10 Times the Ed Sullivan Show Had the World’s Best Guests

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 03/12/2025 in wow

Musicians in the '50s and '60s only wanted to be on one show. And if you hit it big, that show could propel you to stardom.

Over the course of its 23 year run, the Ed Sullivan show hosted some of the world's best musical talent, featuring everything from Motown to hard rock.

Here are 10 of the show's best guest appearences.

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1. Elvis Presley, 1956
Elvis graced the Ed Sullivan stage for the first time in 1956, creating controversy with his shameless seductive dance moves for the camera.
2. James Brown, 1966
Nobody owned a stage like James Brown and he owned the Ed Sullivan stage twice in 1966. The second time he performed a medley that included “I Got You (I Feel Good).”
3. The Jackson 5, 1969
With the group recently signed to Motown, Sullivan invited the Jackson 5 to perform. The appearance helped kick their rise to stardom to the next gear. The Jackson 5 performed on the show five times in total.
4. The Supremes, 1964
The Supremes debut on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964 with their #1 single “Come See About Me.” At the height of Beatles stardom, their single was just as popular in its day.
5. The Rolling Stones, 1967
The Rolling Stones appeared on the Ed Sullivan show six times, despite frequent disagreements with the host. In their fourth appearance, the band almost walked off due to a request that they change the controversial lyrics, “Let’s Spend the Night Together.”
6. Paul Anka, 1959
Anka performed on the Ed Sullivan 15 times, but his most memorable show was likely his second, where he performed his biggest hit, “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.”
7. Janis Joplin, 1969
Joplin only appeared on Ed Sullivan one time, but her unique sound made it one of the show’s most memorable performances. Tragically she died just one year later.
8. Louis Armstrong, 1961
Armstrong was close to Sullivan, and performed on his show multiple times. Armstrong also often performed for the troops which he did in conjunction with Sullivan. In 1961, he performed for troops in Berlin.
9. Wayne & Shuster, 1958-1969
This Canadian comedy duo might not be widely remembered today, but regular Ed Sullivan viewers should be familiar. That’s because they hold the record for most appearances on the show, featuring a staggering 67 times.
10. The Beatles, 1964
Perhaps the most well known Ed Sullivan appearance ever, The Beatles performed on February 9th of 1964 to a television audience of 73 million. It propelled their stardom in the United States to new heights and they appeared on the show two more times that month.

1. Elvis Presley, 1956
Elvis graced the Ed Sullivan stage for the first time in 1956, creating controversy with his shameless seductive dance moves for the camera.
2. James Brown, 1966
Nobody owned a stage like James Brown and he owned the Ed Sullivan stage twice in 1966. The second time he performed a medley that included “I Got You (I Feel Good).”
3. The Jackson 5, 1969
With the group recently signed to Motown, Sullivan invited the Jackson 5 to perform. The appearance helped kick their rise to stardom to the next gear. The Jackson 5 performed on the show five times in total.
4. The Supremes, 1964
The Supremes debut on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964 with their #1 single “Come See About Me.” At the height of Beatles stardom, their single was just as popular in its day.
5. The Rolling Stones, 1967
The Rolling Stones appeared on the Ed Sullivan show six times, despite frequent disagreements with the host. In their fourth appearance, the band almost walked off due to a request that they change the controversial lyrics, “Let’s Spend the Night Together.”
6. Paul Anka, 1959
Anka performed on the Ed Sullivan 15 times, but his most memorable show was likely his second, where he performed his biggest hit, “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.”
7. Janis Joplin, 1969
Joplin only appeared on Ed Sullivan one time, but her unique sound made it one of the show’s most memorable performances. Tragically she died just one year later.
8. Louis Armstrong, 1961
Armstrong was close to Sullivan, and performed on his show multiple times. Armstrong also often performed for the troops which he did in conjunction with Sullivan. In 1961, he performed for troops in Berlin.
9. Wayne & Shuster, 1958-1969
This Canadian comedy duo might not be widely remembered today, but regular Ed Sullivan viewers should be familiar. That’s because they hold the record for most appearances on the show, featuring a staggering 67 times.
10. The Beatles, 1964
Perhaps the most well known Ed Sullivan appearance ever, The Beatles performed on February 9th of 1964 to a television audience of 73 million. It propelled their stardom in the United States to new heights and they appeared on the show two more times that month.

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10 Times the Ed Sullivan Show Had the World’s Best Guests

1. Elvis Presley, 1956
Elvis graced the Ed Sullivan stage for the first time in 1956, creating controversy with his shameless seductive dance moves for the camera.

2. James Brown, 1966
Nobody owned a stage like James Brown and he owned the Ed Sullivan stage twice in 1966. The second time he performed a medley that included “I Got You (I Feel Good).”

3. The Jackson 5, 1969
With the group recently signed to Motown, Sullivan invited the Jackson 5 to perform. The appearance helped kick their rise to stardom to the next gear. The Jackson 5 performed on the show five times in total.

4. The Supremes, 1964
The Supremes debut on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964 with their #1 single “Come See About Me.” At the height of Beatles stardom, their single was just as popular in its day.

5. The Rolling Stones, 1967
The Rolling Stones appeared on the Ed Sullivan show six times, despite frequent disagreements with the host. In their fourth appearance, the band almost walked off due to a request that they change the controversial lyrics, “Let’s Spend the Night Together.”

6. Paul Anka, 1959
Anka performed on the Ed Sullivan 15 times, but his most memorable show was likely his second, where he performed his biggest hit, “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.”

