SNL: The Homecoming Concert launched the 50th anniversary celebration of Saturday Night Live through an outstanding musical display. The Saturday night musical highlights raised performance expectations because the three-hour primetime special intended for Sunday remains the anticipated finale event. Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam delivered a powerful tribute performance at the concert that produced heart-wrenching emotions throughout the audience.
A Nod to the Past Before an Iconic Performance
At the beginning of the show, Vedder chose to deliver “The Waiting” while honoring Elvis Costello‘s SNL history of defiance during his performance of “Radio Radio” in 1977. During that broadcast, Costello ignored his planned performance of “Less Than Zero” to deliver the critique of the music industry through “Radio Radio”. Between songs, Vedder brought in Pearl Jam’s “Corduroy” before delivering the performance that touched audience members deeply.
Honoring the SNL Family We’ve Lost
During his performance,e Vedder made a brief pause to reflect on the late SNL entertainers who have passed away.
“I was thinking about all the people that… that could be here… that we’d be missing… we will be missing tonight,” he began.
He then asked the crowd to imagine one person in particular:
“Like, I’ll just say one word… one name. And just think… imagine. If she were here. Gilda. Gilda Radner would be here. She would not miss… this.”
A Tribute That Hit Home
The concert revealed that Vedder’s appearance became a tribute to those who contributed their talent to SNL because it transcended musical performance into a commemoration of SNL founder Lorne Michaels. His tribute to SNL made audience members ponder whether there was an additional meaning concealed within this performance. The tribute established the quality of what will surely become an exceptional anniversary event.
