Petula Clark "Downtown" on The Ed Sullivan Show

[@billkazen4683]

Story was, her plane and/taxi were late for the show, so she just went on in her traveling dress and no makeup..she still nailed it!

[@walterrow9658]

I remember seeing this performance and Ed Sullivan praising her for hustling from the airport just in time to do the show.

[@sgtpppr]

That's awesome. I LOVE the backstory!

[@balticbabe1]

I remember that too!

[@ericacruz8261]

She’s wearing makeup

[@SW2799]

Very accurate information. I think that information came from an interview she did in the early 1980s on television here in the USA. I remember it. She said something about the plane she was originally booked on from Paris to New York City did not leave, so she had to take a later flight. When she arrived in New York City (Kennedy Airport), evidently the traffic was horrendous into central Manhattan. From what I understood, she did make it in time for what she called “the notorious dress rehearsal.” But I forget if she actually got to practice the song before she went on.

[@ShortFuse_]

My brother and I saw Petula Clark live in concert in Vancouver BC in October 1984. We shook her hand after the show and congratulated her on a beautiful show. She sang all of the top songs and others as well. The next day we dropped off a dozen red roses at the hotel she sang at along with a long personal note letting her know how much we loved her music and her voice. We were 19 years old. We included our parent's address not thinking that anything would come of it. Six months later my mother called me to say Petula Clark sent you a postcard picture of her with a note that said: "To Chris and Andrew, Love Petula Clark." I still have the envelope and the card. She is pure class and a wonderful person.

[@VaniaM90]

Qué increíble historia. Y qué suerte haberla tenido tan cerca para ver el gran talento que tiene.

[@PaulMcElveen]

What a wonderful Experience! You getting to see the very pretty, extremely intelligent and extremely talented Petula Clark in concert, meeting her and getting an autographed picture postcard from the Splendid Petula Clark! I am sure she loved the dozen roses you sent her, you shaking her hand and congratulating her on her beautiful show! I would have done the same thing you and your brother did! Love your story!

[@MrJfrederici]

Thank you for that story, Chris or Andrew. 😊

[@PaulMcElveen]

Happy Easter 2024! Happy Spring 2024! I Love This Song! I Love Petula Clark!

[@IowanMatthew683]

Still alive as of October 2024, 91 years young! Incredible.

[@tadroid3858]

Outstanding!! I'm only 63, but I hope you live as long. Peace.

[@jamesvise2099]

Petula Clark was just another example of the great music of the 60s. How I loved that decade.

[@markd8508]

I can't listen to this song without thinking of the Hanoi bombing run from Flight of the Intruder.

[@richardplume3212]

4561s my number n hav a grandson hendrix life is sweet not mud peace

[@admin98765]

No lip-syncing for Petula Clark. True to the recorded version. True class.

[@RDRumpff]

I loved Pet Clark in 1965, when I was 13 years old. I remember what a great lady she was! That's the dame year, I took a ride in a British motorcar--a 1959 Jaguar Mark IX. What a class-act! Great Memories! Richard Dwayne Rumpff, Celina, Ohio USA.

[@RolandSalazar-g2e]

An absolute legend. A time when they didn't need to be naked and tattooed head to toe to get attention. No phony fireworks and feminine male dancers all around. Pure talent❤❤❤

[@chrisnewman7281]

Sung completely live no auto tune or vocal effects. how many of today’s stars would do that?

[@donpaladino]

ZERO

[@snafutube]

It’s not live, it’s mimed … and there is reverb on the vocal (not to mention compression/eq) they did have these things in the sixties you know? … but yeah, no autotune😢

[@chrisnewman7281]

@@snafutube if you say so

[@alext.8456]

Me !

[@chrisnewman7281]

@@alext.8456 what did you star in ? the school play?

[@Stives1979]

Who's still listening to the golden voice of petula Clark I think she's got a whole lot of soul in her VOICE EPIC gives me goosebumps ✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻✊

[@roythurston7799]

I am . Lol🤣😂

[@Stives1979]

@@roythurston7799 3 cheers Roy oh yes what a singing voice epic stuff thanks for the share 🎼🎹🎼🎹🎼🎹

[@joyceking7059]

Me, and it sounds great!!

[@amadoparragua6989]

When music sounded like music

[@donpaladino]

Yes and Amen!

[@tonystrychard2529]

this is the first appearance of Petula Clark singing Downtown on my birthday March 14th on the Ed Sullivan Show

[@arnibah]

That must have been on a Sunday.

