Rock Concert over: Don Kirshner dead

Cafe Society
1

Don Kirshner, who had one of the worst on camera deliveries ever, but brought us music before the days of MTV, is apparently dead at 77 years old:

2

Yeah, I noted that.

Another case of a brilliant insider getting pulled up front to be the face of something. He was an incredibly successful record/music exec - he basically manufactured The Monkees’ music to go with their tv show; and LA’s infamous Wrecking Crew of studio musicians were Don’s go-to team…but yeah, how did he get in front of a camera?

3

I watched Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert throughout high school and in college until the series ended.

Always had great acts. He was sort of the Ed Sullivan of the 70’s. Don and Ed were both promoters that eventually got in front of the camera.

4

Paul Schaffer used to do a killer Don Kirshner on SNL.

Mark me down as another who used to watch Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert. Saw some great performances there, although it lost it’s way trying to go Disco with “Don’s Dance Party”.

5

I distinctly remember that…in fact, that’s the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Kirshner.

I used to love watching Rock Concert (and Midnight Special) – in the pre-MTV days, especially, it was one of the only times you got to see your favorite bands on TV.

6

The first Blues Brothers appearance on SNL was by Schaffer as Kirshner.

Yeah, and later Night Flight and Rock World with its wonderful editorial policy of “we play what we can get” which made it, by default, the most diverse musical program on TV.

7

Don’t foget his follow up to the Monkees, Toomorrow.

Man that guy couldn’t spell :slight_smile:

8

Kirshner created The Archies reportedly because cartoon characters were easier to deal with than real musicians.

9

Couldn’t wait to mock him, could you?

He was behind a lot of great girl-group records in the '60s as a publisher and/or record label owner. “The Locomotion,” “Chains,” many other classics. Also Neil Sedaka tunes such as “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.” He was a big supporter of the Goffin-King songwriting team who made their name with him. I think of him more that way than as the TV host.