If Jean-Luc Godard hadn't beaten them to it, the filmmakers of The T.A.M.I Show could have called it Breathless. From its frantic pacing to the rockers performing with every ounce of their youthful energy, you'll never again see a concert film as exciting as this one, which is 50 years old this year. In 1964, some of the most talented black and white artists across the globe came together for a show of unparalleled pop madness, shown on closed-circuit screens across the U.S. Unfamiliar with the historic gig? Want to learn some secrets about what The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, and James Brown were really up to? We talked to The T.A.M.I Show director Steve Binder, who gave us some little-known facts about the production, including Mick Jagger's surprised smile.

Brian Wilson Was About to Quit The Beach Boys

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Still in their striped-shirt phase, The Beach Boys' harmonies are so perfect, they sing like angels from Los Angeles, and without Auto-Tune. But there's a sad secret lurking about as well. "The thing you need to remember," Binder says, "is this was just about the last show Brian did before he quit touring with the band due to a nervous breakdown. Still, it's absolutely amazing they sang so well. The girls were shrieking so loud, I don't know how they heard themselves."

How It Was Shot

"We actually shot over two nights," Binder says. "Half the rehearsals were in the afternoons and then I shot the acts over a two-day period. But I never did a retake when it was over. If it felt right, I kept it. That's one reason why the film is so exciting."

James Brown Does Not Rehearse!

"Everyone had about a half hour to rehearse before we filmed them," Binder says. "I barely knew who James Brown was when I went up to speak to him. The first thing he said to me was, 'I don't rehearse! You'll know what to do with the camera when you see me.' I was petrified. Somehow, I managed to capture his amazing moves. To this day, I don't know how. It was God-given, I guess."

Mr. Brown Had All Kinds of Luck That Day

"James won a lot of money playing craps backstage that afternoon," says Binder, chuckling. "Also, I believe he got lucky with one of the go-go dancers we had onstage."

All the Screaming Fans Were a Problem

"I did try to edit out some of the girls screaming. I'd never heard girls screaming at a concert before and thought it would ruin the sound. It was crazy. I mean, if a stagehand had walked out there? He would've gotten the same response."

Back Then Diana Ross Was Easy to Work With

"I've done a lot of Diana Ross specials since '64, including the Central Park one. Years later, if I said, 'Hey Diana, at one point, I'm going to have 15 dancers come onstage and go in front of you,' she'd think I was crazy. But back then? She was totally cool with it."

T.A.M.I. Dancers Went on to Big Things

The choreographer was David Winters, a dancer who played one of the Jets in West Side Story. His assistant was none other than Toni Basil, who, 18 years later, sang the new wave smash "Mickey." Oh, and one of the dancers was a hip woman named Teri Garr, who went on to silver-screen stardom.

The Musical Director Was a Legend

That would be Jack Nitzsche, who at the time was Phil Spector's arranger. And went on to work for The Rolling Stones (he did the chorale for "You Can't Always Get What You Want"), Neil Young, and many others. "Jack was also the guy responsible for picking most of the talent for the show," Binder says.

What the Weird Title Stands For

Teenage Awards Music International or Teen Age Music International. Both were used upon the film's showing.

The Rolling Stones Were Worried

Especially Mick Jagger, who was terrified to follow the incendiary James Brown. On T.A.M.I., The Stones play all covers (this was a year before "Satisfaction"), but acquit themselves admirably. Mick moves a bit, but sometimes seems to be holding onto the microphone for dear life.

The Finale Was a Surprise to Mick Jagger

To create some real rock and roll excitement, Binder decided to have all the acts come onstage at the end of the show to dance. Binder told everyone. Except The Rolling Stones. "They finished and thought that was it," he says. "Then Nitzsche and the house band went into a Bo Diddley beat. Jagger didn't know what was going on. But suddenly, the stage was filled with dancers and all the other performers — The Supremes, The Righteous Brothers, The Miracles. What's great is, you see Mick smile and just go with it." It's total mayhem and so rock and roll.

Remember Lesley Gore?

"She was the biggest name on the bill."

There Were More Future Celebrities in the Audience

According to director John Landis, he and the future Keith Partridge, David Cassidy, were both in the audience.

Everything Was Done Live

Unlike with most of today's filmed performances, there's no lip-syncing or miming with instruments. Everyone from Marvin Gaye to Gerry and the Pacemakers sings and plays live. "I didn't go back and edit or fix a thing," Binder says. "Plus, we didn't have separation of cameras in those days. And only four tracks for recording. Still, somehow? The concert really worked."