The Doors Defy Ed Sullivan
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The Ed Sullivan show was an important and influential variety television show that aired on Sunday evenings for more than 20 years! About every kind of act appeared on the show, and the Ed Sullivan Show was famous for making acts famous (to American, mainstream audiences, at least).
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Some of the famous appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show were Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Doors.
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To some observers, at least, an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show was the hallmark of success. Many acts appeared multiple times…but not The Doors.
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On this date in 1967, The Doors were about to go on the air, live, to perform their hit “Light My Fire.” They had been told that they had to change one of the lines, “Girl, we couldn’t get much higher,” to “Girl, we couldn’t get much better.” The Doors told the producer they would make the change, but Jim Morrison, the lead singer/songwriter, performed the song just as usual, with the word higher.
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Sullivan was reported to be furious and refused to shake the band members’ hands. Instead of booking the band for multiple appearances, as planned, The Doors were never invited back again. However, Morrison and the others were reported to be gleeful—the one appearance gave them a ton of exposure, and the controversy gave them publicity. Morrison was never one to bow down to conventions, anyway.
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Censorship sometimes calls attention to whatever is being censored. What do you think about this topic?
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- Kidspeak is an organization created as a reaction to some people’s efforts to ban Harry Potter books and movies. It’s about freedom of speech and censorship.
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- Here is a survey of kids about censorship and who should decide what materials are okay for kids to see and hear.
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- Here is a mature article on the topic of music lyrics and their possible negative influence. Older kids and adults might enjoy reading it.
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