The Midnight Special Late Night TV

The Midnight Special was a weekly musical television series that aired during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Burt Sugarman and airing on NBC. It premiered as a special on August 19, 1972, then began its run as a regular series on February 2, 1973; its last episode was on May 1, 1981.http://www.midnightspecial.com/ (promotional site for the DVD re-issue) The ninety-minute program followed the Friday night edition of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

The program featured over 1,200 performers during its run. Some notable guest stars and hosts included America, Electric Light Orchestra, The Three Degrees, Peter Frampton, Brooklyn Dreams, Aerosmith, Elton John, Gary Wright, Ray Charles, James Brown, Bo Diddley, Rod Stewart, AC/DC, Tina Turner, Heart, Barry Manilow, Steve Martin, Van Morrison, Marvin Gaye, Janis Ian, Billy Joel, Todd Rundgren, Rick James, Aretha Franklin, David Bowie, Billy Crystal, Beach Boys, Diana Ross, B.B King, Kiss, Gordon Lightfoot, Andy Kaufman, Doobie Brothers, Cheap Trick, Richard Pryor, Cass Elliot, The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Village People, Wolfman Jack, Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Cars, Eddie Money, Blondie, Jim Croce, The Spinners, Dolly Parton, Fleetwood Mac, War, Bread (band) and ABBA.

The show mostly featured guest hosts, except for a period from July 1975 through March 1976 when Helen Reddy was the regular host. Wolfman Jack served as the announcer.

The show was noted for featuring musical acts performing live, which was unique since most television appearances during the era showed performers lip-synching to prerecorded music. The series also occasionally aired vintage footage of older acts (such as Bill Haley & His Comets).