Ed Sullivan: Rock God

I got in the WABAC Machine to look at the British Invasion bands featured on The Ed Sullivan Show on Sunday nights from February 1964 through January 1965.  Back then appearing on Ed Sullivan was a big deal (as you can tell by this satiric tribute to the power of Ed from the musical Bye, Bye, Birdie featuring Paul Lynde and Ann-Margret).  The show drew a huge audience, despite, or maybe because of, Sullivan's complete lack of charisma and stiff, awkward stage presence, and its where America saw for the first time many acts, including The Beatles.  Sullivan's show lasted from 1948 until 1971 because he and his talent scouts had an eye for what would appeal to broad segments of the American public.  Along with The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis made their first TV appearances on his show.  It's also where comedians like Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, and George Carlin came to nationwide attention.

Sullivan also presented many African American artists for the first time on TV including Harry Belafonte and Sammy Davis Jr., and was an early promoter of Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor's careers.  He was an honorary pallbearer at the funeral of his frequent guest, and friend, Louis Armstrong.  In a sign of how different things were back then, some sponsors threatened to withdraw ads after he kissed Pearl Bailey on the cheek.

And, as those who watched frequently remember, after seeing one of those great acts we might next see Topo Gigio or Senor Wences, both of whom seemed like they were on the show every month.

We can chart the transition from American popular music to the British invasion over those twelve months.  Here's how it played out (where IMBd carried a summary of the entire show I've included it in italics):

February 2, 1964 - The last pre-Beatles show, featuring Ella Fitzgerald and Sammy Davis Jr.

February 9, 1964 - First appearance by The Beatles.  An estimated 73 million Americans (40% of the nation's population) watched the debut of the Fab Four.

February 16, 1964

The Beatles return to program for the second consecutive week, this time performing in Miami Beach, Florida. In the first set, the group performs "She Loves You", "This Boy", and "All My Loving". After Ed Sullivan introduces current heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston and former champ Joe Louis, comedians Marty Allen and Steve Rossi perform a sketch where an unlikely boxing contender (Allen) is quizzed by a persistent interviewer. Mitzi Gaynor performs "It's Too Darn Hot" and a series of blues numbers. Sway Bar Acrobats 'The Nerveless Nocks' perform aerial feats in a segment taped at Hialeh Race Track, followed by Myron Cohen's stand-up comic routine concerning two old ladies who enter the race track by accident. The Beatles wrap up the show with a second set, singing "I Saw Her Standing There", "From Me to You" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand".

February 23, 1964

The Beatles return for their third straight show and perform "Twist and Shout" and "Please Please Me" in their opening set. Cute blonde Gloria Bleezarde trills the comic song "Safety in Numbers", followed by Pinky and Perky's marionettes performing "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" and "Speedy Gonzalez". Morecambe & Wise perform a comedy sketch concerning fragile antique brandy glasses and are succeeded by clarinetist Acker Bilk and the Ed Sullivan Dancers performing "Acker's Lacquer". Gordon and Sheila MacRae spoof 'The Garry Moore Show' with Gordon and Shiela performing "The Sweetest Sounds", followed by Gordon's impressions of Moore and Frank Fontaine and then singing "If Ever I would Leave You". Sandwiched around comedy routines by Dave Barry and Morty Gunty, Cab Calloway sings "St. James Infirmary" and "Ol' Man River". The episode concludes with The Beatles singing "I Want to Hold Your Hand" for the third consecutive week.

March 8, 1964  The Dave Clark Five.  When The Beatles exploded on the scene no one knew whether they'd be around in three months, so when the DC5 had their first big hit in the U.S., Glad All Over, they were touted as the next big thing, and appeared four times on Sullivan during 1964.


March 15, 1964  The Dave Clark Five

April 12, 1964  The Searchers

The Searchers sang "Needles and Pins" and "Ain't That Just Like Me". Teresa Brewer sang Bye Bye Blackbird. Senor Wences did his ventriloquist act. The Little Singers of Tokyo sang "Sakura" and "Swanee". 

 

May 3, 1964  Gerry & The Pacemakers.  Mersey mates of The Beatles, Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying was a massive hit.

 

May 10, 1964  Gerry & The Pacemakers

May 31 1964  The Dave Clark Five

June 7, 1964  Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas  Now forgotten, Billy J had a few hits in the UK and this creepy single hit #5 in the U.S.  Managed by Brian Epstein, who also managed The Beatles.

September 27, 1964

The Beach Boys become the first American pop/rock band to appear on the show in 1964, followed by Roy Orbison in October and, in December, Gary Lewis & The Playboys and The Supremes (the first of many appearances for them).

October 18, 1964  The Animals.  The music coming out of Britain in the second half of the year started sounding rougher, a trend spearheaded by The Animals, The Rolling Stones, and The Kinks (You Really Got Me).  The House of the Rising Sun was a #1 everywhere in the English speaking world, a remaking of an old blues tune, with Eric Burdon's soulful vocal and an unforgettable organ sound from Alan Price.  The bass player, Chas Chandler, went on to discover Jimi Hendrix playing in a London club, and produced his first three albums.  The Animals were the first of the British bands to hail from the north of the country.



October 25, 1964  The Rolling Stones.  In 1964 the appearance of the long-haired and scruffy (for those times) Stones was a shock.  And 55 years later they're preparing for yet another tour!  Here they are making their debut on Ed Sullivan performing their first hit song, Time Is On My Side.


November 1, 1964  The Dave Clark Five

November 15, 1964  Peter & Gordon  Peter Asher and Gordon Waller were the easy listening duo of the British invasion.  Their good fortune was that Peter's sister Jane was dating Paul McCartney who gave the duo a song he'd written, World Without Love, which became their biggest hit.

January 17, 1965  The Animals.  This link takes you to the Ed Sullivan performance of their outstanding second single, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood.