New Book On Shindig !

[nomis]

my apologies..I dont know how to post an Amazon link..this book looks interesting and getting good reviews...

[Philles/Motown Gary]

I was about to post it for you, nomis, but, strangely, there is no Amazon option to share this item. Sorry.

[johnjeb]

my apologies..I dont know how to post an Amazon link..this book looks interesting and getting good reviews...

https://www.amazon.com/Shindig-Ameri.../dp/B095M9LQS6

[WaitingWatchingLookingForAChance]

my apologies..I dont know how to post an Amazon link..this book looks interesting and getting good reviews...

WHAT?????????? I have been WISHING that someone would do a book or documentary on that show! In fact, I was just talking to someone on Youtube last night about the backstory of "Shindig!" and why it ended up being cancelled. In every way, that show was truly groundbreaking as far as exposing American television audiences to Rock N Roll.

One of the most remarkable things about Shindig! was that was completely down to the vision of creator, Jack Good, a British television producer. That someone outside of America could so amazinging capture the excitement of American music is astonishing enough, but his sense of theater and a completly democratic approach to the music was mind-blowing. That man would have a rock act, followed by an R&B act, followed by a country and western act, followed by a gospel act... Jack Good crammed all these musical genres [[even working in jazz, bluegrass, blues,folk, and sunny teen idols) into one episode.

Jack also staged everything about the performances from dramatic use of lighting and almost spooky shadows to camera angles, camera moves and even platforms that would sometimes suddenly start moving or elevating the artist nearly up to the Heavens above. The pace of the show was breakneck- and yes, you could literally break your neck trying to keep up with the whiplash pace.

Jack also did something else that was groundbreaking in many ways. He insisted on having The Blossoms, featuring Darlene Love as the featured backing artists on every show. Three Black Women would be appearing in American living rooms, including the Deep South. Interestingly, and perhaps daringly, he also had a male trio, The Wellingtons [[alternating with The Elligibles), two White folk groups who worked in tandem many times with The Blossoms. So here is where things raise the hairs on the back of my neck: there were those in the South who were completely against race-mixing and yet Jack Good would have The Blossoms and The Wellingtons sometimes performing together and dancing together. TOGETHER. 3 Black sexy women with 3 White All-American males. Though I have yet to come across anything in print, I often wondered how did that go over with ABC Television's southern affiliates...

Jack also insisted on showcasing many Black artists, much to ABC's dismay. I believe ABC would ask Jack to cut back on the number of Black artists but he just amped up the numer even more AND had all these people, Black, White, Mexican all dancing and performing together. In the end, it was the network's constant interfering which led Jack Good to walk away from his own show. That was the beginning of the end of "Shindig!"

My goodness. This is as if someone in the Universe has been reading my mind and has bestowed my wildest dreams upon me. I'm so happy you shared this here! I'm so excited about this, I can't stop adding exclamation marks to every darn sentence!!!!