Probably the only time The Strawbs were EVER on American television. This was during the period that MS still featured very unique weekly lineups of musical guests, unlike a few short years later.
I applaud the eclectic grouping of this particular episode, with it's jazz, (and bits of big brother, Blues) tinged set from a wide array of artists. This time capsule may not be the hits package many seek, but I certainly appreciate a snippet of yesteryear. 🇨🇦
Bonnie was a Major talent who didn't get to achieve her potential. Her scatting and phrasing are Brilliant. She does sound like Ester Phillips. Love this performance!
I was wondering myself after seeing that guitarist who looks like Robbie Krieger. What a pleasant surprise!🙂 It would have been great if Wolfman Jack had mentioned them previously.
I see some folks complain about the lineup for this show but I kind of like the fact you see some lesser known acts in their prime. Strawbs, Focus, Dan Hicks, Crusaders are all good in their own way. I like that they showcased a lot of different music genres every week.
@@groovedohg I did read Your comment, that's why I added a comment. Mondays Member Only Page is, Hosted by Billy Preston, guest appearances are. Jeff Beck, Labelle, Rufus ft. Chaka Khan, Tonto, Ollie Brown, Max Middleton, Buddy Miles, Willy Weeks, and Wolfman Jack.
I'm loving watching this series there's always something great to watch and you capture bands in their prime in a great live setting with appreciative audiences .. thanks for all your postings
Man, I remember being around 10 I watched the Pointer Sisters when there were four 'sisters'. They were so funky and original! Both they and the Manhattan Project were so dynamic.
I remember seeing this one air. I already had the Strawbs album Hero and Herione and the Hocus Pocus single, but I was taken by the absolutely manic Thijs Van Leer on this performance, along with seeing Jan Aackerman. Van Leer’s vocal gymnastics and range are impressive. Strawbs were at their peak here, too.
Wow this episode is epic for musicianship….wow where the music business? Oh, yeah it ate itself, so sad. Look at these groups, all so different, but showed off it’s unique differences so great.
Looks like another grand trip in the Way Back Machine! The Vocals of the Pointer Sisters, Focus, as noted by Grand Funk "Is insane", Billy Paul, Dan Hicks, The Crusaders, The Strawbs, I know I've heard their works, but my old fart brain will require a refresh, LOL! Can't hardly wait!!
Looks like another good lineup for the next episode from March 22, 1974. It was hosted by Bill Withers, and also features appearances from Cliff de Young, Bobby Womack, Buddy Miles, Rory Gallagher, Melissa Manchester, and Montrose.
That's great you finally got to see it and hopefully can see it here on youtube again and again if you want to. I go through that with old movies that I want to see again or for the first time so I know about the anticipation of waiting for something.
@@larryduplechan3546 Wow, and you've been wanting to see it again since youtube started posting them I assume. I'm a pretty big fan of Olivia Newton-John's and they have now started posting early performances of hers in good quality. I really enjoy them. I didn't really watch Midnight Special until the late 70's because I was a kid and didn't stay up that late then. I need to watch the ones that are posted though. I have watched a few.
A young Larry Carlton on guitar with the Crusaders. I can't wait for Rory Gallagher on the next show. In the chat they asked who the singer of The Butts Band was. His name is Jess Roden and he had his funk soul rock band in the 70s called the Jess Roden Band.
Great to see Dan Hicks playing at 15:00 and 56:00! The studio band does a great job behind him too! The bass player looks a little like Jaime Leopold - could it be?
Dude, the pointers section at 52 mins or so…. So interesting to me that some of those harmonies during that medley the slow parts remind me of some early queen tracks as well the genres all over the board. Tell me freddie did you love the pointer sisters? I’m sure he loved it. I can even hear parts like bohemian rh. would have and then all the rag timmy show tune type styles like seaside rendezvous etc.
So that's Robbie Krieger and John Densmore of The Doors with The Butts Band, who I'd never heard of I'm embarrassed to say. Will have to Google them now.
The band formed in England with former Bronco vocalist Jess Roden. Ray Manzarek was initially in it too. But didn't like living in the UK and quit before they recorded the album.
