Legendary (for good or ill) Saturday Night Live musical performances
Lana del Rey performed “Video Games” and “Blue Jeans” while either baked on sticky icky, or devastatingly nervous. Or, equally likely, it was a calculated act to get people taking about Lana del Rey (it worked). Regardless, it was horrendous.
Sinéad O’Connor ripping up a photo of Pope John P II after finishing her set. While it didn’t kill her career, it affected her popularity.
Devo’s cover of the Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” in their trademark yellow hazmat suits, was their breakout moment.
Fear, a punk rock band, was hired at Belushi’s behest, complete with a bunch of punk rock people who were brought in for a mosh pit during the performance, causing chaos and doing some amount of damage to the studio (which may have been exaggerated in subsequent reporting), which got the band a lifetime ban from the show.
Elvis Costello began performing “Less Than Zero” then stopped and said “There’s no reason to do this song here” and then played “Radio Radio.” He was banned from SNL for 12 years.
Ashlee Simpson uses a prerecorded vocal track for her performances, and a tech glitch plays the vocals before she makes it to the mic, leading her to do a jig on stage and then run off.
Paul Simon performed Still Crazy After All These Years in a chicken suit.
Billy Eilish sang “Bad Guy” while inside rotating set, allowing her to dance on the walls and ceiling. This was done before by Fred Astaire and Lionel Richie but not live.
Joe Cocker was joined onstage by cast member John Belushi, who wore an identical shirt and mimicked Cocker’s movements. (Belushi had previously appeared in a skit as the English bard.) He passed a bottle of whiskey to Joe, who politely declined.
Legendary (for good or ill) Saturday Night Live musical performances
Lana del Rey performed “Video Games” and “Blue Jeans” while either baked on sticky icky, or devastatingly nervous. Or, equally likely, it was a calculated act to get people taking about Lana del Rey (it worked). Regardless, it was horrendous.
Sinéad O’Connor ripping up a photo of Pope John P II after finishing her set. While it didn’t kill her career, it affected her popularity.
Devo’s cover of the Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” in their trademark yellow hazmat suits, was their breakout moment.
Fear, a punk rock band, was hired at Belushi’s behest, complete with a bunch of punk rock people who were brought in for a mosh pit during the performance, causing chaos and doing some amount of damage to the studio (which may have been exaggerated in subsequent reporting), which got the band a lifetime ban from the show.
Elvis Costello began performing “Less Than Zero” then stopped and said “There’s no reason to do this song here” and then played “Radio Radio.” He was banned from SNL for 12 years.
Ashlee Simpson uses a prerecorded vocal track for her performances, and a tech glitch plays the vocals before she makes it to the mic, leading her to do a jig on stage and then run off.
Paul Simon performed Still Crazy After All These Years in a TURKEY suit.
Billy Eilish sang “Bad Guy” while inside rotating set, allowing her to dance on the walls and ceiling. This was done before by Fred Astaire and Lionel Richie but not live.
Joe Cocker was joined onstage by cast member John Belushi, who wore an identical shirt and mimicked Cocker’s movements. (Belushi had previously appeared in a skit as the English bard.) He passed a bottle of whiskey to Joe, who politely declined.
Legendary (for good or ill) Saturday Night Live musical performances
Lana del Rey performed “Video Games” and “Blue Jeans” while either baked on sticky icky, or devastatingly nervous. Or, equally likely, it was a calculated act to get people taking about Lana del Rey (it worked). Regardless, it was horrendous.
Sinéad O’Connor ripping up a photo of Pope John P II after finishing her set. While it didn’t kill her career, it affected her popularity.
Devo’s cover of the Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” in their trademark yellow hazmat suits, was their breakout moment.
Fear, a punk rock band, was hired at Belushi’s behest, complete with a bunch of punk rock people who were brought in for a mosh pit during the performance, causing chaos and doing some amount of damage to the studio (which may have been exaggerated in subsequent reporting), which got the band a lifetime ban from the show.
Elvis Costello began performing “Less Than Zero” then stopped and said “There’s no reason to do this song here” and then played “Radio Radio.” He was banned from SNL for 12 years.
