Unfortunately this tape didn't weather time as well as others and there are glitches in the performance of Sweet Freedom by Uriah Heep. We chose to leave it in as it didn't harm the audio. Thanks for understanding.
I always worry when content providers of vintage recordings believe the recordings need to be perfect to be presented. Even if the audio was muffed, the show must still go on no matter what condition it is in. The generation who grew up with the MS did not have cable or high-quality signals. They were old TVs with rabbit ears and prone to all sorts of atmospheric conditions that guaranteed the broadcasts would be snowy, fuzzy, distorted, dropouts, etc. If anyone ever complains about anything you present not being in perfect condition, send them my way and I will educate.
I was thinking the same thing. I was 9 when this was first aired, so I am just seeing it now, but I watched it all the time in '77. I was blown away be the talent on The Midnight Special then and even more so now. Once a week 90 minutes packed with huge talent that sounded even better live
A lot of these TV performances, including back in the 70s and before, had some sort of pre-recorded element. Some had more, others had less. It's just difficult to spot.
Dash Crofts I ran into in Bee Cave, TX a few years ago. He was driving a big Chrysler sedan, and upon recognizing him, I asked him if he was Crofts. And he replied "Summer Breeze, makes me feel fine, blowin thru the jasmine in my mind." He owns an alpaca or llama farm outside of Austin somewhere. Nice guy!
I miss the 1970s as well. I am so happy I was born in the 1960s and got to experience life from the late 60s on. I also remember sitting by the TV to watch this show every week. This was long before we had MTV or VH1 & the internet wasn't even a topic yet. I usually had a nice pipping hot pizza or a bag of KFC and their side dishes because my first job was at the local KFC & we got to bring home a ton of food back then for almost nothing & I always did LOL. I also had other smoke-able treats but even though my parents were sleeping I had to run out on the porch when commercials came on. It was amazing what we could accomplish during those short commercial breaks. I also had whatever whiskey that was left over after my dad passed out dead drunk almost nightly but definitely on Friday's & weekends LOL My mom worked third shift as well so I basically had the 11PM-5AM block to myself because even my younger brothers did not stay up late and they were not into music the way I was and still am. I also went on to play guitar and I am still a musician and play quite often now still. The 1970s were the best & unless you were there you can't really know just how amazingly cool it was. I had hundreds(that became thousands) of LPs 4 awesome loud speakers that were high quality along with my guitar amps so my neighbors always got to experience a wide variety of music because my collection has always gone from A-Z covering dozens of genres. That is one of the things I love about The Midnight Special, it always had extremely different groups/artists from several different genres on the same show which I thought even then was awesome. There was something for almost everyone. Neighborhood kids/friends would also sneak out and come over to my place because they couldn't watch TV that late in their homes & they also would bring along those smoke-able treats to join in on the fun as well.
@@gregoryduncan3067 yeah I think so . Better one time than no time because just one appearance on American TV could really put you over in the states. Sweet or slayed never appeared on American TV and that would really have helped their careers in America. But it still didn't stop sweet from having many top 40 hits because their music was too infectious. Porcelain couldn't get that chart success in America and they were so magnificent. I think so anyways 😳
@@moorlock2003 when T-Rex tour in America they didn't really know what to do with him because he was so huge in England but when he came over here he didn't have a big audience. He used to appear second and third on bills with people like Ted Nugent and Aerosmith . But when he went back to England he had number ones all over the charts . Go figure 😁
@@chriskroll4166 My brother went to see T. Rex as headliners (Santa Monica Civic) with The Doobie Brothers. First tour was headlining but after that, like you said, opening act. The Slider was a popular album but he just couldn’t get another hit like Bang A Gong. Metal Guru, Baby Strange, Telegram Sam, and the title song were great though.
Yes! Love Leo Kottke too, he does a stellar rendition of “ Little Martha “ by Duane Allman on his ‘86 album “ A Shout Toward Noon “. Love his live version on YT also my favorite song from the Allman Brothers, so crazy it came to Duane in a dream, Jimi Hendrix was playing it to him after Jimi had died. Tis wild.
It’s a song I will never tire of hearing it’s just infectious and the fact that it goes into a bit of an instrumental rock ‘n’ roll Segway just is the icing on the cake
I was born in 1970 and they capture the days I was strapped in the backseat. I have 3 of their songs in my collection including Diamond Girl, Summer Breeze and We May Never Pass this Way Again. Did I miss any?
Probably the studio band that Louie put together as producer for the album. I haven't heard of Bobby unfortunately, but Shelton, Paich, and Porcaro are a super group by themselves. I don't think they were very well known to the public then.