This was the second time Focus performed on the Midnight Special. They did the same 2 songs. I thought the Pointer Sisters were great as host. This was very entertaining.
Surprised that Pink Floyd, Yes and Jethro Tull didnt appear on TMS given that King Crimson and Genesis etc did. Prog bands that were in their prime at the time like Barclay James Harvest and Moodie Blues would also have been good additions. Would also loved to have seen The Pretty Things when they were at their peak in 1974 make an appearance given that they were touring USA at that time. Other bands that I would have loved to have seen on the show are Grand Funk, Blue Oyster Cult, Hawkwind and even Led Zeppelin
Wow, the Butts Band was a surprise!! Maybe their name did them in, I don't know. They were good though, as were the Sisters, and Billy Paul...all of the bands! 😎
haha the audience is so hip that on 'yes we can' they are actually clapping on the offbeats- and in double time! you would never be able to get people to do that now. fellow musicians might know what I mean.😉
She took periodic absences from the group during the 70's because of personal struggles she was dealing with. Sadly, these would haunt her for the rest of her days.......
Would have thought the Butts Band were the ones who sang 1975s “The Bertha Butt Boogie” funk song? Learned it was the Jimmy Castor Bunch band - it achieved #16 on the US pop chart & #22 on US R&B chart. Anyone else remember it and it’s zany lyrics? 🤪 “The party was jumping When Bertha got off of her stump The whistles were blowing And everybody did the bump But all the time Bertha Had been working on a goodie Now folks call it the Bertha Butt Boogie When Bertha got moving Her hips were humming in the wind The ground started shaking No grass grew where she'd been” 😂
I don’t remember that one but I do remember Joe Tex’s song (Ain’t going to bump no more) when the bump dance was super popular in the mid seventies. I’ll have to look that one up.
@@curtisphilumalee1447 Haha! I LOVE that song & dancing the “bump” at the disco, it gave me bruised hips. “She came over to me, snatched me out of my seat She wanted to get on down, still wanna get on down I told her to go on and leave me alone I ain't gettin' down You done hurt my hip once” “I ain't gonna bump no more with no big fat woman” So dang funny!! 😀
I took a listen to the Bertha song and can say I honestly never heard it before. Pretty wild lyrics that caused me to giggle. Yeah Joe Tex’s song at the time was being played more in the roller skating rinks and disco dances than on radio. At the time I really never thought about it but now I listen to it and it cracks me up.
@@AldousHuxleysCat Thank you! For mentioning the Cave Man song “Sock it to me - Sock it to me - Her Name Was Bertha, Bertha Butt, She Was One Of The Butt Sisters” 😂 😆 that’s the tune I remember from my youth, the lyrics “she was one of the Butt Sisters” stood out to me and I haven’t heard it since - until now. Just watched Jimmy’s smokin’ hot FUNK version, what a song and what a performer!! 😎
Both albums by The Butts Band are NOT available on Apple iTunes. I bet the reel to reel master tapes were damaged & burned by the Universal Studios fire in California between June 1 till June 8, 2008. Too bad.
The Focus tracks (And dates) are confusing. On the Gladys Knight an Pips full episode on 05 Oct 1973, Focus played 4 songs including the 2 songs played here. They are the same performances. Can someone tell me if the performances were from 1973 or 1974
This is the best episode for me. I'm just curious about that guitar that Focus guitarist used. It looks like Les Paul, and it is a Gibson, but if you look closely there is a lot of different stuff on there. The fretboard ending is slanted, the cutout is rounded and not pointy etc.
The Pointer Sisters were embarassing in their early years, with this 1940s-style bebop act. Yet it caught on and they were later on The Carol Burnett Show a few times. Ruth, Anita, and Bonnie Pointer all improved by their third album in 1975 -- going with soul and funk along with the R & B. Of course none of that is anything compared to what they were doing in the 1980s. "I'm So Excited" is their best-known song, and it still holds up well in this century!
Embarrassing? That's a matter of opinion. Actually, they had 6 singles that charted higher than I'm So Excited. Both Fire and Slow Hand reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The remix of I'm So Excited peaked at #9. But you are right about their 80s output. I love that stuff.
