Classic Jorma & Jack: Watch Hot Tuna Perform ‘I See The Light’ On ‘Midnight Special’ In 1974

The Midnight Special YouTube channel continues to mine the storied late-night television program’s vault for gold. The account recently shared footage of Hot Tuna’s Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady performing “I See the Light.”

Guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady formed Hot Tuna in 1969 while still in Jefferson Airplane. The band, which initially included Airplane’s Paul Kantner, was a side project for the musicians while Jefferson Airplane frontwoman Grace Slick recovered from surgery.

Hot Tuna released their self-titled debut in 1969, assembled from live recordings the duo captured at Berkeley, California’s New Orleans House. Known for alternating between acoustic and electric material, Hot Tuna followed with First Pull Up, Then Pull Down and Burgers. As changes took place in Jefferson Airplane in the early 1970s, Hot Tuna became Kaukonen and Casady’s main gig.

The duo officially left Jefferson Airplane, who would continue as Jefferson Starship, in 1973 and released their fourth album, The Phosphorescent Rat, on January 3, 1974. Later that year, Hot Tuna performed the album’s opening track, the Kaukonen-written “I See the Light” on The Midnight Special. Watch below:

While Hot Tuna delivered their final electric performance in 2023, the band is still going strong acoustically. Hot Tuna is currently in the midst of a 2025 Winter Tour with their next performance coming tomorrow (January 30) in Charleston, South Carolina. Scroll down for their itinerary and ticket info.