The Midnight Special is a musical variety series that aired during the 1970s
and early 1980s on NBC-TV. It was created and produced by Burt Sugarman. It
debuted as a special on August 19, 1972, then began its run as a regular series
on February 2, 1973, with its last show airing on May 1, 1981. The ninety-minute
program followed the Friday night edition of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny
Carson.
The show mostly featured guest hosts, except for a period from July 1975 through
March 1976 when Helen Reddy was the regular host. Wolfman Jack served as the announcer. The theme song, a traditional folk song called "Midnight Special", was performed by Johnny Rivers. The Midnight Special was noted for featuring musical
acts performing live, rather then lip-synching to prerecorded music.
Helen Reddy hosting The midnight Special
The Wolfman on The midnight Special