Ashlee Simpson uses a prerecorded vocal track for her performances, and a tech glitch plays the vocals before she makes it to the mic, leading her to do a jig on stage and then run off.
Paul Simon performed Still Crazy After All These Years in a TURKEY suit.
Billy Eilish sang “Bad Guy” while inside rotating set, allowing her to dance on the walls and ceiling. This was done before by Fred Astaire and Lionel Richie but not live.
Joe Cocker was joined onstage by cast member John Belushi, who wore an identical shirt and mimicked Cocker’s movements. (Belushi had previously appeared in a skit as the English bard.) He passed a bottle of whiskey to Joe, who politely declined.
David Bowie sang “Boys Keep Swinging” with Klaus Nomi and Joey Arias backing him up. Bowie’s head was superimposed on a marionette and at the end of the song, a phallus popped up from the puppet.
Next: Touchy interviews with musicians
Billy Bob Thorton was touring with The Boxmasters and became elusive on a CBC radio interview where he refused to answer questions about his acting, when the band was formed, who his musical influences were, and acted offended when he thought the host inferred that his musical career was a hobby.
Billy Bob Thorton was touring with The Boxmasters and became elusive on a CBC radio interview where he refused to answer questions about his acting, when the band was formed, who his musical influences were, and acted offended when he thought the host inferred that his musical career was a hobby.
John Lennon was quoted in the London Evening-Standard as saying that rock and roll was more popular than Jesus, and it may outlast Christianity. This led to massive protests and record-burnings in the Bible Belt, and Mark David Chapman occasionally referred to this quote as one of the reasons he would later kill Lennon.
Billy Bob Thorton was touring with The Boxmasters and became elusive on a CBC radio interview where he refused to answer questions about his acting, when the band was formed, who his musical influences were, and acted offended when he thought the host inferred that his musical career was a hobby.
John Lennon was quoted in the London Evening-Standard as saying that rock and roll was more popular than Jesus, and it may outlast Christianity. This led to massive protests and record-burnings in the Bible Belt, and Mark David Chapman occasionally referred to this quote as one of the reasons he would later kill Lennon.
The Sex Pistols arrived on the set of The Bill Grundy Show completely intoxicated. Neither the host nor the viewing public knew what punk rock was and Grundy, seemingly disgusted by the whole thing, dared the lads to say something outrageous. Which they did, in spades. It was the beginning of the end of Grundy’s career.
Billy Bob Thorton was touring with The Boxmasters and became elusive on a CBC radio interview where he refused to answer questions about his acting, when the band was formed, who his musical influences were, and acted offended when he thought the host inferred that his musical career was a hobby.
John Lennon was quoted in the London Evening-Standard as saying that rock and roll was more popular than Jesus, and it may outlast Christianity. This led to massive protests and record-burnings in the Bible Belt, and Mark David Chapman occasionally referred to this quote as one of the reasons he would later kill Lennon.
The Sex Pistols arrived on the set of The Bill Grundy Show completely intoxicated. Neither the host nor the viewing public knew what punk rock was and Grundy, seemingly disgusted by the whole thing, dared the lads to say something outrageous. Which they did, in spades. It was the beginning of the end of Grundy’s career.
The Who, appearing on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, were interviewed by Tommy Smothers ahead of their performance of “My Generation.” The lads openly mocked Tommy, especially Keith (who blew a raspberry at him), which pissed off Tommy. Following their song, as was their custom, the band smashed their instruments. Keith’s bass drum exploded, causing Pete to suffer permanent hearing loss in his right ear. A bewildered Tommy Smothers appeared on stage with a guitar, and Pete smashed that as well.
@Intergalactic_Gladiator , does it have to be profoundly touchy, cringe-worthy, angry, etc. interview? Or can it be something straddling the line between humor and “hitting too close to home” touchy, but where all parties remain composed?
Billy Bob Thorton was touring with The Boxmasters and became elusive on a CBC radio interview where he refused to answer questions about his acting, when the band was formed, who his musical influences were, and acted offended when he thought the host inferred that his musical career was a hobby.
John Lennon was quoted in the London Evening-Standard as saying that rock and roll was more popular than Jesus, and it may outlast Christianity. This led to massive protests and record-burnings in the Bible Belt, and Mark David Chapman occasionally referred to this quote as one of the reasons he would later kill Lennon.
