From the late ‘50s through the early ’70s — families across America gathered around their television every Sunday night to watch The Ed Sullivan Show. And while the country and its music underwent an enormous evolution over the course of those years, the show not only kept up with the times, but it informed them — evidenced by the wide variety of acts fortunate enough to perform live on the stage of Studio 50. From slick-haired snarlers to soulful singing groups to rebellious rockers from across the Atlantic, Ed Sullivan’s musical guests were a who’s who of the era’s popular culture. And today, they’re regarded as some of the greatest artists of all time. The long and winding road of music history is full of forks, but from the 1950s through the early ’70s, one stop was essential: The Ed Sullivan Show.
This October, the acclaimed TV DVD archivists at Time Life invite music lovers and classic TV aficionados to experience the excitement of these once-in-a-lifetime performances in one spectacular DVD collection: ED SULLIVAN’S ROCK & ROLL CLASSICS. From rock ‘n’ roll legends to shimmering soul superstars, The British Invasion to Folk Rock, psychedelic pop, and so much more, Ed Sullivan showcased them all on his Sunday Night variety show, week after unforgettable week. This set brings the very best of these performances together in one memorable 10-disc set, featuring 128 live, uncut performances from the greatest performers and musical icons of the 20th century including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis, The Supremes and so many more. This special DVD collection will be available to add to every home entertainment library for $119.96.
Sullivan filled his weekly showcase with something for everyone, and he was so successful at it that he became America’s most respected and powerful cultural arbiter. Probably best remembered for introducing America to Elvis Presley across three appearances in the mid-1950s, and the Beatles’ earth-shattering appearances less than a decade later, Sullivan had an uncanny ability to spot top-notch talent and feature them on his show. The performances on this set include chart-toppers and all-time classics such as (in alphabetical order):
- Bee Gees: “Words”
- Buddy Holly: “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be the Day”
- Creedence Clearwater Revival: “Proud Mary,” “Down on the Corner”
- Dusty Springfield: “Son of a Preacher Man”
- Elvis Presley: “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender,” “Too Much,” “Ready Teddy,” “Don’t Be Cruel”
- Gladys Knight & the Pips: “If I Were Your Woman”
- Herman’s Hermits: “I’m Henry VIII, I Am,” “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter”
- Janis Joplin: “Maybe,” “Raise Your Hand”
- Jerry Lee Lewis: “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On,” “What I’d Say”
- Neil Diamond: “Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)”
- Sly & the Family Stone: “Dance to the Music”
- Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: “I Second That Emotion,” “Doggone Right”
- Stevie Wonder: “Fingertips – Pt. 2,” “For Once in My Life,” “You Met Your Match”
- The Animals: “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” “The House of the Rising Sun”
- The Band: “Up on Cripple Creek”
- The Beach Boys: “I Get Around,” “Good Vibrations”
- The Beatles: “Help!,” “She Loves You,” “Twist and Shout,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand”
- The Byrds: “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season),” “Mr. Tambourine Man”
- The Ike & Tina Turner Review: “Proud Mary,” “Bold Soul Sister”
- The Jackson 5: “I Want You Back,” “The Love You Save”
- The Mamas & The Papas: “Monday, Monday,” “California Dreamin’,” “Dedicated to the One I Love”
- The Rolling Stones: “Paint it, Black,” “Ruby Tuesday,” “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Time is on My Side”
- The Supremes: “My World is Empty Without You,” “The Happening,” “Someday We’ll be Together,” “Love is Like an Itching in My Heart,” “You Can’t Hurry Love”
- The Young Rascals: “Groovin’,” “Good Lovin’”
- Tom Jones: “It’s Not Unusual,” “Delilah”
- And many more!
Aside from these legendary performances, ED SULLIVAN’S ROCK & ROLL CLASSICS also features never-before-released full interviews from The History of Rock ‘N’ Roll documentary series, including David Crosby, Felix Cavaliere, Gladys Knight, James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Michelle Phillips, Peter Noone, Roger McGuinn and more, a collectible, full-color 36-page booklet, packed with archival photos and fascinating facts, along with The All-Star Comedy Special, a free bonus DVD which includes performances by the top comedians on The Ed Sullivan Show including Alan King, Flip Wilson, George Carlin, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Rich Little, Richard Pryor, Rodney Dangerfield and many more.
ED SULLIVAN’S ROCK & ROLL CLASSICS is like taking a ride in an unforgettable time machine, zapping you back to the past for front row seats to live performances from a mind-blowing collection of musical legends in a singular set as only Time Life can assemble!
