For nearly a decade, beginning in 1973, music fans knew where to turn to watch pre-taped performances of their favorite music stars. On Friday nights—technically early Saturday mornings at 1 a.m.—TV audiences would tune in to watch The Midnight Special on NBC, where for 90 minutes, fans could  watch solo stars like Elton John on the piano or Linda Ronstadt belting out her latest single, or rock bands like the Doobie Brothers in an appearance tied to a new album. Other than a live venue, it was one of the only places you were able to see rock, pop, soul and country stars on the same stage nearly every week.

The show had other surprising moments, those that featured musicians sharing the spotlight to perform a signature tune as a collaboration that often led to surprising results. Many of these unique combinations have been forgotten for decades. Thankfully, the series has been remastering hundreds of archival clips and even entire episodes, sharing them on its YouTube channel.

We’ve selected 10 such collaborations, all of which feature a pair of legendary performers.

The Bee Gees and Helen Reddy—“To Love Somebody”

A late ’60s tune already firmly etched into the DNA of several genres was brought back to center stage here when the trio collaborated with the show’s frequent host on September 12, 1975. For this well known song, the Bee Gees’ harmonies nestle into Reddy‘s singing just right, for a slower, soulful reinterpretation of the 1967 hit.

Billy Preston and Buddy Miles—“My Sweet Lord”

On August 31, 1973, the show was hosted by none other than the keyboard legend, joined here by the Band of Gypsys alum for a funky rendition of George Harrison‘s #1 single, “My Sweet Lord.” Thanks to the horns, it‘s all about groove and play and true to the series’ musician-centric process.

Frankie Valli and Lionel Richie—“Grease”

The soundtrack’s singles were all over the radio in the late ‘70s, including the movie’s theme song, written by Barry Gibb. On November 9, 1979, the leader of the Four Seasons joined the Commodores to perform his chart-topping hit.

Related: More on their unique collaboration

Gladys Knight and B.B. King—“The Thrill Is Gone”

King’s 1970 hit (#3 on the R&B chart), known as one of the blues’ canonical recordings, became the foundation for this early October 1973 session. His guitar riffs are the backbone here with Knight providing soulfully rooted vocals to flesh out the track.

Captain & Tennille and Neil Sedaka—“Love Will Keep Us Together”

After spending three weeks at #1 on the Hot 100 in 1975, the song returned to television later that year with its co-writer stepping into the spotlight. The trio’s version mirrors the hit recording, underscoring its popularity at the time.

Paul Anka and Tom Jones—“She‘s a Lady”/”My Way”

The December 6, 1974, appearance featured the pair of legends trading vocals on two of their well known songs. The Welshman starts things off with his 1971 hit (#1 on Cash Box). Anka then introduces the song for which he wrote English lyrics. Their performances demonstrate their stage contrast with Anka’s careful phrasing versus Jones’ belting-it-out style. The combination and obvious camaraderie worked very well.

Helen Reddy and Glen Campbell—Medley

After Campbell plays several Beach Boys licks—he was a member of their touring band for a period—the pair of likable pros breeze through several of his solo hits during this 1975 segment.

David Bowie and Marianne Faithfull—“I Got You Babe“

A unique performance of the Sonny & Cher favorite that aired on November 16, 1973, with a fairly, er, faithful rendition of the song (although their stage outfits are a hoot). (Series producer Burt Sugarman had invited Bowie to appear on the program.)

Dr. John and Maria Muldaur—“Three Dollar Bill”

Two artists who were indebted to the blues, Dr. John and Maria Muldaur, visited that framework in “Three Dollar Bill” from her debut album with their performance on September 27, 1974. The arrangement is informal, and the focus is more on the swagger of Muldaur than on the Good Doctor, who takes a literal backseat on the piano. Both were 32 years old at the time.

The Beach Boys, Roger McGuinn and Wolfman Jack—“Rock and Roll Music”

This show-stopping assembly of stars with many audience out of their seats dancing aired on April 27, 1979. The Beach Boys had covered Chuck Berry‘s 1957 classic back in 1976, earning their biggest single in a decade, dating back to “Good Vibrations” in 1966. There was obviously no dress code mandated as mainstays Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston are in a variety of outfits, with guest Roger McGuinn in a shirt with extra-wide lapels. It’s a fitting closer to the “anything goes” group effort of the evening.

With more of these clips restored, we are able to relive the casual setting of these performances with the musicians providing many “wink, wink” moments, whether they were planned or not. It all added to the great experience of the great show of that era.