It’s been 50 years since Saturday Night Live debuted on NBC. To mark the occasion, the network re-aired the show’s first episode last night as part of its SNL50 celebrations.
Late comedian George Carlin hosted the premiere episode, with musical guests Billy Preston and Janis Ian on Oct. 11, 1975.
Preston has since passed away, but this weekend viewers got a chance to see him belt out his 1974 hit “Nothing From Nothing” during the flashback episode.
Related: Eddie Murphy, Maya Rudolph, Chris Rock to Appear on ‘SNL50’ Special
The singer-songwriter was the very-first musical guest to perform on SNL, with Ian taking the stage later in the episode.
Preston dressed to impress in a dark-colored suit embellished with sparkling pink flowers on the lapels. The R&B/soul/funk performer played the keyboard and was accompanied by his band.
“Nothing From Nothing” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1974 and received a Grammy nomination, according to Grammy.com.
Preston, who grew up in Los Angeles, was also known for the hit singles “Outa-Space”, “Space Race,” and “Struttin’.” He co-wrote and performed “You Are So Beautiful,” which was later released by Joe Cocker.
In addition to the SNL flashback episode, NBC is airing a star-studded primetime special tonight featuring SNL alums Eddie Murphy, Maya Rudolph, Chris Rock, and Tracy Morgan, as previously reported.
Surviving original cast members Chevy Chase, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman are also returning, according to NBC News.
The live three-hour broadcast from Studio 8H in New York’s Rockefeller Center premieres at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC and will be simulcast on Peacock. Before the show, SNL alum Leslie Jones will interview guests on the red carpet.
Watch the first episode of SNL below. Preston performs “Nothing From Nothing” at the 8-minute mark.
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