The rich archives of The Ed Sullivan Show have opened again to mark Independence Day weekend in the US with country heroine Loretta Lynn’s performance of “God Bless America Again.” The song was written by Lynn’s fellow country star Bobby Bare with Boyce Hawkins, and was a No.16 hit for Bare in 1969. Loretta’s appearance with her version was on a special edition of Sullivan that aired on May 30, 1971, shortly after the end of the...

Between 1948 and 1971, millions of Americans had two appointments on Sunday: church and “The Ed Sullivan Show” on CBS — a connection the 1960 Broadway musical “Bye Bye Birdie” made when it praised the show’s host in the number “Hymn for a Sunday Evening.” SOFA Entertainment purchased the variety show’s library in 1990, and last summer that company and Universal Music Enterprises teamed up to create an official 

Today, no one remembers Topo Gigio or Senor Wences. Today, no one thinks the riffs of Alan King are side-splitting gems of comedy. Today, no one would consider it appropriate to film a performer such as Elvis Presley only from the waist up. Today, no one would even think of telling Mick Jagger to cleanse “Let’s spend the night together” into “Let’s spend some time together.” Today, no one thinks it remarkable to have a Black performer on television. Today, there is...

One of the great pleasures of any music really but especially American music because of its vast influences and so many different styles regionally and ethnically, is finding older musicians who maybe you didn’t know as well. For many, Buddy Holly was a contemporary but for most people today, he is a distant figure. Born...

Harry Belafonte’s 1962 performance of “Muleskinner” is among the latest clips to be shared from the annals of The Ed Sullivan Show. The official YouTube channel of the famous series, which ran for 24 seasons between 1948 and 1971, continues to offer remarkable moments in the show’s history.

The archives of The Ed Sullivan Show have opened again to reveal a glorious 1968 performance by Ella Fitzgerald. The show’s official YouTube channel is now playing host to the peerless vocal stylist’s rousing version of “You’ll Have To Swing It (Mr. Paganini)” on the April 28, 1968 edition. The clip is all the more fascinating as a window on the performer’s...

With the entire catalogue of The Ed Sullivan Show recently added to streaming platforms, fans can watch performances that were previously only available as low-resolution bootlegs. The series’ YouTube channel has clips that include Ike & Tina Turner, Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and, as...

Soul giant Jackie Wilson’s indelible legacy as one of the great live performers in any genre is newly celebrated in the latest piece of audio from the archives of The Ed Sullivan Show. In a new clip to be shared from the annals of one of the most famous TV shows in history, Wilson is heard performing his song “Hearts” on the April 1, 1962 edition. The season 15 program also featured entertainer Patti Page, Canadian comedy duo Wayne & Shuster, and, on...

This week’s streams feature classic jazz performances from The Ed Sullivan Show in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, Bobby Watson in Missouri, Joey DeFrancesco in New Hampshire, a debut by the Zürich Jazz Orchestra and much more.  Available Now: Ella, Louie, Nat and More! Ed Sullivan Show Spotlights Classic Jazz...

April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and all month long the official YouTube channel of The Ed Sullivan Show will feature jazz segments from the famous variety show’s archive. Though best known for groundbreaking appearances by Elvis Presley and the Beatles, Sullivan’s program had a long history of presenting a wide variety of performers, from comedians to novelty acts (Topo Gigio,...