It may have been Santa Monica, October 29, 1964, but the scene was still decidedly British. Only eight months after The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, the British invasion was in full swing and continued its assault on America in what was considered the first concert film of the rock era. In what has to be one of the worst acronym titles for a film but one of the best and rarest rock films there is, The T.A.M.I. Show – Rock n’ Roll’s First Concert Film comes to PBS stations nationwide this month. If you’re in the North Texas area, KERA Channel 13 will broadcast this never before seen on U.S. television film tonight (Saturday) at 8:30pm. It is showing on other public television stations nationwide so you may check local listings.

This is an unbelievable program hosted by Jan & Dean and starring Chuck Berry, James Brown, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles and, oh yeah, an incredible closing set by that little British group (cue the British reference for Tellyspotting purposes), The Rolling Stones. Other British groups to play were Gerry & the Pacemakers and Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas.

Years later, Keith Richards admitted it was a mistake to follow James Brown since no matter how good the Stones were, they couldn’t top Brown’s performance. If you’re not in the North Texas area, here’s a trailer for the show to give you a sense as to what you are missing.

In: Music