Ed Sullivan Show performances (1948-1971)

Ed Sullivan Show performances (1948-1971)

ew television programs in the 20th century left as indelible a mark on popular culture as The Ed Sullivan Show. Airing on CBS from 1948 to 1971, it became one of the longest-running and most influential variety shows in television history.

Hosted by Ed Sullivan, a newspaper columnist turned TV personality, the show offered a weekly stage where music, comedy, theater, dance, and novelty acts could reach a national audience. For more than two decades, it functioned as both a showcase for established artists and a launchpad for emerging talents, profoundly shaping American entertainment.

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Timeline of Iconic Performances on The Ed Sullivan Show

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1948–1950s: Establishing the Stage

• 1948 (Debut Year): Toast of the Town premieres with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis among the first performers, setting the tone for comedy and variety.
• 1950s: Opera stars like Maria Callas and classical musicians like Itzhak Perlman share the stage with comedians such as Milton Berle and Jack Benny. This blend defines the show’s “something for everyone” style.
• June 5, 1955: Bill Haley & His Comets perform “Rock Around the Clock,” signaling the arrival of rock ’n’ roll on national television.

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1956–1957: The Elvis Presley Phenomenon

• September 9, 1956: Elvis Presley’s first appearance draws an audience of 60 million (82.6% of TV viewers). His gyrating dance moves shock conservative viewers but thrill teenagers.
• January 6, 1957: On his third appearance, Elvis is infamously filmed only from the waist up to avoid “suggestive” movements—cementing both controversy and stardom.

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1960–1963: Broadway and Comedy Flourish

• Regular performances from Broadway musicals like West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, and Camelot bring New York theater into American homes.
• Comedians such as George Carlin, Richard Pryor, and Joan Rivers begin to appear, testing boundaries of humor.
• The show becomes a cultural meeting point for “family-friendly entertainment” during a period of social calm.

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1964: The Beatles and the British Invasion

• February 9, 1964: The Beatles make their U.S. debut with “All My Loving,” “Till There Was You,” and “She Loves You.”
  • Viewed by 73 million people, this performance is one of the most-watched TV events in history.
• Subsequent Beatles appearances on Sullivan accelerate the British Invasion, paving the way for acts like The Rolling Stones, The Animals, and The Dave Clark Five.

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1965–1967: The Rock ’n’ Roll Explosion

• 1965: The Rolling Stones perform “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” shocking parents but delighting youth.
• 1966: The Supremes appear, becoming regular guests and introducing Motown’s polished sound to mainstream audiences.
• 1967: The Doors perform “Light My Fire.” After being asked to censor the word “higher,” Jim Morrison sings it anyway—causing backstage tension but cementing the band’s rebellious image.
• 1967: The Jackson 5 make their first national appearance, with a young Michael Jackson capturing hearts.

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1968–1970: Social Change on Stage

• 1968: Comedian Richard Pryor performs edgy material, reflecting shifting cultural attitudes.
• 1969: Diana Ross & The Supremes’ farewell performance marks the end of an era in Motown.
• 1969: Elvis Presley returns for a televised comeback special on NBC, but Sullivan’s earlier shows are remembered as his true TV coronation.
• Folk musicians like Joan Baez and Peter, Paul & Mary appear, tying the show to the era’s social and political movements.

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1971: The Final Curtain

• June 6, 1971: The last episode of The Ed Sullivan Show airs, ending a 23-year run. The final guests include Gladys Knight & The Pips, Jerry Vale, and retirements of several Broadway features.
• The program closes not with a bang but with a sense of having already made history.

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Legacy of the Performances

Each of these moments became more than just entertainment—they were cultural milestones:

• Elvis and The Beatles redefined youth culture.
• Broadway acts democratized high art for middle America.
• Black artists like The Supremes, Jackson 5, and Motown greats helped mainstream African American music.
• Comedians tested boundaries, paving the way for modern stand-up.

Key Performances to Watch

1. The Doors – “Light My Fire” (1967)
   • Video: YouTube
   • This is the famous performance on The Ed Sullivan Show where the band was asked to change the lyric “Girl, we couldn’t get much higher” because the producers felt it might reference drug use. Ed Sullivan Show+2Ed Sullivan Show+2 However, during the live show, Jim Morrison sang the original lyric. Ed Sullivan Show+2Ed Sullivan Show+2
2. Elvis Presley – Various Performances
   • The Ed Sullivan Show YouTube channel has many clips of Elvis, including “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender,” and “Peace in the Valley.” Ed Sullivan Show
   • One standout is his first appearance (September 9, 1956), which drew an enormous audience (60 million viewers, ~82.6% of TV watchers at the time) and is often cited as a turning point in how rock ’n’ roll was perceived in mainstream culture. Ed Sullivan Show+3HISTORY CHANNEL ITALIA+3The Music Man+3
3. The Beatles – First U.S. Televised Appearance (1964)
   • While I couldn’t locate a full official YouTube video in my search just now, their first performance on The Ed Sullivan Show (February 9, 1964) is hugely documented and often included in Beatles documentary clips. It included “All My Loving,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” etc., and was watched by more than 70 million people. AP News

Elvis Presley “Hound Dog” (October 28, 1956) on The Ed Sullivan Show

Elvis Presley “Hound Dog” on The Ed Sullivan Show on October 28, 1956.

The Beach Boys “I Get Around” on The Ed Sullivan Show

Playlist Links

Artist / Performance	YouTube / Official Link
The Beatles — “All My Loving” (Ed Sullivan)	The Beatles – “All My Loving” (Official Artist Channel)

Elvis Presley — “Hound Dog” (Oct 28, 1956, Ed Sullivan)

(No fully official YouTube link found; several archived and unofficial clips exist) video.link+2

The Doors — “Light My Fire” (Sept 17, 1967, Ed Sullivan)

There are archived video versions; official Ed Sullivan site has background. classicrockersnetwork.com+3Ed Sullivan Show+3

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