TIME WAS ON THEIR SIDE
Inside the Rolling Stones’ famous Ed Sullivan Show debut 54 years to the day after hit-making appearance
PHOTOS and video reveal what it was like to be inside the Rolling Stones famous Ed Sullivan Show debut 54 years to the day after their hit-making appearance.
In 1964, the legendary rock group were becoming a household a name in their home country of the UK but hadn't yet burst onto the scene in the States.
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In the summer of that year set off across the Atlantic to embark on a US tour.
“[It was] a disaster. When we arrived, we didn’t have a hit record or anything going for us," Stones bassist Bill Wyman said at the time.
But with the release of their second US album “12 X 5,” record sales for the picked up and their single “Time Is On My Side” reached number six on the US charts.
In a now iconic move, the Stones were accepted to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show as the Beatles has done before them.
The show would have a lasting impact on how the band would be perceived by American audiences.
On the evening of October 25, 1964, Mick, Keith, Brian, Bill and Charlie were introduced to an audience of screaming fans.
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The band performed their Chuck Berry blues classic, “Around & Around” as a young and shaggy-haired belted out the tune.
In video from the vintage clip, Sullivan tries to introduce the next act but struggles to talk over the shrieks of fans.
Sullivan then demands the audience to “Quiet!” multiple times.
The Stones eventually return to the stage to close the evening’s show with their hit, “Time Is on My Side.”
After the hit song, Sullivan attempts to engage singer Mick Jagger in a short interview but the conversation becomes inaudible over the sound of the screaming fans.
The band's performance on the show brought them national attention and finally captured the attention of the American audience.
Ticket sales boomed with over a million dollars in ticket sales generated for the upcoming fall concert tour.
However, others were less than impressed.
“Should be ashamed of yourself putting on such trash as The Rolling Stones. A Disappointed Viewer," one Western Union telegram read.
The rockers would return to the Sullivan stage the following spring and eventually went on to make six appearances on the show throughout the end of the decade.
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During their time on the show, the Stones showcased their best-known hits including “Satisfaction,” “Gimme Shelter,” “Paint It, Black,” “Let’s Spend The Night (Some Time) Together,” “Time Is On My Side,” “Honky Tonk Women,” and countless others.
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The Stones’ performances and full Sullivan episodes the band appeared on can now be purchased, including a DVD collection featuring never before seen rare documents and photos.
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