Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Kick Off Soundstage

By Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY
Once upon a time, before American Idol was even a sparkle in some record company executive's eye, there was a show that offered already proven artists a chance to strut their stuff, unencumbered by hostile judges or goofy reality TV-inspired segments.

That was Soundstage, a PBS performance series that from 1974 to 1985 provided a classy forum for the likes of Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin and The Temptations. Since then, a slew of programs modeled after or incorporating aspects of Soundstage— MTV's Unplugged, VH1's Storytellers, A&E Live by Request, PBS' own Sessions at West 54th Street — have helped fill the void for fans of live music concerts seeking an alternative to television's karaoke contests and elaborately produced superstar specials.

Like so many other '70s and '80s phenomena, Soundstage is trying to make a comeback. Thursday at 10 p.m. ET/PT (times may vary), PBS will relaunch the series with the first of three hour-long shows featuring Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. In 10 other episodes set to air in the same slot, acts such as Lyle Lovett, Ashford & Simpson, Lucinda Williams and Wilco will join similarly celebrated colleagues. A special episode featuring Chicago will air July 26 as part of PBS' pledge drive.

Like the original, the new model is based in Chicago, where shows are taped at WTTW's 10,000-square-foot Grainger Studio. "Soundstage was groundbreaking in giving viewers a chance to be part of the audience," executive producer Randy King says. "Now we're trying to take it to the next level by utilizing the technology we now have. We want to get the viewer in the front row, or up on stage, where you can experience all the nuances and the interaction that you often can't even catch in a live venue."

But director/producer Joe Thomas notes the structure hasn't changed. "When I was in high school, Soundstage was the only show where you could hear live music without having someone your parents liked introduce acts. We've stayed with that format, opening with the credits, then going into an hour of music. It's as pure as you could make it for television."

Michael McDonald, who appears with other Doobie Brothers in an episode, agrees. "It's not very choreographed, so the audience's energy isn't stilted. It's the momentum you can get at a live show; people get more excited as the show goes on."

Many of the musicians appearing on Soundstage are, like McDonald, singer/songwriters with track records. King already has lined up several artists for a second season — among them Kris Kristofferson, Joan Baez and Sheryl Crow — who also fit this profile.

"These artists have had great careers, but it's becoming more challenging for them to get airplay," King says. "This is a chance for them to reach their fans."

Conversely, Thomas adds, "we have more young-oriented artists like Wilco who prove that, yes, there is a new crop of musicians who can do what Tom Petty has been doing for 25 years."