Paul McCartney: 2/13/1993
-He guested on SNL four times. This is a nod to an episode in Season 18 for two major reasons: 1.) His incredibly touching take on "Hey Jude" and 2.) he was comedic during "The Chris Farley Show" sketch
Queen: 9/25/1982
-This is shocking to all, I'm sure. This was the final live performance by Queen with Freddie Mercury. The band had taken the stage, but Mercury had blown his voice out after having a heated argument with his partner the previous night. To quote a Queen song, "You Can't Stop Me" were the perfect choice of words for the band as they blazed through a blistering set, including "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" with the more mellow "Under Pressure". The parts that were supposed to be sung by David Bowie were actually sung by drummer Roger Taylor
The Rolling Stones: 10/7/1978
-They were pulling major double duty here, acting as both host and musical guest. Despite appearing in two sketches that night, they still rocked out hard. They played some music from their then-released album Some Girls, which included "Beast of Burden", "Shattered", "Respectable".
Aerosmith: 2/17/1990
-Wayne's World, before it was a two-movie smash hit, got its start on Saturday Night Live. Mike Myers and Dana Carvey played two heavy-metal fans and friends who ran a live music television show called Wayne's World in the basement of Wayne's mom's house in suburban Aurora, Illinois. On this particular episode, Garth's cousin Barry, played by Tom Hanks, is a roadie with Aerosmith. He convinces Aerosmith to appear and appear they do! During their skit, they play a hard rock version of the Wayne's World theme song. But later when Aerosmith does their musical guest duties, they blaze through "Janie's Got a Gun" and "Monkey on My Back".
AC/DC: 3/18/2000
-Here's one band I bet you never thought you would hear or see here. That's right, AC/DC took the SNL stage in 2000. Despite the band forming in 1973 and SNL premiering two years later, this band went more than 25 years without coming up to play. They playing an explosive set, including "You Shook Me All Night Long" and the title track from their 2000 album Stiff Upper Lip
David Bowie: 12/15/1979
-This is one image that I am sure will shock you: David Bowie in a dress and heels!! His SNL set was considered to be the strangest one of all. Backup singers said to look like aliens while a robotic pink poodle walks around. Strangest of all is singer David Bowie wearing a button-up dress and heels, while singing "TVC15" and "Boys Keep Swinging". Of course, all the strangeness is what makes David Bowie, well David Bowie
Elton John with Johnny Cash: 4/17/1982
-Two stars at different points in their careers. Cash was seemingly on his way out while John was seemingly on his way in. Their dual appearance on SNL was said to be a sort-of passing of the torch, from one generation to the next. In a polite nod of respect to Cash, who was the host that evening, John wore cowboy-inspired attire during his performances. Of course, Cash did the same thing for John, nodding respect to the younger rocker by wearing a pink feather boa, sequined robe and gaudy eyeglasses
Bon Jovi: 1/9/1993
-Two months prior to Bon Jovi's appearance on SNL, their album, Keep the Faith, had been released. During their set, the first song played was "Bed of Roses" from their recently released album. And, of course, "Wanted Dead or Alive" was played. The comedic part is that Bon Jovi appeared in several sketches that night
George Harrison: 11/20/1976
-It's been a long running gag that SNL producer Lorne Michaels bribed the Beatles $3000 to do a reunion on the show. It must have worked, somewhat. George Harrison appeared on the show during episode 8, season 2. The show opened with George arguing with Michaels over money. The "quiet Beatle" was the music guest that night and he performed a beautiful, almost tear-jerking rendition of "Here Comes the Sun" and "Homeward Bound"
The Clash: 10/9/1982
-Their 1982 album, Combat Rock, had been released that year. And any chance to promote the music, the band was probably going to take. Since the album was inspired by the aftermath and fall out of the Vietnam War, this feeling was driven home by the veteran London punk rockers by wearing combat fatigues. Their first song "Straight to Hell" kicked off their performance in addition to Joe Strummer looking like Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver with his mohawk. Guitarist Mick Jones, however, provided lead vocals on their trademark track "Should I Stay or Should I Go"
Foo Fighters: 4/9/2011
-Singer Paul Simon had a record with SNL, probably for appearing multiple times. Dave Grohl is the only musician who could easily break that. Grohl has 13 appearances under his name for SNL. He performed such songs as "Rope", "Walk". His sense of comedy knows no bounds, however as he performed through the "Bongo's Clown Room" sketch as his hair was slicked back into a ponytail to play a strip-club announcer
Metallica: 12/6/1997
-They were probably the loudest band SNL has seen or heard. Originally, they were supposed to appear for the first time in 1987, but vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield suffered a wrist injury, forcing the band to cancel. Meanwhile, ten years later, the band was able to appear, playing "Fuel" and "The Memory Remains".
