WEST LAFAYETTE — The Beatles' American debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show” 50 years ago not only was the beginning of the 1960s cultural revolution, but also an iconic moment that brought Baby Boomers together, says a Purdue University historian.
“The Sullivan show provided something of a ground-zero for a gathering of a generation who had a very different agenda – politically, socially and culturally – from our parents,” says Michael A. Morrison, an associate professor of history at Purdue, who teaches a course on society, culture and rock music. “It was the culmination of the generational ferment and divisions that had begun a decade earlier.”
The Beatles appeared Feb. 9, 1964, on Sullivan's show. Prior to this appearance, British bands trying to make it in America had flopped. The Beatles even had trouble with an American record company signing them, and then the company promoting them in America had low expectations. And over time, the Beatles grew both musically and professionally, Morrison says. The Beatles' albums “Rubber Soul” and “Revolver,” released in 1965 and 1966, respectively, began to move in different directions as the band focused on social issues and politics.
