On Feb. 9, 1964, 74 million people tuned in to see The Beatles’ first performance on American television on CBS’ The Ed Sullivan Show. Fifty years later, the network is paying tribute to that night, in collaboration with the Recording Academy.
CBS said that it will produce The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute To The Beatles with AEG Ehrlich Ventures and the Recording Academy. The two-hour special will be taped on Monday, Jan. 27, a day before the Grammy Awards and will air on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m.
The Night That Changed America will feature several of today’s top artists performing the Beatles’ top hits. It will also feature archival material and several presenters who will talk about the group’s role in popular culture. It will serve as a reminder to those who originally watched it 50 years ago and will introduce that historic moment to those who haven’t experienced it.
“That night 50 years ago on the Ed Sullivan stage, the Beatles delivered a momentous performance, and America witnessed a historic television event and the beginning of a new era in music,” Jack Sussman, CBS Entertainment Executive Vice President of Specials & Events said in a statement. “We are thrilled to honor these music legends with performances from amazing Grammy-winning artists who were influenced by the Beatles' unforgettable music through the years and that incredible performance in 1964.”
CBS didn’t announce the line-up for the show. Tickets will be available for the public.
If you need a refresher on what all the fuss is about, just watch this:
The Beatles’ Apple Records released Live at the BBC Vol. 2 this week and you can check out our preview here.
image: CBS