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Don Kirshner's Rock Concert

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Don Kirshner's Rock Concert
Created byDon Kirshner
Starringvarious
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes230[2]
Production
Executive producerDon Kirshner
Running time90 minutes
Original release
NetworkSyndicated
ReleaseSeptember 27, 1973[1] –
1981

Don Kirshner's Rock Concert was a television music variety show that ran during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Don Kirshner and syndicated to television stations. It premiered on September 27, 1973 with a performance by the Rolling Stones; its last episode was in 1981[3].

Kirshner had been executive producer and "creative consultant" on ABC's "In Concert" series which debuted with two shows in November and December 1972 in the 11:30 p.m. time slot usually held by the Dick Cavett Show. The programs, taped at the Hofstra Playhouse at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., featured performances by Alice Cooper, Curtis Mayfield, Seals & Croft, Bo Diddley, the Allman Brothers, Chuck Berry, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and Poco. Their rating more than doubled the average rating of the Cavett show and even topped NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in some markets.

"In Concert" became a bi-weekly series in January 1973. "Right now, we have more artists than we know what to do with," Kirshner's music director Wally Gold told the Washington Post late in 1972. "We pay them scale to appear, which is way below what they usually get for a concert, but they know that the publicity is well worth it. So everyone wants to be on. We're getting hundreds of calls. At first, we had to beg the artists to appear. Now they're begging us."[4]

In September 1973, Kirshner left "In Concert" -- he received producing credits for three more shows -- to launch his own syndicated "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert." The premier, on September 27, 1973, featured the Rolling Stones, taped in London, in their first appearance on American TV in more than seven years.[5]

The program featured many of the popular performers of the day during its run. Other notable guests included the Eagles, Foghat, Kansas and The Allman Brothers Band.

The show was hosted by Kirshner up till the last season. His on-air delivery was described as flat by viewers; Paul Shaffer would often lampoon him in a convincing impersonation on Saturday Night Live. In its final season, the show was hosted by Kirshner's son and daughter.

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).

Partial list of performers

See Also

List of late night network TV programs

References

General refererence:

  • McNeil, Alexander M. (1980) Total Television, New York: Penguin Books, Ltd. ISBN 0-14-004911-8

Specific references:

  1. ^ http://www.tv.com/the-midnight-special/show/2974/summary.html&full_summary=1 TV.com detailed summary]
  2. ^ Rock Concert is bought by Historic Films, a 2001 Historic Films Library article]]
  3. ^ http://www.tv.com/don-kirshners-rock-concert/show/22405/summary.html (TV.com page)
  4. ^ Zito, Tom. "Televising rock," Washington Post, December 29, 1972, p. B1
  5. ^ O'Connor, John J. "'In Concert' man gathers Stones for new series," New York Times, September 27, 1973, p. 78
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