Elvis Costello Plays the Wrong Song on SNL

 On December 17th, 1977, Elvis Costello made his debut performance on Saturday Night Live. 

He was set to play the prepared single, “Less Than Zero” (which hadn’t been hitting right with American audiences). A few bars in to the performance he stopped the band and announced that “There’s no reason to play that song here”. They tore into an anti-corporate rock song that they had been working on but not yet recorded called “Radio, Radio”. 

This earned Costello a spot in an elite club of performers to be banned from the show by creator Lorne Michaels.

Fear Frightens New York City

Costello was a last minute replacement for the Sex Pistols, who had visa issues and had to cancel. Chances are they would have been banned as well if they would have been able to make it.

The Sex Pistols and The Filth and the Fury

Costello returned almost 22 years later on the September 25th, 1999, 25th anniversary special in epic fashion. The Beastie Boys had begun to perform “Sabotage” when Costello rushed the stage, uttering the same words he did in 1977. Elvis Costello and the Beastie Boys then tore into “Radio, Radio” live on SNL once again. 

Saturday Night (Live)

Fear Frightens Saturday Night Live

40 years ago today On October 31st, 1981 the notorious L.A. hardcore band Fear was invited to play the Saturday Night Live Halloween show.  The episode was hosted by Donald Pleasence.

John Belushi had become a fan of the band and pulled the necessary strings required to make this happen. Belushi also planned to bus in 15 to 20 fans from DC for the performance. The bus made some extra stops in Baltimore and Philly and showed up with twice that many. Fear and their fans had a pretty bad reputation of wreaking havoc wherever they went and did not disappoint on this occasion. The set was destroyed and profanities uttered on live television. They got through two songs but were shut down before a third.

This led to Fear joining an elite club of performers to earn a lifetime ban from the show. This was nothing new to the band as they seemed to get banned from everywhere they performed.

Fear performance on SNL (YouTube video)

Elvis Costello performs the Wrong Song on SNL

John had previously collaborated on a song with Fear for his black comedy film Neighbors, also starring Dan Ackroyd. The song was axed by executives (big surprise there) and the SNL performance was Belushi’s way of making it up to the band. 

Also on this date:

Sally Kirkland was born in 1941

Related:

Saturday Night (Live)

Saturday Night (Live)

 On October 11th, 1975 Saturday Night premiered on NBC.  

It wouldn’t be called Saturday Night Live until the following season.

The not ready for prime time players

George Carlin was the guest host and both Janis Ian and Billy Preston were musical guests. 

Andy Kaufman on Saturday Night 10/11/75

Also on this date:

The Twilight Zone episode “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” first aired in 1963

Related:

Elvis Costello plays the wrong song on SNL 

Fear Frightens SNL