On a cold February night in 1964, a revolution in music erupted at New York's Ed Sullivan Theater.
This revolution was televised.
As a matter of fact, it was seen by millions of viewers, Coast to Coast on the CBS Television Network and in Canada, too.
THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW, originally christened as THE TOAST OF THE TOWN. was America's Video Vaudeville Theater from it's debut on the Tiffany Network in 1948 , right through it's finale in the early1970's.
While the host of the eponymous Sullivan show was derided for being stoic and awkward on the air, Ed Sullivan was a Broadway Columnist who had an amazing, prescient, journalistic ability to identify talent that was headed to stardom.He was aggressive enough to ,often,book them on his stage before any competitor.
Americans tuned in each Sunday night to see singers, dancers, comedians, acrobats, ventriloquists, circus performers and so much more.
On February 9th, 1964, Ed Sullivan showed his audience the future and it was embodied by four lads from Liverpool, England , who changed Music forever : THE BEATLES
It was the first of three consecutive appearances on the top-rated, video variety show.
THE BEATLES were, as you know, and as history has proven, more than a fad. They altered the DNA of Music for generations.
Imagine that you were also appearing as a performer on that vaunted episode, which was watched by more than 45% of the American viewing audience.
The comedy team and, married duo ,of Mitzi McCall and Charlie Brill were booked to appear and perform their popular act, that night.
There could be no better showcase for the respected team that was seeking a bigger, brighter spotlight.
Now, imagine that you were given the unenviable task of following THE BEATLES, that night.
That's exactly what happened to Mitzi McCall and Charlie Brill.
In this clip from the MOVIE MAGG YOU TUBE site, they recount their tale of what happened when the followed the Four Mod Men who Rocked America!!!
Enjoy!!!!:)
As a bonus, from the Archive of American Television,
here is award-winning, Director/Producer John Moffitt recalls
that explosive night, when he was a Production Assistant on Sullivan's
"Really Big Show!!!"
Enjoy!!!:)
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