Sit where the Beatles and Elvis sat in Missoula

There's a bit of show biz history in Missoula, Montana that few people know about.

It's in the lobby of the Missoula Children's Theater. Without knowing it, everyday people sit on this piece of history. They don't even know they are occupying the exact same place as the Beatles, Elvis, the Rolling Stones and hundreds of other entertainers, and not just musicians.

What they are sitting on is a long, blue, padded bench. For years it sat in the New York office (some say just outside the office) of Ed Sullivan, whose CBS-TV show was among the most popular on television between 1948 and 1971. Show guests would sit on the bench.

For many Americans, the show was where they first saw the Beatles, Elvis (with his shaking pelvis) and other up-and-coming entertainers.

The bench came to Missoula with Ed Sullivan's son-in-law Bob Precht, who donated it to the children's theater.

Periodically, people show up to sit on the bench and have their photo taken, but not very often. If you want to sit on it yourself, it's at 200 N Adams St, which is right downtown and easy to find. And while you are there, try to see one of the theater's productions: they're wonderful!