I always have liked the Pointer Sisters ever since I was a little child .
OMG....Hocus Pocus......that dudes voice is unreal.....can't get enough....never gets old....amazing....one of my all time favorites...Focus
Incredible to see The Butts Band !!! I’m bought that album when it came out and became a life long Jess Roden (singer) fan… he’s English you know …
Man, hats off to him. He was really nailing those vocals!
Amazing timing, I've been on a vintage Pointer Sisters run for a few days now. Pitch a wang dang doodle, y'all!!!!🎉🎉🎉
Only The Sisters can make counting funky
ruclips.net/user/results?search_query=sesame+street+pointer+sisters+12
Probably the only time The Strawbs were EVER on American television. This was during the period that MS still featured very unique weekly lineups of musical guests, unlike a few short years later.
very hot to have Strawbs, also PFM and Focus , some place for prog bands was very appreciate....
Great weren't they
They were on there again in 1975, when The Midnight Special did a couple of shows at The University Of Chicago
Same with Status Quo
Back when they were really using a Mellotron, and what a use of it! Two of their darkest songs, though.
More than 50 years ago. Time flies!
I have been waiting to see this for so long. Thanks for the upload in great quality. I'm a huge Pointer Sisters fan.
I applaud the eclectic grouping of this particular episode, with it's jazz, (and bits of big brother, Blues) tinged set from a wide array of artists. This time capsule may not be the hits package many seek, but I certainly appreciate a snippet of yesteryear.
🇨🇦
Bonnie was a Major talent who didn't get to achieve her potential. Her scatting and phrasing are Brilliant. She does sound like Ester Phillips. Love this performance!
Billy Paul could really give it some, what a performer.
I can't wait for The Midnight Special.
Kreiger & Densmore after The Doors? Total surprise!
I was wondering myself after seeing that guitarist who looks like Robbie Krieger. What a pleasant surprise!🙂 It would have been great if Wolfman Jack had mentioned them previously.
I knew they put out albums after Jim passed, but I never heard of the Butt's Band until now
☆☆☆☆♤☆☆☆☆ruclips.net/video/4t2Q3sN4ORw/видео.htmlsi=6SYJC9V0eV62eLKc
And they have a Chinese American bassist.
@@redhorse6652actually Jamaican-British of Chinese descent
The Pointer Sisters “Yes We Can Can” is top 20 deepcut funky baselines.
Allen Toussaint composition.
Do you mean "basslines"?
I see some folks complain about the lineup for this show but I kind of like the fact you see some lesser known acts in their prime. Strawbs, Focus, Dan Hicks, Crusaders are all good in their own way. I like that they showcased a lot of different music genres every week.
They sound just as good as the top ten bands. Sometimes the Top Ten was decided by Corporate policy and promotion, not quality.
Hey man I like to see everybody because that's how I get turned down to new music. Every band on the show I thought was great.
I see nothing wrong with the line up, especially The Strawbs and Focus. They might be the only reason I'd watch :-)
Wow, I don't remember the Strawbs being on the MS. Fantastic band in their Prog-rock prime with Hero and Heroine.
Yes, brilliant!
Pointer Sisters were so pretty and could sing too!
Can't wait, The Midnight Special!
Those Pointer sisters! Wow! So talented!
Tops for me-The Pointer Sisters and Focus!
The pointer sisters are the bomb
Next week Bill Withers, and Montrose. Hard rock and oldies soul. Does it get any better?
Come on Man!!!! No mention of Rory? Shame on you ;)
@@groovedohg And let's not forget Rory Gallagher!
@@DannyHaralson-ol1io Read above. I already mentioned the omission. Who's on Members tommorow?
@@groovedohg I did read Your comment, that's why I added a comment. Mondays Member Only Page is, Hosted by Billy Preston, guest appearances are. Jeff Beck, Labelle, Rufus ft. Chaka Khan, Tonto, Ollie Brown, Max Middleton, Buddy Miles, Willy Weeks, and Wolfman Jack.
