TheSNL50: The Anniversary Specialis airing live, and along with the immense comedic talent taking the stage at 30 Rock tonight is an equally impressive line-up of musicians and singers. TheSNL 50special has had an incredible array of guests, bringing, if not the most polished sketches ever aired, then certainly the most game and good-natured.
WhileSaturday Night Livealready had a full concert special that aired earlier during the 50th-anniversary weekend celebration, the actual special had no shortage of music. That music came in the form of Adam Sandler picking up the guitar again for his “50 Years” song, an extended skit celebrating New York and Broadway, and plenty of other musical homages. Of course, the actual musical guests didn’t disappoint, sprinkled throughouttheSNL 50anniversary specialwith an array of hits.
1Sabrina Carpenter & Paul Simon
Song: “Homeward Bound” (Simon & Garfunkel cover)
Current pop ingenue Sabrina Carpenter and singer-songwriter Paul Simon, one half of the iconic Simon & Garfunkel, opened the show before Steve Martin’s monologue with a fun little bit and a duet. Simon talked about the first time he’d ever been on SNL, back in 1976 when he performed a duet with George Harrison, to which Carpenter quipped she wasn’t alive yet – and neither were her parents. The two then performed an emotional cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Homeward Bound” to kick things off.
2Miley Cyrus & Brittany Howard
The next unlikely musical duet was Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes performing a cover from another strong, genre-redefining singer: Prince. His song “Nothing Compares 2 U” was first released in 1985 for Prince’s side band the Family. It wasn’t until 1990, when Sinéad O’Connor recorded her version for the albumI Do Not Want What I Haven’t Gotthat the song blew up, and it’s O’Connor with whom the song is best associated. Cyrus opened the song singing the first half of the ballad, while Howard took the second half, making for an incredible pairing.
3Lil Wayne & The Roots
Song: “Uproar,” “Lollipop,” “6 Foot 7 Foot,” “Mrs. Officer,” & “A Milli” (Lil Wayne)
The third musical act was an eclectic medley of hip-hop and rap songs as Lil Wayne joined The Roots, the acclaimed band that NBC viewers will also recognize for being the in-house bands for bothLate NightandThe Tonight Showfor years. Lil Wayne switched it up from the ballads of the first two musical duos to a medley of his own songs, including “Uproar,” “Lollipop,” “6 Foot 7 Foot,” “Mrs. Officer,” and “A Milli” as he freestyled to the backing of the band.
4Sir Paul McCartney
Song: “Golden Slumber,” “Carry That Weight,” and “The End” (The Beatles cover)
The last performer to close the night out has been around even longer thanSaturday Night Liveitself, true royalty in rock ‘n roll - or any genre: Sir Paul McCartney. McCartney hit the stage playing a piano cover of The Beatles’ “Golden Slumber” off their belovedAbbey Roadalbum, which he first sang back in 1969, six whole years beforeSaturday Night Liveeven premiered. He then shifted into “Carry That Weight” before finishing with “The End” off the same album, picking up a guitar and showing the world that, at age 82, he can still shred. Much likeSNL, he may not have the same zip on his fastball that he used to, but he’s so iconic it doesn’t even matter.
