Tap to watch the video.

Editor’s Note: These pieces of multimedia content were submitted for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Student Journalism & Media Leadership Day competition on Sept. 26. The Collegian’s entry, consisting of a 60-second video, a seven-minute podcast and an 800-word story, created in two hours, was recognized as an outstanding entry among 13 teams. 

“Saturday Night Live” comes to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio for 50 years of music. 

The official opening of the “SNL: Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 years of music,” made its debut to the public on Saturday, June 14, 2025. 

The press release states the exhibit is “a comprehensive and immersive exhibit celebrating the iconic show’s musical history, storied performances and sketches.”  They added that “through state-of-the-art video installations and a first-ever virtual experience, this collaborative and in-depth exhibit brings some of the show’s most memorable musical performances from the early years of the show.” 

The exhibition offers Blondie, RUN-D.M.C. and Mick Jagger and even more contemporary artists such as Billie Ellish, Miley Cyrus and Sabrina Carptner; however, there’s one artist that stands out from the herd — Sinéad O’Connor.

Who is Sinéad O’Connor? 

Sinéad O’Connor was an Irish born singer-songwriter, record producer and most notably a activist who found herself being dubbed the first superstar of the 1990s by Rolling Stone. 

O’Connor joined a pub-tock band, the Ton Ton Macoute, early on in her career; consequently, this band attracted the attention of Ensign Records, London-based record label, who signed O’Connor to their label and released her debut album – The Lion and the Cobra.  The album released in 1987 that allotted O’Conner high praises. 

O’Connor then began making waves in the United States with follow-up album I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Gotten released in 1990.  The album skyrocketed on the pop charts due to her number one single “Nothing Compares 2 U” which was a cover of 1985 Prince song. 

As O’Connor became a star in the states her activism allotted her numerous controversies: boycotting the 1991 Grammy Awards, refusing to sing the U.S. national anthem and most notably — her Saturday Night Live protest. 

TIME uploaded “The Controversial Saturday Night Live Performance That Made Sinéad O’Connor an Icon” by Mahita Gajan that detailed the late singers encounter with the American late-night live sketch comedy show. 

It was the fall of 1992 and during O’Connors performance of Bob Marley’s “War,” on SNL she ripped up a photo of Pope John Paul II as a protest against child sex abuse in the Catholic Church. 

The move sparked outrage, especially among the Catholic community, and people made claims such as she was ruining her career; however, O’Connor stated “Everyone wants to be a pop star, see?  But I am a protest singer.  I just had stuff to get off my chest.  I had no desire for fame.”

Supporters, such as SNL exhibit attendee Susan Pierce, understood O’Connor and how she conducted herself and her career. 

“I remember seeing it live; I’m a huge fan of hers” Peirce said. “People were shocked; however, knowing her and her beliefs and her values it makes sense to me if you did not understand where she was coming from it would’ve been so offensive and disturbing.” 

It’s no question as to why the Director of Artist relations and Curatorial Operations Shely Morrison noted the O’Connor piece to be one of her favorite displays. 

“My favorite artifact is the Sinéad O’Connor torn photograph,” Morrison said. 

Artists, such as Madonna, decided to make a mockery of the act in 1993 by pulling out a photo of Joey Buttafucco, famous due to a scandal involving Amy Fisher.  As she teared the photo she stated, “fight the real enemy,” and proceeded to make several cameos on SNL after the incident. 

Unlike Madonna, O’Connor found herself being banned from SNL over the act and that was her last performance with SNL.   

The Impact of it all 

The Mission of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is stated to be “a spirit that is inclusive and ever-changing” that “honors the artists whose music connects us all.” 

O’Connor is among many of the women represented in the museum that connects the world to not only their music but beliefs. 

She embodies everything the museum is capturing, it isn’t just about the people who sing the music or write the songs; on the contrary, it’s about the impact that is everlasting on the hearts of the listeners. 

Music is ever-changing, as the mission states, but the message of the lyrics stands forever. 

O’Connor aided in popularizing music activism, now in the 21st century the world sees artists such as Childish Gambino, Sabrina Carptner or even Taylor Swift use their voices to spark entire movements such as O’Connor did. 

To visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Hame and all its history, museum attendees who are Cleveland Residents can visit free through the CLE VIP program sponsored by Key Bank. 

For more information on ticket purchases visit www.rockhall.com. 

Listen to our seven-minute PODCAST SEGMENT about Sinéad O’Connor: https://streamable.com/rymi7l