Perhaps the most famous TV broadcast in American history was aired on Sunday, February 9, 1964. That night, an English rock band new to Americans was introduced on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Ed Sullivan was enormously famous as the master of ceremonies (MC) of a popular CBS variety show that aired from 1948 to 1972. Even though Ed appeared stiff and uncomfortable in front of the cameras, he seemed to know thousands of famous performers, and was able to attract a wide variety of acts to appear on his New York City stage, today used by the David Letterman Show. Each Sunday evening, millions of Americans could watch singers, jugglers, comedians, acrobats, magicians, and animals. The shows were broadcast live, something that happens almost never today. People at home knew that the acts they saw on their televisions were at that very second on a stage in New York City. Mistakes, equipment breakdowns, and problems were viewed along with the performers. There is no question that Ed Sullivan helped to make TV enormously popular.

For many broadcasts, Ed would also invite a rock and roll act to attract younger viewers. For instance, Sullivan was one of the first entertainment executives to place Elvis Presley on national TV. Even then, though, in 1956, Sullivan played it safe. Presley was often criticized by parents for obscenely wiggling his hips while singing. Sullivan at first ordered his camera men to show Presley only from the waist up!

In late 1963, Sullivan was waiting for a plane flight in a London, England airport. Huge numbers of teens there erupted in a riot. When Sullivan learned that the kids were chasing an English rock group through the airport, he decided to put them on his show to see if they’d be as popular in America.

The band was named the Beatles. Their names were John Lennon (rhythm guitar and leader of the band), Paul McCartney (bass), George Harrison (lead guitar), and Ringo Starr (drums). John, Paul, George, and Ringo would soon become the biggest act in entertainment history.

The Beatles were all born to poor families in the dirty, rundown English port city of Liverpool. Two Beatle mothers died not long after their sons reached their teenage years. Two Beatle fathers deserted their families. Because ships docking in Liverpool would bring American rock and roll records, dozens of rock groups and basement clubs sprang up in the city. With all the competition, these groups were forced to work harder and become better.

In addition to playing in Liverpool clubs, the Beatles also traveled several times to the German city of Hamburg to play in clubs there, as well. Their music became loud and driving, and their act became raucous and free-wheeling. They studied songs written by other artists, and began to write some of their own clever music. They had fun, funny personalities, and enjoyed joking with people. Before long, they gave up their Elvis Presley hairdos for the highly-styled long hair favored by German students. Encouraged by their new manager, they also gave up their leather jackets and dungarees for ties and stylish suits. These changes allowed the Beatles to play in better clubs, and get noticed by music industry executives. And soon the long hair and clothing would affect styles around the world for years to come.

After playing in clubs for a period of years, the Beatles were signed to a contract by a record company in 1962. Their first record, Love Me Do, was a modest success. But their second recording, Please Please Me, made them wildly famous across Great Britain. Fans began to riot at Beatle concerts. Newspapers printed headlines about the group and the riots. One theater had to be condemned when crazed fans caused the building to sway. And the Beatles became the first rock act in history to play in an annual TV concert attended by members of Britain’s royal family.

While considering Ed Sullivan’s offer to appear on his show, the Beatles released their new record in America. The song, I Want To Hold Your Hand, would become one of the most famous songs in American history. In a matter of weeks, Beatle music, Beatle hair, Beatle clothing, and the funny, fun-loving Beatles themselves, were known and loved by almost every American. The country waited anxiously to see and hear them for the first time.

On February 7, 1964, the Beatles landed at Kennedy Airport in New York City. The airport was clogged with screaming teens. There the Beatles joked with reporters in a now famous news conference. Later their hotel was attacked and invaded by thousands of screaming fans. The Beatles were, for the most part, forced to hide in their hotel rooms while waiting to appear for their first U. S. broadcast.

On that famous Sunday night, an enormous American audience watched the Beatles perform live on Sullivan’s stage. Even today, except for a number of sports contests, Sullivan’s Beatle broadcast remains one of the most watched shows in American history.

For the next five years, through over a dozen record albums, three movies, three tours of America, several world tours, and hundreds of millions of record sales, the Beatles dominated the music business. Their music grew more sophisticated and inventive. And they had influence in other fields as well. Their long hair and clothing affected styles for years. They grew interested and knowledgeable in politics, film, poetry, and religion. Their remarks were aired on countless radio and TV programs, and printed in thousands of newspapers. They spoke out against the Vietnam War and segregation. Millions of young people across America and around the world followed their lead, and demanded peace and love. Beatle music and Beatle remarks all encouraged this movement.

In 1967, the Beatles’ manager died. Slowly, the members of the group grew apart, disagreeing over musical, business, and personal differences. Finally, in April 1970 the group split apart. Its members began to pursue individual artistic careers.

For years, heart-broken Beatle fans hoped for a reunion. These hopes came to a tragic end on the night of December 8, 1980 outside an apartment building in New York City. There John Lennon was shot and killed by a mentally deranged Beatle fan. Huge newspaper headlines around the globe described the world’s grief.

Still, fans hoped that the three remaining Beatles might yet arrange a reunion. But it was not to be. Shortly after Thanksgiving in 2001, George Harrison died of cancer. There would be no Beatles ever again.

Today, both Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr still tour, sing, and record. McCartney is now the richest entertainer in the history of show business. A compact disk collection of Beatle hits released in 2000 quickly became the biggest selling CD ever. Die-hard Beatle fans still worship the Fab(ulous) Four. Their music and their memory will never die.

What’s more, their success that famous Sunday night had proved that a new invention, television, had become an important part of every American home.

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