Rollin' on the River (TV series)

Rollin' on the River (later shortened to Rollin') is a musical variety television program hosted by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. They were the first pop rock group to host their own prime-time TV series.[1] The program was produced by Winters/Rosen Productions and Glen-Warren Productions in association with CTV Television Network in Canada.[2] The show aired in syndication from 1971 to 1973. It was carried by 163 U.S. TV stations and 12 stations in Canada.[1]

Rollin' on the River debuted in September 1971 as a 1-hour series at 7:00pm on Saturday nights. For the 1972 season, the show was abbreviated to Rollin', and the show's length was cut down to 30 minutes on Mondays at 7:30pm. It was produced at the CFTO studios in Toronto.[3]

Ken Kragen, the personal manager for the First Edition, was the executive producer. Production began in May 1971 on a studio-built riverboat. Al Hirt was indented to be the co-host, but scheduling conflicts prevented him from spending more than one day shooting the pilot. The First Edition hosted most of the pilot which aired as Al Hirt Meets The First Edition.[1]

The guests on the show included the Carpenters, Ike & Tina Turner, the Beach Boys, Delany & Bonnie, B.B. King, Kris Kristofferson, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Jose Feliciano.[1][4]

References
  1. Yorke, Ritchie (February 5, 1972). "Rollin On The River's Success Creates TV's First Prime-Time Rock Show" (PDF). Billboard: FE-13, FE-14, FE-15, FE-16.
  2. "First Edition TV Series Rolling" (PDF). Cash Box: 14. September 18, 1971.
  3. "Rollin' On The River/Rollin' | History of Canadian Broadcasting". www.broadcasting-history.ca. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  4. "'Rollin' on the River' Waters Contemporary Rock TV Desert" (PDF). Billboard: 4. December 4, 1971.
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