Three Iconic ‘SNL’ Musical Performances From the 1970s

This week, Saturday Night Live will celebrate its 50th anniversary of being on the air. The iconic NBC television show has been showcasing skits, comics, guest hosts, and sublime music since 1975 and the train still keeps chugging along, churning out new famous faces and moments.

Videos by American Songwriter

Here below, we wanted to explore three musical performances from SNL‘s first decade, the 1970s. A trio of live songs that will be etched into culture forever. Indeed, these are three iconic SNL music performances from the 1970s.

[RELATED: 3 Legendary ‘Saturday Night Live’ Performances From the 1990s]

Paul Simon, “Still Crazy After All These Years” (1976)

It’s become a staple over the decades for the great Paul Simon to sing his beautiful song “Still Crazy After All These Years.” And he’ll most likely be there to do so on the upcoming 50th anniversary show. But in 1976, he and the show put a spin on it. Simon sung the song dressed as a turkey. It was on November 20, 1976, ahead of Thanksgiving. But then Simon went backstage to give SNL showrunner Lorne Michaels some guff. Sings Simon,

I met my old lover on the street last night
She seemed so glad to see me, I just smiled
And we talked about some old times, and we drank ourselves some beers
Still crazy after all these years
Oh, still crazy after all these years

The Blues Brothers, “Soul Man” (1978)

Former Saturday Night Live cast members Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi are twin tornadoes in this performance of “Soul Man” in 1978. Wearing their signature dark sunglasses with suits and hats, the two deliver the blues-rock tune. Ever since, their visages have been hallowed amongst comedy performances. Belushi sings,

Coming to you on a dusty road
Good loving, I got a truck load
And when you get it, you got something
Don’t worry, ’cause I’m coming

I’m a soul man
I’m a soul man
I’m a soul man (come on!)
I’m a soul man

DEVO, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1979)

The band famous for “Whip It” brought their colorful matching outfits to the Saturday Night Live stage to perform a cover of The Rolling Stones’ hit “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” It was like how a robot band from the moon might interpret the song. Visually and musically memorable, the performance is exemplary of the late 1970s into the 1980s and just how weird that slice of life remains. Sings the band’s lead vocalist Bob Mothersbaugh,

When I’m driving in my car
And a man talks on the radio
He’s telling me more and more
About some useless information
Supposed to fire my imagination

I can’t get no
Oh no no no
Hey hey hey
That’s what I said

Photo by David Redfern/Redferns