Elvis Costello biting the hand that feeds him, and loving every second of it.

@ikesours6558

2 жыл бұрын

It still fed him... pure iron blood.

@luannabbate2624

Жыл бұрын

A true FU to the organizition !!!!!!!

The legendary middle finger to SNL.

@falconuruguay4588

4 жыл бұрын

I watched this live in '77...it was glorious!

@carlh429

4 жыл бұрын

First time I ever saw Elvis Costello and the Attractions. Absolutely blew me away.

@szqsk8

4 жыл бұрын

Only Ed and The Almost That's exactly what SNL needs - a middle finger. It's garbage now and should have been taken off the air in 1980 after most of the original 'Not Ready for Primetime Players" all left the show. SNL was only good from 1975 to 1979 when it was totally un-PC, edgy and just funny as hell.

@HowardOwensIII

3 жыл бұрын

Actually the record company. SNL was only upset because the song wasn’t the same length. It wasn’t part of the plan. Columbia wanted to push Less Than Zero. Elvis thought a song about a Brit fascist made no sense to an American audience.

@brookcrowley4254

3 жыл бұрын

Elvis Costello only appeared on the show as a last- minute replacement for the Sex Pistols, who were denied visas to enter America.

I watched live that night and, of course, had no idea just how big a moment AND CONTROVERSIAL it was.

@ForvoQuizlet

Ай бұрын

Same, was like, "huh?"

This is one of those takes where it's better than any other recording of it because it's actually done exactly how it was meant to be done

@danielfishburn7042

3 жыл бұрын

That’s why I love it so much. They did it so perfectly way better than the original recording. Bands should be better live

@jadakid6942

2 жыл бұрын

The little bit of Less Than Zero they played also sounded better than the studio version because it was faster.

@LarzGustafsson

Жыл бұрын

That's what Dylan said about recording.

@mikemccafferty8552

Жыл бұрын

Totally agree

@videosuperhighway7655

9 ай бұрын

I was soooo disappointed when I heard the actual vinyl version. Way over processed with chorus etc..

When Elvis starts consistently looking just off camera in one direction, he's making eyecontact with Lorne Michaels who came down and stood just off camera, flipping off Elvis until the song ended. This is real. The attitude by the end is a response to what they're being given

@orbison

Жыл бұрын

"Don't let Lorne tell you he wasn't giving you the finger from behind the camera." Bill Murray to Elvis at SNL's 25th.

@SalCapone6499

Жыл бұрын

I never knew that about this. Thank you @Bartholomeefamily

@paulbanales7955

Жыл бұрын

Truth is Lorne Micheals didn't Care , it Was th Recording co. THAT INSISTED , It , Great TV , LIVE It's Saturday night 🌌

@princeofcupspoc9073

8 ай бұрын

You mean the Lorne that had real time contact with the director? The Lorne who could have cut to himself or anything really instead of letting it play? Good act, eh? Well played Lorne, well played.

@mrmojorisin8752

6 ай бұрын

I don’t see a point where Elvis starts “consistently” looking just off camera. Elvis recently said on Howard Stern that Lorne didn’t care at all.

Don Pardo intro, false start, and scorching Radio Radio. Then they walk off the stage. Rock n roll.

@shuroom57

3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely goddamn right.

@robertlandi1527

3 жыл бұрын

Well said.

@samsquanch1996

Ай бұрын

Punk rock as hell, screw the rules!

When artists WERE anti-establishment. Not shrouded in it.

Never tell an artist what not to do.

@sinjyn66

3 жыл бұрын

I like Elvis Costello but I gotta say I think the only reason these comments are so positive is because he's a rocker. Can you imagine that he's a carpenter and Lorne Michaels hired him to place a wardrobe in his bedroom and instead of that he built kitchen cabinets in the bedroom? Everyone would be talking about what a dick move it was. Artist or not, he was hired to do a job, it wasnt his air time.

@brandonjames2368

3 жыл бұрын

@@sinjyn66 KAREN ALERT!!!! EVERYONE!!! KAREN ALERT!!! Way to completely miss the reason Elvis did what he did on SNL, Karen.

@sinjyn66

3 жыл бұрын

@@brandonjames2368 He may have had a reason to do what he did , but he accepted the gig. Also - Karen has racial overtones because it specifically reflects the actions of a white person.

@classygary

3 жыл бұрын

@@sinjyn66 Too bad .

@classygary

3 жыл бұрын

Never tell em what to do either .

One of the most Rock n Roll moments ever televised....

@SRFDriver

7 ай бұрын

Except that it's fucking 45 degrees off...

