Paul Westerberg

Memorable TV Performances: The Replacements on SNL 1986

Inside the Replacements' Disastrous 'Saturday Night Live' Debut - Rolling  Stone

Back in 1986, The Replacements performed on Saturday Night Live and it didn’t go well at all! There’s a really intersting story behind it all and I’ll tell you part of it. It all started when the bands label was trying to get The Replacements to shoot a music video. The band though had a hard stance of NO about making videos. So, the powers that be came up with a solution, one that would be beneficial for the band as well as fans. The idea was to get them to perform on live TV. So a letter was then sent to Saturday Night Live music booker Michele Galfas touting the group. Then the ‘Mats’ product manager, Steven Baker, and Warner A&R head Lenny Waronker pressed label chairman Mo Ostin to put in a call to the show’s creator/producer, Lorne Michaels. Based on Warner Bros.’s faith, Galfas put The Replacements on a shortlist of acts for the show — without having seen the band play live. See where this is going… Fast forward a few months and out of the blue, the bands gets the call that they will be appearing on SNL. Originally The Pointer Sisters were to perform on this night. Actor Harry Dean Stanton would be the host for the show on the now infamous January 18th airing. The episode would also feature controversial stand-up comic Sam Kinison as a special guest. The rest of the story is just as crazy as you think it is. From being drunk on stage, spouting “FUCK” on live TV, out of control antics and more. To say the people running SNL were pissed is an understatement. I highly recommend you taking some time and reading more about it this story.

The Replacements- Bastards Of Young: