This is an unusual episode in a few different ways. The vast majority of the episodes were filmed in the same location, in the Los Angeles area, and featured one host plus a handful of guests. But this one was entirely filmed in Russell's personal recording studio, called the Church Studio (because it was inside a former church), in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It also had just one other musical act, the Gap Band. Furthermore, the Gap Band didn't just play a couple of their own songs, as usual. Instead, Russell and the Gap Band played together on every song. But Russell sang most of the songs, while the Gap Band only sang lead on two, while they also dominated one instrumental. Furthermore, there was no audience whatsoever, no doubt due to the unusual location.
I believe the reason for all of these unusual aspects is because the Midnight Special production crew went to this part of the country in order to film an episode that took place at a special Willie Nelson's Fourth of July concert that year. Russell was one of the stars of that, so the show people probably figured they could record another episode with Russell while they were in the area. The concert episode aired the week right after this one, and was also hosted by Russell. I'll get to posting that one eventually. I only know the broadcast date for this episode. But I'll bet the actual recording date was close to the date of the concert.
The Gap Band got to be pretty famous, due to a series of hits in the late 1970s and through most of the 1980s. But at the time of this concert in 1974, they were complete unknowns. They were formed in Tulsa in 1967, with lead singer Charlie Wilson and his two brothers as the core. However, they didn't have success until 1974, when they were the backing band for Russell's studio album that year, "Stop All That Jazz." He signed them to his record label, Shelter Records, and let them record their debut album in his studio, the same exact studio where this performance took place. However, the resulting album, "Magicians Holiday," didn't get any traction at all. It didn't make the U.S. album chart, and none of the singles from it made any singles chart either. It would be three more years before they released another album, and that one would come out on another label. So it seems their association with Russell only lasted around 1974.
The music here is unreleased. The sound quality is excellent.
01 talk (Leon Russell)
02 Delta Lady (Leon Russell with the Gap Band)
03 talk (Wolfman Jack)
04 Alcatraz - Going Back (Leon Russell with the Gap Band)
05 talk (Leon Russell)
06 Smashed (Leon Russell with the Gap Band)
07 talk (Leon Russell)
08 Streakers Ball (Leon Russell with the Gap Band)
09 talk (Leon Russell)
10 Magicians Holiday (Gap Band with Leon Russell)
11 Queen of the Roller Derby - Roll Away the Stone (Leon Russell with the Gap Band)
12 Tommy's Groove [Instrumental] (Gap Band with Leon Russell)
13 Ain't That Peculiar (Leon Russell & the Gap Band)
14 Tight Rope (Leon Russell with the Gap Band)
15 You Can Always Count on Me (Gap Band with Leon Russell)
16 talk (Wolfman Jack)
17 Delta Lady [Reprise] (Leon Russell with the Gap Band)
NOTE: I currently am unable to add PixelDrain links. But I will add one here once I am able again.
https://bestfile.io/en/E6llSkNMUJhfmvK/file
This cover image is a screenshot I took of a YouTube video of this exact concert. I couldn't find an image with more members of the Gap Band, especially lead singer Charlie Wilson, since they were spread out all over the studio. But at least I got Russell (at the bottom with long light hair) with the bassist and some backing vocalists.
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ReplyDeleteThank you
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year fellow ATSE travelers, and here's to a happy, healthy and peaceful 2026!
ReplyDeletePaul, thank you so much for sharing all of this incredible music. I am especially psyched that you posted Leon Russell and the Gap Band performance from the Midnight special and will look forward to you posting the second Midnight Special episode that Leon hosted.
I am a big fan of Leon Russell and was interested in finding the actual date of this Midnight Special performance. Although I was not successful in finding the actual recording date, I was able to narrow it down and determine the broadcast dates of both Midnight Special episodes.