@AnthonyStJames

7 ай бұрын

...along with Neil Young & Crazy Horse scorching the place with Rockin in the Free world in '89. Absolutely savage!

@idontevenlikemoney

6 ай бұрын

Nah, Fear playing SNL.

Fun Fact: Elvis is one of only three people to have his ban from SNL lifted. He returned back in 1989. Mary Tyler Moore, hosting that night, introduced him by saying "He's Back!"

@katechurches

3 ай бұрын

I wonder who the other two were!

@blistabliss

3 ай бұрын

The replacements and rage against the machine. But the singer from the replacements was later allowed to play again.

Legend has it that Lorne Michaels was just out of camera view, flipping EC the bird, absolutely seething that EC stuck it to him and NBC all in one totally punk move. I fucking LOVE Elvis for that, and everything else he's done. He is the epitome of an under the radar genius.

@youknowwho-

3 жыл бұрын

Wasn't THAT far under the radar. But for anyone with only a K-Mart radar, then yes, they might've missed him.

@seanburns2669

3 жыл бұрын

There are generations now who don't know his music. That's what I mean by under the radar.

@mikeberg5003

2 жыл бұрын

Listen to Elvis himself on the subject. This has been so blown out of proportion regarding Lorne Michaels. It was a fuck you to the record company, not SNL kzread.info/dash/bejne/laV_r9uJlaWbqbQ.htmlm30s

@sammencia7945

2 жыл бұрын

This was LIVE live on USA East Coast. No 7 second delay, no cough button. It really went out live and unbuffered.

@-xirx-

2 жыл бұрын

1:50 Elvis kinda returning it to him here!

Pissing off Lorne Michaels, the icon of pre-packaged, corporate "rebellion" is an utter delight.

I saw this the night it happened. Love how he stuck it to NBC!!

@carlodave9

2 жыл бұрын

By doing their best version of a better song. I still can't see how NBC would have a problem with it. Cobain had to reach a lot higher to piss them off with Rape Me.

The announcer is Don Pardo, who I used to know many years ago (I worked at NBC in a grunt job). I had this on to drown out the leaf blowers outside the house, and was concentrating on something else when this song came on and I heard Don's voice. He being long deceased, I jumped out of my skin! Great guy, too. RIP, Don!

@rockvilleraven

10 ай бұрын

Pardo was loyal to NBC, even turning down an offer to continue announcing the original Price is Right when it moved to ABC. He had a lifetime contract with NBC.

the fact that he was going to perform "Less Than Zero" stopped it after 7 seconds decided in last minute to switch the song and with no preparation gave on of the best performances on snl history :) :) :)

EC giving the stink eye to Lorne Michaels who's seething right in front of him.

@sylvanahernandez1264

4 жыл бұрын

I Love it!!! 😜😂🤣

@sylvanahernandez1264

4 жыл бұрын

I Love it 😝😂😂

@mybingobrain

3 жыл бұрын

I heard LM was giving EC the finger the whole time. Elvis went on to Stardom. Sorry, LM, AKA Dr Evil.

The song you needed and wanted to hear.

I'm glad I was a kid in the 70's

And with this single act of defiance, Elvis became the most significant musician of of his age...

Incredible- gets better with age.

Legend has it that Loren Michaels held his middle finger up to Elvis through the whole performance.

Great version of Radio Radio and much quicker than the original. Pete Thomas really drives this version and great t-shirt which says Thanks Malc as the Pistols were originally booked to play but Malcolm screwed up the visas. The Ramones refused to step in as they famously said “we don’t substitute for anybody.”

@carlodave9

2 жыл бұрын

To be fair, drummers drive bands when they play live.

@misfit2022

2 жыл бұрын

@@carlodave9 Agreed

@patrickmorgan4006

2 жыл бұрын

Maybe Lorne Michaels wasn't flipping off Elvis, as someone else commented, but motioning for them to speed it up, which resulted in a great version of the song. I have no idea. Just speculating.

@lefkytheshin

Жыл бұрын

​@@carlodave9 not here.

This is the essence of rock and roll. You goddamn right his aim is true.

I love the way the Attractions could switch from Less than Zero to Radio, Radio as if it were second nature.

@robertf614

3 жыл бұрын

They obviously rehearsed this a bunch lol

@Anotherroom

3 жыл бұрын

@@robertf614 in his book he said they actually didn't. It was spontaneous.

@nicholasmontoto9346

3 жыл бұрын

That’s what happens when you have your songs on lock . They didn’t plan to do that switch but as soon as EC stopped the first song the band was ready to go into whatever their frontman said they were going to play .

