On This Day in 1964: The Beatles Perform Second Straight Sunday on The Ed Sullivan Show
American television host Ed Sullivan smiles while standing with British rock group the Beatles on the set of his television variety series, New York, February 9, 1964. Left to right: Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Sullivan, John Lennon, Paul McCartney. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
A Historic Return to U.S. TV
On February 16, 1964, just one week after their record-breaking first performance, The Beatles made their second live appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show — but this time from a very different location. Instead of the show’s usual New York studio, the broadcast came live from the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida.
The Beatles were already at the center of what came to be called “Beatlemania,” and never before had so many people been tuned in to watch a musical act on American television. This second show drew an audience of about 70 million viewers across the United States, nearly matching the huge numbers from their week-earlier debut.
Setting the Stage in Miami
The performance took place in the Napoleon Ballroom of the Deauville Hotel, a spot that for one night became the heart of pop culture. Fans packed the venue, and police had to keep order after more than 3,000 tickets were handed out. Many more watched from home.
Remarkably, on this Sunday the Beatles were not the main act. The headliner was singer and dancer Mitzi Gaynor, and comedian Myron Cohen also appeared on the broadcast. Yet when The Beatles stepped onstage, their songs quickly became the focus of the night.
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Songs That Defined a Moment
During this show, the Fab Four performed six songs that showed both their early hits and their range as a group. Their set included “She Loves You,” “This Boy,” “All My Loving,” “I Saw Her Standing There,” “From Me To You,” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”
Each song was met with cheers from the live audience and millions listening on television. At a time when rock music was still establishing itself in mainstream America, The Beatles’ blend of melody and energy was new and electrifying to many viewers.
Behind the Scenes
Before the live show, the band spent February 14 and 15 rehearsing for the performance at the Deauville’s Napoleon Room. Photos from these rehearsals show them relaxing between takes, sometimes even wearing swim gear while preparing for America’s second live broadcast.
Shortly after the Miami show, The Beatles continued their whirlwind U.S. rise. They performed their first American concerts in Washington, D.C., and New York just before flying to Miami, and they would later return home to even larger crowds waiting for them.
Watch the Iconic Second Performance
