5 Times a Rock Star Got Banned For Playing Their Own Music on TV

Throughout rock history, famous musicians have sometimes stirred up trouble during live TV performances. Whether breaking rules or challenging the norm, these actions have led to bans from some of the biggest television shows. Here are five memorable times when rock stars were banned for playing their own tunes on TV.

The Doors on The Ed Sullivan Show

In 1967, The Doors were invited to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show. They were asked to change the lyrics of “Light My Fire” and remove the phrase “girl, we couldn’t get much higher” because it was seen as inappropriate. The band agreed but lead singer Jim Morrison defied the request and sang the original line during the live performance. This bold move got The Doors banned from ever appearing on the show again. Despite the ban, the performance helped cement Morrison’s image as a rebellious rock figure.

​Elvis Costello on Saturday Night Live

Elvis Costello stepped in as a last-minute replacement on Saturday Night Live in 1977. Initially set to perform “Less Than Zero,” he instead stopped the performance and began “Radio Radio,” which criticized commercial broadcasting. This spontaneous act angered the show’s producers, leading to Costello being banned from the show for several years. Despite this, his gutsy switch heightened his reputation as an artist willing to take risks and speak his mind freely.

Jimi Hendrix on the Lulu Show

Jimi Hendrix appeared on the BBC’s Happening for Lulu in 1969, where he was supposed to play “Hey Joe” followed by a duet with Lulu. Partway through “Hey Joe,” Hendrix abruptly switched to performing Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love” as a tribute to the recently disbanded band. This unplanned change didn’t sit well with the producers, resulting in Hendrix being banned from BBC shows. This moment, however, highlighted Hendrix’s respect for fellow musicians and his love for spontaneous performances.

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The Replacements on Saturday Night Live

In 1986, The Replacements appeared on Saturday Night Live, where their intoxicated state led to chaotic playing and foul language on live TV. The performance was marked by slurred, off-key notes, and on-air profanity. As a consequence, the band was banned from returning to the show. Their SNL appearance became infamous and added to their reputation as unpredictable performers who couldn’t always be controlled.

​Rage Against the Machine on Saturday Night Live

In 1996, Rage Against the Machine was invited to play on Saturday Night Live. During their performance, they attempted to hang inverted American flags on their amplifiers as a form of protest. The producers quickly intervened, removing the flags before it hit the air. This incident led to the band being escorted out of the building and banned from future appearances. The band’s bold stance reinforced their image as politically charged performers who weren’t afraid to take risks.