The Beatles: Backstage at "The Ed Sullivan Show"

The Beatles with host Ed Sullivan on the set of "The Ed Sullivan Show" on February 9, 1964.

The Fab Four's first live appearance on U.S. television - a landmark in the British Invasion of 1960s pop music - drew more than 70 million viewers, the largest TV audience ever for an entertainment program up to that time.

By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan

Paul McCartney and Ed Sullivan

Paul McCartney of The Beatles is seen backstage before the group's appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," February 9, 1964.

Originally titled "Toast of the Town," "The Ed Sullivan Show" went on the air in 1948 and ran on CBS through 1971.

Toast of the Town

Sullivan, a New York newspaper columnist, was a starmaker, providing a nationwide audience for countless musical, comedy and variety acts for 23 seasons.

Over the years his weekly variety program showcased such major musical acts as Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Ella Fitzgerald, the Beach Boys, Ray Charles, the Doors, Herman's Hermits, Janis Joplin, the Jackson 5, Creedance Clearwater Revival, and the Rolling Stones.

Shutterbug

Paul McCartney, like the other Beatles, brought his own camera on what was the group's first trip to New York City.

Rehearsal

With George Harrison back at the Plaza Hotel recovering from a cold, The Beatles rehearsed for their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" with Neil Aspinall standing in for Harrison.

Aspinall, a road manager and driver for The Beatles, would later head their firm, Apple Corps.

Marquee

The marquee of CBS' Studio 50 on Broadway and 53rd Street in New York.

Sharing billing with The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on February 9, 1964 were Broadway star Georgia Brown and the child cast of "Oliver!", singer Tessie O'Shea, impressionist Frank Gorshin, the comedy team McCall & Brill, magician Fred Kaps, and the acrobatic group Well & the Four Fays.

Whitehall Laboratories and Pillsbury were two of the show's sponsors.

Backstage

Ed Sullivan is seen with Paul McCartney of The Beatles during rehearsals on February 9, 1964, at CBS' Studio 50 in New York City.

Mop Tops

The Beatles, with show host Ed Sullivan and an unidentified hair dresser, prepare for their first live U.S. TV performance.

The Fab Four

The Beatles rehearse for their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964. From left: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon.

George Harrison and John Lennon

George Harrison and John Lennon of The Beatles performing at CBS's Studio 50 in New York City, on Sunday, February 9, 1964.

Backstage

The Beatles take a break during rehearsals for "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.

Dress Rehearsals

The Beatles perform during dress rehearsals on the stage of "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.

"Twist & Shout"

During dress rehearsals, The Beatles recorded several songs - with different set dressings - to be broadcast on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on Feb. 23, 1964. The group performed "Twist & Shout," "Please Please Me," "and "I Want to Hold Your Hand."

George Harrison

George Harrison of The Beatles.

Break

John Lennon during a rehearsal break at CBS' Studio 50.

It's For My Daughter

An unidentified man gets a Beatle's autograph on the stage of "The Ed Sullivan Show."

On Stage

A view from the stage of "The Ed Sullivan Show," featuring The Beatles, Sunday, February 9, 1964, in New York City.

The Fab Four

From left: Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, host Ed Sullivan, George Harrison and John Lennon on the stage of "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.

Backstage

Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr of The Beatles are seen backstage before the group's first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," February 9, 1964.

Guest Stars

Backstage at CBS's Studio 50 in New York City, The Beatles pose with fellow "Ed Sullivan Show" guest, singer Georgia Brown, who would performs songs from the Broadway musical, "Oliver!"

Also among the musical's cast members was young Davy Jones, a future member of the Monkees.

TelePrompter

Host Ed Sullivan reviews his TelePrompter notes on the stage of "The Ed Sullivan Show," February 98, 1964.

The Fab Four

The Beatles' first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.

"All My Loving"

Beatles_on set_Ed Sullivan Show_camera.jpg — CBS Photo Archives

The Beatles performed five songs during their first "Ed Sullivan" appearance on February 9, 1964.

In the first half of the show they sang "All My Loving," "Till There Was You," and "She Loves You."

Paul McCartney and George Harrison

Paul McCartney and George Harrison on "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.

Ringo Starr

Drummer Ringo Starr of The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show," February 9, 1964.

Control Room

A view from the control room of "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.

During dress rehearsals The Beatles surprised the studio crew by requesting playback of their performance and adjusting microphone levels, marking the control board dials with chalk. After returning from break, the group discovered maintenance staff had cleaned all the chalk marks off the control board.

Beatlemania

Audience members respond to The Beatles' first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," at CBS' Studio 50, Sunday, February 9, 1964.

Beatlemania

For the slightly more than 700 seats at Studio 50, the show received 50,000 applications for tickets.

John Lennon

John Lennon of The Beatles.

Fans

Fans of The Beatles at "The Ed Sullivan Show," February 9, 1964.

Mop Top

Host Ed Sullivan gets in the spirit of the proceedings with a "Beatles wig."

"I Want to Hold Your Hand"

The Beatles perform on stage at CBS' Studio 50, during the second half-hour of "The Ed Sullivan Show," Feb. 9, 1964.

Their set included "I Saw Her Standing There," and "I Want To Hold Your Hand."

The Fab Four

The Beatles on stage at "The Ed Sullivan Show," February 9, 1964.

That WAS a Really Big Show

The Beatles on stage at "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.

Paparazzi

The Beatles face photographers following their first U.S. TV performance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.

Smile

Host Ed Sullivan with The Beatles.

Photographers

The press photographs the first wave of the British Invasion, as The Beatles make their bow on "The Ed Sullivan Show," Sunday, February 9, 1964.

American Debut

After a show at the Coliseum in Washington, D.C., and two concerts at New York's Carnegie Hall, The Beatles traveled to Miami for another appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," broadcast live on Sunday, February 16, from the Deauville Hotel. For these two live performances, and for the pre-recorded songs broadcast on Feb. 23, The Beatles - conquerors of the American airwaves - were paid $10,000.

By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan