Back in the 1950s and 60s, the only way that an entertainer was actually considered to have “made it” was if he or she performed on the Ed Sullivan Show, the famed 1 hour variety 
show which everyone watched on Sunday Night from 8-9 pm. Back in those days, the word emphasized was “Variety” and Sullivan created a television show that ignored the Generation Gap as 
well as an hints of racial division, presenting Middle America artists ranging from The Beatles, James Brown, Nipsey Russell, the Flying Wallendas and of course Topo Gigio.
These six dvds include some of the most famous performances of the 20th Century, as well as the introduction to the households genre defining artists The Beatles, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Temptations and Elvis Presley. All are essential to understand and appreciate how America’s most popular music was also its best, enjoyed by all ages, races and creeds. When will THAT ever happen again this side of heaven?
99% of America was introduced to The Beatles on these famed TV appearances, and John, Paul, George and Ringo don’t disappoint. Twenty songs are produces, including “She Loves You” which debuted the band to America’s living room. It’s fascinating to see the gradual evolution of the Beatles musical and sartorial styles as ty band goes from “I Want to Hold Your Hand” to more sophisticated “Yesterday” and “ Help.” You get the entire Ed Sullivan show on these discs, including the vintage commercials, Borscht Belt comics and a slew of dancers/magicians. Bonus material includes extra treats from the likes of Cab Calloway (who is in fantastic form), Soupy Sales and an interview of Sullivan with the Fab Four.
Originally billed as The Supremes, the Motown soul trio of Diana, Mary and Flo produce absolutely stunning renditions of their early hits “Come See About Me” and “You Can’t Hurry Love” before slowly becoming more social conscious during “Love Child.” The ladies also show their jazz side, as Mary delivers the standard “Always” and “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You.” You can sense Diana Ross’ desire to break away by the time the band performs for the last time on “Forever Came Today.” Timeless sounds.
By far the best dressed, choreographed and harmonically cool band from the Motown label, The Temptations are in vintage form from their first appearance on May 28, 1967 when they delivered a scintillating medley of their hits to a dreamy summit with the Supremes where the gents and ladies go back and forth on hits like “Get Ready,” “My Guy” and “Baby Love.” Wide lapels are in full display during the bands psychedelic era as they rip through “Runaway Child, Running Wild” and “I Can’t Get Next To You.” The gents show a different side as they deliver standards like “Hello Young Lovers” and Autumn Leaves.” This is a treasure chest of soul.
The famous TV shot of Elvis filmed “ from the waste up” is just one of the features on the two of the 3 Elvis Presley 2 dvd sets. His vintage black leather outfit from one of his “returns” shows him at his rebellious best, while songs such as “Hound Dog,” “Blue Sued Shoes” and “Heartbreak Hotel” created a new form of music. There are some rarely seen “home movies” that show an early Elvis, as well as a painful concert performance of him, all puffed up, singing at the piano, just a short time before his death. Interviews with the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins producer Sam Phillips and famed band mates Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana are some extra highlights.
The three complete Ed Sullivan shows with Elvis include guest appearances by Carol Burnett, Surgar Ray Robinson and even Charles Laughton! There’s also a home movie of a very early performance from 1955 in Texas. The vintage commercials and forgettable comedians, dancers and puppets are a hoot and a reflection of a more innocent time.
The songs included here are 1956 takes of “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender,” “Reddy Teddy,” and from 1957 you have him with a male chorus with ” Peace in the Valley” and rollicking on “Too Much” and “Don’t Be Cruel.”
The take away here is simply watching the direction both music and Elvis took during this fledgling period of American popular music, waves of which are still felt today. On a more sober note, from one of the shows having Sullivan defend Presley as “a good boy,” to the thought that this man within 20 years would be dead from a sadly destructive life is a sobering reflection on the vain glories of fame.