Cliffs Vinyl Blog
61 Years Ago! The Show That Stopped A Nation!
In February 1964, an extraordinary event unfolded that would reverberate throughout American culture and music history: "60 Years Ago This Month! A Show that Stopped a Nation!" This event was none other than The Beatles' first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, a pivotal moment that became a turning point not only for the band but for generations of music fans, forever transforming the American music landscape.
On that fateful evening, Ed Sullivan, the shrewd impresario with a keen eye for talent, introduced to America an unassuming British band with mop-topped hair and an electrifying energy. Ed's decision to bring The Beatles to his show was influenced in part by the monumental impact Elvis Presley had on American audiences just a few years prior when he appeared on the very same stage. Sullivan understood that he was not just offering entertainment; he was showcasing the future of music.
The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show was a spectacle like no other. The band performed five songs across three separate appearances in February 1964, including iconic hits like "I Want to Hold Your Hand," "She Loves You," and "All My Loving." Their charm, charisma, and groundbreaking sound captivated the viewing audience, many of whom were witnessing the birth of Beatlemania—a cultural phenomenon that swept across the nation and the world.
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Marianne Faithfull Dies
Born in Hampstead in December 1946, she was known for hits like As Tears Go By, which reached the UK top 10 in 1964, and for starring roles in films including 1968's The Girl On A Motorcycle.
She was also famously the girlfriend of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger in the 1960s, inspiring songs such as Wild Horses and You Can't Always Get What You Want. After a period of heroin addiction in the 70s, she resurrected her career with the classic album Broken English.
Paying tribute, Jagger described Faithfull as "a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer and a great actress," saying he was "so saddened".
Wings Venus and Mars Released 50 Years Ago!
Yep, seems like yesterday "Venus and Mars" arrived in my record shop in Adelaide. The EMI rep came in just after the batch had arrived, and we played the album. We loved it, and the first 50 copies went very quickly. A great album.It weny on to top the charts. Preceded by the single "Listen to What the Man Said", Venus and Mars peaked at number 1 in the US, the UK and other countries around the world. It also received mostly favorable reviews from music critics, unusual at the time, as Lennon was the preferred Beatle.Today, The Beatles' influence on American music endures in modern pop, rock, and alternative genres. Their innovative approach to songwriting and production set a new standard that continues to inspire artists worldwide.
"60 Years Ago This Month! A Show that Stopped a Nation!" serves as a reminder of the singular power of music to unite, inspire, and transcend. The Ed Sullivan Beatles appearance effect on Americans was both profound and enduring, a testament to the timeless appeal and influence of one of the greatest bands the world has ever witnessed.
Continue reading "Wings Venus and Mars Released 50 Years Ago!"
Wings Venus and Mars Released 50 Years Ago!
Yep, seems like yesterday "Venus and Mars" arrived in my record shop in Adelaide. The EMI rep came in just after the batch had arrived, and we played the album. We loved it, and the first 50 copies went very quickly. A great album.It weny on to top the charts. Preceded by the single "Listen to What the Man Said", Venus and Mars peaked at number 1 in the US, the UK and other countries around the world. It also received mostly favorable reviews from music critics, unusual at the time, as Lennon was the preferred Beatle.
Continue reading "Wings Venus and Mars Released 50 Years Ago!"
Now its The Beachboys Turn To Crash The Charts
Has it really been over a decade since the Beach Boys released a hit single? Any single for that matter. They hasn’t scored a hit in a long time.. While they may not be producing new work nowadays, the original surf and pop band is performing well on the Billboard charts right now, and even managed to reach a career high with one of their most celebrated tracks.
“Little Saint Nick” has become an annual hit for the Beach Boys in the past few years, as dedication to listening to anything and everything related to Christmas grows every season. The tune returns to a number of tallies every December, and it’s bigger than ever on one special list this frame.
The pop band’s holiday Favorite returns to one musical ranking this frame, the Billboard Global Excl. US. On that tally, which ranks the most-consumed songs throughout the world—though listening in the U.S. isn’t taken into consideration—“Little Saint Nick” flies in at No. 69.
TThat position is a new peak for “Little Saint Nick,” but it’s so much more than that. The Beach Boys have never appeared so high on the Billboard Global Excl. US, a chart that was only established a few years ago, long after the band stopped releasing new music.
The Beach Boys have only scored a single win on the Billboard Global Excl. US, like so many other famous musical names from their era. Every season that “Little Saint Nick” climbs to a new peak, the group behind the tune does the same, as their fate is tied to its success.
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