The Sex Pistols arrived on the set of The Bill Grundy Show completely intoxicated. Neither the host nor the viewing public knew what punk rock was and Grundy, seemingly disgusted by the whole thing, dared the lads to say something outrageous. Which they did, in spades. It was the beginning of the end of Grundy’s career.
The Who, appearing on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, were interviewed by Tommy Smothers ahead of their performance of “My Generation.” The lads openly mocked Tommy, especially Keith (who blew a raspberry at him), which pissed off Tommy. Following their song, as was their custom, the band smashed their instruments. Keith’s bass drum exploded, causing Pete to suffer permanent hearing loss in his right ear. A bewildered Tommy Smothers appeared on stage with a guitar, and Pete smashed that as well.
During a Ramones interview with Howard Stern, Joey and Marky Ramone argued with each other over a tour in South America (Joey needed treatment for lymphoma but didn’t tell anyone), who said what about who on the Internet, health issues and other personal beefs. Stern egged them on but also tried to get them to apologize and make up. Both Joey and Marky agreed that they should apologize to each other but then argued over who should go first.
Billy Bob Thorton was touring with The Boxmasters and became elusive on a CBC radio interview where he refused to answer questions about his acting, when the band was formed, who his musical influences were, and acted offended when he thought the host inferred that his musical career was a hobby.
John Lennon was quoted in the London Evening-Standard as saying that rock and roll was more popular than Jesus, and it may outlast Christianity. This led to massive protests and record-burnings in the Bible Belt, and Mark David Chapman occasionally referred to this quote as one of the reasons he would later kill Lennon.
The Sex Pistols arrived on the set of The Bill Grundy Show completely intoxicated. Neither the host nor the viewing public knew what punk rock was and Grundy, seemingly disgusted by the whole thing, dared the lads to say something outrageous. Which they did, in spades. It was the beginning of the end of Grundy’s career.
The Who, appearing on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, were interviewed by Tommy Smothers ahead of their performance of “My Generation.” The lads openly mocked Tommy, especially Keith (who blew a raspberry at him), which pissed off Tommy. Following their song, as was their custom, the band smashed their instruments. Keith’s bass drum exploded, causing Pete to suffer permanent hearing loss in his right ear. A bewildered Tommy Smothers appeared on stage with a guitar, and Pete smashed that as well.
During a Ramones interview with Howard Stern, Joey and Marky Ramone argued with each other over a tour in South America (Joey needed treatment for lymphoma but didn’t tell anyone), who said what about who on the Internet, health issues and other personal beefs. Stern egged them on but also tried to get them to apologize and make up. Both Joey and Marky agreed that they should apologize to each other but then argued over who should go first.
“Wouldn’t it be funny if under this he was just a nice Jewish boy?” Comedian Totie Fields, co-hosting The Mike Douglas Show, inadvertently nearly outs KISS’s Gene Simmons on live television in 1974. Simmons stayed in character, as The Demon, during almost the entire interview until Fields broke him with the observation above. Taking a moment out of character save the makeup and clothes, Simmons replied after a squirm in his chair “You should only know”. Fields then sunk the comedic dagger: “I do! You can’t hide the hook!” “The Demon” tried to laugh it off, but then Douglas offered his a quick lifeline so that he could stay in character.
Billy Bob Thorton was touring with The Boxmasters and became elusive on a CBC radio interview where he refused to answer questions about his acting, when the band was formed, who his musical influences were, and acted offended when he thought the host inferred that his musical career was a hobby.
John Lennon was quoted in the London Evening-Standard as saying that rock and roll was more popular than Jesus, and it may outlast Christianity. This led to massive protests and record-burnings in the Bible Belt, and Mark David Chapman occasionally referred to this quote as one of the reasons he would later kill Lennon.
The Sex Pistols arrived on the set of The Bill Grundy Show completely intoxicated. Neither the host nor the viewing public knew what punk rock was and Grundy, seemingly disgusted by the whole thing, dared the lads to say something outrageous. Which they did, in spades. It was the beginning of the end of Grundy’s career.
