The Midnight Special - Season 5

First aired: 9/17/1976 21 episodes
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Episodes

1. Hosts: The Spinners

Aired: 9/17/1976

The Spinners (hosts) - ""I've Got to Make It on My Own,"" ""The Rubberband Man,"" ""Could It Be I'm Falling in Love"" and ""I Don't Want to Lose You""/""One of a Kind Love Affair"" medley. --Electric Light Orchestra - ""Showdown"" --England Dan and John Ford Coley - ""I'd Really Love to See You Tonight,"" ""Showboat Gambler"" & ""Nights Are Forever without You"" --Dr. Hook - ""A Little Bit More,"" ""Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms"" & ""Jungle to the Zoo"" (another source lists ""Only 16"" as the 2nd song) --Elton John and Kiki Dee - ""Don't Go Breakin' My Heart"" (probably a music video) --Junior Walker - ""What Does It Take?"" ""(I'm A) Road Runner,"" ""Shotgun"" & 'I'm So Glad"" --Midnight Special salute to Wolfman Jack (Wolfman Jack tells his own story: career as a DJ & clip from ""American Graffiti"")

3. Host: George Carlin

Aired: 10/1/1976

George Carlin (host) - does a few comedy monologues --Glen Campbell - ""When Will I Be Loved,"" ""Rhinestone Cowboy"" & ""Gentle on My Mind"" --Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots - ""Disco Duck"" --Lou Rawls - ""You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine,"" ""Groovy People"" & ""This Song Will Last Forever"" --Helen Reddy - ""Hold Me in Your Dreams Tonight,"" ""Mama"" & ""Get off Me Baby"" --Cliff Richard - ""Devil Woman"" --Midnight Special salute to Johnny Mathis

4. Host: James Brown

Aired: 10/8/1976

James Brown (host) - ""The Payback,"" ""Cold Sweat,"" ""Papa's Got a Brand New Bag"" & ""Please Please Please"" --Black Oak Arkansas - ""When The Band Was Shakin' All Over,"" ""Fistful of Love"" ""Love Comes Easy"" & ""Lord Have Mercy"" --Ruby Starr with Black Oak Arkansas - ""Maybe I'm Amazed"" --Alan (last name?) with Black Oak Arkansas - perform a tribute to Elvis Presley (""Love Me Tender,"" ""Shake Rattle & Roll,"" ""Jailhouse Rock,"" ""Hound Dog"" and ""Teddy Bear"" --The Brothers Johnson - ""Get the Funk out Ma Face"" & ""I'll Be Good to You"" --England Dan and John Ford Coley - ""I'd Really Love to See You Tonight"" & ""Nights Are Forever without You"" (from 17-Sep-76) --Walter Murphy - ""A Fifth of Beethoven"

5. Co-hosts: Jackie DeShannon & Johnny Rivers

Aired: 10/15/1976

Guests: --Jackie DeShannon (co-host) - ""Put a Little Love in Your Heart,"" ""When You Walk in the Room,"" ""Needles and Pins,"" ""What the World Needs Now"" & ""The Weight"" --Johnny Rivers (co-host) - ""Secret Agent Man,"" ""Seventh Son"", ""Poor Side of Town,"" ""Summer Rain"" & ""Tracks of My Tears."" --Jackie DeShannon & Johnny Rivers close the show singing ""What the World Need Now"" --The Byrds (from 2-Feb-1973) - ""Mr. Tambourine Man"" & ""So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star"" --Gerry and the Pacemakers - ""Ferry Cross the Mersey"" & ""Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying"" --Sam and Dave - ""Hold On I'm Coming"" & ""Soul Man"" --Steppenwolf - ""Born to be Wild"" --The Turtles - ""Happy Together"" --Midnight Special salute to Jan and Dean (features clips of their songs & interview with Dean)

