The early
70s. Before
MTV, before widespread
cable, there were attempts to cash in on the
brand-spanking-new rock market, with late-night
TV shows.
ABC had
In Concert, ninety minutes of tour footage from various bands.
NBC had
The Midnight Special, taped in a TV studio, hosted by
Wolfman Jack.
Don Kirshner's Rock Concert was
syndicated, and Kirshner added to his legend by choosing the un
telegenic Don Kirshner to host it.
This new attention to the youth market was a mixed blessing: the new medium of arena rock meant an explosion of touring careerists. Black Oak Arkansas' "Jim Dandy" was good, but who wanted to see their whole set? (Not me). And who wanted to see Elvin Bishop at all? (Not me).
But there might be something to stay up for: The Faces, the Mahavishnu Orchestra... Curtis Mayfield! The Ramones! David Bowie and The Cars got carte blanche on The Midnight Special. Eventually, producers became LCD-minded, resulting in dross like Solid Gold, free of Big Stay-Up Late Moments like seeing Johnny, Tommy, Joey, and Dee Dee storm the mainstream bastion of Kirshner's show, or seeing Suicide and Iggy Pop on The Midnight Special.