Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert
Just about every musical act from the 70s wanted to make an appearance on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert, and most of them succeeded. From 1973-1981, viewers stayed up late on Saturday nights in droves to tune in and watch some of the biggest names in rock and roll perform their music live on television.
Don Kirshner originally worked on an ABC series called In Concert, which would be the precursor to Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert. It was taped each week at Hempstead’s Hofstra University and featured such name acts as The Allman Brothers, Steve Miller and Alice Cooper.
When that show ended its run in 1973, Kirshner decided to try his own hand at hosting, despite a rather droll speaking style (later spoofed brilliantly by Paul Shaeffer on SNL), and the result was Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert, a 90-minute show in a time slot that would later be dominated by NBC’s Saturday Night Live.
The list of guests over the years read like a who’s who of rock and roll. The Rolling Stones appeared on the debut episode, and in the shows that followed, the likes of KISS, The Eagles, Rush, Kansas, The Ramones, Billy Joel, Blue Oyster Cult, Steely Dan, Harry Chapin, The Police, Jim Croce, Cheap Trick and David Bowie took their turns on the series.
None of the acts ever lip-synced on the show, and some gave truly memorable performances of their classic material.
https://youtu.be/9poP4iIFUKU?t=2m48s
The music industry thrived in the 70s, and Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert was one of the first to showcase their top artists in a live format on late-night television. The show will be forever remembered by legions of 70s rock fans who stayed up each weekend to catch some of the greatest musical acts of the time.
If you were one of these late-night viewers, I hope you’ll take a moment to share your memories of the show in our comments section.
Whoa!,,, what memories, growing up in the 70s…what a Trip,I remember partying like it was 1999 , I remember few things about my childhood but this show was the best!!! Rock& roll in my Soul!!!!!’
Yep, it seemed like there was always someone great booked on the show each week. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
YEAH! Thanks to Mr. Kirshner I was turned on to many bands like Foghat, Montrose, and the list goes on. I guess what happened was music became more than turning on the radio or buying an album at the music shop, it became a way to escape. Here right in front of you on your TV, was a band performing, what seemed at the time, just for you, a piece of music they had created. It just didn’t get any better than that, now did it? Peace brothers and sisters.
Wish there was a place to watch them online! But alas….none around to watch.
I remember seeing Grand Funk Railroad on Don K’s Rock Concert on A Saturday night…. It was Outta’ this world…. Saw so many but another that sticks out for me was the Black & Blue Tour Featuring Black Sabbath & Blue Oyster Cult… Maybe 1979…. Saturday nights at 1am…. Those were the days…….