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'The Ed Sullivan Show' -

'The Ed Sullivan Show' is one of the most celebrated variety shows in American television history. It ran from June 1948 to March 1971 and was hosted by Ed Sullivan. The program featured the biggest acts of the era including Elvis Presley, who made his debut on the show on September 9, 1956.

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'The Ed Sullivan Show' -

The Beatles appeared on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' on three consecutive Sundays in February 1964, with their February 9 slot, which included an inspired rendition of 'I Want to Hold Your Hand,' attracting an estimated 73 million viewers.

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'Soul Train' -

One of the most influential music shows ever conceived, 'Soul Train' showcased the top R&B, funk, jazz, and soul acts of the day. Launched in 1971, the program was celebrated as much for its dance sequences as the artists on stage, groups that included The Jackson 5, pictured in 1976.

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'Soul Train' -

Marvin Gaye gave a memorable performance on 'Soul Train' on February 16, 1974, when he sang 'Let's Get It On' while dancing with the audience. The show finally came to a halt in 2006.

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'MTV Unplugged' -

The idea of showcasing artists and bands as acoustic acts proved hugely popular with television audiences, and 'MTV Unplugged' was also the show everybody wanted to appear on. It ran regularly from 1989 to 1999, and thereafter sporadically. Nirvana gave a memorable performance on November 18, 1993, in New York City.

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'MTV Unplugged' -

In 2001, Jay-Z performed with Damon Dash and Pharrell Williams, proving that the unplugged format worked equally successful with rap and hip-hop acts.

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'Top of the Pops' -

Launched in January 1964, 'Top of the Pops' only ended its run in July 2006, which makes it the longest-running weekly music show in the world. TOTP was must-see viewing for millions of teenagers throughout the United Kingdom. Just about everybody who was anybody appeared on the show, including the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and The Who (pictured in 1970).

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'Top of the Pops' -

Some of the show's seminal performances took place in the 1970s: David Bowie sang his hit 'The Jean Genie' in the studio on January 3, 1973. And even the previously banned Sex Pistols debuted on the show in 1977 with 'Pretty Vacant.'

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'Ready Steady Go!' -

Broadcast on British television every Friday evening from mid-August 1963 until the end of 1966, 'Ready Steady Go!' was also watched by millions in the UK. The rock/pop music program introduced a wider audience to bands like the Rolling Stones (pictured).

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'Ready, Steady, Go!' -

'Ready, Steady, Go!' drew many transatlantic acts as well—Jimi Hendrix made his first television appearance in Britain on the show in 1966 with 'Hey Joe.' Pictured in the studio is Los Angeles-based band the Byrds.

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'Saturday Night Live' -

'Saturday Night Live' premiered on October 11, 1975, its format essentially a late-night live sketch comedy and variety show. But it quickly became a stage for established and emerging bands. Swedish group ABBA were one of the first music acts to appear on the show, on November 15, 1975.

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'Saturday Night Live' -

Former Beatle George Harrison and Paul Simon teamed up for a memorable set in November 1976. Harrison sang Simon's 'Homeward Bound,' while Simon sang Harrison's 'Here Comes The Sun.' Meanwhile, 'Saturday Night Live' is still running, to more or less the same format.

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'American Bandstand' -

'American Bandstand' first appeared on US small screens in 1952, and from 1956 was hosted by D ick Clark. A music performance and dance program, each show featured an appearance by a top act of the day. Pictured is Clark interviewing vocal duo the Everly Brothers in April 1957.

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'American Bandstand' -

'American Bandstand' remained popular musical fare until 1989, during which the show continued to host the most relevant bands of the moment. Pictured in May 1979 is new wave group Blondie.

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'The Tube' -

Broadcast on British television's Channel 4, 'The Tube' gained a reputation for presenting new and upcoming performers such as The Smiths (pictured), whose set took place on March 16, 1984.

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'The Tube' -

'The Tube' ran from November 1982 to April 1987, during which it scooped many of its longer established rivals by enticing world-class acts like U2 (pictured) onto its modest stage.

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'The Old Grey Whistle Test' -

Aired from 1971 to 1988 on British television and memorably hosted by broadcasting legend Bob Harris and later by the equally-respected Annie Nightingale, 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' focused on albums rather than chart hits. Bands that made an early appearance on the program included US folk rock group America (pictured).

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'Old Grey Whistle Test' -

American singer-songwriter Randy Newman was another early guest, appearing on the show in March 1972.

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'Six-Five Special' -

'Six-Five Special' was an early attempt by the BBC to bring popular music acts into the living rooms of people across the nation. It was launched in 1957 and was very much middle of the road in its approach (rock and roll was still in its infancy, at least in Great Britain). Pictured is British crooner and entertainer Dickie Valentine.

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'Six-Five Special' -

'Six-Five Special' was short-lived, mainly due to the arrival in England of rock and roll. The last show aired in December 1958.

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'Oh Boy!' -

Replacing 'Six-Five Special' was 'Oh Boy!,' which was aired by rival broadcasting company ITV. More contemporary in outlook, it hosted the likes of Cliff Richard (England's answer to Elvis) and other homegrown acts.

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'Oh Boy!' -

Despite their name, the Dallas Boys hailed from Leicestershire in England. They were regular performers on 'On Boy!' and have been described as England's first boy band. 'Oh Boy!' was a success, but it too was shelved after one year.

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'Beat-Club' -

German music program 'Beat-Club' managed to attract a slew of British and American acts during its run between 1965 and 1972. Broadcast from Bremen, the show was seen by many artists as a perfect stage on which to promote themselves in Europe. Pictured in September 1968 is American singer-songwriter Tim Buckley, with Lee Underwood and David Friedman.

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'Beat Club' -

American blues and rock band Canned Heat was another transatlantic outfit that worked its magic on the 'Beat-Club.' They performed their classic number 'Let's Work Together' before embarking on a European tour.

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'Musikladen' -

After its seven-year run, 'Beat-Club' was replaced by 'Musikladen,' which was pretty much the same show still aired out of Bremen but under a different name. Nonetheless, it continued to pull in world-class acts, including Ike and Tina Turner, seen here performing 'Nutbush City Limits' (to a background tape) in 1973.

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'Musikladen' -

'Musikladen,' of course, served the European music market too, and launched or promoted many acts from the continent. One of those was Spanish vocal duo Baccara (pictured) who had a huge hit with 'Yes Sir, I Can Boogie' in 1977.

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'Later... With Jools Holland' -

Jools Holland, one of the presenters on the aforementioned 'The Tube,' ended up hosting his own show with 'Later... With Jools Holland,' which hit the small screen in Great Britain in 1993. A gifted pianist, Holland often provides accompaniment for his guests as they play live in the studio. Pictured is Blur on stage in 2000.

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'Later... With Jools Holland' -

Still currently aired, 'Later... With Jools Holland' serves as a platform for a wide genre of music. Pictured with Holland (second left) among other guests is Guru, Herbie Hancock, and Craig David.

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'Grand Ole Opry' -

While the venerable 'Grand Ole Opry' has its roots in radio, having first been broadcast as a weekly American country music concert as far back as 1925, performances of this acclaimed show have been sporadically televised over the years. Any country music star worth his or her salt wants to appear on the Opry stage. Pictured doing just that is Dolly Parton during the Grand Ole Opry's 85th birthday bash in Nashville on October 9, 2010.

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'Grand Ol Oprey' -

Country singer Garth Brooks pictured on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in 2000. The show still remains one of the most cherished of American radio broadcasts.

Sources: (Biography) (BBC) (This Day in Rock) 

See also: The bands and musicians who completely switched music genres

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