The archives of American chat shows and variety shows of the 1960s and 70s held a vault of talented performances from so many musicians — especially African American bands and performers who lit up the stages with songs that resonated for the times and were pop megahits that nobody missed.
Now getTV tips their hat in a most creative and music-filled way for Black History Month in February with epic performances — from Whitney Houston to the Jackson 5, to the lions of R&B including Aretha Franklin.
If you love music and miss those days of Merv Griffin, The Bing Crosby Specials, The Smokey Robinson Show, Woody Allen Looks at 1967, the Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour and other terrific American TV shows that had these artists not only perform but worked into comedy segments, you will love this.
The explosion of American television in the 1950s made pop music a major drawing card. We had The Ed Sullivan Show and Top of the Pops, then in later years we saw American Bandstand, Soul Train, The Smothers Brothers and The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour where all musicians, especially African American artists, got to develop distinct visual styles and stage moves to accompany their music.
The network kicks off with the late Whitney Houston’s national television debut, and even wheels out The Jackson 5 performing their disco classic Dancing Machine.
Even the lovely multi-talented Lena Horne’s first TV special is unearthed as getTV starts its Black History Month celebrations on Monday, February 6, at 9pm ET.
The musical month has four straight weeks of Sonny & Cher guest performances by Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 each Monday at 9pm ET, followed by moments from Lena Horne, Lola Falana, and more.
On Sunday overnight is a ‘Get Lost In TV’ block celebrating rare clips, and they have the Night Of Soul on Sunday, February 12, at 11pm ET to dovetail with the Grammy Awards that evening.
Visit get.tv for the network’s complete Black History Month programming lineup.
SOURCE: Monsters & Critics