Always loved Seals and Crofts (despite the religious nonsense) and enjoyed the time trip back to the 70s with them. Leo Kottke was a treat to watch as well. 👍👍
They were powerful propagandists for their "religious nonsense". Lots of young people (myself included) took the bait and spent years of their lives in their faith until eventually becoming disillusioned.
Uriah Heep in their classic years with David Byron. What a treat, even though the Sweet Freedom performance suffers from tape wear. Can't wait to see their other MS special performances from 1975 & 1976. Hopefully we don't have to wait 2-3 more years based on MS full episode schedule. Thanks in advance.
Patience is a virtue ... you've waited 50 years already :) We will see if we can extract the songs and get them posted sooner. Thanks for watching and supporting.
I got to know Jim Seals a bit in the mid 70s. I was probably 16 years old and lived in Sylmar, CA at the time and there was a model race car track that opened up there. They had a sweet track and everything you needed to custom build a model race car. Back then I built real custom cars with my father so I had a pretty good idea how to build a model car and mine came out pretty good. Jim came in one day and looked around and saw me racing with a few others there and my little car was smoking them so after a bit he came over and asked me to help him build one. So we built his car pretty close to the same as mine and he was good at racing his too. Not long after that there was some kind of national disaster in, I think it was Nicaragua, and I heard on TV or the radio that he and Crofts had donated a bunch of supplies and had them flown down there in their Airplane. I couldn't help but admire that and the next time I saw him at the track I told I admired him for that. His response was a real surprise because he told me the truth. He said something very close to "Well, the truth is our accountant and promoter came up with that for both a write off on our taxes and a publicity campaign so we really had nothing to do with it other than agree to it." His honesty shocked me, and it also enlightened me. It shocked me because he could've bragged about it, but he didn't. It enlightened me because I had heard of similar such things about other "celebrities" and "wealthy" folks many times over the years before that, and still do now and then. That's not to say that it wasn't still a good thing, it did help those folks in Nicaragua, even if it was just a little. And I admired him for teaching me that lesson. His honestly gave me a perspective I wouldn't have had otherwise. Every time I hear of a celebrity doing something like that I think of Jim Seals.
Interesting story, I dunno sometimes people arrive at the right place because someone booted them from somewhere else. Given their profile it might have given visibility to the cause and helped a lot, Good on him for being so honest about it and in this case I dare say the ends justified the means.
Jim Seals and Dash Crofts, two Texas boys who wrote some fantastic songs and contributed to the best years musically in American pop, alongside Loggins and Messina, Dan Fogleberg, and really too many to mention here. I think Dash is still alive, but Jim Seals died a while back. R.I.P. "Oh, hummingbird...."
What a great show ! Arlo Guthrie, TRex , Uriah Heep and Seals and Crofts on the same show? Wow! What a lineup! We had great music back then that was on Radio 📻 and TV 📺. Now there’s only RU-vid and it’s hard to find good music. Thanks! 😊
I remember this one because our neighbor Wesley came over to ''babysit'' his parents wouldn't let him watch Midnight Special at home so he would tell his parents he was babysitting, ask my mom if he could watch us kids and the show, while she worked, she didn't have to pay him, but she would, they were different days when I was 7, I would babysit the 5 year old twins next door so their parents could go out on a date night, I'd get $5, a LOT of money, they got security knowing someone was watching their sleeping kids. they were different days.
That extended T Rex performance of Bang a Gong is one of the most fantastic things I have ever seen in my life! This is what real Rock & Roll is all about folks. 😮
This may be one of the most stellar line ups of the year on the show. Uriah Heep! I got the Sweet Freedom album shortly after this episode. One of my favorites 50 years later. Thanks for uploading Midnight Specials. What a blast!
@@thomascramer7485Yes, a great blues band! With THE Elvin Bishop-Tulsa’s own slide guitarist at the beginnings of the group “63-68”. Loved when Elvin collaborated w/George Thorogood & the Destroyers on One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer song.
Love Arlo Guthrie too, how cool you got to meet him Ty for sharing! I like “ City of New Orleans “ written by Steve Goodman and “ Alice’s Restaurant “ songs, what a killer singer-songwriter-soothsayer for the ages…
The camera shot of him during his solo for Diamond Girl was cool as hell with the lights and stuff until they switched to a close up of the mandolin during the second half of his solo. drag. cause you didn't see much of the band anyway, his guitar was clear though.