6. Host: Helen Reddy

Aired: 10/22/1976

Helen Reddy (host) - ""Gladiola,"" ""Long Time Looking"" & ""I Am Woman"" --Helen Reddy - medley: ""Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress),"" ""Angie Baby"" and ""Delta Dawn"" --Franklin Ajaye (comedian) - monologue (re: training for the Olympics; personal hygiene; teenagers & dating.) --Martha Reeves - ""For the Rest of My Life"" and a medley of hits (""Jimmy Mack,"" ""Quicksand,"" ""Heat Wave"" and ""Dancing in the Streets"") --The Spinners - ""The Rubberband Man,"" ""I Don't Want to Lose you"" & ""One of a Kind Love Affair"" --Wild Cherry - ""Play That Funky Music,"" ""I Feel Sanctified"" & ""Hold On"" --Midnight Special salute to James Brown

7. Hosts: KC & the Sunshine Band

Aired: 10/29/1976

KC & the Sunshine Band - ""(Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty,"" ""That's the Way (I Like It),"" ""Get Down Tonight"" & ""Baby I Love You (Yes I Do)"" --ABBA - ""Fernando,"" ""Mamma Mia"" & ""S.O.S."" (might be music videos) --The Bay City Rollers - ""I Only Want to Be with You,"" ""Saturday Night"" & ""Rock 'n' Roller"" --Billy Braver (comedian) - monologue (re: unhappy childhood; shyness with girls; ex-wife) Later shows a picture of his missing uncle. --Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots - ""Disco Duck"" --Midnight Special salute to Gladys Knight & the Pips

14. Host: Tom Jones

Aired: 12/17/1976

Tom Jones (host) - ""Feel the Need"" --Glen Campbell - medley of Beach Boys songs --Tom Jones and Sly & the Family Stone - ""Everyday People"" --Tom Jones and Lynn Anderson - ""Don't Go Breakin' My Heart"" --Tom Jones - ""Delilah,"" ""Third Rate Romance,"" ""Why Me Lord,"" ""Get Back,"" ""Feelings,"" ""You Don't Have to Say You Love Me,"" ""Love Machine"" & ""Say You'll Stay until Tomorrow"" --Glen Campbell - ""Bloodline"" --Emerson, Lake & Palmer (on film) - ""I Believe in Father Christmas"" --Sly and the Family Stone - ""What I Was Thinkin' in My Head"" --Lynn Anderson - ""Stand by Your Man"" --Closing credits: Tom Jones - ""Say You'll stay till Tomorrow"" (reprise)

15. Million Sellers of 1976, Part 2

Aired: 1/7/1977

Million Sellers of 1976, Part 2 hosted by Wolfman Jack --The Commodores - ""Sweet Love"" --England Dan & John Ford Coley - ""I'd Really Love to See You Tonight"" --The Four Seasons - ""December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)"" --Henry Gross - ""Shannon"" --Elton John and Kiki Dee - ""Don't Go Breakin' My Heart"" --Hot Chocolate - ""You Sexy Thing"" --KC & the Sunshine Band - ""(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty,"" ""Get Down Tonight"" & ""That's the Way (I Like It)"" --Dorothy Moore - ""Misty Blue"" --Walter Murphy - ""A Fifth of Beethoven"" --Lou Rawls - ""You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine"" --The Staple Singers - ""Let's Do It Again"" --Gary Wright - ""Dream Weaver"

16. Host: Judy Collins

Aired: 1/21/1977

Judy Collins (host) - ""Send in the Clowns,"" ""Bread and Roses,"" ""Everything Must Change,"" ""Political Science"" & ""Special Delivery"" (another source listed the song ""Someday Soon"") --Brick - ""Dazz"" & ""That's What It's All About"" --Freddy Fender - ""Wasted Days and Wasted Nights,"" ""Before the Next Teardrop Falls,"" ""Living It Down"" and a Fifties medley. --Robert Palmer - ""Man Smart Woman Smarter"" & ""Gotta Get a Grip on You"" (Part II) --Leo Sayer - ""You Make Me Feel Like Dancing"" & ""When I Need You"" --Doc Severinsen - ""Melody Aria"" --Midnight Special salute to Rod Stewart

