McCartney and Simon headline musical guests for "SNL 50"

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Paul McCartney and Paul Simon headline musical guests slated for "SNL 50"

By Chris Morgan | Last updated Feb 14, 2025 4:25 PM ET

The 50th anniversary special of "Saturday Night Live" is taking place on NBC on February 16. Sure, that's a Sunday, but calendar questions aside, the event is going to be packed to the gills with "SNL" alums and an assortment of major celebrities.

There will also be musical performances during the special, apt given music's sizable role on "SNL." Unsurprisingly some huge names are on the docket.

music performances for the SNL50 anniversary special!!! pic.twitter.com/9V69bYnWqa
— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) February 14, 2025

Given that Questlove of The Roots co-directed the recent documentary about music on "Saturday Night Live," it's not a surprise that his band got the call here. It's also not surprising that Paul McCartney will be there because, well, he's maybe the most-iconic living musician. You get him if you can, and for a living legend, McCartney seems oddly bookable.

Paul Simon performing is both expected and a surprise. In addition to his many cameos and musical performances, Simon has hosted "SNL" four times (and somehow managed to get finagled into the Five-Timers Club). Lorne Michaels' good friend is 83 now, though, and has effectively retired from performing due to hearing loss. Thus, Simon appearing on "SNL 50" qualifies as a true musical event.

You can catch all these musicians, plus a bunch of other famous people (though not Dan Aykroyd and Bill Hader), on Sunday, February 16.

Chris Morgan

Chris Morgan is a Detroit-based culture writer who has somehow managed to justify getting his BA in Film Studies. He has written about sports and entertainment across various internet platforms for years and is also the author of three books about '90s television.

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