On Feb. 9, the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ game-changing first performance on The Ed Sullivan Show, CBS will air the two-hour special The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to The Beatles. The show is being put together by the Recording Academy, AEG Ehrlich Ventures and the network—pretty damn ambitious considering that it’s scheduled to be taped on 1/27, the night after the Grammys.

But there’s a practical reason for the timing: This morning’s press release trumpets that the special "will feature today's top artists covering songs performed by the Fab Four that momentous evening in 1964 and Beatles songs through the years, and will include footage from that landmark Sunday evening, as well as other archival material. In addition, various presenters will help highlight and contextualize the musical, cultural and historical impact of the group and this legendary performance." And it won’t be hard to persuade the high-end talent gathered for the Grammys to stick around another day to cover a Beatles song or to geek out about the band’s godlike greatness.

For you youngsters out there, The Beatles' first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show was one of the most-watched TV events ever—with 74 million people (roughly half the population of the U.S. at the time) tuning in to watch the group perform five songs. It’s considered by many historians and critics as one of the most important moments in music and television, especially coming, as it did, less than three months after the JFK assassination. The exhilarating performance seemed to instantly lift the lingering pall of the nation and promise a brighter future.

The announcement contains the requisite quote from Recording Academy chief Neil Portnow, who surely covered the Fabs during his youth as a bandmember. "The Beatles are one of music's most iconic groups, who won their first two Grammys, including one for Best New Artist, in 1964—the same year they took America by storm," said Neil. "As the Grammy Awards are Music's Biggest Night, it's only fitting that we recognize this milestone moment in music history and pay tribute to this larger-than-life group and their enduring music and legacy."

Ken Ehrlich also chimed in: "Whether you were alive to witness it on television that night, or you've just known about it all your life, that first television appearance by the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show is historic. To be able to celebrate this significant event 50 years later—and to the exact day, date, and time—with an all-star cast of Grammy participants shapes up to be one for the books."

And since that show, like the special, was on CBS, network exec Jack Sussman was also compelled to state the obvious. "That night 50 years ago on the Ed Sullivan stage, the Beatles delivered a momentous performance, and America witnessed a historic television event and the beginning of a new era in music," Sussman offered. "We are thrilled to honor these music legends with performances from amazing Grammy-winning artists who were influenced by the Beatles' unforgettable music through the years and that incredible performance in 1964."

Tickets to the taping will be available for sale to the general public, and additional info will follow in the coming weeks.