The Marconi Mark VII Era: In the summer of 1967, the Marconi Mark VII color cameras went into service at CBS Studio 50 and were the go to cameras for many years at the network. The color photo above the last color photo were taken by our friend and author Nick Van Hoogstraten in 1973 when Ed was hosting “Ed Sullivan’s Broadway” which was one of his specials after the show’s weekly version had ended.

These top two black and white photos were taken by our friend Charles Chin (who worked as a CBS page) on December 12, 1969 when THE SUPREMES were in dress rehearsal for their very last appearance, which I’ve chosen to add here.

These historical images are from the CBS Photo Archives available through Getty Images and are presented here to assist researchers and television historians in identifying the television equipment in use over the decades and is offered here in a purely educational/instructional forum.

Dress Rehearsal for the final performance of THE SURPREMES on The Ed Sullivan Show December 12, 1969 with the video of the performance just below.

Cameraman Bobby Heller and Chapman crane arm-man Kevin Slattery shoot Dianna Ross in dress rehersal of their last performance as THE SUPREMES. I watched it live and I was sad. 

The original members of Southern-style rock and roll combo The Band, (from left) Canadians Richard Manuel at piano, Garth Hudson at piano, Rick Danko, Robbie Robertson and American Levon Helm on drums, perform on the Ed Sullivan Show, New York, November 2, 1969. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)

NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: The Ed Sullivan Show, with host Sullivan (at left) and guest Tommy Cooper, a magician and comic from England. Image dated Sunday, October 15, 1967. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)

NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 17: The Doors, featuring Jim Morrison, perform on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. September 17, 1967 (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)

NEW YORK – MARCH 16: Television variety host Ed Sullivan (l) introduces rock and blues singer Janis Joplin (r) and the Kozmic Blues Band before a performance on the Ed Sullivan Show on March 16, 1969 in New York City, New York. (Photo by David Gahr/Getty Images)

Melvin Van Peeples performing at Studio 50 dress rehersal for “Ed Sullivan’s Broadway” special.