Ed Sullivan

Fun Facts

Some of his favorite acts included:

• The Supremes: Affectionately called “The Girls” by Sullivan, Diana Ross and her group were a personal favorite. They appeared on the program 14 times, allowing them to debut 15 of their hit singles.
• Alan King: The comedian was one of Sullivan’s favorite acts, largely because he lived nearby in New York City and was always available to fill in when other guests canceled.
• Topo Gigio: The charming Italian puppet mouse was a huge favorite on the show, making 50 appearances and engaging in sweet banter with the host.

Sullivan also had a number of famously strained relationships and on-air tensions with several other legendary musicians:

• Bo Diddley: Banned for life during a 1955 live broadcast. Sullivan wanted him to sing a cover of “Sixteen Tons” but Diddley instead played his own hit song, “Bo Diddley”. An enraged Sullivan confronted him offstage and banished him from the show permanently.
• Buddy Holly: The two clashed severely during Holly’s 1958 appearances. Sullivan hated the group’s apparent lack of enthusiasm, considered their song “Oh Boy!” too raucous for a conservative family audience, and restricted their creative control.
• Jim Morrison (The Doors): Banned after Morrison was asked by producers to change the lyric “Girl we couldn’t get much higher” from “Light My Fire” for live television. Morrison agreed during rehearsals but went ahead and belted out the unedited line on air.