On this day in 1964, The Beatles made their live American TV debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Beatlemania had already hit the United States, and 73 million people tuned in to watch the band perform five songs live, including “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” According to eyewitness reports, the screaming from younger members of the audience was so loud, that no one in the studio, not even the Beatles, could hear the music being played.

Watch Here:

59 years ago today, “Buddy Holly & the Crickets” made their debut appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, performing their rock and roll hits “That’ll be the Day” and “Peggy Sue,” which had been released earlier that year. This nationally televised concert marked the beginning of an intense touring schedule for the group, ultimately culminating in that fatal plane crash on February 3, 1959.