America - Sister Golden Hair - The Midnight Special

[totoaklan]

it was all hip back then, no hop.

[Beatles264]

I love to listen to this when I'm walking home from school! Idk why but it's just a great song to walk to.....his voice is so beautiful, this music is eargasmic.

[chipawaue123]

As soon as I get my time machine out of the shop, we can all go back.

[musicmatty67]

@chipawaue123  Amen !

[TheLadandLass]

sister golden hair

wow

gotta love those blondes!

[ewsh6070]

what in the world was The Midnight Special?

[WytZox1]

@ewsh6070 It aired on broadcast Network TV on Friday nites at Midnight (central time I believe) featuring rock and R&B acts (as well as some comedians) that were popular and on the charts back in the 1970s. This was B4 there was MTV!

[ewsh6070]

@WytZox1 thanks for your reply! i'm too young to have seen it in the 70's(not by much...born in '70), but i'm surprised i've never heard of it. is it an American show? wonder when it went off the air?

[WytZox1]

@ewsh6070 Yup, it was an American TV show hosted by legendary DJ Wolfman Jack. (Prior to the 70s "The Midnight Specia" had been a radio show featuring folk music.) I think what ultimately killed off these wonderful live shows on network TV was 24&7 music videos on MTV in the 80s.

[shinrips]

Who's Dan Peek?

[katoklzmk]

I miss shows like Rock Concert and The Midnight Special......'sniff', you could see everyone from Bread to Bowie....

[Totes59]

Ahh, A time when musicans played their own music, no lip syncing, were more concerned about their songs not their looks...

[Harmonlisa]

@Totes59

That is a great concept. A singer that can sing.

Whats next a basketball player that can slam dunk?

[RycheOfAll]

OK I can admit it now....I had this album and "The Best of Bread" and I played the hell out of both of them!

[katoklzmk]

Rock Concert and The Midnight Special were two of the best shows EVER!

[alkimst13]

@katoklzmk Don Kirshner's was my favorite of the two. It seemed to be less mainstream, bringing in the new, raw talent. Maybe I'm wrong, but that' what my failing memory recalls. Not to put any generation, nor genre of music down, but the 70's (disco not included) was the shining moment of RnR. The 60's explored. The 70's conquered. Class of 76

[waltermcbobom]

what a unique sound they had

[aquanue]

I'd pay if one of the networks would replay the Midnight special shows...

[foneBro]

Perfect song for a date; always good for a hug and kiss. What do you think it meant to young people (like me then) when they said "will you meet me in the middle?"

[calbff]

Every time I listen to live music from the 60's and 70's, it punches me right in the throat when I hear how good they all were. These were REAL musicians that sounded just about as good or better in a crappy, smoky bar as they did on their albums. Listen to live performances today and it's not even comparable.

[MegaBob77777]

@calbff Amen to that bro. They all played and sang for real. It was about the music. We had AM Radios,and if the song didnt grab you in 30 seconds,change the channel. It was a great great time for music. Thats why 30-40 yrs later these songs are still played and well known! I am so happy I was a teen back then and not now. We had great music and awesome muscle cars that the average kid could afford. Send me back.

[EvilChiefRico1]

@lanceporter The guy to the left of the guy in the beard...that's Dan Peek, the bass player....also sang lead on "Lonely People"

[Dragonkeeper901]

holy crap did all the bands in the 70s play on the midnight special

[totoaklan]

@Dragonkeeper901 yeah, sort of. back then you were'nt considered successful if you have'nt played on the midnight special or on "in concert".

[JALtheImpaler]

AND IN 2011, WE CAN STILL HAVE THE PLEASURE TO SEE AMERICA IN CONCERT. I TRY AND SEE THEM EVERY YEAR NOW.

[alkimst13]

fuck i'm old.

[elxvaldez09]

@alkimst13 LOL!

[phantom4x4]

@alkimst13 Hell i remember seeing this episode. Yea guess im old too. :)

[alkimst13]

@phantom4x4 doesn't seem all that long ago, does it? we grew up in a good time.

