The rock band The Doors were notably banned from The Ed Sullivan Show following their controversial performance in 1967.
The Banning of The Doors
In a pivotal moment in rock and roll history, The Doors made their debut appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1967. This highly anticipated performance, however, quickly turned infamous. During their set, the band's lead singer, Jim Morrison, chose to perform a lyric that had been specifically requested by the show's producers to be changed or omitted. His defiance of this instruction led to immediate repercussions.
The incident resulted in The Doors being subsequently barred from ever appearing on the show again. This event became one of the most talked-about moments in the band's storied career, highlighting the clash between artistic expression and network censorship during that era.
To summarize the incident:
- Who: The Doors
- When: 1967
- Reason: Disobeying an instruction regarding a lyric during their performance.
- Outcome: Banned from all future appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.
This episode underscored the power of live television and the strict standards that variety shows like The Ed Sullivan Show maintained, often leading to tensions with artists pushing creative boundaries. While many acts were carefully vetted before their appearances, an outright ban like that imposed on The Doors was a significant and public declaration of unacceptable conduct in the eyes of the network.
