Sarah Pacht
Connector Contibutor
Feb. 9 marked the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. In addition to many classic rock/oldies radio stations paying tribute to the band by playing only Beatles songs over the days leading up to the anniversary, the group was honored by the Grammy’s with a TV special.
“The Beatles: The Night That Changed America — A Grammy Salute” aired 50 years to the date that the Beatles first performed in America, sparking the British Invasion of the 1960s. The special that aired on CBS included a small glimpse into the lives of each member of the band and interviews with the two surviving members, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
The interviews were conducted by David Letterman in his “Late Show” studio at the Ed Sullivan Theater, the same place where the famous episode of “The Ed Sullivan Show” was filmed. Audience members from the 1964 show were also interviewed.
In true Grammy’s style the performances mashed together artists of different genres to make unique (sometimes awesome, sometimes awkward) collaborations— Keith Urban and John Mayer joined together in a guitar jam-fest of “Don’t Let Me Down,” while country singer Brad Paisley joined Pharrell Williams to sing “Here Comes the Sun” while Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles LOVE performed their acrobatics.
Other performances included Maroon 5’s covers of “All My Loving” and “Ticket to Ride” and an acoustic “Revolution” from Imagine Dragons. Katy Perry, in a kimono-looking dress that didn’t flatter her at all, sang an over-the-top version of “Yesterday,” the emotion seeming almost forced at times.
Ed Sheeran sang a beautiful rendition of “In My Life” solo with his guitar, which was one of the best performances of the night, along with Alicia Keys’ and John Legend’s version of “Let It Be” with dueling grand pianos. But Stevie Wonder’s slurred version of “We Can Work it Out” left one to wonder if he was possibly having a stroke right there on stage.
Of course the night belonged to The Beatles, and the surviving half of the band didn’t disappoint. Starr sang “Matchbox” and “Boys” before engaging the audience with “Yellow Submarine”—complete with psychedelic graphics—as they all clapped, swayed and sang along.
McCartney took the stage last, singing “Birthday,” “Get Back” and “I Saw Her Standing There.” Starr then joined him onstage to sing “With a Little Help from My Friends.” Despite both being in their 70s, they still managed to tear the house down.
The special ended with McCartney singing “Hey Jude” with Starr on the drums. Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon, John Lennon’s widow and son, respectively, were joined in the first row by George Harrison’s widow, Olivia Harrison. Ono grooved along to the songs all night; whenever the camera flashed to her she was dancing in one way or another.
McCartney questioned whether or not it was appropriate to tribute himself, before humbly stating that he “didn’t realize… the impact of that Ed Sullivan show on America.” Whether he realized it or not, The Beatles changed America and its music in the decades following their U.S. debut, as well as the lives of those who experienced it. Generations have listened to their music since then—and still do—and probably always will.
