‘In a Flash’
Twenty years after now-viral encounter between the band and actor, Walken returned to SNL to welcome Foo Fighters
For Foo Fighters‘ ninth time as musical guest on Saturday Night Live, Dave Grohl and company harkened back to what’s now their most viral SNL appearance as Christopher Walken – making his first SNL cameo in 15 years – introduced the band.
Walken’s presence was significant as, in a now-viral Radio X interview, Grohl shared a long and hilarious story about a time Foo Fighters played SNL and were introduced by Walken, who pronounced the band “Foo FIGHTers,” leading to Grohl’s hilarious and near-perfect impression of the actor:
Over 20 years after that encounter – Foos played a Walken-hosted episode in February 2003 – the band semi-reunited with Walken as he introduced the band’s first performance of the night, But Here We Are‘s “Rescued.” Sadly, Walken did not put the emphasis on “Fighters.”
Walken wasn’t the only surprise guest: For Foo Fighters’ second performance, H.E.R. joined in on vocals and guitars on “The Glass.”
Foo Fighters last appeared on Saturday Night Live on the late night show’s cathartic post-election episode in November 2020. Saturday marked their ninth appearance as musical guest.
The group will visit ten cities for their Everything or Nothing at All stadium tour next summer, with special guests including the Pretenders and the Hives. Also making occasional appearances are Mammoth WVH, Alex G, Amyl and the Sniffers, and L7.