The Who, appearing on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, were interviewed by Tommy Smothers ahead of their performance of “My Generation.” The lads openly mocked Tommy, especially Keith (who blew a raspberry at him), which pissed off Tommy. Following their song, as was their custom, the band smashed their instruments. Keith’s bass drum exploded, causing Pete to suffer permanent hearing loss in his right ear. A bewildered Tommy Smothers appeared on stage with a guitar, and Pete smashed that as well.
During a Ramones interview with Howard Stern, Joey and Marky Ramone argued with each other over a tour in South America (Joey needed treatment for lymphoma but didn’t tell anyone), who said what about who on the Internet, health issues and other personal beefs. Stern egged them on but also tried to get them to apologize and make up. Both Joey and Marky agreed that they should apologize to each other but then argued over who should go first.
“Wouldn’t it be funny if under this he was just a nice Jewish boy?” Comedian Totie Fields, co-hosting The Mike Douglas Show, inadvertently nearly outs KISS’s Gene Simmons on live television in 1974. Simmons stayed in character, as The Demon, during almost the entire interview until Fields broke him with the observation above. Taking a moment out of character save the makeup and clothes, Simmons replied after a squirm in his chair “You should only know”. Fields then sunk the comedic dagger: “I do! You can’t hide the hook!” “The Demon” tried to laugh it off, but then Douglas offered his a quick lifeline so that he could stay in character.
Cher - For many years she refused to appear on Late Night with David Letterman, and when she finally appeared in 1986 she gave him the reason for her apprehension: he was an asshole. Cher went on to make several appearances, reminding Dave she thought he was an asshole. Dave took her criticism hard, but he played along, and the two became good friends. Cher surprised him before his final episode and gave him a gentle kiss.
Billy Bob Thorton was touring with The Boxmasters and became elusive on a CBC radio interview where he refused to answer questions about his acting, when the band was formed, who his musical influences were, and acted offended when he thought the host inferred that his musical career was a hobby.
John Lennon was quoted in the London Evening-Standard as saying that rock and roll was more popular than Jesus, and it may outlast Christianity. This led to massive protests and record-burnings in the Bible Belt, and Mark David Chapman occasionally referred to this quote as one of the reasons he would later kill Lennon.
The Sex Pistols arrived on the set of The Bill Grundy Show completely intoxicated. Neither the host nor the viewing public knew what punk rock was and Grundy, seemingly disgusted by the whole thing, dared the lads to say something outrageous. Which they did, in spades. It was the beginning of the end of Grundy’s career.
The Who, appearing on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, were interviewed by Tommy Smothers ahead of their performance of “My Generation.” The lads openly mocked Tommy, especially Keith (who blew a raspberry at him), which pissed off Tommy. Following their song, as was their custom, the band smashed their instruments. Keith’s bass drum exploded, causing Pete to suffer permanent hearing loss in his right ear. A bewildered Tommy Smothers appeared on stage with a guitar, and Pete smashed that as well.
During a Ramones interview with Howard Stern, Joey and Marky Ramone argued with each other over a tour in South America (Joey needed treatment for lymphoma but didn’t tell anyone), who said what about who on the Internet, health issues and other personal beefs. Stern egged them on but also tried to get them to apologize and make up. Both Joey and Marky agreed that they should apologize to each other but then argued over who should go first.
“Wouldn’t it be funny if under this he was just a nice Jewish boy?” Comedian Totie Fields, co-hosting The Mike Douglas Show, inadvertently nearly outs KISS’s Gene Simmons on live television in 1974. Simmons stayed in character, as The Demon, during almost the entire interview until Fields broke him with the observation above. Taking a moment out of character save the makeup and clothes, Simmons replied after a squirm in his chair “You should only know”. Fields then sunk the comedic dagger: “I do! You can’t hide the hook!” “The Demon” tried to laugh it off, but then Douglas offered his a quick lifeline so that he could stay in character.
Cher - For many years she refused to appear on Late Night with David Letterman, and when she finally appeared in 1986 she gave him the reason for her apprehension: he was an asshole. Cher went on to make several appearances, reminding Dave she thought he was an asshole. Dave took her criticism hard, but he played along, and the two became good friends. Cher surprised him before his final episode and gave him a gentle kiss.
