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ShareThere’s nothing like seeing a great musical entertainer in person—which is why it’s sometimes better to enjoy concerts from the comfort of your living room. From the easy chair, you don’t have to worry about crowded parking lots, long beer lines and that tall dude who inevitably stands right in front of you.
“Paul Simon: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song,” airing at 9 p.m. Wednesday on PBS, is a hassle-free treat featuring Marc Anthony, Lyle Lovett, Stevie Wonder, Art Garfunkel and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
As I relished one great performance after another, I was reminded of just how often TV has provided a front-row seat to some of my most treasured musical moments. The sound might not be as good, and there’s nothing like being swept away by a live crowd’s energy, but you can’t beat the view—or the price.
With that in mind, here is a collection of TV’s greatest hits:
Wanda Jackson, “Town Hall Party” (Nov. 29, 1958): Forget Elvis Presley’s gold Cadillac and Bill Monroe’s mandolin. The most impressive relic at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame is a rare clip of the rockabilly legend tearing through a version of “Hard Headed Woman,” showing off a great pair of lungs (and legs). Sure, it’s nearly 50 years old, but it may be the sexiest music video ever.
The Beatles, “The Ed Sullivan Show” (Feb. 9, 1964): Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. Big surprise. But ignoring this appearance would be like teaching U.S. history and skipping Abe Lincoln. Beatlemania had landed stateside and music—not to mention haircuts—would never be the same.
Elvis Presley, “The `68 Comeback Special” (Dec. 3, 1968): The King regained his throne with a spectacular that was sweeter and more filling than a peanut-butter-and-banana sandwich. They’re all here: Gospel Elvis, hip-swiveling Elvis, bluesy Elvis, acoustic Elvis, crooner Elvis and—yes!—skinny Elvis. What a combo.
Ray Charles and Kermit the Frog, “Sesame Street” (1972): The Muppets have all had their musical moments, from Cookie Monster’s head-bopping “C is for Cookie” to Dr. Teeth’s jam session, but Kermit takes top prize with his anthem “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green,” thanks to some help from the very human Genius of Soul.
Michael Jackson, “Motown: Yesterday, Today and Forever” (May 16, 1983): It was supposed to be a night of looking back, but when Jackson broke off from his brothers for a solo performance of “Billie Jean,” he moonwalked away with the show, going from superstar to megastar overnight.
Madonna, “Video Music Awards” (Sept. 14, 1984): With her opening performance of “Like a Virgin,” Madonna slithered into our hearts (or our libidos, at least). By the time she was done, everyone wanted their MTV.
Paul Simon, “Saturday Night Live” (Nov. 22, 1986): “SNL” has provided many rock highlights, including Elvis Costello’s defiant “Radio, Radio” and Mick Jagger’s shirt-tearing “Shattered,” but no moment was as visually and musically stunning as Simon’s performances with the South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which introduced the “Graceland” album and African harmonies to the masses.
Pat Metheny, Todd Rundgren and Taj Mahal, “Sunday Night” (1989): Those who saw NBC’s late-night experimental series are bound to agree with me that it was the finest musical show ever because it took more chances than a Flying Wallenda. I’ll never forget the night the band dressed up in sailors’ uniforms while unlikely geniuses teamed up for a medley from “HMS Pinafore.” Gilbert and Sullivan would have been proud.
Bruce Springsteen, “Late Night With David Letterman” (June 25, 1993): The Boss must have a song for every occasion—even the final episode of a late-night talk show. For Letterman’s final night on NBC, the surprise guest pulled out a sweat-drenched version of “Glory Days.” What a way to go.
Aretha Franklin, the 1998 Grammy Awards (Feb. 25, 1998): When Luciano “No Show” Pavarotti canceled his plans to sing “Nessun Dorma” at the last minute, they asked the Queen of Soul to step in as the Queen of Opera, even though it wasn’t her genre. Heck, it wasn’t even in her key. The performance blew the house away. Respect, indeed.