Love how they walk out at the end like, "Yeah we're in trouble we're never coming back here."

@brandonjames2368

3 жыл бұрын

Punk is WAY more than a musical genre; it's an attitude, a lifestyle.

@BillViets

3 жыл бұрын

They came back.

@sammencia7945

2 жыл бұрын

@@BillViets Not The Attractions. They never set foot there again.

I saw Elivs Costello and the attractions a few times back in the 80"s. Incredible every time. My Aim is True is up there with the greatest albums of all times.

@blueschewy2558

11 ай бұрын

That and This Year's Model.

@mikefowler2417

10 ай бұрын

Top 10 album, maybe top 5. Every song is perfect.

This kind of stuff happens with live TV. Musicians aren't actors and Elvis couldn't have cared less about sucking up to Lorne Michaels. Jimi Hendrix did the same when they switched songs mid-song when they were on the BBC in the 60s and got banned from the BBC for it. The Doors went on the Ed Sullivan show back in the 60s and Ed asked them to omit the word "higher" from Light My Fire because it supposedly was a drug reference. The Doors agreed then sang it as it was written and Ed popped a gasket and told them they would never do his show again to which Jim Morrison replied "we just did the Ed Sullivan show." It's not like they needed the exposure at that point.

@somni6756

4 жыл бұрын

And don't forget about Sinead O'Connor tearing a picture of the pope, time proved her courage.

@RobRidleyLive

3 жыл бұрын

Amazing to think, that iconic performance was on the Lulu show, when Lulu was a bigger name than Hendrix

@classygary

3 жыл бұрын

The Doors did already The Ed Sullivan Show, did him real good 🤙🏽

@ripperplaysclon152

2 жыл бұрын

@Elvis Costello If you are Elvis Costello… why are you not verified or a music account? Sorry, but this is fake.

Starting one song then switching to another ~~~~ *that* was a breathtaking moment of LIVE TV !!

Aaaaahhhh, the Miskel Spillman episode. Only us fossils will get THAT reference. Anyway, I was watching that night when he decided spontaneously to play a different song than the one SNL had on their schedule. Lorne Michaels stormed into Elvis' face and furiously threatened his career. Pissing off Lorne Michaels is already a heavenly act, but making his sorry *ss go ballistic is the stuff of sainthood.

Costello.. punk nerd before Rivers Cuomo! Underrated artist but I loved him every inch of him!

@marlonrando9272

4 жыл бұрын

Buddy Holly did it first 😉

@PokePetie

3 жыл бұрын

@@marlonrando9272 in Jesus' name, Amen

@madbrowniac7871

6 ай бұрын

Rivers Cuomo himself made the Musical connection between Buddy Holly and Miss Mary Tyler Moore YEARS after Sonny Curtis of The Crickets Wrote the Theme to MTM's Show "Love Is All Around." And as if that weren't enough the Original Song by that same title appeared in 1967 by Reg Presley and The Troggs!😂😏🎤💃🎼🎵🎶🎸🎹🥁B.W.

I was 19 at the time this episode aired, and SNL had actual funny moments back then, so I was a regular viewer. The Sex Pistols were supposed to play that night, they didn't. I'd only read about Elvis Costello, probably in Creem or Hit Parader, who was supposedly this Angry Young Man and already considered a bit of an iconoclast. I remember being confused and amused by the song switch to Radio, Radio, thinking "this is a great fucking song." I went out and bought the album that week, and he gradually became one of my biggest songwriting influences.

@dirtydave2691

2 жыл бұрын

I was 12. I was blown away by this. I remember seeing Devo on here too. Changed my whole take on music!

@MacgyverMike1

2 жыл бұрын

The Ramones were supposed to play that night to but turned it down

@michaelhall5429

2 жыл бұрын

@@MacgyverMike1 the pistols I think. Some visa issue.

@MacgyverMike1

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelhall5429 yep they were offered but there visa had problems and then they asked the Ramones to perform in the show and they turned it down and regretted it because they never asked them again

@michaelhall5429

2 жыл бұрын

@@MacgyverMike1that sucks, but at least it made a great story in the end. Weird that SNL wouldn't ever ask them back. They seem like the sort of band plenty of people who worked for SNL since then would've liked.

Saw Declan just this year (2023) and he still has "it". A most talented bloke.

I was in high school watching this. It was the greatest thing when EC switched up and scowled at Lorne Michaels throughout the song. It ranks below Dylan in Manchester telling the folkies to shove it as Robbie Robertson kicked off Like a Rolling Stone. But EC is in the same spirit here.

