Thank you for uploading these. We Boomers and early Gen X remember fondly and appreciate this. I have subscribed and will pass the word to my record collecting/record show friends....a bunch of hippies and super cool✌️
@@bassnbrass9272 it said in the documentaries I saw that Ray new everybody's part also and when someone would not play the right note or something he'd be on them. You have got to be on your toes when you're in a band like his. I'm sorry as hell that I never saw him in concert. 🙋
@@chriskroll4166 you heard correctly. Ray was ever the Leader of the band - he was responsible for every note played or sung onstage, and he had the ability to hear them *all* at the same time. That's what Ray liked about working with Aretha - as he explains at 12:31 - he knew Aretha would sing each note "the way it ought to be sung" so he just had to worry about the other musicians!
@@chriskroll4166 With the endless stream of reissues, bootleg releases of live performances, etc. - where do you draw the line? Eventually you have a museum!
I remember this episode vividly! I was only 5 but my Dad let me stay up late to watch with him since Ray Charles was the host. My Dad passed away 20 years ago and watching this brings me back to that night watching it with him. I cannot express how much happiness and great memories you brought me uploading this episode!! Thank-you!!
This was one for the ages. Ray and Aretha together are transcendent. I also appreciate that you dispensed with the intrusive canned laugh track and applause. This episode felt so real, organic, soulful. ❤️ Thank you!
Adorable story by Carol Burnett. I had wondered why she came on the show, but it makes complete sense now. I hope Carol & her daughter watch this video and it brings back some special memories. I dearly miss Ray.
Bill Cosby was never funny? He was the most successful and loved comic of all time. Unfortunately, he was a monster behind the curtain but before we knew about that, there’s something wrong with you if you didn’t think he was funny.
Hey Midnight Special....grew up with this show out here in Hawaii and being a musician, appreciate every performance, no matter the genre! I understand that Tower of Power was on an episode and have never heard or even seen information on that. Would that, by chance, be something in the future on your great channel? BTW, bought most of the dvds out there in years prior and love the Soul compilations. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for all these great uploads, I'm enjoying sharing these episodes with my mum and dad, discovering interesting artists as well as finding great performances of musicians I know, and in excellent quality. My dad always remembers when he fell in love with Bachman Turner Overdrive, and it was watching your show, so he is eager for their episode to have its turn. Congratulations for this channel and show , cheers from Argentina!
Thanks for the episodes, I know The band FOGHAT played on a couple episodes of the Midnight special, but for some reason there is no videos of these episodes to be found, I am hoping you have them thanks
@@themidnightspecialtvshow Foghat was on episode 28 August 3 1973 Seasun 1 , Host was Al Green they played She's Gone and I just wanna make love to you .Cant find it anywhere also were on episode 25 Host Dr. Hook and the medicine show March 1 1974 Season 2 PLayed Home in my Hand and Honey Hush cant find it anywhere also
During the seventies I can remember a gigantic wall poster of Aerosmith in our room. The big middle picture had huge lit-up red letters in the back stating: AEROSMITH. There was Steven in front w Joe to his left…Tom & Brad off right. I can remember my brother telling me that “that picture is from The Midnight Special show…” Then I started trying to stay up late to catch this incredible show but I was young then. Little did we know that we were living through the best possible time for popular music during that time.
Beautiful Episode from beginning to end, Thanks for posting and I'm so glad I subscribed Ray and Aretha, were in rare form and the moment with Carol brought tears to my eyes!
Oh My Gaaaahhh I"m Lifted, My Spirit Rose Up, Like a Tent Revival, hand to heaven, I"m a New Man. I remember my mom coming home early from her 2nd job and sitting down to watch this, she didn't get mad that we were up so late already watching it.
Can’t wait to see the two Raspberries clips in pristine quality! Hoping there might be a third song. Thank you, Midnight Special! This channel has made my year. 😍
Dude I love the Raspberries and their awesome 70s power pop rock. I dig all 4 of their original albums with Fresh being my fave. We had The Raspberries here in USA and The UK had Badfinger. Both were incredibly melodic with their infectious Beatle-esque hooks. Looking forward to the clips. ✌️
Splendidly crisp & clean transfer of analogue 2 inch tape masters to digital of this Ray Charles hosted 1973 The Midnight Special. Show always had top-tier live audio & production values. Living in LA in early '80s I attended a 1981 taping @ NBC Burbank Studio 4. Musical acts might perform 2 takes of a song to achieve optimum rendition. A long taping but worth it since capturing a high quality performance was show's goal.
Spoiler ALERT…That lineup could have been hands down the best line up if they cut Pimp Cosby and kept Rays mom😳🧐😂 you gotta have musical talent to be on my show…says Rays wife😂😂😂
My ole man was already gone from mom in 73' from then on it was shared bullshit time with all four of us ...and it sucked ...I am a better man today because of it ...the ridicule and hell it caused ...brought strength ..
What an absolutely amazing series this was. I love the eclectic mix of styles and performers. It was fascinating to see how similar country and blues were at that time.
i watched this with old folks, old tv wearing my old clothes and shoes, very nostalgic seeing old shows. It makes me feel young again like in my grade schools in the 70s.
Brother Ray! Gosh.. he's got me all choked up here in Canada! What a man! What legend! What a soul brother! What a genius! Wow! Thank you! (Sister Ree ain't too shabby herself!!) haha
Thank you Midnight Special! Saw Ray Charles and the Kingston Trio perform~separate shows at a fancy dinner theatre in Tulsa many many moons ago; fabulous memory with some fantastic musicians.
Saw him live once, mid-‘80’s…floor seats, his feet were constantly dancing under his seat. It’s interesting to hear early recordings before he found his voice, aping the great, Charles Brown.
Ray Charles was one of my heroes growing up alongside Phil Collins and to know that they both appeared on this show among so many others is remarkable! Also why does Ray Charles look more like Bill Cosby here than Bill Cosby 😂
I took a heaping handful of mushrooms one night and asked my mom about her life and music and she showed me the midnight special and this was the first episode we found. This performance and episode has changed my life and if anyone were to say they love music they need to watch this and take in truly a masterpiece captured in time. Thank you for posting this.
