The Midnight Special was established in Chicago on 98.7 WFMT-FM in 1953, and went national in 1971. The Midnight Special is a musical variety series featuring performances from rock bands, disco artists, and accomplished singers. The Midnight Special (Pistol Pete's Midnight Special) During the 1950's folksong revival, a favorite at hootenannies and concerts was this Texas prisoner's song. It is thought to have originated among prisoners in the American South during the early 20th century. Rich in tradition and history, the program has remained current through decades of change by retaining its topical bent while delighting listeners worldwide with gentle irreverence, touchingly candid observations, and the unveiling of new music. The Midnight Special is an American late-night musical variety series originally broadcast on NBC during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Burt Sugarman.It premiered as a special on August 19, 1972, then began its run as a regular series on February 2, 1973; its last episode was on May 1, 1981. Creedence Clearwater Revival. The Lomaxes wrote that the Midnight Special was the Golden Gate Limited, departing from Houston's Southern Pacific depot at midnight for San Antonio, El Paso, and points west. A few episodes were even hosted by popular comedians. Lyrics to "The Midnight Special" on Lyrics.com. According to folk music historian Alan Lomax as documented in the book Folk Song USA, the Midnight Special was a real train: the Southern Pacific Golden Gate Limited.A traditional folk song, Leadbelly popularized it upon his release from Sugar Land prison in Texas, where he could hear the Midnight Special come through. It has stayed current through decades of change, rich in tradition and history while retaining its timeliness, delighting listeners throughout the world with gentle irreverence … Creedence Clearwater Revival (sometimes shortened to Creedence or CCR) was an American rock band that gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with a number of successful singles drawn from various albums. “The Midnight Special” is a traditional American folk song. The "Midnight Special" is a passenger train from Houston. The Midnight Special first aired in Chicago on WFMT-FM in 1953, and went national in 1971. The lyrics of the Creedance Clearwater song are about the woes of a African American man who has been imprisoned for gambling and fighting. It's light shines into the Sugar Land Prison in Texas. Midnight Special is a traditional folk song thought to have originated among prisoners in the American South. Lyrics appearing in the song were first recorded in print by Howard Odum in 1905.. The Midnight Special premiered on NBC on August 19, 1972 and ended in 1981. Midnight Special should be added to his growing list of accomplishments, but for most people not glued into the genre, it may come off as disjointed and unfulfilled. The '70s was a special time for soul music, a decade filled with legendary artists like Al Green, Teddy Pendergrass, The O’Jays, Marvin Gaye, The Stylistics and so many more.