Live television is the last place you should try and be spontaneous

At the time that Elvis Costello and The Attractions, in the middle of a pulverising touring schedule that made their reputation as a fearsome live band, played the cult late night comedy show on NBC it was regarded as a daring and provocative response to Monty Python. Or at least a team of the US best and brightest comedy performers – Dan Aykroyd , John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Gilder Radner, Bill Murray et al. The shows passion for presenting musical acts that might not necessarily get airtime elsewhere gained it a reputation for being cutting edge – so Elvis and the razor sharp Attraction seemed a perfect fit.

But it wasn’t supposed to happen at all.

Nearly two years before on a sleepy teatime TV show in the UK, the popular and interview shy Queen were booked to appear on the Today show. Perhaps wishing to avoid the comfy area chat with host Bill Grundy they withdrew at the 11th hour. A desperate EMI publicity department searched round for a stable-mate to replace them and found that fresh young signings, The Sex Pistols, were rehearsing across town. A » Continue Reading.