Song", in fact I think they are his best. Look at the list of outstanding musicians who play on them (including Linda Ronstadt as a background singer) and a full orchestra with full string section. Could never make those LP's today, it would cost a fortune
middle of third grade when this came out and also when my mom allowed me to stay up late on Friday nite so I could watch my late night horror movies. I started watching this instead and became a musician for life!!! Such grade memories...
Seeing these early Midnight Special shows was simply mindblowing. 🤯
Also, I love that shirt Johnny Rivers was wearing!
I had just turned 13 2 months before TMS started, and I wasn't allowed to stay up to watch, so these early shows are the first time I'm seeing them! Probably around junior year I was able to catch the show more consistently.
So cool to see The Dan of Steel before they quit playing live.
The Midnight Special was such a great show, always a good cross section of music for everyone to enjoy.
Thanks for presenting these gems!
John, wow I am really impressed that you know exactly how old you were when the show started. I think you and I are about the same age, what a time that was. :-)
OMG! Dueling Banjos! Excellent
It's rare to see Paul Williams sing! Excellent writing. I'm a fan.
Not so rare...I saw Paul in 1970's in Berkeley Community Theater in the mid 1970's give a full concert of his songs. He also supported via concert every LP he released (appearing in concert all over the U.S.) and I know one Paul Williams concert (1 hour long) shown on t.v. from Canada (in Edmonton) and appeared on Johnny Carson's tonight show over 30 times and sang during each appearance. The Midnight Special still has several appearances they have yet to release of Paul, including the times he was the host of the Midnight Special (as J. Rivers is doing here) himself.
70s such a magical decade of music
"you go back, Jack, do it again" YES! great songs - great live music - great show
Fantastic. I can't thank you enough for posting these complete shows. Johnny Rivers is one of my all-time favorites.
Glad you are enjoying them. More to come!
@@themidnightspecialtvshow Would love to see the March 9, 1973 performance of Edward Bear singing "Last Song" and "Close Your Eyes". Thank you.
Steely Dan may have been the 70‘s band with the best unknown guitar heroes ever...
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter for one.
let’s name them, or they will stay unknown.
@@daisywrabbit Who was actually playing congas on the first track.
@@danny1959 yep, rippin up those congas!
✨⚡️✨
Denny Dias the other
Verdade! Este guitarrista é um monstro!
Wow! This Midnight Special channel is awesome. Thank you very much for posting all these incredible performances. I was a big fan of this show in my teenage years. Looking forward to all your future clips.
Love to share the memories
@@themidnightspecialtvshow
Thanks for posting the entire shows! I was incredibly young when theses originally aired. Remember opening the bedroom door so I could listen. Didn’t last long, got busted by my own nightlight! Yes, that young 😆
I had forgotten about the Ace Trucking Company, including the fact that Fred Willard was one of them.
The troupe consisted of Willard, founder Michael Mislove (formerly of The Pickle Brothers), Patti Deutsch (who became well-known as a regular on Laugh-In), Bill Saluga (best known for his character Raymond J. Johnson, Jr.), and George Memmoli (a character actor you’d know from a ton of movies).The company was active from the late 60s through the mid 70s, and was frequently on variety programs like The Tonight Show, Mike Douglas, Dick Cavett and The Midnight Special
Fred Willard. Thank you. I couldn't remember his name, but figured someone down here in the comments would help.
Paul Williams was very talented and wrote tons of songs for others!
Please release the second "lost" Steely Dan appearance as well - S01E32 Host: Billy Preston August 31, 1973
@Ronaldo Laquidara ""Reeling in the Years,"" ""Show Biz Kids"" & ""My Old School""
Love the uploads. This is the sort of episode what would have been so disappointing to teenage me. Stay up late on the weekend, tune in, and the lineup... no one I liked!!! But they're a lot more fun to watch now.
OMG I used to watch the midnight special every week. It was so good ❤
Thank God for Midnight Special and Indian casinos. We get to see the performers in their twenties and their seventies.
This Albert Hammond dude is bringing it in a laid back kinda way. I like it.
That Reel'in in the Years was SO tight! They were so accomplished- a super group really
Merilee Rush wrote a novel that I loved so much.
pure human voices singing with spirit! Musical instruments played live by other humans. I recall the late night enchantment watching these at 10-11 years old. Still WOW!
I was born after the show stopped airing, but I discovered it via the DVDs through the library. I look forward to seeing these full episodes and clips of the artists my parents grew up listening to and exposed me to.
i can see Steely Dan on sides waiting their turn !! awesome
The greatest show on earth at the time.😊
This show was the soundtrack to my childhood. During the summer we had no bedtime so my two sisters and I would watch this show every Friday night. Good old Wolfman Jack. Johnny Rivers, Peter Frampton, Wild Cherry, Steely Dan, Steve Martin in his “let’s get small!” days. This show was the best! Along with Soul Train.
Steely Dan is what brought me here!
These are great performances live by The Spinners, Steely Dan Wolfman Jack Johnny Rivers and Paul Williams. Time travel to the 70s.
We really dont know the future like Jeff Skunk Baxter from being a great guitar player to becoming a Missile Defense Specialist.
🎉❤Liebe Grüße aus Kassel,Deutschland. Ich bin Jahrgang 1958 undfreue mich, das ich jetzt die Helden meiner Jugend in dieser tollen, lebendigen Qualität erleben darf. Thumbs up😊