Grammys organizers announce TV tribute to Beatles

LOS ANGELES (AFP) ― Grammys organizers announced Thursday plans for a tribute show to the Beatles on the 50th anniversary of their iconic Ed Sullivan show appearance, with today’s top stars performing Fab Four hits. The Recording Academy, which organizes music’s equivalent of the Oscars, will bring together artists in Los Angeles the day after the 2014 Grammys show in January.

“The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute To The Beatles,” will air two weeks later, on Feb. 9, exactly 50 years to the hour after the famous Ed Sullivan show.

The appearance by the iconic British group ― who went on to win seven Grammy awards ― was one of the most watched TV events ever ― with 74 million people tuning in to watch the group perform five songs.

“The Beatles are one of music’s most iconic groups, who won their first two Grammys, including one for Best New Artist, in 1964 ― the same year they took America by storm,” said Recording Academy chief Neil Portnow.

Ken Ehrlich, who will executive produce the tribute, added: “Whether you were alive to witness it on television that night, or you’ve just known about it all your life, that first television appearance ... is historic.

”To be able to celebrate this significant event 50 years later - and to the exact day, date, and time - with an all-star cast of Grammy participants shapes up to be one for the books,“ he added.

The 56th annual Grammy awards show will be held on January 26 at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. Organizers did not immediately release names of artists who will take part in the Beatles tribute show on Jan. 27. But virtually everyone in music will be in town, recovering after the previous night’s celebrations.