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?
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
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
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; 01/07/2506:52 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
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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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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
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Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
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Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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