Leonard Bernstein, a classical composer and the director of the New York Philharmonic, was among the first American classical musicians to publicly recognize the artistic worth of the new wave of rock music led by the Beatles. The status he held among conservative and middle-aged viewers allowed him to bridge the age and philosophical divide that separated them from the youth-centered message of this new music. During the show, he described himself as "fascinated by the strange and compelling scene called 'pop music'" and said that, while the majority of it was "trash", the remainder was "so exciting and vital ... it claims the attention of every thinking person".
—New York Times