ringo starr - the beatles: backstage at "the ed sullivan show" - pictures

Ringo Starr - The Beatles: Backstage at "The Ed SullivanShow" - Pictures

The Beatles with host Ed Sullivan on the set of "The Ed Sullivan Show" on February 9, 1964.

The Fab Four's first live appearance on U.S. television - a landmark in the British Invasion of 1960spop music - drew more than 70 million viewers, the largest TV audience ever for an entertainmentprogram up to that time.

By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan

Credit: CBS Photo Archives

Paul McCartney of The Beatles is seen backstage before the group's appearance on "The Ed SullivanShow," February 9, 1964.

Originally titled "Toast of the Town," "The Ed Sullivan Show" went on the air in 1948 and ran on CBSthrough 1971.


Sullivan, a New York newspaper columnist, was a starmaker, providing a nationwide audience forcountless musical, comedy and variety acts for 23 seasons.

Over the years his weekly variety program showcased such major musical acts as Elvis Presley,Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Ella Fitzgerald, the Beach Boys, Ray Charles, theDoors, Herman's Hermits, Janis Joplin, the Jackson 5, Creedance Clearwater Revival, and the RollingStones.


Paul McCartney, like the other Beatles, brought his own camera on what was the group's first trip toNew York City.


With George Harrison back at the Plaza Hotel recovering from a cold, The Beatles rehearsed fortheir first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" with Neil Aspinall standing in for Harrison.

Aspinall, a road manager and driver for The Beatles, would later head their firm, Apple Corps.


The marquee of CBS' Studio 50 on Broadway and 53rd Street in New York.

Sharing billing with The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on February 9, 1964 were Broadway starGeorgia Brown and the child cast of "Oliver!", singer Tessie O'Shea, impressionist Frank Gorshin,the comedy team McCall Brill, magician Fred Kaps, and the acrobatic group Well the Four Fays.

Whitehall Laboratories and Pillsbury were two of the show's sponsors.


Ed Sullivan is seen with Paul McCartney of The Beatles during rehearsals on February 9, 1964, atCBS' Studio 50 in New York City.


The Beatles, with show host Ed Sullivan and an unidentified hair dresser, prepare for their first liveU.S. TV performance.


The Beatles rehearse for their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9,1964. From left: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon.


George Harrison and John Lennon of The Beatles performing at CBS's Studio 50 in New York City,on Sunday, February 9, 1964.


The Beatles take a break during rehearsals for "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.


The Beatles perform during dress rehearsals on the stage of "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday,February 9, 1964.


During dress rehearsals, The Beatles recorded several songs - with different set dressings - to bebroadcast on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on Feb. 23, 1964. The group performed "Twist Shout," "PleasePlease Me," "and "I Want to Hold Your Hand."


George Harrison of The Beatles.


John Lennon during a rehearsal break at CBS' Studio 50.


An unidentified man gets a Beatle's autograph on the stage of "The Ed Sullivan Show."


A view from the stage of "The Ed Sullivan Show," featuring The Beatles, Sunday, February 9, 1964,in New York hair chalk City.


From left: Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, host Ed Sullivan, George Harrison and John Lennon on thestage of "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.


Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr of The Beatles are seen backstage before thegroup's first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," February 9, 1964.


Backstage at CBS's Studio 50 in New York City, The Beatles pose with fellow "Ed Sullivan Show"guest, singer Georgia Brown, who would performs songs from the Broadway musical, "Oliver!"

Also among the musical's cast members was young Davy Jones, a future member of the Monkees.


Host Ed Sullivan reviews his TelePrompter notes on the stage of "The Ed Sullivan Show," February98, 1964.


The Beatles' first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.


The Beatles performed five songs during their first "Ed Sullivan" appearance on February 9, 1964.

In the first half of the show they sang "All My Loving," "Till There Was You," and "She Loves You."


Paul McCartney and George Harrison on "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.


Drummer Ringo Starr of The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show," February 9, 1964.


A view from the control room of "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.

During dress rehearsals The Beatles surprised the studio crew by requesting playback of theirperformance and adjusting microphone levels, marking the control board dials with chalk. Afterreturning from break, the group discovered maintenance staff had cleaned all the chalk marks offthe control board.


Audience members respond to The Beatles' first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," at CBS'Studio 50, Sunday, February 9, 1964.


For the slightly more than 700 seats at Studio 50, the show received 50,000 applications for tickets.


John Lennon of The Beatles.


Fans of The Beatles at "The Ed Sullivan Show," February 9, 1964.


Host Ed Sullivan gets in the spirit of the proceedings with a "Beatles wig."


The Beatles perform on stage at CBS' Studio 50, during the second half-hour of "The Ed SullivanShow," Feb. 9, 1964.

Their set included "I Saw Her Standing There," and "I Want To Hold Your Hand."


The Beatles on stage at "The Ed Sullivan Show," February 9, 1964.


The Beatles on stage at "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.


The Beatles face photographers following their first U.S. TV performance on "The Ed SullivanShow," Sunday, February 9, 1964.


Host Ed Sullivan with The Beatles.


The press photographs the first wave of the British Invasion, as The Beatles make their bow on "TheEd Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.


After a show at the Coliseum in Washington, D.C., and two concerts at New York's Carnegie Hall,The Beatles traveled to Miami for another appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," broadcast live onSunday, February 16, from the Deauville Hotel. For these two live performances, and for the pre-recorded songs broadcast on Feb. 23, The Beatles - conquerors of the American airwaves - were paid$10,000.

By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan


ringo starr - the beatles: backstage at "the ed sullivan show" - pictures

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