7. Janis Joplin, 1969
Joplin only appeared on Ed Sullivan one time, but her unique sound made it one of the show’s most memorable performances. Tragically she died just one year later.

8. Louis Armstrong, 1961
Armstrong was close to Sullivan, and performed on his show multiple times. Armstrong also often performed for the troops which he did in conjunction with Sullivan. In 1961, he performed for troops in Berlin.

9. Wayne & Shuster, 1958-1969
This Canadian comedy duo might not be widely remembered today, but regular Ed Sullivan viewers should be familiar. That’s because they hold the record for most appearances on the show, featuring a staggering 67 times.

10. The Beatles, 1964
Perhaps the most well known Ed Sullivan appearance ever, The Beatles performed on February 9th of 1964 to a television audience of 73 million. It propelled their stardom in the United States to new heights and they appeared on the show two more times that month.

1. Elvis Presley, 1956

2. James Brown, 1966

3. The Jackson 5, 1969

4. The Supremes, 1964

5. The Rolling Stones, 1967

6. Paul Anka, 1959

7. Janis Joplin, 1969

8. Louis Armstrong, 1961

9. Wayne & Shuster, 1958-1969

10. The Beatles, 1964

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eBaum's Picks

1. Elvis Presley, 1956 Elvis graced the Ed Sullivan stage for the first time in 1956, creating controversy with his shameless seductive dance moves for the camera.

2. James Brown, 1966 Nobody owned a stage like James Brown and he owned the Ed Sullivan stage twice in 1966. The second time he performed a medley that included “I Got You (I Feel Good).”

3. The Jackson 5, 1969 With the group recently signed to Motown, Sullivan invited the Jackson 5 to perform. The appearance helped kick their rise to stardom to the next gear. The Jackson 5 performed on the show five times in total.

4. The Supremes, 1964 The Supremes debut on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964 with their #1 single “Come See About Me.” At the height of Beatles stardom, their single was just as popular in its day.

5. The Rolling Stones, 1967 The Rolling Stones appeared on the Ed Sullivan show six times, despite frequent disagreements with the host. In their fourth appearance, the band almost walked off due to a request that they change the controversial lyrics, “Let’s Spend the Night Together.”

6. Paul Anka, 1959 Anka performed on the Ed Sullivan 15 times, but his most memorable show was likely his second, where he performed his biggest hit, “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.”

7. Janis Joplin, 1969 Joplin only appeared on Ed Sullivan one time, but her unique sound made it one of the show’s most memorable performances. Tragically she died just one year later.

8. Louis Armstrong, 1961 Armstrong was close to Sullivan, and performed on his show multiple times. Armstrong also often performed for the troops which he did in conjunction with Sullivan. In 1961, he performed for troops in Berlin.

9. Wayne & Shuster, 1958-1969 This Canadian comedy duo might not be widely remembered today, but regular Ed Sullivan viewers should be familiar. That’s because they hold the record for most appearances on the show, featuring a staggering 67 times.

10. The Beatles, 1964 Perhaps the most well known Ed Sullivan appearance ever, The Beatles performed on February 9th of 1964 to a television audience of 73 million. It propelled their stardom in the United States to new heights and they appeared on the show two more times that month.

1. Elvis Presley, 1956

2. James Brown, 1966

3. The Jackson 5, 1969

4. The Supremes, 1964

5. The Rolling Stones, 1967

6. Paul Anka, 1959

7. Janis Joplin, 1969

8. Louis Armstrong, 1961

9. Wayne & Shuster, 1958-1969

10. The Beatles, 1964

Share This Image

0 Comments

eBaum's Picks

1. Elvis Presley, 1956
Elvis graced the Ed Sullivan stage for the first time in 1956, creating controversy with his shameless seductive dance moves for the camera.

2. James Brown, 1966
Nobody owned a stage like James Brown and he owned the Ed Sullivan stage twice in 1966. The second time he performed a medley that included “I Got You (I Feel Good).”

3. The Jackson 5, 1969
With the group recently signed to Motown, Sullivan invited the Jackson 5 to perform. The appearance helped kick their rise to stardom to the next gear. The Jackson 5 performed on the show five times in total.

4. The Supremes, 1964
The Supremes debut on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964 with their #1 single “Come See About Me.” At the height of Beatles stardom, their single was just as popular in its day.

5. The Rolling Stones, 1967
The Rolling Stones appeared on the Ed Sullivan show six times, despite frequent disagreements with the host. In their fourth appearance, the band almost walked off due to a request that they change the controversial lyrics, “Let’s Spend the Night Together.”

6. Paul Anka, 1959
Anka performed on the Ed Sullivan 15 times, but his most memorable show was likely his second, where he performed his biggest hit, “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.”

7. Janis Joplin, 1969
Joplin only appeared on Ed Sullivan one time, but her unique sound made it one of the show’s most memorable performances. Tragically she died just one year later.

8. Louis Armstrong, 1961
Armstrong was close to Sullivan, and performed on his show multiple times. Armstrong also often performed for the troops which he did in conjunction with Sullivan. In 1961, he performed for troops in Berlin.

9. Wayne & Shuster, 1958-1969
This Canadian comedy duo might not be widely remembered today, but regular Ed Sullivan viewers should be familiar. That’s because they hold the record for most appearances on the show, featuring a staggering 67 times.

10. The Beatles, 1964
Perhaps the most well known Ed Sullivan appearance ever, The Beatles performed on February 9th of 1964 to a television audience of 73 million. It propelled their stardom in the United States to new heights and they appeared on the show two more times that month.