[gallamarc]

@alkimst13 me too

[alkimst13]

@gallamarc sucks, huh??? OLD GUY POWER!!!

[gallamarc]

@alkimst13 yea lets give them hell

[joeyd1957]

@alkimst13

ha ha ha yup we are !

[bigtoepfer]

ultimate road tripping music

[Jander4031]

I thought this was '75; back then you knew what you were doing when each of the '70's hits came out. And you knew who you were with when the song came out. I liked a girl that had dark hair but I pretended it was golden. :)

[maddyrox94]

love this song ! i watch it everyday!

[edwardmashberg1]

I wore those glasses in high school!

[Countrymusicman1982]

R.I.P. Dan Peek

[romanticwarrior97]

Another great tune that throws me back in time... and I LIKE IT!.

[amelia1992101]

this remind me of my (still living) mother i am 19 she loves 60's and 70's music that sound similar to this type of music

[jaxgal618]

I saw these guys w/Burton Cummings back around 1975-76... they were AWESOME. I love listening to this and the Eagles on road trips. Love the lead singer...sexy geek !

[Thunder1105]

Simply the BEST!!!

[rgaddyable]

Saw America in Meridian, MS back in March for their 40th Anniversary tour. They still sound so good after all these years and Sister Golden hair rocked the concert hall.

[TheLadyStranger77]

I was 14 when this was a hit. Gawd do I remember every word and instrument playing in this song,,,,,still love it :)

[jd3092003]

its so cool that you can watch these online instead of spending a billion dollars to order them on t.v. this is art and history that should never ever have a price tag and should always be there for anybody who wants to see its rare to see anybody doing anything just for the good of man... everybodies always trying to make money off of us some how...

[MrBrigscott]

America is a great summer band, love them.

[inkdclown]

Isn't it weird how some songs from back then make you sad or give you a funny feeling but you don't know why. I assume something happened that you associate with a paticular song. You don't remember, but your brain does.....lol

[danrun100]

@inkdclown I agree :)

[inkdclown]

I was 12 in 1975. I wouldn't trade my youth for anything!

[beadreader4]

Born in 1958, served my country for over 16 years, and never left behind my love for real great music. 70's and 80's were the very best music ever.

[334alexstone]

i died in 1988 and i was born in 1989 and i've been there in the midnight special .

[auggdogrules]

thanks for the memories,i was 13 and grooving away at the radio sounds.thanks !

[catzdogs1]

@auggdogrules I was about the same age....I lived for the "Midnight Special" and songs like this one!

[bobbyozb]

In 1975 is was 17.....Believe me this was a great time to be a teen.....The best summer of my life!!!!......Just didn't know it at the time !

[covenstead]

I saw these guys in concert, in the mid 70s. They were phenomenal, live.

[Joemantoo]

I used to love hearing this song on the radio. I never got tired of hearing it. It still makes me a bit sad when I hear it. Not sure why. I probably had a crush on some blonde at the time...

[rangermoore]

I am glad I was born in 1964... Music in the 60's & 70's was GREAT!

[55102]

@rangermoore even the second half of the 50´s

[StoliDassah]

@rangermoore i was born in 1985 and even I think the 60's and 70's had the greatest music!

[cheyenne86]

The 70s were the Best when it came to music

[TheLadandLass]

I believe all the band members met while their parents were in the military.

[Mob01971]

Gotta love a band that can actually sing

[BrokenneckYgor]

sister golden hair was written for the lovely Pat Nixon, America's least undeerstood Firstest Ladee

[nitiratnon]

That why I love 70's, colorful, lively and cheerful

[IrishMetalCop]

I listen to live music from the 1970's, and I realize that the record companies ignore all real talent and sign people with no creativity but might look good on a cereal box ad. 

[swankrecords]

what's up with those Bill Gates glasses? 

[bfawlty2]

Amen erbsoccer! Power to the legends!

[MrJohnnyb42]

The hair on the back of my neck stands up when i here America after all these years. I am so glad i grew up on all the good stuff.

