Rock Concert

The reason that is not out on DVD is that several years back, Kirshner turned all the masters (reportedly they are in near pristine condition) over to a company called Historic Films, which is a historical archive organization. The footage is made available for a fee to Film and Television Producers, Ad Agencies, Corporate Producers, Feature Film Producers and Documentary Filmmakers as stock footage.

It sounds like, unless Historic Films agree to it, DVDs of Rock Concert will never be released. That is a shame because I lived and breathed for Saturday nights in the 70s when that show came on the tube. I would be the first in line to buy the DVDs if they ever were released. Rock Concert and the Midnight Special may be the only sources of quality footage of many of the 70s greatest rock bands.

So Sad...

In the days before MTV, this show along with "American Bandstand" and "The Midnight Special" was the only way for most fans of rock and r&b fans to see many of their favorite artists without going to a concert. Despite the boring intros by Don Kirschner (who acted as not only producer, but occasionally as host as well) this was one of the finest teen oriented shows on television. What made it especially great was that unlike "Bandstand", most of the bands actually performed live and didn't have to resort to the practice of lip synching. This show will always be one of the few bright spots of the 1970's music scene.

Growing up in the pre-MTV era, there was a slew of music video shows including "Rock Concert", "Night Flight", and others who wanted to transfer music to TV. This kind of show is what MTV and VH1 should have been. Every week Kirschner would give a little history of the band and the performance you were about to see then sit back and let the music roll. Some of my best Friday nights were spent watching this show... ;-)

I will be honest: as a kid I had NO IDEA who Don Kirshner was or why he would have to show his face on every episode. What I did find was the spoof of him on another of my favorite late night shows, "Saturday Night Live" extremely funny. that being said, its amazing when you get older you wish you knew then..what you know now.

What I know NOW is that Mr. Kirshner was the biggest mogul in the music industry and the television industry -- with many folks under his belt from Bobby Darin to the Monkees (okay, I was a kid and I loved these guys!), the Archies and running record label after record label and simultaneously President of Screen Gems, etc., etc. So placing his stamp on "Rock Concert" was not an ego thing, but an educational thing. And he brought a weekly series to late night TV that got us "into" the music.

This, along with "The Midnight Special" and "Saturday Night Live" defined the 70's generation. While placing this on DVD may be dated to some music fans of today, it should be done so many can see to whom the acts today obviously copied from. (Sampling, etc.) This show was exciting... raw...and for a kid like me who was NO WHERE near a legal age to get into rock clubs or go to concerts...this was the only access I had. I couldn't WAIT to get 18 and do the "circuit" in New York.

Watching Pat Benatar on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert was the defining moment for me. She was new, exciting -- and always at CBGB's in new York..a place I couldn't WAIT to go to -- or play in. Forget the GoGo's and the Bangles who were to come later - this was the lady to watch. Sadly by the time I got of age, CBGB's was gone....(at least I got to go to The Ritz..once!!!)MTV was in and many you know the rest of the story.

Don Kirshner's Rock Concert is another wonderful piece of music history that should be on DVD and a part of every music program in Colleges and Univerities..as well as the music fanatic's home.

Before the days of MTV, shows like "Rock Concert" provided a television venue where bands could be seen. Unlike some shows of the time, this show broadcasted live performances and often introduced viewers to bands which were never heard on top 40 radio (and seldom seen anywhere else on television).

Don Kirshner was the host of the program during most of its run. It is true that Kirshner's introductions usually came off a bit dry. Comedians at the time loved to poke fun at the way Don Kirshner spoke. However, regular viewers knew that Kirshner's introductions were often followed by musical performances which were both interesting and exciting! While many other music shows were intended to do nothing more than fill space in the television schedule, this series was truly inspired. For viewers who tuned into this series every week, it was more than a mere music show. It was an event. During the years and decades following the broadcast of the show's final episode, the series also became a fond memory!

Mr. Kirshner, thank you for this fantastic television show!