Patty Duke on Shindig in 1965
YEARS ON AIR: 1964–1966
HOST: Jimmy O’Neill
A musical-variety show broadcast in primetime (airing twice a week in its second, final season), Shindig! became a showcase for many popular acts of the day. For many viewers it would be their first exposure to U.K.-based acts (like the Dave Clark Five) — and, more significantly, black artists who were only beginning to have a presence on TV and radio airwaves. Sam Cooke was the featured performer of Shindig!’s first show; the following season, the Rolling Stones asked that they share the show with one of their acknowledged inspirations, bluesman Howlin’ Wolf. (The show was cancelled after two seasons, its Thursday-evening slot was filled by a superhero show called Batman.)
NOTABLE GUESTS: The Beatles, Sam Cooke, James Brown, the Who, the Beach Boys, Aretha Franklin, and Howlin’ Wolf (below, singing “Little Red Rooster,” after an introduction by Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, and show creator Jack Good)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIcIsVKmmRY]