‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ was a launching pad for many iconic bands, and The Byrds were no exception. Their performance of the hit song ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ left the Sullivan audience in awe.
Performing against a swirled backdrop, the American rock band featured two guitarists, a bassist, a drummer, and lead singer Roger McGuinn on the tambourine. Clad in matching suits and sporting similar bowl-style haircuts, The Byrds delivered a memorable performance.
Roger McGuinn sang the timeless lyrics, ‘To everything (turn, turn, turn). There is a season (turn, turn, turn). And a time to every purpose, under heaven.’ These words are taken from the first eight verses of the third chapter of the biblical Book of Ecclesiastes.
The song, written by Pete Seeger in the late 1950s, was first recorded in 1959 by the folk group the Limeliters. It later appeared on Seeger’s own album, ‘The Bitter and the Sweet.’ However, it wasn’t until 1965 that ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ became a hit.
The Byrds’ single entered the U.S. chart at number 80 in October 1965 and soared to number 1 by December. Their success was no fluke, and the band is widely regarded as influential in shaping future music groups.
With their unique harmonies and blend of sounds, The Byrds helped define the folk rock genre. Their other major hit, ‘Mr. Tambourine Man,’ further cemented their place in music history. The British invasion bands had proven that America was ready to embrace folk rock, and The Byrds were at the forefront of this movement.
When they performed on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show,’ ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ was already a massive hit. The Byrds’ success with this number 1 song proved that the folk rock genre was here to stay, inspiring many musicians to adopt the style in the years to come.