[@davidsewellclarke4997]

This song was played every Christmas in Bielefeld Germany at Christmas in the shopping centre.

[@philippesauvie639]

This song for me is the quintessential feel-good song of the 60s and there were quite a few and in 1964 with the Beatles hitting the States, Downtown holds its own!

[@Mister8224]

The confidence she shows on the early appearance is commendable. Her whole future in the business hangs on this appearance yet she ignores the pressure & gives a superb memorable performance. Current athletes having difficulties dealing with performance anxiety should watch this to see how it's done. It is sad to see top athletes like Osaka, Biles & Serena unable to perform under pressure. This whole generation needs to TOUGHEN UP!

[@tomsmith2013]

Spot on!

[@WmsonTree]

Exactly! Petula Clark was very good delivering a song for sure!

[@chrisnorton4382]

@@Mister8224 - her success in the USA may have rested on this, yes. However she was already a big star in Europe. She was very experienced with audiences and had been singing for over 20 years before linking up with master songwriter and arranger Tony Hatch to achieve superstardom.

[@Mister8224]

@@chrisnorton4382 I know you're right Chris, but even with her successes before Sullivan, this is still a huge moment for Petula. I was only 12, but when I saw & heard HER(stunningly great) LIVE PERFORMANCE, I was right away a fan. She opened a huge new market by her performance & it lifted her cache into the stratosphere. WELL DESERVED.

[@stevekiss616]

I never tire of listening to her voice. I am going on 68 and she tops my list of artists who can always take me back to a special time.

[@kerryknauf8196]

One of the classic songs of all time

[@jamescarlin4244]

This show is exact time I was born. 3/14/65

[@tanler7953]

I always assumed her career started in the 1960s. I have since learned she was a child singer at the BBC who recorded many songs for the troops during WWII.

[@PaulMcElveen]

This song truly belongs only to the beautiful singer, actress, entertainer, performer and person Petula Clark! Great performance and beautiful dress, shoes and hairstyle! I love this song I have always loved Petula Clark! I was born in 1978. Thank you for posting and sharing this wonderful performance. It makes me happy every time I watch and listen to it!

[@joecraig6265]

She performed for troops in WW2 , for free, as a teenager.She aged well.I love her.

[@dianekeane7740]

Still rocking and relevant. Petula has a golden voice with a lovely, natural, feminine presence of grace and strength.

[@Mike-yg8ig]

Well said. Her and Dionne Warwick were the dominant female artists of the 60's IMO.

[@cz2165]

Back when Brits wouldn’t change their accent when singing. Love this so much.

[@bobwerber2984]

It'll be 60 years ago soon. Still something about this song and her performance that seems to define the 60's in a way. Long live Petula.

[@stevestruthers6180]

It's really hard to believe that almost 60 years have passed since this song came out as I recall hearing this and other Petula Clark tunes on the radio when I was little. It seems that the time has really and truly gone by in the blink of an eye.

[@temeculajoe]

Petula is still singing and her voice is fabulous

[@annaritaranalli1791]

And she seems still pretty

[@steveambrose3378]

I want a Pet Clark doll, doing all the right wiggles, attached to my dashboard. That way, when rode rage inevitably drifts into my life lane, I can instead focus on an emblem that brings peace, joy and a beautiful tune into my situation.

[@debbiebarr4552]

Ed Sullivan really liked Petula Clark. Hugged her after her performance.

[@Ohnyet]

Who remembers this when it came out first?

[@60Cascade]

I was just a little shaver but man this brings back the memories of that time. Being in my parents car (a 62 Chevy Nova) and hearing this song coming out of those car radio speakers. Good times!

[@shave-a-thon3415]

It was an amazing time. Just turn on the radio and every song played was fantastic. I bought the original 45 rpm single on Warner Bros. Records when it came out and still have it. I wonder if songwriter Tony Hatch made the trip over with her.

[@fredcarani6764]

In seventh grade all my friends liked the Beatles but Petula was it for me.

[@reneleclerc6119]

I go back to "Teddy Bear." I first heard it sung by my older sister, Rita, then she played Elvis' record for me.

[@michaelinhouston9086]

I sure do - saw this original show.

[@PaulMcElveen]

Happy Spring 2024! This Song is Wonderful! Petula Clark is Wondaful! This Video is Wonderful!

