This month, we’ll spend weekends checking out highlights from Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert tv series.
Kirshner initially found success in the music industry as a publisher in the late ‘50s/early ‘60s, eventually becoming a record producer and working with artists like Neil Diamond and Carole King. Kirshner is best-known as the producer of songs for The Monkees and The Archies, both huge acts in their day.
In the fall of 1972, ABC snagged Kirshner to act as producer and ‘creative consultant’ for their new “In Concert” series – the program aired every other Friday night in place of The Dick Cavett Show. The following year, Kirshner branched out on his own, launching his weekly “Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert.”
In the summer of 1975, Black Sabbath released their sixth studio album, "Sabotage.” The tour kicked off in mid-July, as Sabbath crossed the US with a variety of opening acts, including Kiss, Slade, Peter Frampton, and Brownsville Station, among others.
On September 4, Sabbath played the Civic Center in Santa Monica, and it was recorded for later broadcast on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert.
Black Sabbath - Killing Yourself to Live (Live) - Past Lives (Live) Black Sabbath – Killing Yourself To Live
Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert
Santa Monica Civic Center - Santa Monica, CA – recorded September 4, 1975
Black Sabbath - Hole In the Sky (Live) - Past Lives (Live) Black Sabbath – Hole In The Sky
Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert
Santa Monica Civic Center - Santa Monica, CA – recorded September 4, 1975
Black Sabbath - Snowblind (Live) - Reunion (Live) Black Sabbath – Snowblind
Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert
Santa Monica Civic Center - Santa Monica, CA – recorded September 4, 1975
Tomorrow: Black Sabbath rock Don Kirshner - part 2