Real rock and roll, fired up by principle, conviction, congruent and true. Fuck yes. This is what it's all about.

This has to be one of David Letterman's favorite videos.

Their drummer kicks ass

@marlonrando9272

4 жыл бұрын

Meh

@kumaflamewar6524

4 жыл бұрын

@@marlonrando9272 to be fair he really does, but this song isn't the most amazing showcase. listen to lipstick vogue. the attractions are a tight band

@crescentfreshbret

4 жыл бұрын

So does their bass player. Bruce Thomas is one of the greatest bass guitarists of all time. It’s a shame he and Elvis won’t work together anymore.

Still the coolest ever SNL moment - along with Paul Simon in a turkey suit

That was a great performance. The best. ALL the TV viewers and live audience, didn't know anything else, they just saw a good band. Nobody cares about the producer flipping his nut backstage. And what's the point? Never believe the leaders trying to control you.

I remember seeing this... first time I had ever seen Elvis

@Griwhoolda

3 жыл бұрын

Same!

I actually remember watching this and thinking what the eff? And then loving it.

Boy, a few goose bumps on hearing that one again.

I can just see the engineers in the control room throwing their headphones in rage yelling, "GODDAMMIT WE TOLD YOU NOT TO!!!!!!!!" Lmfao

I first heard this on a compilation of live musical performances released in 1999 for SNL's 25th season. It still blows my mind.

Great moment in music history

awesome

I'm glad this is still on KZread. My video of the Clash playing Straight to Hell on SNL, which I mixed with some cool interview clips, was up for a loooong time but it finally got taken down by the copyright nazis. 😢

@edwarddavison320

9 ай бұрын

I REMEMBER seeing that live, as a bleary eyed 7 or 8 year-old. It had an impact on me.

@danielscissorhands

9 ай бұрын

@@edwarddavison320 Aww, cool! Thanks

This forever and ever, amen.

I remember watching this,buzzed,with my friend WD Hill,and dug it so much,we drove to Tower records on other side of Houston to buy the album. Excellent nite

@carlodave9

2 жыл бұрын

When I saw it as a kid I just assumed it was a clever gimmick because they switched so damn fast.

@patrickmorgan4006

2 жыл бұрын

You bought it that night? Tower Records was open at midnight in Houston in 1977? SNL aired at 11:30 here on the east coast, so probably 10:30 in Houston? And this was the second appearance of the night (according to Don Pardo) so it had to be at least 11:30 Houston time. Then the drive across town took some time.

@chrissayre2124

2 жыл бұрын

We were really buzzed,so if you want minute by minute cant help ya,but straight shot on gulf freeway. A skill we honed going to river oaks for Rocky Horror almost every weekend to party from the outskirts of Harris Co

@patrickmorgan4006

2 жыл бұрын

@@chrissayre2124 I was just wondering if the store was open 24 hours, pointing out what time it must have been if you went there that night.

@chrissayre2124

2 жыл бұрын

Like 22 hours,they closed couple hours to take inventory, clean,make deposits, ect. And i know this cause my nephew DJ worked there for a few years,till they opened one in Clear lake,then he went there in early 80s. Tower one of few places you could get vinyl album,and a cassette for under 10.00.

Best version out there

Kick butt performance! Love it!!!

Love them. Ridiculously great band!!

Those bros were amazing duo one of THE BEST drum performances ever recorded... Thanks Man!

@johnmann281

3 жыл бұрын

Don't take your eyes off him and you will see genius ....

@sheikhyaboooty

3 жыл бұрын

@@johnmann281 And don`t overlook Bruce, one of the top bass players....according to many bass players.

@keithgrimes9622

10 ай бұрын

Yes, killer drumming. But the whole band sounds good. @@sheikhyaboooty

Rock history!

Superbly perfectly crafted song. And performed just as well

It’s a way more fun song! The energy is so much more intense. He called it! SNL should have been thrilled by the surprise. So much more dramatic. Great performance!

I REALLY wish there was footage of Lorne when he realizes Elvis is going off script.

Ladies and gentlemen this is what R&R is supposed to be.

it's got a good beat to dance to.

All they needed back then was the grunge pedal, pure punk rock 😎

One of the HIGHPOINTS in television history

Absolutely brilliant!

I’ve filling in with this band and they do this song and I did it in another band @80, and I’m thinking there’s something about this song that was major, today I remembered, Elvis was going on SNL live and Lorne Michaels told them that they could not play Radio Radio because higher ups didn’t like the message, so he said yeah, started another song and stopped and played it anyway. I remember seeing it live...... Michaels banned him for like 12 years from SNL

awesome way to go costello

Legendary

The Angry young nerd...