[@davidpierson6686]

The lyrics had meaning, and , you could understand them . . ."just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossa nova, You'll be dancing with them too before the night is over, Happy again. . . " Also, the trumpet solo at the end of the song was a first for "the new music scene." Oh ! and todays young adults I believe don't even know what makes up a "Bossa Nova ! I guess I'm getting old - I saw The Beatles on Ed Sullivan the year before. Thank You Mr. Ed Sullivan.

[@PaulMcElveen]

Excellent Video of a pretty, catchy, classic, happy song Downtown with excellent vocalizations and performance by the lovely and extremely talented Petula Clark! Downtown is a fantastic song to dance to!

[@jeffreyzeiss1326]

A very sweet and talented woman. She flew in straight from France for this performance and was exhausted and jet-lagged

[@darrenplumpton9737]

You most certainly can not tell. That is Petula Clark to a tee. She is ALWAYS the constant Perfessional.

[@andrewbrendan1579]

One of the earliest memories of my life is of this performance of "Downtown" by Petual Clark on "The Ed Sulllivan Show". According to the date here, I was three years old, turning four two months later, and now 57 years later I'm blessed to see and hear this wonderful performance in its entirey. Thank you, "The Ed Sullivan Show" channel and thank you, Miss Clark.

[@brucepappas6298]

Great song by a great singer. Even though it's been 50 years since the show ended I still miss the Ed Sullivan Show.

[@kevinmiller6324]

Bruce Pappas-On the nights I'm home from work I can watch Ed Sullivan on Decades at 7 and 7:30 pm.

[@judd442009]

"Downtown" is over 50 years old and still has a remarkable appeal about it with Petula Clark singing it.

[@seanodwyer4322]

'' Downtrou''

[@annaritaranalli1791]

Anche grazie alle covers abbiamo conosciuto tanti straordinari artisti stranieri

[@PaulMcElveen]

Sensational Performance by Pet Petula Clark!

[@richardbrowning9953]

Love this song it takes me back to my childhood 🙎‍♂️🎶🎶

[@mikehorton2591]

I want to go back to those beautiful days.

[@spyderlogan4992]

As a 15 year old who saw and heard this performance, live, when it has broadcast, I knew then it was something special. It was a massive, gigantic hit record played constantly(twice an hour?) on WEAM AM radio in Northern Virginia. I'm happy to notice, now, that the orchestra arrangement did not overpower her vocal performance. And the muted trumpet improv at the end is the icing. Lyrics, Melody, Arrangement, Style. A true classic of the era. Add 'I Know a Place' and 'A Sign of The Times' to her Sullivan clips and you have a look into the past, gone but not forgotten. Thanks to this KZbin channel we all get to re-live these precious moments.

[@andytaylor5476]

Yes it did feel special and tremendous from the get go. I felt that at 13.

[@rosajohnson5212]

It was played constantly in Southern Virginia, as well! I never tired of hearing it, though.

[@tommoncrieff1154]

The genius behind this is Tony Hatch, also still living. He and Petula had been working together for a few years and he came up with this, incredibly different from the British and French songs she had sung previously. She jumped on it, but couldn’t have known how iconic it would be. Petula has her first British single released in 1948 but she’d been singing and acting since the start of WW2 as a child. During the war she and Julie Andrews toured England together in a variety show. She was actually quite oood by the standards of the 1960s to be an overnight pop sensation in a mini dress. She had 15 consecutive US Top 40 hits, including 2 at #1. Tony Hatch wrote most of them. She’s still singing live and touring at almost 90 years old, and is just as good as ever.

[@injunmick8498]

This was on the radio all the time, it seemed anyway, a top hit at the time.

[@shmuli9]

It was a #1 hit in several countries, including the US, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

[@michaelrochester48]

No 1

[@kevinmiller6324]

I was just thinking about this song, and was trying to remember the name of the artist before I saw it in the description. So it was Petunia Clark.

[@susiepittman601]

I remember it well.

[@ronmailloux8655]

I recall this tune so well. I was 5 years old listening on my dads radio in down town Vancouver and the neon lights were flashing .

[@williampaull5745]

Thank you Lord for Petula Clark . Amen .

[@jimeaston5483]

My first celebrity crush. I was 9 years old. (67 now)😊

[@gregoryurbach3015]

Great song, great performance, but certainly from another era.

[@paul8926]

This song always brings me back to childhood, before malls. We always went downtown during weekends and had a blast !

[@donnalombardo212]

Same here it was better then

[@lilblackduc7312]

This is the 1st song I requested to be played. I was about 6yrs old.

[@LadyLakeMusic]

Takes me right back!! Sundays at my grandparents for dinner and Ed Sullivan. What precious days 💕

[@netsuke3529]

This song is just EXCITING! London's Calling is another one.

