Ed Sullivan Show and The Beatles.

While Beatles was not well-known in the US on October 1963, Ed Sullivan discovered Beatlemania phenomenon. Ed Sullivan’s flight from London, Heathrow Airport was late. This was because Beatles was welcomed by a lot of fans from their overseas concert. When the reason for delay was explained, Ed Sullivan said: “Who is The Beatles?” This encouraged Ed Sullivan to host Beatles in his program (The Ed Sullivan Show) in 1964. This way he gets to know The Beatles. From Beatles’ perspective, they didn’t know Ed Sullivan before.

When Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 1964 for the first time, this was an important moment for the rock music.

Beatles first appeared in the US on 09 February 1964 at 20.00 on Ed Sullivan Show. Before the program, more than 50,000 people asked to watch the CBS TV show on West-Fifty-Third avenue. But the seating capacity of the show was limited with 703 people. This can be a record.

The Beatles sang 5 songs on the program. These songs were

“All My Loving”, “Till There Was You”, “She Loves You”,

“I Saw Her Standing There” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand”.

That night, 73 million people watched Beatles. When Beatles was on Ed Sullivan Show, all the routine activities in the US stopped to watch Beatles’ performance. No crime was committed in the US when they were on the show. It was almost impossible to find a taxi or a bus in New York until the live performance was completed. Beatlemania in America already started…

The band appeared on Ed Sullivan Show for the second time on 16 February 1964. This broadcast was on the satellite from their hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. The Beatles played 6 songs at 20.00 from their hotel. These songs were,

“She Loves You”, “This Boy”, “All My Loving”, “I Saw Her Standing There”, “From Me to You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand”.

The next Sullivan performance was on 23 February 1964. Actually, this could be considered as the first performance. Because this program was recorded before the “first” program on 09 February 1964 and broadcasted from the tape on 23 February. Beatles played 3 songs in this performance:

“Twist and Shout”, “Please Please Me” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand” …

In this performance, Ed Sullivan thanked The Beatles for being the “best four gentlemen”.

On 24 May 1964, Ed Sullivan broadcast an interview about the new Beatles movie. The movie was called “A Hard Day’s Night”. This interview was connected with “You Can’t Do That” song sang by the Beatles in the movie.

Beatles recorded 6 songs when they arrived in the US for the famous Shea Stadium concert. 14 August 1965
“I Feel Fine”, “I’m Down”, “Act Naturally”, “Ticket to Ride”, “Yesterday” and “Help”.

The songs were played from the tape on 12 September 1965 in Ed Sullivan Show.

Although it was from the tape, this was the last live performance of The Beatles on Ed Sullivan Show.

The Beatles appeared few more times on this show from tape. On 5 June 1966, they released “Rain” and “Paperback Writer” video clips. On 26 November 1967, “Hello Goodbye” video clip was released. On 12 February 1967, “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” video clips were released. The last performance was on 15 February 1970. “Two Of Us” and “Let It Be” music videos were broadcast.

Although the Beatles was on Ed Sullivan Show for 9 times, they were on Ed Sullivan Show stage only on 09 February 1964. Other performances were from satellite, other venues or from tape.

Later, Ringo Star and Paul McCartney separately appeared on Ed Sullivan Theatre, New York. Ringo was on the stage in 2000 with “All Star Band” and Paul was on the stage on December 1992 for MTV’s “Up Close” TV show.

Today, Ed Sullivan Theatre belongs to David Letterman and his “The Late Show with David Letterman” show is broadcast from here…