@@DannyHaralson-ol1io Its the Ted Nugent hosted show with Thin Lizzy, Golden Earring etc that I am holding out for
I'm loving watching this series there's always something great to watch and you capture bands in their prime in a great live setting with appreciative audiences .. thanks for all your postings
Oakland's own: The Pointer Sisters
best channel ever
Wow. The Pointer Sisters were great. Too bad I've only known them when they got into disco. 😞
I wonder if Focus completely blew the minds of ppl in the audience.
Probably the people at home watching as well
Man, I remember being around 10 I watched the Pointer Sisters when there were four 'sisters'. They were so funky and original! Both they and the Manhattan Project were so dynamic.
I never missed Midnight Special but I know for a fact I missed this one. I joined the USAF on March 13 so this was my second day of basic training.
You're excused.
The Pointers close the show with a smoking rendition of the Howlin' Wolf/Koko Taylor standard "Wang Dang Doodle".
I remember seeing this one air. I already had the Strawbs album Hero and Herione and the Hocus Pocus single, but I was taken by the absolutely manic Thijs Van Leer on this performance, along with seeing Jan Aackerman. Van Leer’s vocal gymnastics and range are impressive. Strawbs were at their peak here, too.
Focus, The Pointer Sisters how amazing is that?
Wow this episode is epic for musicianship….wow where the music business? Oh, yeah it ate itself, so sad. Look at these groups, all so different, but showed off it’s unique differences so great.
Looks like another grand trip in the Way Back Machine! The Vocals of the Pointer Sisters, Focus, as noted by Grand Funk "Is insane", Billy Paul, Dan Hicks, The Crusaders, The Strawbs, I know I've heard their works, but my old fart brain will require a refresh, LOL! Can't hardly wait!!
Hocus pocus by focus
The concert was the bomb
The pointer sisters are the most talented group of women in history
I don't know much abought these people. I'll be here to watch the premiere. 👍
Focus were brilliant on this !
Jan Akkerman a total monster on his guitar.
I watched every one of these first someone TV was the best shows ever
Im here for the Pointer Sisters and Dan Hicks
Looks like another good lineup for the next episode from March 22, 1974. It was hosted by Bill Withers, and also features appearances from Cliff de Young, Bobby Womack, Buddy Miles, Rory Gallagher, Melissa Manchester, and Montrose.
I have been waiting and hoping you would post this episode. Thank you!
That's great you finally got to see it and hopefully can see it here on youtube again and again if you want to. I go through that with old movies that I want to see again or for the first time so I know about the anticipation of waiting for something.
@@edgefan4437 , got to see it AGAIN: I saw it in 1974.
@@larryduplechan3546 Wow, and you've been wanting to see it again since youtube started posting them I assume. I'm a pretty big fan of Olivia Newton-John's and they have now started posting early performances of hers in good quality. I really enjoy them. I didn't really watch Midnight Special until the late 70's because I was a kid and didn't stay up that late then. I need to watch the ones that are posted though. I have watched a few.
Fantástic!
Focus and Strawbs, THAT'S why we love TMS.
A young Larry Carlton on guitar with the Crusaders. I can't wait for Rory Gallagher on the next show. In the chat they asked who the singer of The Butts Band was. His name is Jess Roden and he had his funk soul rock band in the 70s called the Jess Roden Band.
Cool! Didn't know that was Larry.
If I was the keyboardist for the Butts band I would've immediately started playing Light my Fire once their song ended!
Haha! Good One! 🔥🔥🔥
FOCUS be Jammin’!!!😲🤩
Great to see Dan Hicks playing at 15:00 and 56:00! The studio band does a great job behind him too! The bass player looks a little like Jaime Leopold - could it be?
Great Show...excited for Rory Gallagher next week 👏
Dude, the pointers section at 52 mins or so…. So interesting to me that some of those harmonies during that medley the slow parts remind me of some early queen tracks as well the genres all over the board. Tell me freddie did you love the pointer sisters? I’m sure he loved it. I can even hear parts like bohemian rh. would have and then all the rag timmy show tune type styles like seaside rendezvous etc.
Love the Dan Hicks as well, big fan.
Focus was completely above and beyond the skills of 99% of popular music groups, then and far more so now.
