As the LouderThanSound site reports, the iconic US TV show The Midnight Special, which ran for 450 episodes between 1973 and 1981, has launched a YouTube channel to mark its 50th anniversary. It seems that the site will share many performances that haven’t been officially available on the platform to date.
Among the videos available at the channel’s launch is the original pilot episode from 1972 – featuring live performances from John Denver, Argent, Harry Chapin, David Clayton Thomas, Cass Elliot, The Everly Brothers, The Isley Brothers, Helen Reddy, Linda Ronstadt, and War – as well as clips of Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner and more.
According to Burt Sugarman, the show’s creator, “The Midnight Special was a groundbreaking and revolutionary show that pushed the boundaries of what was possible on television as not one broadcaster had programming available after 1 am back then. I insisted on live performances in front of an audience, there was no lip-syncing.”
Other artists who performed on the show – whose appearances will presumably become available over the coming months – include Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Kiss, Elton John, AC/DC, Badfinger, The Cars, Cheap Trick, Peter Frampton, Genesis, Heart, Little Feat, Prince, Roxy Music, Steely Dan, Thin Lizzy, and ELO.
