Elvis Costello was booked to play Saturday Night Live at the last minute when the Sex Pistols were unable to obtain visas in order to appear on December 17, 1977. 1977. Costello wanted to play Radio Radio, a song that criticizes the commercialization of radio and the music industry in general. The record label however insisted that Costello perform
Less Than Zero. In what has become a classic moment in American television, Costello stopped his band after a few bars of
Less Than Zero and launched into
Radio Radio. His actions resulted in his banishment from Saturday Night Live, however 12 years later he was allowed to return.
I can't post the controversial Saturday Night Live video because of American copyright restrictions but it can be seen at the European site Daily motion at the link below.
Dailymotion - ELVIS COSTELLO / RADIO, RADIO - a ミュージック video
25 years later Costello made a triumphant return when he interrupted a Beastie Boys performance on Saturday Night Live in 1992.