Oh, for the days when there was a bounty of venues to hear the latest, greatest music on television. By far, one of the greatest vanguards of popular music in the halcyon days of the medium was Ed Sullivan, host of his eponymous show from 1948 to 1971. While Sullivan found himself somewhat bemused by the wide variety of talent he showcased - legendarily confining camera angles on Elvis Presley to tight shots that wouldn't expose too much of his gyrating hips - he generally picked performers regardless of the approval of the masses, a quality that led, happily, to a large amount of black performers on the show.

And by the 1960s, no roster of soul artists was more popular than Motown Records. Sullivan welcomed the greatest performers on Berry Gordy's label to his program, from the jazz-soul of young Stevie Wonder and the upbeat harmonies of The Temptations to the breakthrough performances of The Jackson 5 and The Supremes - the latter of whom made nearly 20 appearances on the show and became a personal favorite of the host. On September 13, Sofa Entertainment, the controllers of The Ed Sullivan Show's library, will release three DVD sets chronicling great Motown performances from Sullivan's program.

The first set, Motown Gold from The Ed Sullivan Show, is a two-disc, three-volume set that showcases the label's top acts. In addition to the hit performances by The Supremes, The Temptations and The Four Tops (all of whom enjoyed a massive amount of exposure on the show up to the end of The Ed Sullivan Show's run), clips by Martha & The Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and others are featured. While the clips aren't in chronological order, they will make for a fine mix of Motown memories.

The same day will see releases of best-of DVDs for The Temptations and The Supremes. While some of the performances are featured on the Motown Gold set, a total of 25 performances (12 from The Temptations and 13 from The Supremes) are featured, including some great rarities like highlights from The Temptations' 1971 performance, the last live broadcast of the show, and The Supremes' 1970 performance of "Up the Ladder to the Roof" - the only group performance on the show without Diana Ross. (Ross' solo career was in fact announced on the program in their final television appearance together.)

Hit the jump for pre-order links and the full rundown of each DVD, and prepare yourself for one of Second Disc HQ's favorite sounds: "The Sound of Young America"!

Various Artists, Motown Gold from The Ed Sullivan Show (Sofa Entertainment, 2011)

Disc 1: Volumes 1 & 2

1. I Want You Back/ABC - The Jackson 5 (5/10/1970)
2. You Can't Hurry Love - The Supremes (9/25/1966)
3. Don't Look Back - The Temptations (11/19/1967)
4. Reach Out I'll Be There - The Four Tops (10/16/1966)
5. I Second That Emotion/If You Can Want/Going to a Go-Go - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (3/31/1968)
6. If I Were Your Woman - Gladys Knight & The Pips (2/7/1971)
7. Fingertips Pt. 2 - Stevie Wonder (5/3/1964)
8. I'm Living in Shame - Diana Ross & The Supremes (1/5/1969)
9. Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) - The Temptations (1/31/1971)
10. Take This Heart of Mine - Marvin Gaye (6/19/1966)
11. Love Child - Diana Ross & The Supremes (9/29/1968 or 1/5/1969)
12. Ain't No Mountain High Enough/I'll Be There/My Sweet Lord - The Temptations (1/31/1971)
13. Someday We'll Be Together - Diana Ross & The Supremes (12/21/1969)
14. I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Gladys Knight & The Pips (3/29/1970)
15. Stand!/Who's Lovin' You/I Want You Back - The Jackson 5 (12/14/1969)
16. Come See About Me - The Supremes (12/27/1964)
17. For Once in My Life - Stevie Wonder (12/15/1968)
18. Dancing in the Street - Martha & The Vandellas (12/5/1965)
19. Get Ready - The Temptations (1/31/1971)
20. My World is Empty Without You - The Supremes (2/20/1966)
21. When You're Smiling/It's the Same Old Song/Something About You/I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) - The Four Tops (1/30/1966)
22. Abraham, Martin & John - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (6/1/1969)
23. Come See About Me/Stop! In the Name of Love/You Can't Hurry Love/You Keep Me Hangin' On/I Hear a Symphony - The Supremes (12/4/1966)
24. Runaway Child, Running Wild - The Temptations (2/2/1969)
25. Love is Like an Itching in My Heart - The Supremes (5/1/1966)
26. It's All in the Game/Nice & Easy - The Four Tops (1/30/1966)

Disc 2: Volume 3

1. Forever Came Today - Diana Ross & The Supremes (3/24/1968)
2. Doggone Right - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (6/1/1969)
3. The Love You Save - The Jackson 5 (5/10/1970)
4. I Can't Get Next to You - The Temptations (9/28/1969)
5. The Happening - The Supremes (5/7/1967)
6. Reach Out I'll Be There/I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)/Bernadette/Climb Every Mountain - The Four Tops (2/19/1967)
7. Nitty Gritty/By the Time I Get to Phoenix/Stop and Get a Hold of Myself - Gladys Knight & The Pips (10/5/1969)
8. You've Made Me So Very Happy - The Temptations (4/5/1970)
9. In and Out of Love - Diana Ross & The Supremes (11/19/1967)
10. Psychedelic Shack - The Temptations (4/5/1970)
11. Love Child - Diana Ross & The Supremes (9/29/1968 or 1/5/1969)
12. Put a Little Love in Your Heart - The Four Tops (11/8/1970)

The Temptations, The Best of The Temptations on The Ed Sullivan Show (Sofa Entertainment, 2011)

1. Medley: Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)/All I Need/My Girl/(I Know) I'm Losing You (5/28/1967)
2. Don't Look Back (11/19/1967)
3. Medley with The Supremes: Get Ready/Stop! In the Name of Love/My Guy/Baby Love/(I Know) I'm Losing You (11/19/1967)
4. Runaway Child, Running Wild (2/2/1969)
5. I Can't Get Next to You (9/28/1969)
6. You've Made Me So Very Happy (4/5/1970)
7. Psychedelic Shack (4/5/1970)
8. Get Ready (1/31/1971)
9. Medley: Ain't No Mountain High Enough/I'll Be There/My Sweet Lord (1/31/1971)
10. Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) (1/31/1971)
11. Hello Young Lovers (11/19/1967)
12. Autumn Leaves (9/28/1969)

The Supremes, The Best of The Supremes on The Ed Sullivan Show (Sofa Entertainment, 2011)

1. Come See About Me (12/27/1964)
2. You Can't Hurry Love (9/25/1966)
3. Love is Like an Itching in My Heart (5/1/1966)
4. My Favorite Things (12/4/1966)
5. The Happening (5/7/1967)
6. More (5/1/1966)
7. Love Child (9/28/1968 or 1/5/1969)
8. Always (5/5/1968)
9. You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You (5/11/1969)
10. No Matter What Sign You Are (5/11/1969)
11. Medley: Baby Love/Stop! In the Name of Love/Come See About Me/My World is Empty Without You/You Can't Hurry Love/The Happening/You Keep Me Hanging On/Reflections/Love Child/I Hear a Symphony (12/21/1969)
12. Forever Came Today (3/24/1968)
13. Up the Ladder to the Roof (2/15/1970)