Where the Action Is

Where the Action Is was a popular American television series that aired from 1965 to 1967, featuring a mix of Rock and roll music, Dance performances, and comedy sketches, often filmed at various Los Angeles locations, including the Whisky a Go Go nightclub, and featuring guests like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. The show was hosted by Dick Clark, Steve Alaimo, and Linda Scott, and included performances by The Byrds, The Mamas & the Papas, and Simon & Garfunkel. Regulars on the show also included Paul Revere & the Raiders, The Action, and The Wrecking Crew, who often performed with Nancy Sinatra, Sonny & Cher, and The Supremes. The series was known for its high-energy performances, often featuring The Beach Boys, The Four Seasons, and The Kinks.

Introduction

Where the Action Is was a groundbreaking television series that brought together some of the biggest names in music, including Elvis Presley, The Animals, and The Yardbirds, and featured performances by The Temptations, The Four Tops, and Stevie Wonder. The show was produced by Dick Clark Productions and aired on ABC from 1965 to 1967, with episodes often featuring The Ronettes, The Crystals, and The Shangri-Las. The series was known for its fast-paced format, which included performances, interviews, and comedy sketches, often featuring Don Knotts, Tim Conway, and Jonathan Winters. Guests on the show also included The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis, who performed with The Chiffons, The Dixie Cups, and The Toys.

History

The concept for Where the Action Is was developed by Dick Clark, who wanted to create a show that would appeal to a younger audience, including fans of The British Invasion, which included bands like The Who, The Small Faces, and The Hollies. Clark partnered with ABC to produce the show, which was filmed at various locations in Los Angeles, including the Whisky a Go Go nightclub, and featured performances by The Doors, The Mamas & the Papas, and Buffalo Springfield. The show premiered on June 28, 1965, and ran for two seasons, featuring guests like The Monkees, The Turtles, and The Young Rascals. Regulars on the show also included Paul Revere & the Raiders, who performed with The Action, and The Wrecking Crew, who often worked with Phil Spector, Brian Wilson, and George Martin.

Episodes

Where the Action Is featured a wide range of guests, including The Beatles, who appeared on the show in 1965, and The Rolling Stones, who performed on the show in 1966, along with The Byrds, The Kinks, and The Animals. Other notable guests included Bob Dylan, who appeared on the show in 1965, and The Supremes, who performed on the show in 1966, along with The Temptations, The Four Tops, and Stevie Wonder. The show also featured performances by The Beach Boys, The Four Seasons, and The Everly Brothers, who often performed with The Ronettes, The Crystals, and The Shangri-Las. Episodes often included comedy sketches, featuring Don Knotts, Tim Conway, and Jonathan Winters, and interviews with guests like Elvis Presley, The Who, and The Small Faces.

Reception

Where the Action Is was a commercial success, attracting a large and loyal audience, including fans of Rock and roll music, Dance performances, and comedy sketches, who tuned in to see guests like The Monkees, The Turtles, and The Young Rascals. The show received positive reviews from critics, who praised its high-energy performances and fast-paced format, which often featured The Doors, The Mamas & the Papas, and Buffalo Springfield. The show was also notable for its impact on the music industry, helping to launch the careers of artists like The Byrds, The Mamas & the Papas, and Simon & Garfunkel, who often performed with The Wrecking Crew, and Phil Spector, who worked with The Ronettes, The Crystals, and The Shangri-Las. The show's success also led to the creation of other music-based television series, including Shindig!, Hullabaloo, and The Ed Sullivan Show, which featured guests like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan.

Impact

The impact of Where the Action Is can still be felt today, with many artists citing the show as an influence, including The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and Tom Petty, who often performed with The Heartbreakers, and Stevie Nicks, who worked with Don Henley, Lindsey Buckingham, and Mick Fleetwood. The show's fast-paced format and mix of music, comedy, and dance have also influenced the development of music television, with shows like MTV, VH1, and CMT drawing on the same format, and featuring guests like Michael Jackson, Prince, and Madonna. The show's legacy can also be seen in the many music festivals and concerts that have been inspired by its format, including Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Glastonbury Festival, which feature performances by The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and The Who. Overall, Where the Action Is remains an important part of music history, and its influence can still be felt today, with many artists and fans continuing to celebrate its legacy, including The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which has inducted many of the show's guests, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. Category:Television series