I saw SEALS and Crofts May 4, 1974 at the brand new Providence Civic center. At the end of their performance, they invited anyone to stick around if they were interested in learning that specific spiritual path
My mom was 2 months pregnant with me. Although she 39 in 1974 she always listened to all types of music so I love these bands on here and some that never step foot on this stage. I just love music
Love Seals and Croft. Always bring love to my heart and tears to my eyes. Uriah Heep was a great band. One of my favorites. Great show, loved it. If you have more of this, bring it.
1973 was the best year of Rock and Roll IMO. Highlights were Paul McCartney Band on the Run, Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon, and (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) .
@@bigneiltoo yes great but nothing compares to 1971 with Led Zeppelin‘s fourth album, aqualung ,who’s next, sticky fingers ,LA woman and a few more I can’t remember
@@jamesmack3314 I have all those in my MP3 collection! I own about 8000 songs (my goal is to own every song I like and it's getting harder and harder to find new material, though this year I added 800 songs, focusing on Elvis Costello and The Cars. I have nearly 7000 folders in my collection because it's meticulously organized by genre, decade, band and album, each parameter in chronological order. But I'm thinking: is there software that will let us filter songs, like say "soft rock from the 70s"? Currently I can random play on any decade, and made greatest hits for years.
Wow, T-Rex was wild, but great! Seals and Crofts were just what I expected. That last song they sang was beautiful. Thank you, Midnight Special. Merry Christmas!💜
I saw Seals and Crofts a couple of years after this episode. During orientation week at school, the university held a "back-to-school" concert. It was August in a packed basketball arena, crazy hot, and a fun evening of relatable songs and sound harmony. But what I can't wait to hear is Paul Butterfield, and some blues harmonica.
WOW.... Ramblin Jack Elliot is still kicking at 92, Leo Koettke is 78 an still touring in 2024, Arlo is 76 and plays occasionally (his children do the playing now), Dash Crofts is 83 and retired in Costa Rica but Jim Seals passed away last year at 80, Mark Bolan (T-Rex) died in a car crash in 77 at 30, Paul Butterfield died in 87 at 44, and The Wolfman died in 95 at 57. May God Bless Them All....
Thank God for the Midnight Special that preserves for Posterity these incredible live performances. Marc Bolan Get It On. Probably the only live footage from an American show and location. He didn’t Tour America much since he was incredibly popular in England. Seals and Crofts sound good here, too. Thanks!
Merry Christmas to me --and my husband!! To find a line-up like this is like finding a diamond mine💎 T-Rex and Ramblin' Jack on one show!?! This is crazy good🎅
This episode rocks,with many of my favorite acts.It's better to have URIAH HEEP with glitches than not at all.Always wanted to see T-REX in person,had tickets to see them in '74 locally,but they cancelled their appearance.Keep on rockin' MIDNIGHT SPECIAL,WE LOVE IT!!!
Looks like another great one from October 5, 1973 coming up. It was hosted by Gladys Knight and the Pips, and it also featured appearances from B.B. King, Earth Wind & Fire, Focus, Chris Smither, Stories, and Monda.
Paul Butterfield's Better Days is the highlight for me. My dad had the cassette back then and it was a favorite. T.Rex is 100% attitude and little else. I love their records but this performance is ugh.
....Jim Gordon playing drums for Arlo...and not with S&C...even though he's the drummer on the records...+Jesse Davis......and the wonderful original Uriah Heep with Gary Thain and David Byron.....seems like yesterday..........
The great Louie Shelton playing electric guitar behind Seals and Crofts. He also produced their albums. It’s too bad the camera captures so little of him playing his solo.
Yes Louie produced “ Every “ seal & Croft albums , and played , I was so sunrises on just how many albums he either produced and or played on for many artists ! He played the guitar solo on Lionel Richie's hit "Hello", Boz Scaggs's "Lowdown" and David Gates' "Do You Believe He's Coming “ just to name a few of the works he’s done ! My fav was “ Last Train to Clarksville “ the guitar is just mesmerizing !
@@chriskroll4166 John Lee Hooker said that the best harmonica player ever was a white man. The blind owl, Mr. Alan Wilson . But I agree with you. It’s a little Walter.
I was less than a year old when this aired but man do I love Seals And Crofts and the smooth 70s. I grew up with this. It’s amazing what you remember as an adult from your childhood in terms of the music
I have to almost agree with you on that. Those first few years of the 70s were just insanely good the best music ever with all the one hit wonders the black groups and the best classic rock records from the stones, The Who, Zeppelin,Tull , etc..
T. Rex is terrific; the only thing that doesn’t work for me are the backup singers. It’s too bad Mark & Howard from the Turtles weren’t onstage for this. They were so great on the records.
@@carlodave9 I agree. Their energy and enthusiasm brought the song up yet another level. Several other people posted they thought the backup singers were too loud. Well, that is the way the sound engineer mixed their vocals, and it must have been with Bolan's wishes!