18. Host: Glen Campbell

Aired: 2/4/1977

Glen Campbell (host) - ""Southern Nights,"" ""Sunflower,"" ""For Crying' Out Loud,"" ""This Is (Sarah's Song),"" ""God Only Knows"" & ""Early Morning Song"" --ABBA - ""Fernando"" & ""Dancing Queen"" --David Dundas - ""Jeans On"" --Queen - ""Somebody to Love"" (probably a music video) --Seals & Crofts with Glen Campbell - ""Dust on My Saddle"" --Seals & Crofts - ""Goodbye Old Buddies"" & ""Cause You Love"" --Sly and the Family Stone - ""Heard Ya Missed Me Well I'm Back"" & ""What Was I Thinkin' in My Head"" --Midnight Special salute to the Spinners --On film: clip from the movie ""A Star Is Born"" --Closing credits: Glen Campbell - ""Southern Nights"" reprise

19. Hosts: The Electric Light Orchestra

Aired: 2/18/1977

Electric Light Orchestra (hosts) - "Livin' Thing," "Do Ya," "Telephone Line" & "Livin' Thing" --Electric Light Orchestra (on tape) - "Rock Aria" music video --Mary MacGregor - "Torn Between Two Lovers" & "I Just Want to Love You" --Don McLean - "Magdalene Lane," "Mule Skinner Blues" & "Cripple Creek" --George Miller (comedy monologue) - jokes about his childhood, friends, career, etc. --Santana - "Let the Music Set You Free," "Carnaval," "Let the Children Play" & "Jugando" --Santana (on tape) - "Give Me Love" --On film: clips from movie "Car Wash" with Rose Royce singing the title song.

21. Hosts: KC & the Sunshine Band

Aired: 3/4/1977

KC & the Sunshine Band - ""(Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty,"" ""Get Down Tonight,"" ""That's the Way (I Like It)"" and ""Baby I Love You"" --ABBA - ""Dancing Queen"" --Jose Feliciano - ""Every Woman"" & ""The Hungry Years"" --Heart - ""Magic Man,"" ""Dreamboat Annie (Fantasy Child),"" ""Crazy on You"" & ""White Lightning and Wine"" --Andy Kaufman - sings ""I Trusted You"" in a comedy song routine --Gordon Lightfoot (performance taped in Canada) - ""The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"" & ""Race Among the Ruins"" --On film: clips from ""Rocky"" starring Sylvester Stallone

22. Hosts: Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.

Aired: 3/18/1977

Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. (hosts) - ""You Don't Have to Be A Star,"" ""Your Love,"" ""I Hope We Get to Love in Time"" & ""Gone at Last"" --Themla Houston - ""Don't Leave Me This Way"" --Thelma Houston, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. - ""Proud Mary"" --Manfred Mann's Earth Band - ""Blinded by the Light"" & ""Spirit in the Night"" --Fleetwood Mac (in concert from the University of California) - ""Rhiannon,"" ""Say You Love Me,"" ""Go Your Own Way"" & ""So Afraid""

23. Host: Aretha Franklin

Aired: 3/25/1977

Aretha Franklin (host) - ""Respect,"" ""Hooked on Your Love,"" ""Sweet Passions,"" ""When I Think About You"" & ""Meadows of Springtime"" --The Babys - ""If You've Got the Time"" --Brian Cadd - ""White on White Eldorado"" & ""Heavenly Night in September"" --Glen Campbell - ""Southern Nights"" --Queen - ""Tie Your Mother Down"" (probably a music video) --Thin Lizzy - ""Jailbreak"" & ""Don't Believe a Word"" --Midnight Special salute to Neil Sedaka (Sedaka sings a medley of songs, talks about his career & shows clips from past appearances) --On film: movie clip from ""A Star Is Born"" with Barbra Streisand

25. Host: Gabe Kaplan

Aired: 4/8/1977

Gabe Kaplan (host) - does two comedy monologues. The first is about commercials for nose sprays; skin creams and a new deodorant for the ear. Second monologue is about the telephone, prank phone calls; blind dates --ABBA - ""Dancing Queen"" --James Darren & Hattie Winston - ""You Take My Heart Away"" --The Dirt Band - ""Fish Song"" & ""Disco Stomp"" --Rod Stewart - ""Tonight's the Night"" (taped in his home) & ""The First Cut Is the Deepest"" --Gary Wright - ""Water Sign"" & ""I'm Alright"" --Midnight Special salute to Judy Collins

