It Was...Oh, I've Lost Track

 

It was 58 years ago tonight and I promised myself that I wouldn't write about it.

But...here we are and I don't want to write about anything else.

Those guys first appeared on American TV on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

You know them. John, Paul, George, and Bongo.

If you saw or heard The Beatles' appearance on TV with the great British comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, you'll know that Eric Morecambe referred to Richard Starkey -- our beloved Ringo -- as "Bongo." They did three songs on the show and participated in a singing of "Moonlight Bay" as Morecambe comes out in a Beatles wig. The show was recorded on 2 December 1963 (How British of me!) but didn't air until 18 April 1964 -- after "The Ed Sullivan Show" appearance.  

But it was on this night that those four provided perhaps the biggest bang in music -- dare I say pop culture -- history.

A mere 73 million tuned to CBS at 8 p.m. that Sunday night to watch the cast of the music "Oliver" (including Davy Jones, pre-Monkees fame), Tessie O'Shea, Fred Kaps, Wells & the Four Fays, Frank Gorshin (pre "Batman"), and McCall & Brill.

Oh yeah, and the four lads from Liverpool.

Ed Sullivan was the show. He knew talent and everyone knew being on his show was important. Others mattered. "American Bandstand," of course was among those shows. But Ed Sullivan was king. 

It can't be understated what a milestone it was. New York had literally been on its side since The Beatles arrived on Feb 7.

After Sullivan opened the show, he said The Beatles had received a wire from Elvis Presley and his manager Col. Tom Parker. After a few more words, it was time to pay the bills. A commercial break ensued.

Upon returning from the commercial, Sullivan spoke of how New York City seemed so alive, just a few months after the death of President John F. Kennedy. He informed the audience they'd see The Beatles perform twice. 

And then, with the cauldron reaching its boiling point, with 728 in attendance inside Studio 50, Sullivan spoke and the sonic boom was heard.

"Ladies and gentlemen, The Beatles!"

You can't possibly hear him say whatever he said next (which I think is "Let's bring them out").

After a shot of the crowd -- what a marvelous decision by director John Moffitt -- which showed how excited and generally out of their minds everyone was, the show faded to a high crane shot of all four Beatles.

Paul McCartney drew first dibs on singing, counting in, looking back at Ringo, and then singing.

Close your eyes and I'll kiss you.

Tomorrow I'll miss you.

Remember I'll always be true.

No doubt energized by the insanity, a brief "yeah" can be heard after that opening line, uttered by John.

The gorgeous crane shot descends upon the four before the first closeup is seen. It's Ringo, slapping away on the cymbal. I always love the "holy (bleep)" look on his face as he stares into the audience.

So began a special relationship between New York and The Beatles.

I think about that night every Feb 9. I wasn't even a thought yet for my parents. They did watch the show (not many didn't) and I have no reason to think that I wouldn't have watched it as well. My sister recalls it, though she was only five.

Beatlemania would only last officially until 1970 but, in reality, it was holding on by 1969. It was a comet. It's why their walking away when they did only makes us love them even more. We couldn't get enough and we still can't.

With John Lennon's death in 1980 and George Harrison passing in 2001, any hope of reunions was squashed. We'd get small glimpses while all four were still alive. The bootleg "A Toot and a Snore in '74" being key for those desperate for anything Lennon/McCartney.

The "Anthology" sessions with John's cassette tapes worked up by the remaining Lads, also teased us. We yearn for anything. I mean, "Get Back" anyone?

Or the "McCartney 3, 2, 1" series?

For some who were wise enough to be ahead of things, you were there for the first singles. If you had the amazing fortune of being around London, Liverpool, or Hamburg, well, that's pretty remarkable.

To see John, Paul, George, and Stu? Or Pete?

But on Feb 9, 1964, America officially met The Beatles.

The coming-out party happened.

The revolution -- which we'd say we wanted a few years later -- had begun and it was televised.