DVD Review: 6 Ed Sullivan Shows Starring The Rolling Stones

On November 1st, SOFA Entertainment will release 6 Ed Sullivan Shows Starring The Rolling Stones, a 2-disc DVD collection which features six full-length episodes of The Ed Sullivan show featuring The Rolling Stones. This deluxe edition feature some of the most memorable Stones performances from 1964-1969 as well as a plethora of other gems. You may recall that last year I reviewed The 4 Complete Ed Sullivan Shows Starring The Beatles DVD, so I was eager to check out the latest installment in this fantastic series! I received an advance screener copy to check out, and I would highly recommend it to any fan. What makes this so special is that you’re not just getting a brief clip of the performance – you’re seeing the full-length episodes as they aired originally. It even includes the original commercials! You can watch each episode in its entirety or select a specific performance to watch. Christmas is coming up, and this would be a fantastic gift!

Highlights from this DVD include:

 

• The Rolling Stones making their triumphant return to the Ed Sullivan stage on May 2, 1965, performing an early original composition by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards — the Top 10 hit “The Last Time”; a rendition of the Willie Dixon blues classic “Little Red Rooster”; a cover of Solomon Burke’s “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love”; and closing out the show — the rarely performed instrumental homage to Chess Records, “2120 South Michigan Avenue.”

 

• Their February 13, 1966, Ed Sullivan Show appearance, presented in gorgeous CBS color, performing their No. 1 smash hit “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” against a backdrop of screaming fans and a touching rendition of their hit “As Tears Go By.”  Performed as a duet, the song features the vocals of Mick Jagger and the soft chords of Keith Richards’ acoustic guitar.  They end this Sullivan appearance with their newest hit, the manic “19th Nervous Breakdown.”

 

• The Rolling Stones returning to the Ed Sullivan stage on September 11, 1966, after being chased by a mob of fans down Broadway following the dress rehearsal, with a unique performance of their No. 1 hit “Paint It, Black” with Brian Jones sitting and playing the signature riff on his sitar; their hit “Lady Jane,” featuring Jones on dulcimer, and the band showcases their versatility by closing the show with their smash Top 10 hit “Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadows?”

 

• The Rolling Stones final appearance on the Ed Sullivan stage with founding member Brian Jones was on January 15, 1967, performing their No. 1 hit “Ruby Tuesday” which was followed by their now historic version of “Let’s Spend The Night Together” with the lyrics changed to “Let’s Spend Some Time Together” by CBS network’s standards and practices department.  This was a memorable moment in the annals of TV censorship.   In true Stones’ fashion, the chorus is defiantly delivered with a sarcastic roll of Mick Jagger’s eyes as he looks into the camera and lets the audience at home know he’s fully aware of the absurdity of the situation. 

Other highlights include:

• Tom Jones singing “Watcha Gonna Do When Your Baby Leaves You.”
• The legendary Louis Armstrong performing “Cabaret.”
• Petula Clark giving us “Elusive Butterfly” and “Color My World.”

Got the “Moves Like Jagger”? Then you’ll want to get your hands on this title! Click here to pre-order 6 Ed Sullivan Shows Starring The Rolling Stones on Amazon for $27.99.