Ranking the 40 Best SNL Musical Guests Over 40 Years (And My Personal Top 5.5)

February 15, 2015 Alan Cross 7 Comments

Yes, SNL has been on that long–and every single week (I think) they’ve had a special musical guest. The Village Voice ranked their top 40 here.

My pick for number one?

1. Elvis Costello, December 1977.

1a. Bonus: Elvis gets his revenge.

2. Then there’s the Fear riot for 1981. Yes, that’s pre-Chili Peppers Flea playing bass for them.

3. David Bowie (with support singer Klaus Nomi) 1979.

4. There’s the Tragically Hip’s performance, of course.

5. And this Band performance from 1976 is the first musical guest I recall seeing.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38061 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

7 thoughts on “Ranking the 40 Best SNL Musical Guests Over 40 Years (And My Personal Top 5.5)”

Gerald

February 15, 2015 at 8:02 am
Permalink

No laughing but one of the most memorable to me, I guess it was because I was at “that critical age” of 18 and there big to do about this band but I still remember George Carlin introducing….FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD.
Reply
Chris Smart

February 15, 2015 at 5:10 pm
Permalink

Zappa, “I’m the Slime”, with a great cameo by Don Pardo and super-tight horns.
Reply
ron

February 16, 2015 at 2:24 am
Permalink

loved when Sonic Youth did Iggy’s Wanna be Your Dog.
Reply
Frank

February 16, 2015 at 1:07 pm
Permalink

I get that everyone seems to hate U2, even though they sell out multiple dates in stadiums around the world. But really? They don’t deserve to crack the top 40? Really?
Reply
Jay

February 17, 2015 at 9:52 am
Permalink

Am I the only one who thinks Gord Downie looks like Sheldon from Big Bang?
Reply
Pingback: A Journal of Musical ThingsGeeks&Beats Podcast, Episode 94: 404: Dave Not Found - A Journal of Musical Things
Pingback: 404 Dave’s Not Found | Geeks and Beats Podcast