Ed Sullivan and Nostalgic TV

Today is the birthdate of the late Ed Sullivan, who was born in 1901. If I ever mention Sullivan to my students, they don't know who he is (except some who had a part in Bye, Bye, Birdie, which references Sullivan in a song). And really, there's no reason they should know him--he died way back in 1974. There's no reason why they should understand the impact that Sullivan had on tv, and on the careers of many people who appeared on his show.

Sullivan himself was not talented; his tv persona was stiff and awkward. He had started out as a gossip columnist who somehow took hold and segued into television, and The Ed Sullivan Show lasted from 1948 to 1971. Sullivan had found his niche, and even if people don't reminisce about him, they remember some famous moments on his show.

Here are some significant musical moments:











I also tried to get the plate spinner, Erich Brenn, but there was a commercial embedded into his clip--you can see it on You Tube. It's still pretty remarkable after all this time.

How many of you witnessed the events above on the Ed Sullivan Show? What was your favorite Sullivan moment?