Lou Reed vs. Lester Bangs. Reed hated music journalism and his interviews with Bangs were famously venomous. Despite that, Bangs considered Reed his hero and Reed let Bangs write the liner notes for one of his albums.
Billy Bob Thorton was touring with The Boxmasters and became elusive on a CBC radio interview where he refused to answer questions about his acting, when the band was formed, who his musical influences were, and acted offended when he thought the host inferred that his musical career was a hobby.
John Lennon was quoted in the London Evening-Standard as saying that rock and roll was more popular than Jesus, and it may outlast Christianity. This led to massive protests and record-burnings in the Bible Belt, and Mark David Chapman occasionally referred to this quote as one of the reasons he would later kill Lennon.
The Sex Pistols arrived on the set of The Bill Grundy Show completely intoxicated. Neither the host nor the viewing public knew what punk rock was and Grundy, seemingly disgusted by the whole thing, dared the lads to say something outrageous. Which they did, in spades. It was the beginning of the end of Grundy’s career.
The Who, appearing on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, were interviewed by Tommy Smothers ahead of their performance of “My Generation.” The lads openly mocked Tommy, especially Keith (who blew a raspberry at him), which pissed off Tommy. Following their song, as was their custom, the band smashed their instruments. Keith’s bass drum exploded, causing Pete to suffer permanent hearing loss in his right ear. A bewildered Tommy Smothers appeared on stage with a guitar, and Pete smashed that as well.
During a Ramones interview with Howard Stern, Joey and Marky Ramone argued with each other over a tour in South America (Joey needed treatment for lymphoma but didn’t tell anyone), who said what about who on the Internet, health issues and other personal beefs. Stern egged them on but also tried to get them to apologize and make up. Both Joey and Marky agreed that they should apologize to each other but then argued over who should go first.
“Wouldn’t it be funny if under this he was just a nice Jewish boy?” Comedian Totie Fields, co-hosting The Mike Douglas Show, inadvertently nearly outs KISS’s Gene Simmons on live television in 1974. Simmons stayed in character, as The Demon, during almost the entire interview until Fields broke him with the observation above. Taking a moment out of character save the makeup and clothes, Simmons replied after a squirm in his chair “You should only know”. Fields then sunk the comedic dagger: “I do! You can’t hide the hook!” “The Demon” tried to laugh it off, but then Douglas offered his a quick lifeline so that he could stay in character.
Cher - For many years she refused to appear on Late Night with David Letterman, and when she finally appeared in 1986 she gave him the reason for her apprehension: he was an asshole. Cher went on to make several appearances, reminding Dave she thought he was an asshole. Dave took her criticism hard, but he played along, and the two became good friends. Cher surprised him before his final episode and gave him a gentle kiss.
Lou Reed vs. Lester Bangs. Reed hated music journalism and his interviews with Bangs were famously venomous. Despite that, Bangs considered Reed his hero and Reed let Bangs write the liner notes for one of his albums.
David Bowie interviewed on MTV called out the channel for not featuring enough black artists. Mark Goodman tried to defend MTV, labeled it as “narrowcasting,” said they play some but they were a rock and roll channel, and radio is worse. Bowie didn’t buy the explanation but the conversation did stay cordial.
MTV claimed they didn’t play videos by black artists because record companies weren’t producing videos of their clients; the companies claimed they weren’t making videos of black artists because MTV wasn’t going to play them. Catch-22. It took the threat from CBS Records’ president that they would pull all their videos from rotation, and never issue another video for play on MTV unless Jackson’s “Billie Jean” was put into rotation. MTV agreed, and after a few weeks Jackson’s Thriller album sold an additional 10 million copies.
@knoodler that’s fascinating! If you don’t mind me asking, where did you read this? I’d be interested in reading that book on my cruise. Is it the same book where Mark Goodman said that he was interviewing (Frankie Goes to Hollywood, I think), who found being interviewed by an American cable channel beneath them, and were being pricks. Goodman mentioned that he could make a phone call and the band’s music would never be played on MTV again. After which they lightened the fuck up quite a bit.