@mezasemotemote

4 жыл бұрын

…in a very intelligent way

before the internet all media was tightly controlled by a few

Bruce Thomas said in a podcast that EC's decision to switch songs mid-broadcast was pre-planned, which is why BT moves his fretboard hand into position BEFORE Costello announces Radio Radio.

@Mr_Spock

Жыл бұрын

Yup just proper 👌

@davidg.9932

Жыл бұрын

Elvis Costco absolutely hates Bruce Thomas.. Period.. So sad..

So awesome 👏

This was memorable for all the wrong reasons. Elvis Costello only appeared on "Saturday Night Live" as a last minute replacement for the Sex Pistols, who were refused visas to enter America. A few measures into "Less than Zero", Elvis swung into this song, which resulted him getting banned from the show for nearly twelve years.

Legend.

Happy 67th Birthday Elvis✌

Tom and bert.....

Goddamn this is a good song...

EC's record company told him they had to play "Less Than Zero" but he was right. Radio, Radio was a much better choice.

@thewkovacs316

10 ай бұрын

nobody in the states wouldve understood what less than zero was about

@clipcoug1139

4 ай бұрын

​@@thewkovacs316: Agreed. The only Oswald the people in the US really know is Lee Harvey, not Oswald Mosley (who the song was about).

2 bears 1 cave anyone?

@dwprado25

4 жыл бұрын

Following proto? No way brother, featherin it!

@dustinofficinalis2149

4 жыл бұрын

That was great!!

@Mountain_Drew296

4 жыл бұрын

Why else would anyone else come here

@EckerKyle

4 жыл бұрын

Lol i actually stumbled upon this but now imma see what the fat boys are talking about

@DanielFlores-gx7xi

4 жыл бұрын

EckerKyle I hope u don’t mind the smell!

Badass

Dale loves this song

History that's great 👍

Wow 😳

Thanks Malc

Rock on!

A televised minor revolution.

#TodayInElvisCostelloHistory!

@TheRealForrestGeorge

3 жыл бұрын

I was tuning in the shine on the light night dial doing anything my radio advised with every one of those late night stations playing songs bringing tears to me eyes I was seriously thinking about hiding the receiver when the switch broke 'cause it's old They're saying things that I can hardly believe. They really think we're getting out of control. [Chorus:] Radio is a sound salvation Radio is cleaning up the nation They say you better listen to the voice of reason But they don't give you any choice 'cause they think that it's treason. So you had better do as you are told. You better listen to the radio. I wanna bite the hand that feeds me. I wanna bite that hand so badly. I want to make them wish they'd never seen me. Some of my friends sit around every evening and they worry about the times ahead But everybody else is overwhelmed by indifference and the promise of an early bed You either shut up or get cut up; they don't wanna hear about it. It's only inches on the reel-to-reel. And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools tryin' to anesthetize the way that you feel [Chorus] Wonderful radio Marvelous radio Wonderful radio Radio, radio

Just off the podium.

YES , RADIO RADIO RADIO , 💪📻!!!!!

He played at Long Beach High school............i know because my roommate told me that first year on tour!

It was prepped. Steve set keyboard settings and put his hands on 1st chords of keys after LTZ stopped. Bruce put his bass fret hand on 1st position. Drummer looks to not have known.

Right up there with The Doors on Ed Sullivan in 1967 and Lou Reed's album Metal Machine Music.

@BeerBreath702

4 жыл бұрын

Blues Chewy I never really listened to this guy but I’m liking it. I can see how you say he is up there.

@patrickmorgan4006

2 жыл бұрын

As opposed to The Rolling Stones, who gave in to Sullivan and changed the words for him.

Some times you just have to let things burn.

2:59 - Precursor to Nelson Muntz.

Fun fact: This video is turned 45 degrees to the side in order to protect against censorship by KZread

Brill elvis

Honestly, along with Frank Zappa and the Replacements, getting banned from SNL is a badge of honor.

@madbrowniac7871

Жыл бұрын

Fear was also banned as I recall. Also Andy Kaufman who appeared on the Show's debut back in 1975 IIRC. Could be a common thread.🤔B.W.

Declan in his prime.

Punk Rock!

" ..so you had better do what you are told.." Glad he didn't 😅

Thx. Dirk.

friggin' a!

+50 million punk points!!!

Elvis really played the angry young man well didn't he?