1970 - Music from THE SHOW I

In 1969, during the early years of public television, and only a year after the Public Broadcasting Service began, WITF-TV in little Hersey, Pennsylvania, applied to PBS for a grant to produce a national series of programs for high school kids. It was to be called The Show…a forum where young people could address the events of the day with prominent guests and listen to contemporary music. This was the year of Woodstock, so the importance of music in the life of teens was vital. As a result, during The Show’s 26 week 1970 run it brought to national television a “who’s, who” of contemporary rock bands and folk singers. Expect for the Smothers Brother Comedy Hour there were few opportunities these artists to appear on national TV. A year later Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert capitalized on the same idea, but The Show was first. Altogether close to 50 rock bands and folk singers appeared on The Show. Produced by a small, educational TV station, the production values were somewhat hindered by its inexpe