SNL50: The Anniversary Special delivered on its promise of a star-studded event, featuring Jack White ripping a slide guitar solo on Neil Young's iconic Rockin’ in the Free World, Adam Sandler whipping out his acoustic guitar to pay homage to 50 years of SNL, Bonnie Raitt teaming up with Coldplay's Chris Martin, Brittany Howard and Miley Cyrus offering their take on Nothing Compares 2 U, and Paul McCartney closing the show with Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight, and The End from The Beatles' 1969 album Abbey Road.
Perhaps one of the most surprising link-ups, however, was Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter's interpretation of Simon & Garfunkel’s Homeward Bound. Wielding a black version of his Martin signature OM-42PS acoustic, Simon noted, “I sang this song with George Harrison on Saturday Night Live in 1976”, to which Carpenter quipped, “I was not born then… and neither were my parents.”
“Well, I'm glad they'll get the chance to hear it tonight,” he added before the two launched into a harmony-rich duet – complemented by his fingerstyle playing. The performance harkened back to the original, in which he and Harrison wielded a Guild F-30R Special and a Martin D-35S, respectively, and joined forces on both vocals and guitar for a mesmerizing rendition of Homeward Bound as well as Here Comes The Sun.
Simon's appearance marked a rare live outing for the veteran artist, who has largely retired from performing due to severe hearing loss. Meanwhile, Carpenter recently picked up the Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Solo Performance awards at this year's Grammys.
Beyond the former and current SNL cast members featured in the special, the star-studded musical lineup included Bad Bunny, Eddie Vedder, The B-52s, Backstreet Boys, Devo, Lady Gaga, T-Pain, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, The Roots, Jelly Roll, Brandi Carlile, Mumford & Sons, Jerry Douglas, Snoop Dogg, Arcade Fire, David Byrne, St. Vincent, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Robyn, and Cher.
It was also the second time in two weeks that Nirvana reunited, this time teaming up with Post Malone to deliver an angsty rendition of Smells Like Teen Spirit.
