Letterman just played the Beatles singing on Sullivan's show in 1964. It was really pitiful, they sound terrible. I wonder what Frank was thinking when he saw it. Stupid looking long hair, really awful voices, dumb songs. I wonder what he thought..

I saw it this evening. As to the voices, I just read a book by Peter Brown that says that the audience was making so much noise that the Beatles' puny amplifiers couldn't compete. I doubt that they could really hear themselves well enough to keep their voices in proper tune. The microphones used for the broadcast were fairly good at isolating their instruments and voices from the audience noise, but that doesn't mean that the four of them (working without headphones) could hear themselves well.

[russkish3]

I was frustrated with the handling of The Beatles clip on The David Letterman Show last night. All day, CBS heavily promoted the show, claiming that it would consist of "the complete Beatles appearance" on the Ed Sullivan Show. I was under the impression that at least several of their songs would be seen. But only in the last section of the program did Letterman introduce one number, "I Want to Hold Your Hand." I should have known better. When CBS claimed"the complete Beatles appearance," what they really meant was "the complete Beatles appearance in one song."

Thank God I have a copy of the DVD. And with those vintage Anacin and Pillsbury commercials intact.

Best regards,

Russell Kishi
Glendale, California

[pattisam]

Russell, I read the Pillsbury ad (s?) were a substitute for the Chesterfield commercials, or some type of cigarette, for the DVD release. I forget where I read this tidbit.

Patti, the Pilsbury ad was the one originally aired back on 2/9/64. It was not changed for the DVD release. The shows that are on the official DVD are the exact same shows, commercials and all, that were aired back in '64 and '65. I know this because I aquired a videotape copy of these shows back in the 1980's, LONG before anyone thought of releasing these performances "officially", and they are exactly the same as what's on the DVDs.

And Phil, to each his own, but I think we all know that the Beatles' legacy speaks for itself and will certainly stand the test of time.

[pattisam]

Thanks Dav. Nice to be corrected, when I'm wrong. I still can't remember where I got it from, in the first place. Appreciate your comment. Good to know!