[1954saint]

@MrJohnnyb42 I agree we grew up when music was great

[pet456bike]

So brings me back... Trouble is I havnt changed, still give it LARGE>>> still love this music, am still georgeous...( music is my life!!!!!!!!!! HELLO AM A GRANDMOTHER NOW,,,,,, WHAT THE F..K HAPPENED????

[guitarplayer4real]

@shanecombs1993 Well its your job to keep it alive man, dont let this go for rap lol... My 15 year old is learning to play and loves the old rock too. Rock on my young friend, the 60's & 70's was more than just music, you had to have integrity, work ethic and follow through to produce and perform songs like this.

Todays music is Mr Microphone gone terribly wrong.

[sralmy]

Someone miss hit the dislike button Im sure....

[guitarplayer4real]

@sralmy Yes, P. Diddy most likely.

[texasgreenthumb]

What memories....better times...sure as hell younger times...If we could only go back, huh?  :)

[texasgreenthumb]

What memories....better times...sure as hell younger times...If we could only go back, huh? :)

[gosada64]

excelente música como este genero ya no hay

[krazikate75]

This song reminds me of high school graduation and Joe D. What a great Summer I had!!!

[sheddski]

this was my first band i saw in concert in Boston mass. in the summer of 1975?

[wblandscraping]

Man, This music just blows away today's crap. I'm glad I was a teenager in the 70's.

[fanofgerryb]

Gerry is so cute!

[monkeys1954]

i was 21 in 1975, it seems like another lifetime thinking about it. too bad my memory is shot because of the 70's. i don't remember where i left my time machine, it looked like a 67 mercury ex-state patrol car. what a time it was.

[richard52402]

I remember the "MIDNIGHT SPECIAL" and to this day there was NOTHING like it! Every act on that show played with heart and soul. Amazing..If you want to see HARD rock at its best, Check KISS's performances on this show!

[classicconnexionband]

A truly exceptional live performance, great vocal harmonies (without auto tune). Slight subtle differences from the recorded version, even the 1..2...3..4 at the end..Awesome tune

[Farinadog13]

@classicconnexionband Yes, very perceptive observations.

[ivanmarivan123456]

AH meu tempinho, que cançao, ecpcional maravilhosa lindissima, dimaisssssss

[snoops71]

I was a little girl in the '70s, but was exposed to the music of the day- thank God :) So, these songs remind me of childhood days.

[PupuTheClown]

I always thought the ending slide guitar sounded a little Joe Walsh-ish.

[soboy55]

Great song, great video. I was lucky to be a teenager in the 70's and unless you lived through that decade, you just can't understand how much fun it was. I remember listening to all these great songs playing in my 8 track tape player while driving my 1972 Pinto. My musical tastes may be "stuck in the 70's", but that is perfectly all right by me.

[jooraye]

Nice. I remember...

[GathKingLeppbertI]

dig on mrob. trash that gagsta crap and rap. good on ya. keep the hits on coming.

[fatalsteps101]

I was 18 in '75 and I will never forget these sounds. Having access to these sounds of the past is incredible. I grew up in Alaska and we never had easy access to music. In the summer I would vacation with family in the lower 48 and spend so much time in the record stores like Tower Records. It's a cool thing you do shanecombs..thanx

[LeBigMoneyShow]

OMG. I remember back 1975, I would sneak off after school to the local arcade and play pinball all afternoon before i would go home and this song was always playing in the background. I was 10 years old then and there was no need for parental guidance, summers lasted forever, and music was damn good.

I was lucky to have lived in those times.

[littlecavallino]

Lost my virginity to this song! No no, just kidding.

[Winky395]

Born in 59 so I was a teenager in the 70's

yup it was awesome

[salmalou]

They're actually touring again. 40th anniversary tour.....

[nat00ben06]

My first concert was ELO in 75' in LA, the 70's music prior to disco was the greatest music ever put on vinyl...so much talent.....and the 60's.

[Evilmfker]

Classic!!!!!!!!! Was born in 1970,but i grew up with this great music.

