Today's installment of "Live Music on Television" is perhaps the most well-known example of a live music performance creating a national phenomenon. On February 9, 1964; Ed Sullivan would welcome The Beatles onto his stage, and the British Invasion officially began. Though the Beatles' later work is considered better than their music in the group's infancy, there is no denying the electricity the group created with the audience. Here's to the Beatles' first live performance on American television.
I disagree that the Beatles later work is "better." I would agree that their later compositions are more complex and exhibit a greater degree of sophistication in terms of songwriting. Their early songs are admittedly light and simple for the most part. However, formulaic composition of that sort can be done very well (see Rivers Cuomo). The Beatles created some of the most likable and catchy little riffs and choruses out there, and they were able to do dozens of them, not just one or two. "Eight Days a Week" lacks the depth of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" or the complexity of "A Day in the Life," but that doesn't mean those songs are ultimately better.
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