1967 The Beatles World’s Live Global Satellite TV Program
The Beatles were featured in the BBC‘s Our World, the first live, international satellite TV show, on June 25, 1967. The two-hour event was broadcast to 24 countries and an estimated 700 million people worldwide, making it the biggest TV audience in history.
The program showcased the potential of satellite communications and featured contributions from 18 countries, including the Beatles representing the UK. The band’s performance of their new single, “All You Need Is Love”, was the highlight.
The song captured the program’s spirit of peace and togetherness. It was performed from a packed Studio One with other rock and roll finest in the audience, including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, and Graham Nash.
The First Live Multinational Satellite TV Production Ever Attempted
Four communications satellites, Intelsat I, and Intelsat II F-3, were used to televise the show around the world. Both satellites were positioned over different parts of the Atlantic Ocean, and some were positioned over different parts of the Pacific Ocean to complete global coverage. The Master control room all came from the BBC in London.
It took ten months and 10,000 technicians, producers, and performers to bring everything together.
No Politics Allowed
No politicians or heads of state could participate in the broadcast. Everything had to be live; no videotape or film could be used. All participants had to have full knowledge of what was included. And so there was no funny business not in the script.
The Beatles Part In The Whole Show
At the time of the broadcast, the Vietnam War was at its height. The producers asked The Beatles to write a song that would capture the hearts of many viewers with a positive message of hope and love.
The Beatles topped the event with a debut performance of their song “All You Need Is Love.” They invited many of their friends, including the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Marianne Faithfull, Keith Moon (and Keith behaved himself), and Graham Nash. It was a festive atmosphere, and everyone joined in on the song’s chorus.
57 Years Ago Since The Broadcast
Technology has come so far for satellite feds. We will see with our own eyes this Summer’s upcoming Olympic games in France. But wonder at just 57 years and the technology we have in our hands with just a cell phone.
The only sad thing is that we once had a program that showed music videos 24 hours a day.
Some of Your Favorite Classic Rock Bands Have a Pinball Game
2012 AC/DC Stern
Great fun game with an awesome playlist of AC/DC songs to keep you rocking for hours
2012 AC/DC Pinball
1979 KISS - Bally
1979 Bally KISS Pinball
17,000 KISS pinball games were made of the original game. Later in 2015, Stern made an updated version. If you have one of the original games hold on to it as it’s going up in price now that the band is allegedly on their final tour.
Aerosmith 2017 Pinball by Stern
Aerosmith 2017 Pinball by Stern
With an MSRP when new: $8,999.00 Aerosmith keeps fans entertained with drum sounds, toys in the attic multi-ball, and a soundtrack of classic Aerosmith.
Captain Fantastic - 1976 Bally
1976 Captain Fantastic by Bally
Remember first playing this at the Van Dyke Sports Center in Warren, MI. Loved the old-style bells and it is a bit slow by today’s standards. The artwork is so interesting with secret drawings hidden throughout the game.
Nugent - Stern 1976
1978 Nugent Pinball by Stern
This Nugent pinball I own myself. Location now is in my office at WCSX. I couldn’t afford the KISS pinball and came across this game which only 2,437 were made. Thought it might be a good investment. Plus you can’t beat the Motorcity Madman.
