FLASHBACK: Rolling Stones’ First Appearance on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’
When it comes to first appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Beatles obviously receive the most attention historically, but October 25, 1964 would see The Rolling Stones’ first appearance on the iconic variety show, and their career in the United States would never be the same.
The Stones performed two songs that show: a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Around and Around” and “Time Is On My Side.” Everyone in the band was in dress attire, except for Mick Jagger who was keeping it casual and comfy in a simple sweater.
Per the official Ed Sullivan Show website, after the Stones finished their performance of “Around and Around” fans in the audience wouldn’t stop screaming throughout the show’s next act, so Sullivan had to scold them multiple times by yelling “Quiet!”
One thing that wasn’t quiet in the coming weeks were box office cash registers. The Stones’ appearance helped the band move a bunch of tickets for their fall tour in the U.S. to the tune of a cool one million dollars in ticket sales.