The following is the list of dates that Leon Russell & The Gap Band played in July 1974 :
Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV, Monday July 1, 1974
Berry Park, Wentzville, MO, Thursday July 4, 1974
Texas World Speedway, College Station, TX Friday July 5, 1974
Tad Gormley Stadium, New Orleans, LA Saturday July 6, 1974
Orange Bowl, Miami, FL Sunday July 7, 1974
Fairgrounds Speedway, Nashville, TN Sunday July 14, 1974
Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, NY Wednesday July 17, 1974
Dome Arena, Henrietta, NY Thursday July 18, 1974
Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA Friday July 19, 1974
All Sports Stadium, Oklahoma City, OK Saturday July 27, 1974
In Bill Janovitz biography, Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time's Journey Through Rock & Roll History, on page 917-918 is the following entry:
ReplyDeleteLeon and the Gap Band toured North America for four months, from May through August. Leon made sure he stopped off at Willie Nelson's second annual Fourth of July picnic. Leon Russell is billed as Master of Ceremonies on the concert poster.
This one was filmed, and it's like a Texas Woodstock. The list of artists who performed over three days is mind-boggling; Randy Newman, Lefty Frizzell, Townes Van Zandt, Bill Monroe, Billy Joe Shaver, B.W. Stevenson, Doug Kershaw. Waylon Jennings
On page 921 of the same biography is the following entry:
Later that month, Leon hosted back to back episodes of the weekly Midnight Special television program.
The July 26 show featured him and the GAP band, previously filmed at the Church studios.
"They wanted Leon, and Leon said, "Yeah, I'll do it, ut you have to come here to do it," said Tom Russell. The Gap Band did three songs on their own, and Leon performed nine of his own numbers with them.
He returned as a host on August 2 for an episode that consisted of footage of Willie's Fourth of July picnic, including Rick Nelson, Michael Murphey, Waylon Jennings, Bobby Bare, David Carradine, John Hartford, Doug Kershaw and Willie Nelson.
In the Tulsa World newspaper dated Saturday July 6, 1974, Page 12
ReplyDeleteA large photograph appears at the top of the page, titled, "Watching at Willie's Picnic"
"About 27,000 young country and western fans jam the stage area at the Texas World Speedway infield (College Station, Texas) on Friday as Willie Nelson's annual Fourth of July picnic goes in to its second day.
With such stars as Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Leon Russell and many others, the picnic is expected to last until late Saturday."
The Midnight Special You Tube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19z9JSaTm8c&list=RD19z9JSaTm8c&start_radio=1&t=20s) lists Episode 78 date as Tuesday, July 16, 1974
ReplyDeleteTulsa World newspaper, Sunday July 21, 1974, page 27
ReplyDeleteAdvertisement for the Oklahoma Jam! Starring Leon Russell & The GAP Band, with special guests, The Beach Boys, plus, Elvin Bishop, Babe Ruth, Trapeze, Isis.
Saturday July 27, 1974 3 P.M. at the All Sports Stadium(In the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds, 10th & North May) , Oklahoma City, OK
Tickets $7.50 in advance; $10.00 on day of show.
In Ronald E. Butler's Viewpoint column, in the Tulsa World in the Wednesday July 24, 1974 edition (Section B, page 38), he states the following:
ReplyDeleteTommy Lokey and other members of the Gap Band just returned from a lengthy, exhausting tour with Leon Russell.
Russell and Gap will be featured on a two-part "Midnight Special," the first to air this Friday on Channel 2.
Part one was taped on loation at Russell's homes and studios, with Gap doing "You Can Always Count on Me", "Tommy's Groove" and "Magicians Holiday."
The Second part, to air August 2, features highlights of the College Station, Texas July 4th country festival.
In Tulsa World newspaper, Friday July 26, 1974, in the Televlision listings, page 26
ReplyDelete12:00, Channel 2 (KTEW NBC), Leon Russell, live in Tulsa! with the Gap Band
Wow, that's a lot of info, Walter. Thanks. But unfortunately, even after all of that, I don't see anywhere where the exact recording date is given. I stick by my guess it happened close to July 4th, but that's just a guess.
Delete