Through its 50-year run since 1975, the sketchcomedy showhas had iconic music performances.

Some iconic performances go down in history for being incredible, likeTheBlues Brothersperforming Soul Man.

When it comes to musical guests, however, these performances are the most memorable.

Prince singing into a microphone and performing with a band on the stage of Saturday Night Live.

Image via NBC

But it was evident that this musician was going to be one of the biggest in history.

His vocals were fantastic and his stage presence like no other.

However, this performance was remembered for other reasons.

Elvis Costello holding a guitar and singing into a mic on SNL.

Image via NBC

Some believe he actually sang friggin, including the censors, but the moment is still up for debate.

But several seconds in, he abruptly turned around and told them to stop.

Costello returned to play several more times, including on the shows 25th anniversary special.

The band Fear on stage on Saturday Night Live, surrounded by people.

Image via NBC

Once the performance began, it was frantic and terrifying.

FrontmanLee Vingjokes in the special about how Mr. and Mrs.

Tourist must have been sitting in the live audience wondering what in the world they got themselves into.

A close-up of the guitarist as Rage Against the Machine performs on Saturday Night Live.

Image via NBC

But the performance did have to be cut to prevent things from getting out of hand.

Nonetheless, it was a memorable moment on the show and a defining one for the band.

To this day, Ving holds back tears as he posthumously thanks Belushi for making their career.

Funky Four Plus One standing in a row on stage singing into mics on Saturday Night Live.

Image via NBC

He was swarmed by Secret Service agents and the band escorted off the premises.

KnowingFunky Four Plus Onefrom the streets of Brooklyn, she chose them.

The performance was historic as they became the first rap group to ever be on national television.

Kurt Cobain singing on stage on Saturday Night Live, his red hair in front of his face.

Image via NBC

At the time, says Sha-Rock, “we didnt know the impact of what we did.”

Their record sales had skyrocketed seemingly overnight, and he felt they were destined for big things.

So, Michaels booked them.

Ashlee Simpson with her hand in the air singing into a mic on Saturday Night Live.

Image via NBC

Awkwardly unsure of what to do, Simpson began dancing oddly on stage.

Eventually, she just walked off.

This marked the first time in the shows history that a musical guest walked off-stage and didnt perform.

Adele singing passionately into a mic on stage on SNL

NBC

In the special, former cast memberBill Hadersays everyone backstage went silent the second she started singing.

But its his performance after 9-11 that really stands out.

The singer-songwriter was asked to perform on the first show following the Twin Towers being hit.

Paul Simon wearing an FDNY hat playing guitar with candles behind him on Saturday Night Live.

Image via NBC

The moment of honoring those who lost their lives and worked tirelessly came with Simons haunting performance.

He performed the song The Boxer, which he felt was fitting in its somber tone.

She asked that the camera remain singularly on her face for the entire performance.

Sinead O’Conner ripping up a photo of the Pope on Saturday Night Live.

Image via NBC

It was odd, but the musical director obliged.

The moment was reflective of the abuse OConner herself endured at the hands of the church in Ireland.

Nonetheless, the event caused mass hysteria at the show, and deeply impacted OConners career.

Saturday Night Live

Nine years later,Pope John Paul IIpublicly acknowledged that child sexual abuse existed in the Catholic Church.

OConner passed away in 2023, but views on her controversial performance began to shift years before that.

Nonetheless, it remains one of the most notedSNLmusical appearances in history.

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