Vince Calandra, a pivotal figure in the history of television as a longtime booker for CBS’s The Ed Sullivan Show, has passed away at the age of 91.
Vince Calandra: A Legacy in Television and Music
Vince Calandra, a pivotal figure in the history of television as a longtime booker for CBS’s The Ed Sullivan Show, has passed away at the age of 91. He died on Saturday at his home in Woodland Hills, CA, as reported by a local mortuary.
Early Career and The Beatles
At just 23 years old, Calandra began his career on The Ed Sullivan Show, which had been a Sunday night staple for nearly a decade. Starting in the mailroom, he quickly progressed to holding cue cards and eventually became a talent booker. During the British Invasion, he played a crucial role in bringing The Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—to the show, marking a significant moment in both television and music history.
The Historic Performance
On February 9, 1964, The Beatles made their first of three appearances on the show within two weeks. Calandra even stood in for an unwell Harrison during rehearsals, donning a moptop wig. The performance electrified audiences, with over 73 million viewers tuning in, making it a historic event. Calandra also contributed to the group’s iconic Shea Stadium concert in August 1965, serving as an associate producer for the documentary The Beatles at Shea Stadium!
Memorable Moments with Other Bands
Calandra was present for other memorable performances, including a notable incident in early 1967 when he had to inform Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones that CBS required a change to their lyrics for “Let’s Spend the Night Together.” Later that year, he faced a similar challenge with Jim Morrison of The Doors regarding the lyric “Girl we couldn’t get much higher.” Morrison defiantly sang the original lyric, leading to the band’s final appearance on the show.
See More ...
A Diverse Career
Throughout his career, Calandra booked numerous legendary acts for The Ed Sullivan Show, including Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, and Julie Andrews. He remained with the show until its final episode in June 1971, after which he continued to book guests for various talk shows and worked on entertainment series like Entertainment Tonight and Solid Gold.
Calandra is survived by his daughter Christine Calandra Farrell and son Vince Calandra Jr., a veteran TV producer.
