The Beatles never appeared live on American Bandstand. I always found that to be a little strange since it was a really popular dance program in the 1960's and it featured many popular groups of the day live in the set. American Bandstand would have been a great way for fans to meet the Beatles in person and for them to get even more exposure (although Sullivan was good enough) in the U.S.A. However, the American Bandstand host, Dick Clark was not much of a Beatles fan. When Dick Clark first debuted The Beatles' "She Loves You" for Rate-A-Record on
American Bandstand back in 1963, it was given a 73. The kids on the show took one look at them from a photo, they laughed. By the time the Beatles had been on the Sullivan show in 1964, Dick Clark was "singing another tune" as the say and was holding "Beatles day" on his show and here it looks like he is having some sort of a Beatles auction? I once read an interview with Dick Clark in the 1990's where he stated that not putting the Beatles on early in their career was something he regrets, that and saying that Disco would be around forever!
I ALWAYS THOUGHT THE REASON HE NEVER HAD THEM ON WAS BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE STAGE WAS SET UP IN CONTRAST TO THE AUDIENCE. IT WAS LIKE THEATER IN THE ROUND ALMOST, WITH NO STAGE. THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN MOBBED PERHAPS?
ReplyDeleteNote.! Check your history, A Group named The American Beetles appeared on American Band Stand and was INTERVIEWED by Dick Clark. The group was from West Palm Beach, Florida. David Hieronymus;Drums Bill Ande; Guitar. Vic Gray, and Tom Condra were the other two members of the group, Don Ward in Sunny California. I know this for a fact because I am a personal friend of both David and Bill Ande. David was the drummer in the first Rock and Roll band in south Florida. The Roxsters. Don Ward in Sunny California leader of the Roxsters
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with the editorial above that Dick Clark did not like the Beatles and that business that by 1964 Dick Clark was "singing a different tune"... The whole Beatle craze took the world by storm. Like Elvis, the Beatles were simply too big of a concept to be featured lip-synching on American Bandstand. Imagine the MOB their presence would have made in that tiny studio on Market Street in Philadelphia. It is true that the Bandstand kids in 1963 did not like "She Loves You" and snickered at the Beatles. But then again, 1963 music was a totally different era for popular music...It was expected that the Bandstand kids would not like that style of music. And as for "disco dying"....I don't know...I can't seem to leave a party, a wedding, a dance without hearing at least one 70s disco record !
ReplyDeleteYour statement is false....kids love it on American Stand No one snickled I was one the kids on the show...saw everyone baby.
Deletehi Carol...when Dick Clark held up a photograph of the Beatles in '63, some of the Bandstand kids did indeed snicker....I remember!
DeleteThe Beatles did send a Music Video to American Band Stand....Strawberry-fields Forever...they had interview in 1967 via satellite Radio
ReplyDeleteThat was not an interview with DC. It was The Beatles answering on another interview and DC interjecting from the recording.
DeleteI saw a segment of American Bandstand from early 1967 when it was rumored The Beatles were done touring where Dick Clark asked a couple of his teeny boppers what they thought, all agreed The Beatles were done & wouldn't be able to make music or sale albums, Dick agreed....a few months later Pepper was released...I guess they were wrong!
ReplyDelete1.) The Beatles were already too big for AB before they got here, with 5 #1 Hits in England.
ReplyDelete2.) Ed Sullivan had an exclusive non competitive TV appearance clause in The Beatles' contract, so they couldnt be on any other TV show.
they did appear on shindig
DeleteOther than Dick Clark Sullivan was probably the only show they could appear on and get a big audience. True they were big in England, but Sullivan didn't know about them until the end of October and that was quite by accident. He signed them in November of 63. I couldn't find a date as to when Clark played the song in 63. Some how a New York station got a hold of a record and played it probably in December. I don't know the date but Dick Biondi was the next to play it on WLS. In looking that up I read he had played Please Please Me in February of 63. Being that I am so old I don't remember hearing about the Beatles until the end of 63 or some weeks before they appeared on Sullivan. I am guessing that Pressley was the first Rock act on Sullivan. I read that Buddy Holly was on and I would assume the Everly Brothers. I couldn't find out who else Sullivan had on between 56 and 64. Radio was still the place where you heard new groups and singers.
DeleteBloody good !!
ReplyDeleteIf DC had only played side B of the record (I'll Get You), I'll bet you it would have gotten an 85-90 rating. It's so much better of a song (and more danceable) than She Loves You.
ReplyDeleteagree with I'll Get You - more danceable
DeleteEd Sullivan exclusive non competitive TV appearance clause notwithstanding, American Bandstand's relocation from Philadelphia to Los Angeles occurred the very same weekend in February 1964 that The Beatles had just landed at JFK on the Friday, so there was no logistical chance for the Fab Four to either make a quick side trip to Philly for an AB appearance (Which Ed Sullivan, no doubt would not have approved!!), or else make a stop there on their way to Miami the following Saturday!! CHEERS!
ReplyDeleteDick clark wasnt in England then. so the Beatels cdnt have been there also.
ReplyDeleteI saw that show on American Bandstand in 1963 and the reason for the low rating was because it was hard to dance to with the changes in tempo. Also saw all of the original Ed Sullivan performances.
ReplyDeleteDick Clark sucks, every clip I have ever seen, he takes a shot at The Beatles.
ReplyDeleteGood old George H sure didnt like Dick Clark, especially concerning a 1979 movie Birth of The Beatles he produced. The film was in cinemas around the world, except for the U.S., where it ran on primetime TV. In an interview he said Clark hounded Neil with requests for footage of the band, but in the process made them a pretty rude lowball $$ offer -- and since Clark got Pete Best as a consultant for the thing that just added more salt to the wound. George was ticked about it, and went on to say that rock n roll did more for Dick Clark than the other way around. Ouch.
ReplyDelete