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Bo Diddley upset Ed Sullivan

Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley performed on stage during the West Coast Blues & Roots Festival at the Esplanade Reserve, Fremantle on April 1, 2007, in Perth, Australia.
Paul Kane | Getty Images 2007

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Today's Morning Edition music is from a broadcast of "The Ed Sullivan" variety show, which aired 60 years ago Friday.

Sullivan introduced a guest in his first national television appearance. He was a singer and guitarist who was drawing big crowds in Harlem. He called himself Bo Diddley.

Sullivan had instructed Bo Diddley to perform the Tennessee Ernie Ford song "Sixteen Tons" but instead he played his signature song "Bo Diddley."

Sullivan was so upset that he banned Bo Diddley from ever appearing on the program again.