Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

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Kagord
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Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by Kagord »

The 70s, right before the TV stations played the National Anthem and shut down and Wolfman Jack was a thing, there was this gem, The Midnight Special. A time capsule of varied music from the era, most performances are not lip synced.

It's being re-released on YouTube a day at a time, not sure if this is actionable, but this is special...I'm sure there's quite a few on here who would enjoy selections from their genre immensely, so here you go....

https://www.youtube.com/@themidnightspe ... how/videos
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uaeebs86
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by uaeebs86 »

Could just post here in this thread: viewtopic.php?p=7553824
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abner kravitz
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by abner kravitz »

Kagord wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2023 9:12 am The 70s, right before the TV stations played the National Anthem and shut down and Wolfman Jack was a thing, there was this gem, The Midnight Special. A time capsule of varied music from the era, most performances are not lip synced.

It's being re-released on YouTube a day at a time, not sure if this is actionable, but this is special...I'm sure there's quite a few on here who would enjoy selections from their genre immensely, so here you go....

https://www.youtube.com/@themidnightspe ... how/videos
Thanks, there were some great artists on that show, and the the lack of lip-syncing is wonderful and pretty rare for its time
WhitePuma
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by WhitePuma »

Isn’t that a song by Creedence Clearwater Revival?
abner kravitz
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by abner kravitz »

WhitePuma wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2023 10:18 am Isn’t that a song by Creedence Clearwater Revival?
Among others, they covered it. It goes way back.
bob60014
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by bob60014 »

Fwiw, episodes of American Bandstand, Hullabaloo, Shindig, Don Kirchners Rock Concert and a few others can be found on YouTube too.
bluelight
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by bluelight »

Loved the Midnight Special. Thanks for posting that link.
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uaeebs86
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by uaeebs86 »

WhitePuma wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2023 10:18 am Isn’t that a song by Creedence Clearwater Revival?
Yes, and it always reminds me of the Twilight Zone movie.

Want to see something really scary?
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Doom&Gloom
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by Doom&Gloom »

abner kravitz wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2023 10:25 am
WhitePuma wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2023 10:18 am Isn’t that a song by Creedence Clearwater Revival?
Among others, they covered it. It goes way back.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Special_(song)

In addition to the info in the linked Wikipedia entry, I have heard claims that it originated in prisons in Huntsville TX, Angola LA, and Parchman MS.
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tetractys
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by tetractys »

Thanks, that’s very cool! I remember the Wolfman! Back when he was an old guy, now the countenance in my memory is a young guy! 
JonFund
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by JonFund »

In the summer of 1976, a friend and I were visiting L.A., and we went to a live taping of "The Midnight Special". The guests were Aretha Franklin, Dr. Hook, and Lou Rawls. Aretha was amazing as always, but what we remember the most was Lou Rawls singing his hit at the time, "You'll Never Find (Another Love Like Mine)". The song was playing constantly on the radio every day, yet it took Lou about 3 or 4 takes during the show taping because he kept messing up the lyrics.
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baconavocado
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by baconavocado »

Thanks for this. No lip syncing and no dancing, hard to believe.
Pacific
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by Pacific »

Thanks a gadzillion for this. Boy does this bring back memories. This was in the day when one would put their hand up to their ear to make sure they were singing on tune. Check out the young BeeGees!
dcabler
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by dcabler »

Kagord wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2023 9:12 am The 70s, right before the TV stations played the National Anthem and shut down and Wolfman Jack was a thing, there was this gem, The Midnight Special. A time capsule of varied music from the era, most performances are not lip synced.

It's being re-released on YouTube a day at a time, not sure if this is actionable, but this is special...I'm sure there's quite a few on here who would enjoy selections from their genre immensely, so here you go....

https://www.youtube.com/@themidnightspe ... how/videos
Yes, been watching the videos on youtube for years...
kobbiemandd
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by kobbiemandd »

They would simulcast concerts on FM radio. I remember seeing (and hearing) Electric Light Orchestra and it really was like being at a concert.
surfinagin
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by surfinagin »

Thanks for the link -a blast from the past!
Kept scrolling down and finding more to listen to-
So many great songs forgotten by me -Chi Coltrane "Thunder And Lightning" for example!
Tdubs
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by Tdubs »

WhitePuma wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2023 10:18 am Isn’t that a song by Creedence Clearwater Revival?
Leadbelly made it a hit. Earlier versions too.
OpenMinded1
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by OpenMinded1 »

abner kravitz wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2023 10:16 am
Kagord wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2023 9:12 am The 70s, right before the TV stations played the National Anthem and shut down and Wolfman Jack was a thing, there was this gem, The Midnight Special. A time capsule of varied music from the era, most performances are not lip synced.

It's being re-released on YouTube a day at a time, not sure if this is actionable, but this is special...I'm sure there's quite a few on here who would enjoy selections from their genre immensely, so here you go....

https://www.youtube.com/@themidnightspe ... how/videos
Thanks, there were some great artists on that show, and the the lack of lip-syncing is wonderful and pretty rare for its time
Don Kirshner's Rock Concert is another rare-for-the-time example of live performances without lip-synching. This thread is taking me back. :happy
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Sandtrap
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by Sandtrap »

Johnny Rivers
1964
on YoutTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TXfcsFhc7A

It seemed that there was a time when anyone with a guitar was going to get asked to play this.

j :D
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vnatale
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by vnatale »

Sandtrap wrote: Sun Nov 19, 2023 9:07 am Johnny Rivers
1964
on YoutTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TXfcsFhc7A

It seemed that there was a time when anyone with a guitar was going to get asked to play this.

j :D
Thanks for that!

I put Johnny Rivers in the Most Underrated Performers category.
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
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Sandtrap
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Re: Does Anybody Remember The Midnight Special?

Post by Sandtrap »

vnatale wrote: Sun Nov 19, 2023 5:57 pm
Sandtrap wrote: Sun Nov 19, 2023 9:07 am Johnny Rivers
1964
on YoutTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TXfcsFhc7A

It seemed that there was a time when anyone with a guitar was going to get asked to play this.

j :D
Thanks for that!

I put Johnny Rivers in the Most Underrated Performers category.
+1
used to have all his albums/vinyl records

j🌺
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