@@JamieAndersonMusic Yes. Or Simon and Garfunkel on the same bill with The Doors! By the way, it was actually Hendrix that opened for The Monkees - Micky Dolenz got him on their summer tour as one of the opening acts.
Three Dog Night was my very 1st concert at a wee age of 11 in 1970. Me and my best friend, no parents, we felt so grown up. Can still picture it today, thanks for this tid bit and a stirring of old memories.
What a fantastic show! I wish my parents would let me watch The Midnight Specal when I was 8 years old but our t.v. was off by 10 p.m. no exceptions☹. Thank goodness I get to watch it on RU-vid. 😊
Of the 35 full episodes so far, this is Hands down t🎉he most exciting line up. Obviously Heep are the main attraction, but come on...Kottke,Butterfield,T Rex, Arlo Guthrie. Do t know of Rambling Jack. Even Seals and Crofts bring back the memories. I always have ti watch these showd live at 1am
Yea! Like the 1st song about walking-blues-shoes his band was fabulous here, Paul’s wearing a cool hat too. What’s the tunes title? Tulsa’s Elvin Bishop, sure made a name for himself with them in their beginnings.
Paul Butterfield featured many famous guitar players (Bloomfield, Bishop, Ford), I'm not sure who's playing here, does anybody know? At Woodstock Butterfield had a very young guitar prodigy, Buzz Feiten.
This show was filmed on my 18th birthday. I was a huge Seals and Crofts fan, as well as Arlo Guthrie and Leo Kottke. So happy that these historic performances have been preserved. Thank you!
I first saw Leo Kottke on this episode, and was incredibly impressed. Twenty years later, I jumped at the chance to see him in concert. He was first; I don't remember who the headliner was.
What an amazing lineup for this show. I know I saw it however I'm going to go with I don't remember it having been 50 years ago. To me 1973 may be the peak year for rock music. If you want to look at the albums and the artist from that year it's simply amazing. There was still a lot of great music to come but from my perspective it never got any better than this. I want to add a quick edit and say sometime in the mid-90s was also an amazing time for music, too bad there wasn't a midnight special for that
I agree! 1973 was certainly the best year of Midnight Special. Other years were ok but like you said I believe 1973 may have been the peak in all of music!
That looks like Gloria Jones, Marc Bolan's girlfriend and backup singer in the red outfit. They had a kid together and she was driving the car when he was killed in '77. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Seals and Crofts take me back to junior high, so mellow you can smell the weed wafting into the room. T. Rex was an 8-Track favorite, we played "Electric Warrior" till the tape broke. I've seen Heep in person, but not the original line up, Byron had to go off on a solo career. The Paul Butterfield, Arlo Guthrie, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Leo Kottke songs will all be new to me, can't wait. Another killer line up.
@@chriskroll4166 yes it was, Heep opened for KISS. They did so well they gave 3 encores. KISS came out flat, Peter Criss accidentally got hit by a roll of toilet paper being thrown around the audience. He got mad, cussed us, threw down the Mike and the rest of the concert was cancelled. Then the riot began. That's ok Heep outplayed KISS.
@@robmatlock7675 yeah you would have to be on your a-game to plan the same bill with Uriah Heep and Lawton at the helm. That could be some heavy shit . Maybe two or three years later when kiss really got it together then there would be more of a balance and kiss could hold their own . I love the hell out of kiss but when you've got someone like John Lawton on lead vocal you can't get better than that. I saw Uriah Heep once in a club but it was years later with the Bernie Shaw guy on vocal but he was great. I was impressed 😁
SEALS & CROFTS ARE SO UNDER APPRECIATED .. INCREDIBLE SONGWRITERS AND PERFORMERS ... LOVE THE MUSIC THESE 2 MADE . ...YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON THE MISNIGHT SPECIAL FOR LIVE PERFORMANCES BY THE GREATS OF THE PAST .
Diamond girl 👍🥁💯 and just think this was almost what three and a half months before the classic The exorcist was released that year I was 4 years old then about to turn 5 /T- kill it REX !!!👍🥁
Thanks for bringing back the classic Midnight Special. I heard amazing things about the show. Now since a few months ago, blown away by the eclectic variety of Folk, Rock, Country and Pop on it. Incredible show.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but compared to today Music was so much better then-look at this amazing diversity of acts you’ve got people like T. Rex and Uriah heap alongside Paul Butterfield and seals and croft. The early 70s were just ridiculously creative never to be repeated, unfortunately, thank God I was around for it…we may never pass this way again indeed……
