Back in August of 1972, the pilot for a new TV show aired. The premise of the pilot was a get-out-the vote message to young people. The shows creator was Burt Sugarman, who at 84, was still kicking as of this writing. The pilot show’s host was the late John Denver. The show was called The Midnight Special. Other guests on that pilot show included The Everly Brothers (both gone), War, The Isley Brothers, the late Harry Chapin, Linda Ronstadt, the late Helen Reddy, David Clayton-Thomas (who is also still alive), the late Cass Elliot and Argent
Despite the theme of the pilot show, the messaging was much more balanced than it is today. Mama Cass stated “I don’t think it’s so important who you vote for. You vote for who you believe in. But, the important thing is to vote, because it’s our way and it’s the best way. And that’s why I’m here and why you’re here too.” John Denver agreed. The audience applauded. How refreshing compared to the group-vote political messaging from all in pop culture today.
While the pilot for the Midnight Special included several big hits, such as War’s “Slipping into Darkness,” Linda Ronstadt’s “Long Long Time,” John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Roads,” Argent’s “Hold Your Head Up,” Helen Reddy’s “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” Harry Chapin’s “Taxi,” Denver and Cass singing “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” The Everly Brother’s “All I Have to Do is Dream,” and Denver’s “Goodbye Again,” there were also other songs that were not as memorable.
It is mindboggling to see this line up of artists on one show. Although Wolfman Jack was not on that first show, he still made a couple of cameo appearances referring to the following show’s guest line-up and a message talking about the pilot show recorded sometime afterwards. Even the well-known theme song was not a part of the show. Still, it was a part of music and television history. Burt Sugarman had created a platform that brought the greatest musical performers of the time together every week for the greatest musical TV show. I for one, never missed it.
