The British invasion was already well underway in the United States. The problem for the Rolling Stones was the Beatles were not only the spearhead of that invasion, but the shaft and tail of the spear as well. America did not need another rock ‘n roll band; so the Rolling Stones self-consciously became the anti-Beatles, presenting an edgy, slightly menacing version of the music that contrasted to the Beatles’ clean-cut, mass-appeal image. The ploy worked: after their third album, the Rolling Stones were finally getting attention from American audiences. Seizing the moment, they booked a series of appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show.

On this day, October 25, in 1964, the Rolling Stones made their first of an eventual six appearances throughout the 1960s on the Ed Sullivan Show.

The same audience shrieks that greeted most Beatles performances welcomed Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, who just months before were touring to half-empty venues. Like with the Beatles, the shrieks continued right through their song and for a spell afterward. Sullivan had to ask the audience to calm down so he could move on with the act. The Stones returned to close out the show with another one of their hits. At the end which Sullivan, somewhat unwisely, told the audience “Come on, let them hear it!” The clamor that went up drowned out Sullivan’s interview with the Stones, and his announcement of next week’s guests.