For old timers: What do you think Ed Sullivan really thought of 'The Doors' when they appeared on his show?

Question

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) network censors demanded that Morrison change the lyrics to Light My Fire, by altering the line, "Girl, we couldn't get much higher" (because of the possible reference to drugs) before the band performed the song live on September 17, 1967, on the Ed Sullivan Show. However, Morrison sang the original line instead, and on live television with no delay, CBS was powerless to stop it.

Answer 1

You know I doubt he really cared one way or the other he really was hung up on Topo Gigio a stupid puppet act his favorite act according to any profile I've ever seen of him. Remember it was the censors not ED who worried what was sung in that song. ED was an old theater critic and I think he was just glad to get out from behind a typewriter. He was a great show though just about every house in America was tuned into Ed Sullivan on Sunday nights. In fact did you know they once did a study and crime in New York City actually dropped off for the hour that ED was on, even the bad guys would stop to watch ED.

Answer 2

I'm not an old timer, but how cool would it have been to be there or at least see that on TV. Coincidentally, I was flipping through channels at 4:30 a.m. this morning and came across a Doors video (People Are Strange) on some random channel.

Answer 3

Good for Jim Morrison...Ed was pretty hip in those days. Those in the entertainment industry new the score. Jim was born 20 years too early.....He was not shocking at all compared to what u see and hear now.

Answer 4

I had The Pleasure of seeing this performance way back when & I have to say Ed probably saw $$$$$$$.

Answer 5

He tought they were just a bunch of freeloading hippies.

Answer 6

I'm old, but I was just a little kid when that happened.

Answer 7

i believe Sullivan was secretly appalled...