Facts and info about The Beatles at the Ed Sullivan show in color

These images taken by Howard Grafton are the only set of color photographs taken during the fourth and final appearance of The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show on August 14, 1965. The performance took place the day before The Beatles' Shea Stadium Concert, which kicked off their North American Tour. Every other photographer authorized on the set used black & white film.

There are the only 6 pictures of the Beatles: Two shots are of the band's rehearsals. Three picture the band's aired performance, and one captures Paul alone performing "Yesterday " solo for the very first time on television, without the 3 others. The Beatles performed six songs, I feel fine, I'm Down, Act Naturally, Ticket to Ride, Yesterday, and Help (John forgot some of the lyrics to "Help"). The broadcast received a 60% share of the nighttime audience.

Howard Grafton was a young photographer and the only photographer present on the set with a color camera. Due to his young age compared to the more seasoned photographers present, Grafton had an 'in' with the Beatles and the band granted him full access to the set. Robert Kidd Gallery acquired the rights to these photographs from the estate of Mr. Grafton. The set-of-6 is available in a limited edition of 25 sets printed on aluminum - each signed, numbered and stamped by the Grafton Estate. The set is only available from the Robert Kidd Gallery in Birmingham, MI. This is very first time that these pictures have been displayed in this form and medium and made available to the public to acquire. While some of these shots have been seen in the press individually since 1964, this is the first time that the entire set of the six iconic pictures are made available together signed and numbered. Only 25 sets are available world wide.