By Steve Marinucci
Published Feb. 9, 2004
IT WAS 40 YEARS AGO TODAY
A BOOMER LANDMARK: BEATLES ON 'ED SULLIVAN'
When Ed Sullivan presented ''these youngsters who call themselves the Beatles'' on Feb. 9, 1964, he was introducing more than just a group of longhaired British rockers making their first visit to America. It was the beginning of a new era in rock music.
Until this time, Top 40 radio had been dominated by such fresh-faced American singers as Paul Anka, Fabian, Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello singing milquetoast songs like ''Dede Dinah'' and ''Put Your Head on My Shoulder.''
The Beatles, through both their original songs and cover versions, ignited interest in roots rock by artists Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Carl Perkins. American artists had to step back or be swept up by the flood.
But it was more than just the music: The Beatles also sparked trends in fashion, hairstyles and social thinking (example: they refused to tour in South Africa because of apartheid). They came along at just the right time, too, as they helped ease the pain from the assassination of President Kennedy not quite three months earlier.
It was 40 years ago today that most of America met them on that first appearance on ''The Ed Sullivan Show.'' And we haven't been the same since.
CAPTION: PHOTO: The Ed Sullivan Theater, home of ''The Late Show With David Letterman,'' will host the Beatles once again tonight as the CBS show airs a clip from their Feb. 9, 1964, appearance.
PHOTO: Viewers' reactions to the Beatles' debut on U.S. TV.
