1964: “Ladies and gentlemen… The Beatles!”
An estimated 73 million viewers watched The Ed Sullivan Show for the American TV debut of rock and roll’s reigning sensation.
Performing five songs over two sets, the appearance played a pivotal role in energizing “Beatlemania.”
This trend indirectly benefited another guest on Sullivan’s show that evening, a young man in the Broadway cast of Oliver! named Davy Jones, who later found fame on the Beatles-inspired comedy series The Monkees two years later. -A.D.
Today’s Birthdays: Jim J. Bullock, quirky neighbor (58); Charlie Day, Philadelphian (37); Ciarán Hinds, conqueror (60); Michael B. Jordan, quarterback (26); Sheila Kuehl, Dobie enthusiast (72); Judith Light, leader (64).
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