[@robertchesnosky5427]

PET CLARK. A TOWERING FIGURE IN POP MUSIC HISTORY HERE GIVES THE GREATEST PERFORMANCE OF THIS HER SIGNATURE SONG.

[@annaritaranalli1791]

She can sing jazz too

[@michaelstoneburg7379]

She has this thing going with her eyes that keeps me mesmerized. What a talent !

[@tinajakob4683]

ich war 5 Jahr als ich diesen Song das erste mal gehört habe

[@PaulMcElveen]

I was born in the late fall of 1978. I Love the Splendid Petula Clark! I Love the Splendid Performance! I Love the Splendid Song Downtown!

[@seanjmcguire]

you have to love how she ends it, so the audience knows she's singing live. A song tailor-made for her I've read, and she is superb in its execution.

[@joseclaudiobento8395]

Petula Clark , oh my God, She sings with her Soul!

[@SteveStalzle]

Petula first appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show on March 14th, 1965. As Ed later explained during his “Best of the 1960s” special, her plane landed and 45 minutes later she performed live without any rehearsal. That night she sang her number one hit “Downtown” and her follow-up hit “I Know a Place”, which went to number three. Other top ten hits she performed on Sullivan include “My Love” and “Don’t Sleep in the Subway”.

[@shaunwakefield9793]

Did she ever perform The other Mans grass

[@fromthesidelines]

Not on Ed's program.

[@shaunwakefield9793]

@@fromthesidelines thanks for that.

[@fromthesidelines]

You're welcome.

[@MichaelCharles-l8y]

I remember in the mid-sixties all my grade school teachers wore their hair like this or like Linda/Lucy Johnson or like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music.

[@PaulMcElveen]

Perfect Song and Perfect Video!

[@ronaldtremblay9971]

Still gives me goosebumps. I was 9 years-old when the song came out... I had such a 'pre-adolescent crush" on Petula Clark, which lasted quite a few years. A classy lady with classy songs...of which you can actually understand the lyrics. Still one the best.

[@richardpiper6265]

I had all of her albums. Look at the expressions she makes to go along with the songs. She sang as a young girl in WWII. I was 14 when Downtown came out. Played it all the time with I Know A Place. She is the ultimate international singer.

[@bruceatnip986]

Downtowns are not what they used to be. But if they could feel this,energy, they could be again. Great song by a great singer.

[@PaulMcElveen]

I Love this Song and Video!

[@mabella3437]

Such a HAPPY song !!!! Masterpiece !!! Thanks for the great memories !!!!

[@chriscarson7384]

I saw this show the night it aired on Ed Sullivan. I was a little girl, but I was and remain captivated by Petula's voice. If I recall correctly, when he introduced her, Ed said the plane from London had been late and she didn't get a chance to rehearse, just did this cold. Amazing.

[@Mike-yg8ig]

One of if not the best female artists of the '60's. Beautiful timbre. great range, phrasing, power and control. And yes soul too. A wonderful performer who set the soundtrack to the 60's along with the amazing Dionne Warwick. Life would be so much emptier without their great works.

[@Mister8224]

Top 5 vocal performance all time in my book!

[@PaulMcElveen]

Spectacular Performance!

[@PaulMcElveen]

I Love This Splendid Video!

[@M.Robespierre3691]

Are you ok?! I think you made your point by now....

[@michaelrochester48]

What blows my mind is that people think this is the beginning of her career. But she has been having huge hits since she was a teenager in both the UK and France. So when this became a hit she had about 10 or 15 years of already having huge hits in Europe

[@andytaylor5476]

Downtown was Clark's first hit record in the US. Before that she was unknown in the US and many other international countries.

[@michaelrochester48]

@@andytaylor5476 I think her biggest hit making before the song was France and England. She was a star in England when she was not even 10 years old, singing to the troops on the BBC

[@raybrown3667]

@@michaelrochester48 By the time that "Downtown" was released, Clark had already charted in many European countries, as well as in Quebec (where her French-language hits did well) and Australia. "Downtown" was intended to revive her career in the U.K., which had cooled somewhat at the same time that her recording career in France was soaring. But it took off in the U.K. and the U.S. simultaneously and became a massive international hit, peaking at or near the top of the charts in nations on six continents.

[@alanmerritts]

I had heard that the producers in America though she was much younger when she made her splash here and tried to hide that fact a bit as if that was taboo. Strange times.

[@PaulMcElveen]

Outstanding Performance! Outstanding Video!

