Inspired by Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor moved to New York in 1963 to pursue his dream of becoming a comedian. There he started performing in clubs such as the Café Wha? and soon after he began opening for acts such as Bob Dylan, Nina Simone and Woody Allen. Just two years after moving to New […]
Many moons ago, my greatest luxury was my black and white television — small as can be with wooden side boards, three knobs along the frame, and a V-shaped antenna piercing the air. I had gotten it just after my folks and I moved into our New York City pad fresh from the open road, […]
By 1964, audiences were progressively becoming more open-minded. The country had experienced the rise of Elvis Presley and rock & roll had become far more ingrained in our culture. President Kennedy’s death in 1963 left a strong sense of despair in the air and Americans needed something big to lift their spirits. The Beatles […]
There is no doubt that history was made on The Ed Sullivan Show numerous times. From The Beatles legendary American TV debut to Elvis Presley’s first performance on the show. There’s no denying that some of the most important events in television took place on the Sullivan stage, including several controversial performances that will forever […]
Prior to Motown, The Ed Sullivan Show had already featured African-American artists such as Pearl Bailey, Sammy Davis Jr., Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald on its show – something few television series in the late 1940’s and 1950’s had done. Ed Sullivan was considered a huge jazz and blues supporter. One of his personal favorites […]
After witnessing the nation’s reaction to The Beatles debut on The Ed Sullivan Show, which marked the inflection point of The British Invasion, The Ed Sullivan Show gave way to many British acts to showcase their musical talents across America. One of them was Petula Clark. On March 14th 1965, Petula Clark took the Sullivan […]
Very few people know that late Monkees star Davy Jones appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show when he was only 19 years old. Jones was cast as the “Artful Dodger” of the hit Broadway play Oliver! During that performance Jones sang “I’d Do Anything” with the entire cast. Fortuitously, Davy Jones and the cast of […]
It’s hard to believe that the 50th Anniversary of Wilt Chamerblain’s 100 point game is just around the corner. On March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain took to a basketball court in Hershey, Pennsylvania playing for the Philadelphia Warriors. That evening he scored a record 100 points in a 169 -147 win over the New York Knicks. Chamberlain’s […]
Last week, the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame made an announcement that has been long overdue. The Hall announced that it is making up for its past omissions by inducting the backing groups of six previous solo inductees at this year’s April 14th ceremony. The groups to be inducted include: The Crickets (Buddy Holly), […]