Y'all encoded these video very well.
So that's Robbie Krieger and John Densmore of The Doors with The Butts Band, who I'd never heard of I'm embarrassed to say. Will have to Google them now.
Yeah, pretty big surprise!!
I was wondering about that guitarist who looks like Robbie Krieger. It would have been great if Wolfman Jack had mentioned them previously.
The band formed in England with former Bronco vocalist Jess Roden. Ray Manzarek was initially in it too. But didn't like living in the UK and quit before they recorded the album.
@@henryhoward8341 That's amazing! What might have been...
Their 1st album is fantastic....look it up on RUclips. 2nd album was a complete change of direction and DUD
Focus and Strawbs for me. I had high expectations for the Butts Band. Big fan of vocalist Jess Roden (formally in the UK band Bronco).
Ruth is missing. Corrections: I meant June.
@@woohooboy dang, you're right. i meant June. 🙂
It was on too late for me in 1974. 😅 caught glimpses though once in a while.
Jan Akkerman is a severely underrated guitarist.
Love the PS’ colorful outfits!
Not enough Crusaders. They killed it. Some of the best players in the business.
In 1974 I was 14 years old and I used to fantasized about being with all three Pointer Sisters after seeing this Episode
always were a class act proved by the fabulous version of black coffee
This version of Hocus Pocus was slightly different edit than I remembered
Strawbs, really had a Cat Stephens sound going on there
This was the second time Focus performed on the Midnight Special. They did the same 2 songs. I thought the Pointer Sisters were great as host. This was very entertaining.
Yeah. I have also mentioned it in the comments here. They appeared on G;adys Knight episode on 5 Oct 73 and played 4 songs. Its confusing.
Surprised that Pink Floyd, Yes and Jethro Tull didnt appear on TMS given that King Crimson and Genesis etc did. Prog bands that were in their prime at the time like Barclay James Harvest and Moodie Blues would also have been good additions. Would also loved to have seen The Pretty Things when they were at their peak in 1974 make an appearance given that they were touring USA at that time. Other bands that I would have loved to have seen on the show are Grand Funk, Blue Oyster Cult, Hawkwind and even Led Zeppelin
1:38
“These brown babies gonna boogie for you”!
Love The Pointer Sisters. I wonder why June was not there.
June was gone for able 6 month when they first start due to stress.
The Blue Thumb Records' Day!
I picked that up as well. The Pointers and Crusaders
And the second Butts Band LP.
Wow, I don't recognize a lot of these folks! It will be an educational episode!😸 I do know The Pointer Sisters, though!🎉😄💜
Focus on Hocus Pocus. 😉
The Midnight Special educates as well as entertains.
@@gregoryduncan3067 Indeed! 😊
Wow, the Butts Band was a surprise!! Maybe their name did them in, I don't know. They were good though, as were the Sisters, and Billy Paul...all of the bands! 😎
The group Focus 2 song performances were repeated on Episode 36 (Gladys Knight & The Pips were the host)!!!
The Butts band featuring Robbie Krieger from The Doors! Wow.
The Butts Band with Robby Krieger and John Densmore from The Doors
haha the audience is so hip that on 'yes we can' they are actually clapping on the offbeats- and in double time! you would never be able to get people to do that now. fellow musicians might know what I mean.😉
Fab drummer
Half of The Doors in the Butts band!
11:21 Man does this bring back memories.I was 14 when Billy did this song
I've always thought that the house of the king was a song that Ian Anderson wished he'd had written
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a weekly series where various artists could just strut their stuff like this?
Focus "13" just came out!!
TGIF!!!
🤘
‘Hocus Pocus” by Focus.
No entertainment like this anymore
Butts Band!!
❤ Aguardando
WEATHER REPORT PLEASE
No June 😢.
She took periodic absences from the group during the 70's because of personal struggles she was dealing with. Sadly, these would haunt her for the rest of her days.......
Producers told Focus they'd have to play a shorter version of Hocus Pocus. Focus said no, we'll just play the song faster. lol (True story.)
Was that larry Carlten playing for the Crusaders?