[@ZeraphineDoll]

So classy, love her dress!

[@PaulMcElveen]

Amazing Performance! Amazing Video!

[@PaulMcElveen]

I was born in the late fall of 1978. I Love the Catchy, Classic, Delightful, Fun, Happy, Iconic, Pretty, Uplifting Song Downtown! I Love the Classy Delightful, Elegant, Extremely Talented, Lovely, Very Intelligent, Very Pretty Actress, Composer, Dancer, Entertainer, Performer, Pianist, Singer, and Songwriter Petula Clark!

[@PaulMcElveen]

Excellent Performance! Excellent Video!

[@vivianmancuso3063]

Grandma's favorite song. RIP! always treat someone the way you would want to be treated. "You never know who you might encounter. "... taught me well.

[@PaulMcElveen]

Outstanding Video!

[@joelrudzinski6829]

The Miracle of a REAL VOICE. No Tracks and Karaoke.

[@PaulMcElveen]

Great Performance! Great Video!

[@PaulMcElveen]

Excellent Song! Excellent Performance! Excellent Video!

[@PaulMcElveen]

Splendid Video!

[@pollyannapositive9192]

1st time heard this song was in Manila Philippines 🇵🇭

[@bobdereimer5210]

Downtown by Petula Clark ws the first record I bought at 10 years old. Thank you, Petula!

[@bobdereimer5210]

was - proofreading is importasnt.

[@buddypvaz124]

I am a big fan.

[@flitetym]

This was the definitive New York song of the ‘60s.

[@roybean7166]

Read her wikipedia, it's super impressive. A child star, then a star in Italy and France before the British invasion of 60s.

[@annaritaranalli1791]

I didn't know

[@hudsony777]

Heard this many times but not this performance. First rate with even more emotion than the hit record. WOW

[@PaulMcElveen]

Epic Video!

[@marisaelenenadiejamusiccom3974]

Fantastic music..love it♥️🌹🌹♥️

[@chrisclermont456]

Optimism. Hope. Compassion. Joy. Vulnerability. Rejuvenation. This song has it all!! Thank you, Me Clark!!

[@williamdane4194]

Great live vocal. Thanks Pet!

[@RichardHartley-x3x]

She sounds even better here than she does on the recorded version 👏❤️

[@clarkregan3593]

She makes the music and lyrics come alive with "Downtown" and "I Know a Place".... she's great!

[@robertwiley3171]

I remember sitting along side my brother and sister with my parents leaving a restaurant and being serenaded by this incredible song. I'll never forget the magic of that moment in time. A car radio never sounded so Good!

[@luannebednar2371]

She is incredible! The best female singer of the 60"s is still going strong in her 80's. She is my hero!!

[@annaritaranalli1791]

One of best european singers about her generation

[@oldguy2082]

Remarkable at 90+ she still performing! One important about the Ed Sullivan show, nearly all the performances were live. Still listening to this 58 years later....

[@blakjack3053]

Wonderful song and singer!

[@kataisa3]

As someone who was born long after the 60s, this song strikes me as the quintessential upbeat 1960s song. It's very memorable and peppy.

[@andrewmielke4011]

Just listening to the song could make any one felling down and out, simply feel happy again, great song, great performer

[@PaulMcElveen]

Perfect Video!

[@PaulMcElveen]

Happy Saint Patrick's Day 2024! Where All the Lights Are Bright! This Classic, Catchy, Pretty Song Truly belongs only to the Very Pretty and Extremely Talented Petula Clark!

[@marklonteen4791]

Love you, Petula. Always will.

[@markkershner4140]

Me too!

[@bbrief]

It's at that moment, at 2:19, when Petula for a fraction of a second is nearly overcome with emotion as she sings "somebody just like you and needs a gentle hand....to guide them along." My heart is reminded what it's like to feel loneliness.

[@fromthesidelines]

She knew- at that moment- she had "passed the audition", and that the audience was with her all the way. Most people saw her for the first time on Ed's show that evening- and they wanted *more.* And Sullivan booked her for more appearances as a result.

[@rma3_3_3]

Downtown ♡♡♡

[@davidryan1295]

She's still going at 88 y.o. God bless her.

[@thommysides4616]

I've never seen this live version. She had class!!!!!

[@PaulMcElveen]

Spectucualr Video!

[@j.vi-geant6784]

When I get depressed this is my go-to, a lot like San Diego was with bright lights and all night cafes - especially for the cops who needed to thaw out and get a change from the squad car.