U2: 11/20/2004
-They were there in support of their eleventh studio album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. They blazed through "Vertigo", "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own". And, of course, the band did their comedy sketches. But during their musical set, they also played "I Will Follow", which made SNL album Amy Poehler cry like a teenager at her first concert
Sting: 1/19/1991
-Take a close look at this picture. At first glance, it might look like Billy Idol, but it's not Billy Idol. Look at the face? Can you guess who it really is? If not, it's Sting. He has appeared on SNL four times, but his most memorable time to date was in 1991. He did double duty that night, acting as both host and musical guest. He seems to have a reputation for taking himself too seriously. On this night, however, he convinced all who watched that he does know how to loosen up and be comedic. One skit showed him being stuck in an elevator with Kevin Nealon and Dana Carvey, both of whom are fans of Sting as they attempt to sing (poorly) some of Sting's songs. The most iconic sketch that night was when Sting delivered an extremely detail-accurate impression of British punk rocker Billy Idol in a sketch called "The McLaughlin Group". During his musical set, he started with "All This Time" and ended with "Purple Haze", which showed everyone he can rock out no matter what.
Billy Idol: 1/28/1994
-Now this picture is the REAL Billy Idol. Of course, the clothing you see him wearing here is what he wore during his explosive musical set, which included "Rebel Yell" and "White Wedding"
Mick Jagger with Special Guests: 5/19/2012
-For the season 12 finale, Mick Jagger was asked to be the host. He made sure it went out well and went out with a bang. He was joined by Arcade Fire and Nikolai Fraiture of The Strokes for a rendition of the Rolling Stones song "The Last Time" while Foo Fighters joined him for "19th Nervous Breakdown" and "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)". Guitarist Jeff Beck joined him for "Tea Party", an old blues song. His musical set included "She's a Rainbow" and "Ruby Tuesday"
Robert Plant: 12/15/1984
-In 1981, Led Zeppelin had effectively broken up. Front man Robert Plant aspired to create a band with a heavy blues-based sound. He certainly did just that with his band the Honeydrippers. They were out touring in support of their debut album, Volume One. Two of the songs included in their set was "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "Rockin' at Midnight" by Roy Brown
Rod Stewart: 5/13/1995
-Recently inducted into the famed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this legendary singer played both old and new songs, including "Leave Virginia Alone". He also included a fan favorite, "Maggie May" and he moved around the stage as if he were young again
Green Day: 12/3/1994
-Dookie was released eleven months prior to Green Day's appearance on SNL. This album was pivotal in the career of the Bay Area punk rockers because it introduced the world to this band, whose entire list of songs on the album reference teenage angst, masturbation, fart jokes and more. They played "When I Come Around" and "Geek Stink Breath". Billie Joe Armstrong accidentally said the word "shit" and it was missed by the censors. In reruns, it would be cut out
Linkin Park: 5/12/2007
-There's a first time for everything. And it was Linkin Park's first SNL appearance. They blew the roof off the 30 Rock studio, playing through recently created songs like "What I've Done" and "Bleed It Out". Both songs have a haunting melody that gives you chills and their performance was the biggest of the 2000-era acts
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