[lillyvalerie]

Wow..Such a song that will be heard forever...even to our young !!!

[Victor1970s]

During the 1970s, America was very popular in the US. "Sister Golden Hair", from 1975, was their 2nd #1 song after 1972's "A Horse With No Name". My favorite song from them was "Ventura Highway" which reached #8 in the USA in 1972.

[obilon]

ahhh the 70's great great rock and roll....glad i was there . I remember sneaking up at night to go into the living room and watching The Midnight Special as a kid, had to keep it down low so my parents wouldnt wake up.First fell in love w/ rock when iheard ELO sing Turned to Stone on my little transistor radio...man what memories.

[robzombay72]

@shanecombs1993 Good for you man, I know what you are saying, I grew up in the 80s which was cool.

[bernardston4]

Born in 58 here the 70's were some fantastic years

[brianclough]

A symbolic song of 70s.

[TOMIT2112]

between america and csn&y some of the best harmonizing you could order up

[miraclefatdude]

@TOMIT2112 agreed! pure 3 and 4 part harmony!

[customerjon]

Growing up me and my friends where horrific music snobs, we still are. We all had our areas of specialty, I was British Indie/Brit Pop guy. People would think they could hang with our knowledge and when they try to throw down we responded with softastic hits of the 70s and 80s. This music is so incredible that if you don't realize you know nothing about music. I know this makes me sound like a giant douche.

[ppppppppppppppppp999]

Fantastic drummer!

[Gallileo60]

Yep, I remember the AM radio playing this all the time...What a great time it was.

[partyspecialists]

i still have this song on 45 record does anyone remember those lol it was WB records I paid 75 cents for it

[tswizzle53]

I remember wen I found out I was related to one of them last year and I was like who is america

[sp0ttedp0ny330]

thank you SO much for the sweet memories...oh yea got to agree with mrob75!! we were older then...but so much younger now ;) lol

[pablotabloz]

I remember when I used to hear this on the radio a few years ago, I thought it was a George Harrison song!

[DYNODRUM]

BACK IN THE mid 70's we had a Band when easily listening was Hip .All ex- rockers and Blues trio dudes and we pulled off a Medley of America, very reluctant by me ; But we had four part Harmony and Sounded actually Great. I, cant Believe what bands today sound like or Sing . Voices and Harmony have been replaced by; ATONAL HORRIBLE PITCH ASS FLUSHING.

[LakewoodDallas]

The last song ever played in my Midnight Blue Monte Carlo.

[voz39zam]

memories memories.. thanks for sharing!

[mikeballard1]

Cool

[furmountain21]

@shanecombs1993 I know what you are saying. The rap has polluted music and can't hold a candle to these great songs. There are still some great bands today, but you really have to search long and hard.

[Manford60]

Man alive! I sure do miss The Midnight Special. Good times and better memories.

[lavallette1565]

you could say that the 60's and early - to - mid 70's were the golden years of popular music. thankfully technology allows us to immortalise them. its true however that the athmosphere it created then, with the radio bombarded by one great hit after another was a unique experience. I got the tail end of it, and was ever so thankful for the tape recorder back then that allowed us to make a collection of the golden records that started to make way on the radio for "the new stuff".

[Nadleh]

Groups cannot harmonize like the bands in the 1970's.....It was a different era of music where musicians played their own instruments and didn't sound like 2 hyena's have sex.....

[calamaya48]

i better get away from this computer or i'll wind up listening to midnight special clips all night long!!!!

[rainmanx63]

I grew up on a small farm. We had two tv stations and AM radio. I listened to all of this music. When I hear it I smell hay and evergreen trees and wild mint growing in our fields. When I die they can play all of the music in that column on the right and just have a great time.

[fanofgerryb]

Gotta love this, another moment in time i wished i been there, i would have loved to meet Gerry

[mrob75]

@shanecombs1993 If you were born in 1993 and you enjoy the sounds of America, you have a WONDERFUL ear for music and you are also a symbol of hope from your generation in helping preserve the sounds and movement of the 1970s! Enjoy your youth and continue to compliment your young days with a sound that all of us listened to at your age. God bless.