Would have thought the Butts Band were the ones who sang 1975s “The Bertha Butt Boogie” funk song? Learned it was the Jimmy Castor Bunch band - it achieved #16 on the US pop chart & #22 on US R&B chart. Anyone else remember it and it’s zany lyrics? 🤪
“The party was jumping
When Bertha got off of her stump
The whistles were blowing
And everybody did the bump
But all the time Bertha
Had been working on a goodie
Now folks call it the
Bertha Butt Boogie
When Bertha got moving
Her hips were humming in the wind
The ground started shaking
No grass grew where she'd been” 😂
I don’t remember that one but I do remember Joe Tex’s song (Ain’t going to bump no more) when the bump dance was super popular in the mid seventies.
I’ll have to look that one up.
@@curtisphilumalee1447
Haha! I LOVE that song & dancing the “bump” at the disco, it gave me bruised hips.
“She came over to me, snatched me out of my seat
She wanted to get on down, still wanna get on down
I told her to go on and leave me alone
I ain't gettin' down
You done hurt my hip once”
“I ain't gonna bump no more with no big fat woman”
So dang funny!! 😀
I took a listen to the Bertha song and can say I honestly never heard it before. Pretty wild lyrics that caused me to giggle.
Yeah Joe Tex’s song at the time was being played more in the roller skating rinks and disco dances than on radio. At the time I really never thought about it but now I listen to it and it cracks me up.
The Bertha song was a follow-up to an earlier song called Troglodyte.
@@AldousHuxleysCat
Thank you! For mentioning the Cave Man song “Sock it to me - Sock it to me - Her Name Was Bertha, Bertha Butt, She Was One Of The Butt Sisters” 😂 😆 that’s the tune I remember from my youth, the lyrics “she was one of the Butt Sisters” stood out to me and I haven’t heard it since - until now. Just watched Jimmy’s smokin’ hot FUNK version, what a song and what a performer!! 😎
Both albums by The Butts Band are NOT available on Apple iTunes. I bet the reel to reel master tapes were damaged & burned by the Universal Studios fire in California between June 1 till June 8, 2008. Too bad.
Where is June Pointer during this performance? Anyone know?
June had to sit out for a bit because she was worked so hard to the point where she had a mental breakdown.
@@loribrown4129 Wow!😮
Jan Akkerman, focus on the 🎸
Master.
Also, The Pointer Sisters are pretty hot.
Whos on the members episode this monday?
The Focus tracks (And dates) are confusing. On the Gladys Knight an Pips full episode on 05 Oct 1973, Focus played 4 songs including the 2 songs played here. They are the same performances. Can someone tell me if the performances were from 1973 or 1974
I'm surprised that "Hero and Heroine" made it on the air, given that it's clearly about heroin addiction. Spellbinding song from a great album.
Larry Carlton! George Duke! win win
I saw both Larry and George. Met George.
It was nice of Jesus to fill in on the drums after Hudson left.
This is the best episode for me. I'm just curious about that guitar that Focus guitarist used. It looks like Les Paul, and it is a Gibson, but if you look closely there is a lot of different stuff on there. The fretboard ending is slanted, the cutout is rounded and not pointy etc.
Did he use Hagstroms?
@@jsims149 The body shure looks like Hagstrom, but look at the headstock on 41:02
The Pointer Sisters were embarassing in their early years, with this 1940s-style bebop act. Yet it caught on and they were later on The Carol Burnett Show a few times. Ruth, Anita, and Bonnie Pointer all improved by their third album in 1975 -- going with soul and funk along with the R & B. Of course none of that is anything compared to what they were doing in the 1980s. "I'm So Excited" is their best-known song, and it still holds up well in this century!
Embarrassing? That's a matter of opinion. Actually, they had 6 singles that charted higher than I'm So Excited. Both Fire and Slow Hand reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The remix of I'm So Excited peaked at #9. But you are right about their 80s output. I love that stuff.
Where is June Pointer during this performance? Anyone know?
Embarrassing to you maybe. The 1940s image worked.
@@zibbyzubbThank you, that’s their opinion. 🙄 One of my favorites was “Chick on the side”. They sang that song.
BS. This era of their career was wonderful