I know I am not the only person here old enough to remember.
A friend called and asked if I could play "The Weight, " a song by The Band. I did not remember the name of the song until I saw the first line of the lyrics. Then it all came back: the name of the group, the song, and two others, and the fact that I first saw them on the Ed Sullivan Show.
How many of you can sing that song?
I am not sure how that could have worked, as I was in Laos on November 2, 1969, when it aired on TV. Rerun? Was there such a thing then?
What did you guys see on the Ed Sullivan Show?
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Wasn't it Elvis who first appeared on the Ed Sullivan show and they would only allow the camera to show him from the waist up? Such gyrations were not fit for public viewing in those days
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Elvis Presley first appeared on television on The Ed Sullivan Show on September 9, 1956, and I was a pretty young kid at the time.
I saw Elvis on TV around the first time he was on. It was a green screen looking picture, as I remember. I don't remember if it was on Ed Sullivan. And, yes, there were all kinds of hell raised about what a vulgar work of the devil he and his gyrations were...lol
Married couples had to sleep in separate beds on TV in those years.
What is shown on TV today would have caused anyone back then to be charged, convicted, and sent to the penitentiary for years!
This was a different world—one we would hardly recognize today. It was also pretty ugly at times.
There was a white water fountain and a black water fountain in the grocery store. No, it was a colored fountain. The word "black" had not come into use at that time.
Well, I am speaking of Houston, Texas, which was in the "Jim Crow" segregated south and the bible belt on top of that.
There were no homeless people to be seen, and the ones that could be found were locked up in jail for vagrancy. It was also illegal to shoot buffalo on the courthouse square! May still be...lol It is Texas, you know...lol
OMG, I must really be getting old...lol
Billy
Last edited by Planobilly; 01/05/2507:51 PM.
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Well, Trev, at least at some point, they let him cut loose...lol
I think these guys standing behind Elvis must have been wondering if they were going to get out of there without going to jail...lol
Billy
Last edited by Planobilly; 01/05/2507:56 PM.
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Apparently, from what I understand, they 'censored' his performance on his third appearance on Ed Sullivan. It is suggested that it was a publicity stunt devised by Mr Sullivan to get more viewers to watch the show. I don't know if it's true or not, but one thing's for sure, Elvis changed the way a lot of people appreciated music. He was revolutionary.
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I was only around 9 at the time, and this may be one of the few times I remember that night. For some reason, I never liked Elvis very much, although I now understand his impact on music.
I did sing a few of his songs. I saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan—at least I think I did!
I started painting my house today so I guess I could have smelled too much paint thinner...lol
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
We didn't own a TV until I was 9 (1960). When the Beatles made their Ed Sullivan appearances, my biological male parent refused to let me watch "those degenerates". Lord knows what he would have called Elvis. The irony of it all was, years later, I caught him whistling along to a Henry Mancini cover of a Beatles song.
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Saw a fair bit of Mr Sullivan's show in the mid-60s, though as a kid I focused more on his comedy and novelty acts. Wasn't until The Monkees and The Beatles Cartoon hit Saturday morning television that I can remember much about music on that medium. Those were the days...
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Those words were used to introduce the rock and roll or pop act on the show.
8pm every Sunday night if I recall correctly, the Ed Sullivan show was on the black and white TV in the living room.
My wife has found a channel that plays the reruns of the show. There was some corny no talent singers on that show. It seems like all the dregs of the entertainment world at the time made their way to the Ed Sullivan theater at some point.
There was a time when it seemed like every single show, someone was singing McAuther Park. I got so tired of hearing that someone left the cake out in the rain.
They always had the pop/rock singer/band the last act on the schedule. You had to sit through the not very funny comedians, the juggling, the acrobats, and the singers who were like fingernails on the proverbial chalk board before you got to the "good stuff" and they were all squeaky clean on a brightly lit stage with horrible looking stage props ..... All for two minutes and thirty-seven seconds of Happy Together, or Crimson and Clover.
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Thanx Billy for making me feel real old! I was 10 when Elvis appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. I don't remember if I saw it then or on a rerun. I do remember seeing the Beatles and that famous episode with The Doors. Note that our family lived in a huge farm house with my Grandmother and an aunt and uncle, brother and sister. My aunt is only 15 years older than me and into music at that time so I may have seen the original Elvis show. CRS strikes again!
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I seriously doubt that on this forum there is anybody who does not remember the Ed Sullivan Show. Or even the first TV antennas.
Bud
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I seriously doubt that on this forum there is anybody who does not remember the Ed Sullivan Show. Or even the first TV antennas.
Bud
From me here in the UK ... Who He? Over this side of the pond TV aerials (I'm British) predate me by about 25 years.
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The only time we hear of the Sullivan show over here in Ireland is on the UK tv channels when they are running a story about the Beatles.
But I do remember well the Jerry Springer show, who doesn't, and was reading about Springer last week and his show, and the guy who got married to his horse....lol
Seems Springer said sorry about the show before he died.
As regards TV aerials I was well into my teens before we could afford a TV, Only three tv channels all on a 405 lines display, that eventually went up to UHF 625 lines.
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Elvis's first national network appearance was on January 28, 1956 on Tommy and Jimmy, the Dorsey Brothers, National Broadcasting Company's (NBC) television show called "Stage Show". Elvis sang "You Ain't Nothing But a Hound Dog". +++ HERE +++
Ed Sullivan had a television show on the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) from 1948 to 1971. The show was based in New York City and featured everything from Broadway musicals, circus performances, ballet, puppets to every major pop star. It was by far the most popular and influential variety show on television.
Ed Sullivan started as a newspaper columnist giving reviews of entertainment shows in the New York area. He gained much influence and prominence in the New York entertainment business and was able to make the move to early television variety shows. The Sunday night 8 PM to 9 PM time slot helped assure high ratings and the availability of top talent.
Last edited by Jim Fogle; 01/07/2505:52 PM. Reason: additional comments
My introduction to the Beatles was seeing them on the Sullivan show back in '64. Made me want to quit piano lessons and play guitar instead
I remember seeing the Stones on there too, also the Doors episode that Mario mentioned. And many, many other musical acts over the years. Good memories!
Likely being the oldest here I’ll mention seeing Elvis on his first Sullivan in 56 or 57. I’d already been going to sleep as a young boy listening to all night radio and was into multiple genres. 😀 And of course I saw the Beatles. A band I was a roadie for opened for the Stones the next day or two after they appeared on Sullivan. Long story there!
Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
The Weight was released as a single by The Band and also Jackie de Shannon in 1968 — both charted. By 1969, Dianna Ross & The Supremes + The Temptations and Aretha Franklin had also released singles. Both charted also. Aretha's charted the highest and was the only single to make the Top Ten on any chart.
The Staple Singers 1968 and Smith (Easy Rider Soundtrack 1969) had well kniwn album cuts and The Band performed it at Woodstock.
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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