Here's Johnny: Magic Moments from the Tonight Show
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| Here's Johnny: Magic Moments from the Tonight Show | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Soundtrack album by Various Artists | |
| Released | November 1974 |
| Venue | NBC Productions |
| Genre | Jazz, funk, soul music, R&B, pop music, folk music, country music, comedy, spoken word, political |
| Label | Casablanca Records |
| Producer | Joyce Biawitz, Bernard Fox |
Here's Johnny: Magic Moments from the Tonight Show is a live double album commemorating 25 years of The Tonight Show, released by Casablanca Records in 1974. The album features an array of performers with never before available performances on record. The album included a 25th anniversary poster summarizing the history of the show.[1]
Background and release[edit]
The Tonight Show first aired locally in New York City in 1953 and was hosted by Steve Allen. The show went nationally in 1954 on NBC, and was with Steve Allen as host, then was succeeded by Jack Paar in 1957. On October 1, 1962, Groucho Marx introduced Johnny Carson as the new host. By 1974, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson had been on air for 12 years and it was the leading national late night program covering 99% of homes in the United States.[1] To capitalize off of the show's popularity, a two record album was put together by Casablanca Records highlighting the comedy, conversations and music which made The Tonight Show the most successful late-night series.
Neil Bogart, president of Casablanca Records, heavily invested in the album, calling it "the most historical home entertainment package to ever be issued." The album release was launched with a major merchandising campaign in December 1974.[1] It was billed as "the first million dollar album." The total cost was just under $1.2 million according to Bogart.[2]
Despite the album being certified Gold by the RIAA,[3] it didn't sell as much as anticipated mostly due to it not being radio-friendly. Carson had to be begged to promote the album on his show which caused a spike in sales, but overall it was a huge loss financially for Casablanca. The return rate from retailers of unsold copies was high which initiated the industry joke that Casablanca "shipped the LP Gold and it was returned Platinum."[4]
Critical reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [5] |
Cash Box (November 30, 1974):
A fantastic two record set, including a special poster, this LP offers some of the best music and comedy ever to be released in one package. Commemorating the Johnny Carson success story and the many stars who have emerged after appearing on his NBC-TV nightly talk show the set features appearances by Groucho Marx, Ike & Tina Turner, Bette Midler, Lenny Bruce, Pearl Bailey, Sammy Davis, Aretha Franklin, The Smothers Brothers and the unforgettable Art Fern.[6]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Beginning" | Johnny Carson / Ed McMahon | 4.22 |
| 2. | "Tonto, Tonto" | Jay Silverheels | 4:01 |
| 3. | "Lullabye Of Broadway / Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" | Bette Midler | 5:17 |
| 4. | "Father's Day" | Groucho Marx | 4:01 |
| 5. | "Morningside Heights" | George Carlin | 5:04 |
| 6. | "Our Love Is Here To Stay" | Pearl Bailey & Johnny Carson | 6:06 |
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Discovery" | Lenny Bruce | 3:01 |
| 2. | "Them There Eyes / The Man That Got Away / Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" | Billie Holiday / Judy Garland / Aretha Franklin | 9:51 |
| 3. | "Boil Them Cabbage Down" | Smothers Brothers | 6:09 |
| 4. | Untitled | Richard M. Nixon | 3:38 |
| 5. | Untitled | John Twomey | 3:25 |
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "What A Band" | Doc Severinsen, Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson | 2:16 |
| 2. | "Ode To Billy Joe" | Doc Severinsen & His Sweetheart Band | 3:06 |
| 3. | Untitled | Peter Falk | 2:14 |
| 4. | Untitled | Jack Webb | 2:46 |
| 5. | "I Think It's Gonna Work Out Fine" | Ike & Tina Turner | 2:51 |
| 6. | Untitled | Lucille Ball | 2:23 |
| 7. | "Seesaw" | Lucie Arnaz | 2:07 |
| 8. | Untitled | Desi Arnaz Jr. | 1:42 |
| 9. | "Art Fern & The Teatime Movies" | Art Fern | 7:23 |
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "An Anniversary Salute" | Johnny Carson / Ed McMahon / Dean Martin | 4:43 |
| 2. | "Bleep That..." | Dean Martin / Johnny Carson / Buddy Hackett | 3:44 |
| 3. | "Fiddler On The Bus" | Jack Benny | 3:54 |
| 4. | "Free For All" | Jerry Lewis / Joey Bishop / George Burns | 2:16 |
| 5. | "Indiana" | Glen Campbell | 3:18 |
| 6. | "Mr. Warmth" | Don Rickles | 5:48 |
| 7. | "Singing In The Rain" | Sammy Davis Jr. | 3:35 |
| 8. | "Reprise" | Buddy Hackett & Sammy Davis Jr. | 0:31 |
Chart performance[edit]
| Chart (1974) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Top LPs & Tape[7] | 30 |
| US Cash Box Top 100[8] | 37 |
Certification and sales[edit]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[9] | Gold | 500,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Tonight Show's Magic Moments Via Casablanca" (PDF). Cash Box: 9. November 16, 1974.
- ^ ""Tonight" LPs Rate Ad Promo" (PDF). Billboard. November 9, 1974. p. 3.
- ^ "RIAA Gold Record Winners" (PDF). Billboard. January 18, 1975. p. 23.
- ^ Harris, Larry Alan (2009). And Party Every Day: The Inside Story of Casablanca Records. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780879309824.
- ^ "Here's Johnny: Magic Moments from the Tonight Show - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
- ^ "Album Reviews - Pop Picks" (PDF). Cash Box: 26. November 30, 1974.
- ^ "Top LP'S & Tape" (PDF). Billboard. January 25, 1975.
- ^ "Cash Box Top 100" (PDF). Cash Box. February 1, 1975.
- ^ "American album certifications – Various – Here's Johnny: Magic Moments from the Tonight Show". Recording Industry Association of America.