[mrob75]

This song was ALL OVER THE A.M. RADIO back in the summer of 1975! We were all so young then...Great, great times with good sounds from America! America...Thanks for the memories of '75!

[cudaj2]

@mrob75 You are sooo right! Oh for a time machine! Lol!

[TheFlimOfFlam]

@mrob75 i wasn't born yet.....

[wheelinthesky300]

Americam minus Dan Peek= 2/3 the talent.

Get rid of the nerd glassess, Gerry.

[dnswebermsncom]

Is that Ed Begley Jr singing?? LMAO

[fanofgerryb]

@dnswebermsncom

no but gerry does have a slight resemblance

[regency98us]

I always loved these guys and they look and sounds great here. I bought America's greatest hits album sometime in 1978 or 79 and have it to this very day. Awesome song!

[pcs56]

David Letterman was the lead singer of America?

[jpg0572]

@pcs56 lol

[Aramis6849]

OLD SCHOOL is COOL!

[teacherB32]

The lead singer made wearing glasses cool! America rocks!

[Eeohippus]

Gerry Beckley made everything cool!!! He's still totally cool!

[jpg0572]

@Eeohippus Inspector Mills....

[yankeeshogun]

@teacherB32

I hope you are right.

Yankeeshogun (aka four eyes)

[robert1970b]

Awsome. I'm in a band myself so I know how hard it is to get everyone to be on key for the harmonys in the back up vocals. And to do it live like that - with no autotune back then. These guys make it look easy. They must have toured alot..

[Eeohippus]

They still tour today. Many of these guys are still together in America.

[erbsoccer]

bands from back in the 60s 70s and 80s can actually perform live... not like this studio edited crap around today like Ke$ha

[Nigelxman]

It's hard not to like this song.

[Baldgol4]

Looks like Bill Gates to me. Isn't this what Bill was doing before he thought up Microsoft and became the richest man alive?

[Eeohippus]

I have loved Gerry Beckley since I first lay my eyes on his blonde curly hair and sweet smile, then the 12-string... mmmm, daydreams about night things... But, I'm increasingly intrigued by the guitar player behind him, to his left in the red or red striped shirt. I'm ashamed I don't know his name. Anyone?

[y011yo]

@Eeohippus I'm pretty sure you are talking about Micheal Woods, who is still playing with the band to this day.

[robby1998]

yes it's Woodsie

[TheMrGridlock]

I think it's Dan Peek.

[ezbaseball97]

yeah Dan Peek had enough of the drug scene and left the gropu,funny that they sung this three year old song on Mid night special...how did they do after peek left ..... but peek only won a grammy for his christian music..Peek wanted to rejoin for renuion tour but was told no too bad I here he still sells out small venue and sings his america hits along with his christian stuff

[N01NP]

Looks like Dan Peek is NOT with them in this performance. Pity that they are not at full strength.

[ojayjay1]

Music like this, and the Midnight special show are sadly long behind us. The music and "performances" of today are such crap in comparison ... I long for the days of well written rock songs with talented musicians and great harmonizing .... Nowadays we have performances with background singing and overlay vocals piped in and we are basically left to watch some choreographed dance group with headsets on, pretending to be singers.

[RomanKam1]

@ojayjay1 I completely agree. Back then we enjoyed watching music, harmony and talent. Now every show has to be over the top with electronics taking the lead.

[Eeohippus]

Gerry Beckley is and was so good, and he is still so foxy!!

[dve8692]

damn where did TV shows like this go?

[Tommyr]

Far far away unfortunately. I miss the good 'ol days....This and "In Concert" RILED ALL. And the California Jam.....

[Aramis6849]

Superb performance! Thanks for posting!

[TheRydawg1981]

i am 28 and i love this song!

[Ebo9508]

A lot of America fans resented the Eagles at first, claiming they ripped off their sound and name. Not me. I loved them both. Still do. Had the priviledge of opening for Dan Peak once. He was none too pleased!