One of the best late night shows of all time was The Ed Sullivan Show.
It was a show that helped introduce us to many entertainers – especially many singers.
Many of our greatest singers who we still listen to today were able to get their big
break on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Yet, even though Ed Sullivan allowed these singers on his show there were quite a few
whom he couldn’t stand and he made it obvious.
He wasn’t known to have the easiest personality and he sometimes was difficult with his guests.
Nevertheless, these guests became well known due to their appearance on The Ed Sullivan
Show.
Somehow, they had to win the man over – which didn’t always go down well!
FactsVerse Presents: Ed Sullivan Couldn’t Stand This Singer, He Made it Obvious…
ELVIS PRESLEY
Ed Sullivan had a notorious clash with the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley, during
Elvis's appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
The tension between the two stemmed from a clash of cultures and values.
Ed Sullivan was a conservative figure who aimed to present a wholesome image on his
show, appealing to a broad family audience.
Elvis Presley, on the other hand, was a groundbreaking artist whose provocative dance moves and raw
musical style were seen as rebellious and controversial at the time.
Sullivan was initially hesitant to feature Elvis on his show due to concerns about the
suggestive nature of Elvis's performances and the potential backlash from conservative
viewers.
However, recognizing Elvis's immense popularity and the appeal he had for the youth, Sullivan
eventually relented and invited Elvis to perform.
Their interactions during the show were reportedly strained.
Sullivan, known for his reserved demeanor, found it difficult to catch up with Elvis
more bubbly personality and even felt a bit uncomfortable and put off by it.
Elvis, accustomed to a more relaxed and unrestrained atmosphere during his performances, may have
felt constrained by the show's strict production guidelines and limited movement on stage.
Despite these differences, the appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show were crucial in propelling
Elvis Presley's career to a national stage, significantly boosting his popularity and
paving the way for his legendary status in the world of music.
While their personal dynamics may have been tense, Elvis’s performance on The Ed Sullivan
Show helped make him a star.
BUDDY HOLLY
Ed Sullivan had a strained relationship with Buddy Holly, a talented and influential rock
and roll artist of the late 1950s who’s life and career were both cut short.
In fact, one could say that we got a wider knowledge about Buddy Holly due to his appearance
on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Their discord primarily revolved around Ed Sullivan not wanting Buddy Holly and The Crickets
to perform their song “Oh Boy.”
Furthermore, it seemed that the group wasn’t really excited to perform on the show and
this angered Ed Sullivan a lot.
Buddy Holly was known for his innovative sound, blending rockabilly with country and rhythm
and blues, which was fresh and revolutionary for the time.
However, Sullivan was more accustomed to traditional showbiz acts and often had a particular vision
for how he wanted performers to present themselves on his show.
Additionally, Holly, being an emerging artist, sought more creative control and artistic
freedom, which clashed with Sullivan's tendency to exert control over the performances that
appeared on his show.
Sullivan was known to impose strict rules on artists, dictating song choices, choreography,
and attire, which conflicted with Holly's artistic vision and authenticity.
Their differences culminated in an uncomfortable relationship during Holly's appearance on
The Ed Sullivan Show creating a somewhat tense atmosphere behind the scenes.
Despite the strained relationship, Buddy Holly's performances on the show were undeniably important
for his career, helping to introduce his music to a broader audience and solidify his place
in rock and roll history.
To this day, his appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show is one of the only recordings we have
of him.
THE DOORS
Ed Sullivan's strained relationship with The Doors and their enigmatic frontman, Jim Morrison,
is a well-known chapter in rock and roll history.
The clash between the conservative television host and the rebellious rock band was emblematic
of the generation gap and cultural shifts of the 1960s.
The Doors were pioneers of the psychedelic rock movement, with Jim Morrison as a charismatic,
unpredictable, and often controversial frontman.
Ed Sullivan, a symbol of traditional values and family-friendly entertainment, found it
difficult to embrace the provocative nature of The Doors' music and Morrison's on-stage
persona.
When The Doors were booked to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1967, Sullivan requested
they alter the lyrics of their song "Light My Fire" to be more socially acceptable.
Specifically, he didn’t like them using the word “higher” which he felt implied
getting high on drugs.
The band agreed during rehearsal, but when they performed live, Jim Morrison defiantly
sang the original lyrics, resulting in the band being banned from the show.
