Running from 1948 to 1971, The Ed Sullivan Show was a variety TV show hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. The host was a bit of a king-maker, and a group or artist could say they "made it" if they played the show.
Bill Haley and His Comets performed their then-current hit "Rock Around the Clock" in early August 1955, marking the first televised performance of a rock and roll song.
On September 9, 1956, Elvis made his first of three appearances on the show. The myth of having to shoot Elvis from the waist up is false. Elvis's full body gyrations can be seen throughout the performance.
The Beatles appeared on three consecutive Sundays in February 1964. The February 9th performance is considered the beginning of the British invasion. By the third performance, 73 million viewers were tuning in (breaking the record at the time).
Today, The Ed Sullivan Theater is the filming location for The Late Show with David Letterman.
