In the fall of 1973, music producer Don Kirshner launched his own syndicated rock and roll television show on ABC. On September 27, 1973, Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert premiered with an unforgettable performance by The Rolling Stones.
By the early 1970’s, The Rolling Stones had recorded the albums Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St. and Goats Head Soup which included some of the band’s biggest hit songs like “Brown Sugar” and “Angie”. These albums consistently topped the US and UK charts. The band was also facing legal battles concerning drug use, which made for an interesting international touring schedule as they were denied permission to play in a couple of countries. With great music and controversy swirling around them, The Rolling Stones were one of the hottest rock ‘n roll bands at this time.
Don Kirshner knew that his new rock series had to start off with a bang and The Rolling Stones was the band to help him do it. The opening show featured a London performance by The Rolling Stones – their first appearance on American television in over four years!
On that episode of Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert, The Rolling Stones performed an unforgettable and emotive version of “Angie” and the the rock series was off and running. Over the show’s 8 year run, The Rolling Stones appeared on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert five times performing their hit songs Start Me Up, Angie, Silver Train, Dancin with Mr. D, Till The Next Goodbye, It’s Only Rock ‘N Roll (But I Like It), Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, All Down The Line, Bye Bye Johnnie, Love In Vain, Emotional Rescue and She’s So Cold.
It was a perfect match – one of the most epic bands in rock history on one of the greatest rock shows in television history.