Bram Tchaikovsky on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert (September 27, 1979)

*Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert* was a late-night TV gem from 1973 to 1981, serving raw, live music to insomniacs and rebels. Unlike the lip-syncing fluff of the era, it showcased real performances from rock, funk, and soul titans on a no-frills stage. Kirshner, a music mogul with a tin ear for charisma, introduced acts with all the warmth of a tax auditor, but the bands brought the fire. It was a gritty middle finger to polished pop, giving fans a front-row seat to the sweat and swagger of the ’70s sound.

On September 27, 1979, Bram Tchaikovsky, the British power-pop outfit led by Peter Bramall, stormed Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert with a performance that crackled with raw energy and melodic grit. Fresh off their debut album Strange Man, Changed Man, the band delivered a tight set, including standout tracks like “Strange Man, Changed Man,” “Lonely Dancer,” “Girl of My Dreams,” and “Lady from the USA.” Their sound—a punchy blend of pub-rock swagger and new-wave polish—lit up the stage, proving they could hold their own against the era’s heavyweights. With Kirshner’s trademark deadpan intro setting the scene, Bram Tchaikovsky’s appearance was a fleeting but electric moment, capturing their brief blaze of glory before fading into cult obscurity.