Sullivan was infuriated by Morrison's rebellion and the public embarrassment it caused.
This incident marked the end of any possibility of a harmonious relationship between The Doors
and Sullivan.
The Doors' countercultural stance and Morrison's unapologetic defiance were at odds with Sullivan's
desire for control and adherence to mainstream norms.
Ultimately, this clash contributed to The Doors' image as countercultural icons, and
it spotlighted the growing divide between the establishment represented by Sullivan
and the emerging youth-driven counterculture of the 1960s.
Despite the friction, The Doors' appearance on Sullivan's show became a significant moment
in rock history, reflecting the changing dynamics of society and entertainment.
BO DIDDLEY
Ed Sullivan's relationship with Bo Diddley, a pioneering figure in the early days of rock
and roll, was marked by tension and disagreement, showcasing the clash between artistic expression
and traditional expectations.
Bo Diddley, known for his innovative rhythms and influential guitar work, was a boundary-breaking
artist, incorporating blues, rhythm and blues, and rock into a unique and electrifying style.
When he was booked to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1955, he was at the forefront of a
musical movement that was challenging the established norms of the time.
Sullivan wanted Bo Diddley to perform a song by Tennessee Ford.
Bo Diddley, however, was determined to stay true to his musical identity and refused to
conform to Sullivan's demands.
He insisted on performing his signature hit, "Bo Diddley," maintaining his artistic integrity
and the integrity of the burgeoning rock and roll movement.
This greatly upset Ed Sullivan who said that Bo Diddley was the first “black boy who
ever double-crossed him.”
This greatly offended Bo Diddley and he never wanted to perform on the show again.
BOB DYLAN
Ed Sullivan's relationship with the iconic folk and rock singer-songwriter Bob Dylan
was complex, marked by a clash of ideologies and a fundamental difference in artistic expression.
Dylan, known for his poignant lyrics and thought-provoking music, was a symbol of the counterculture
movement and a new wave of folk and rock artists emerging in the 1960s.
In the mid-1960s, at the height of Dylan's popularity and influence, he was invited to
perform on The Ed Sullivan Show a significant platform for exposure at the time.
However, Sullivan, once again was representing a more traditional and conservative entertainment
industry.
He struggled to fully grasp or embrace Dylan's unconventional style and controversial lyrical
themes.
Dylan was known for using his music to voice social and political concerns, challenging
the status quo and advocating for change.
On the other hand, Ed Sullivan was known for hosting acts that adhered to a more conventional
and mainstream image.
This fundamental difference in approach and ideology created tension between the two.
During Dylan's rehearsals for The Ed Sullivan Show, he ultimately decided to perform his
politically charged song, "John Birch Paranoid Blues," which satirized the political climate
of the time and was deemed too controversial for mainstream television.
Oddly enough, this song which poked fun of anyone scared of communism didn’t seem to
upset Ed Sullivan.
However, the producer wanted Bob Dylan to perform a different song.
He refused and cancelled his performance – which forever severed Ed Sullivan’s relationship
with him.
SAM COOKE
Ed Sullivan's relationship with Sam Cooke, a renowned soul and R&B singer and songwriter,
got off on the right foot but didn’t end up on the right path.
Sam Cooke was performing his song live on the show and had spent a long time rehearsing
and preparing for the show.
Unfortunately, filming for the show had gone on overtime so they had to put an end to it.
Sam Cooke’s performance was cut short and this naturally greatly upset him.
He never appeared on the show again and the two men never spoke again.
Ed Sullivan didn’t feel that it was his fault and felt that Sam Cooke shouldn’t
have been upset.
Nevertheless, Ed Sullivan publicly apologized for the incident.
The recording of Sam Cooke on The Ed Sullivan Show is one of the few video recordings of
the singer.
As we can see, Ed Sullivan wasn’t always easy to please and he had his fair share of
disputes with several singers.
Nevertheless, these appearances are a part of our rich musical archive and if you want
to enjoy an evening of great music – just watch reruns of The Ed Sullivan Show.
Are you a fan of any of these singers who were banned or approached with suspicion by
Ed Sullivan?
Do you remember seeing them perform on the Ed Sullivan show back when it first aired?
In fact, here’s what we’d like to hear from you:
Do you think that today’s late night shows have the power to launch a singer or other
perfomers’ career?
Or do the best talents no longer depend on late night shows to get their big break?