26. Host: George Benson

Aired: 4/22/1977

Van Morrison sings "Moondance" (jam session with George Benson and other guests) --George Benson sings "Everything Must Change" and "Gonna Love You More" --Van Morrison - "Joyous Sound" --Etta James - "Tell Mama" --Carlos Santana & George Benson - "Breezin'" and "Valdez in the Country" (instrumental songs) --Midnight Special salute to Eric Clapton --Van Morrison - "Heavy Connection" & "Cold Wind in August" --Etta James & Dr. John - "I'd Rather be Blind" --Finale: Van Morrison - "Bring It on Home to Me"

27. British Rock hosted by Wolfman Jack

Aired: 4/29/1977

ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) - ""Do Ya,"" ""Rock Aria"" & ""Telephone Line"" --Salute to Elton John (narrated by Wolfman Jack) - includes clips of Elton John performing ""Bennie and the Jets"" & ""Philadelphia Freedom"" on ""Soul Train"" --Salute to Rod Stewart (narrated by Wolfman Jack) Music Videos / Promotional clips: --Queen - ""Bohemian Rhapsody,"" ""Somebody to Love"" & ""Tie Your Mother Down"" --Fleetwood Mac - ""Go Your Own Way"" & ""You Make Lovin' Fun"" --Genesis - ""Assault and Battery""

28. Host: Helen Reddy

Aired: 5/6/1977

-Helen Reddy (host) - ""You're My World,"" ""The Happy Girls,"" ""Midnight Skies"" & ""Aquarius Mirable"" --The Babys - If You've Got the Time,"" ""Looking for Love"" & ""Wild Man"" --James Brown - ""Get Up Offa That Thing"" & ""I Refuse to Lose"" --The Kinks - ""Sleepwaker"" & ""Juke Box Music"" --Kenny Rogers - ""Lucille"" & ""In and Out of Your Heart"" --The Sanford/Townsend Band - ""Smoke from a Distant Fire"" --Midnight Special salute to Jerry Lee Lewis

30. Host: Lou Rawls

Aired: 5/20/1977

Lou Rawls (host) - ""Some Folks Never Learn,"" ""See You When I Git There,"" ""Spring Again"" & ""Some Day You'll Be Old"" --Lou Rawls and Donna Summer - ""Swing Low Sweet Chariot"" --Sammy Davis (cameo, walk on) --Andrew Gold - ""Lonely Boy"" & ""Go Back Home Again"" --Gordon Lightfoot - ""Race Among the Ruins"" --Melanie - ""Cyclone"" --Leo Sayer - ""When I Need You"" & ""You Make Me Feel Like Dancing"" --Gino Vannelli - ""Summers of My Life"" --Midnight Special salute to Earth, Wind & Fire

31. Host: Neil Sedaka

Aired: 5/27/1977

Neil Sedaka (host) - ""Oh Carole,"" ""Tin Pan Alley,"" ""Amarillo,"" ""Hollywood Lady,"" ""Sleazy Love"" & ""Breaking Up Is Hard to Do"" --The Captain and Tennille - ""(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman"" --Kim Carnes - ""Sailin'"" --Judy Collins - ""Bread and Roses"" --Thelma Houston - ""Don't Leave Me This Way"" & ""If It's the Last Thing I Do"" --Janis Ian - ""I Want to Make You Love Me"" & ""Party Lights"" --Helen Reddy - ""You're My World"" & ""The Happy Girls"" --Salute to Joan Baez

32. Hosts: Bread

Aired: 6/3/1977

Bread (hosts) - "Lay Your Money Down" "The Chosen One" "She's the Only One" & "Lost Without Your Love" --England Dan and John Ford Coley - "It's Sad to Belong" & "Soldier in the Rain" --Andrew Gold - "Lonely Boy" & "Go Back Home Again" --Joni Mitchell - "Big Yellow Taxi" --Eddie Rabbitt - "Rocky Mountain Music" --Johnny Rivers - "Slow Dancin'" --Valentine - "Take You Back" & "I've Got It" --Salute to Kenny Rogers