The show, which ran for only a year in 1969-70, was as obnoxious as the name suggests, centered on Hugh Hefner's faux sophistication and inane banter in a mock "rumpus room" at the Playboy Mansion (in reality, the CBS studio in Los Angles). Nonetheless, "Playboy after Dark" also featured live performances by some of the most important musical acts of the late 1960s, as well as the characteristic dance moves of Hefner's guests.
Bill Kreutzman, the Grateful Dead drummer, later claimed that everyone had been unknowingly dosed with LSD before this performance:
I had to think hard about posting a clip with Ike Turner, but it seemed that Tina's relatively early performances should not be suppressed because of his presence.
Sorry about the sound quality on this one. There is a longer clip with better sound, but it begins with a set of Hefner interviews that I cannot bring myself to include.
Why do you hate Hefner?
Geez, it seems like an inexhaustible reserve of ill feeling toward others.
Hefner's hedonism was his schtick. He actually was a quite brilliant marketer, and, of course, wildly successful peddling material that could not even be called "porn" ... .
The elevator in the intro to the episode with Ike and Tina doesn't suggest in any way that they were at the Playboy Mansion.
And, the LIVE performances! Outstanding. (JB notwithstanding) Unlike the faux lip synching that likely brought tears to your eyes at the recent swearing in. This is called authenticity.
So, why all the shade, Steve? Why do you think all these giants in the music industry appeared on this show? Geez, when you were a kid, did you hate on so many people as you do now?
Posted by: anon | January 23, 2021 at 02:28 PM
Dynamite version of "THis wheels on fire>" by the later Byrds. Crosby and most of the original Byrds have flown. Roger McGuin is the only original Byrd left. Clarence White plays an awsome lead guitar.
Posted by: Aldo Reine | January 25, 2021 at 02:55 PM
Canned Heat! Blind Alan Wilson - what a loss....fun to watch their transition from Monterey to Woodstock.
Posted by: Steve Diamond | January 26, 2021 at 03:54 AM