Shindig! is an American music variety show which aired on the ABC network from September 16, 1964 to January 8, 1966.
Synopsis
The series first aired for a half-hour every week, but was expanded to an hour in January 1965. In the fall of 1965, the show split into two half-hour telecasts, on Thursday and Saturday nights. In contrast to American Bandstand, it ran during prime-time. The show was hosted by Jimmy O'Neill, who was a famous disc jockey in Los Angeles at the time.[1]
Shindig!'s premiere episode was taped in Britain with The Beatles as the guests. The series featured other "British invasion" bands including The Who and The Rolling Stones. Shindig would continue to broadcast episodes from London throughout its run.[1]
Many popular performers of the day played on Shindig! including Sam Cooke, Lesley Gore, Bo Diddley, and Sonny and Cher, and was noted to feature both black and white acts during a time of racial segregation in the United States.[2]
Shindig!'s success prompted NBC to air the similar series Hullabaloo.
Series regulars
Accompanying the music acts of the week, Shindig! also featured a dance troupe called the Shin-diggers. One of the regular dancers was Teri Garr, who would go on to find success as an actress. The Shin-diggers' assistant choreographer, Antonia Basilotta, later changed her named to Toni Basil, and would go on to have a successful music career with the hit song "Mickey".[2]
The series house band, the Shin-diggers (later renamed the Shindogs), featured a young Glen Campbell, Joey Cooper, Billy Preston, James Burton, Delaney Bramlett, and pianist Leon Russell.[2]
The Blossoms, an all-female vocal group featuring Darlene Love, backed up many of the performers and were occasionally featured in spotlight performances. Donna Loren, Jackie DeShannon and Bobby Sherman were also regular vocalists on the series.[2]
Musical Guests
Celebrity guests
Guest hosts
Cancellation
In January 1966, Shindig! was canceled and replaced in its Thursday time slots by Batman.[1]
VHS release
In 1991 and 1992, Rhino Entertainment and WEA released a series of Shindig! Presents VHS videos featuring highlights from the series.[3]
In popular culture
- Shindig! was mentioned in The Ramones song "Do You Remember Rock N' Roll Radio?" as "Do you remember Hullabaloo, Upbeat, Shindig, and Ed Sullivan too...?"
- Shindig! made an appearance on The Flintstones as "Shinrock!"
References
External links
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