Too late
August 23, 2024 11:26 AM Subscribe
As a musician and late night TV nerd, I have an accompanying obsession with the bands who back the shows, and I’ve seen lots of them live. Late night bands often embody and amplify the tone of a show – Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show had a rollicking, old school big band, while Jimmy Fallon’s version has the urbane cool of rap/soul/funk stars The Roots. Now that 8G joins the ranks of bands of the past, I’m reflecting on more late night bands that have – or will one day – go down in history. Here’s a list of the best. from As 'Late Night' loses its band, we rank the best groups ever on late night TV [NPR]
Related: Jimmy Kimmel Says ‘I Don’t Know if There Will Be Any Late-Night Television Shows on Network TV in 10 Years’ [Variety]
and
The end is nigh for snoozefest late-night talk shows [NY Post]
Related: Jimmy Kimmel Says ‘I Don’t Know if There Will Be Any Late-Night Television Shows on Network TV in 10 Years’ [Variety]
and
The end is nigh for snoozefest late-night talk shows [NY Post]
Putting my vote in for The Roots. Not many bands anywhere could have pulled this off backing a guest musician: Fiona Apple and the Roots covering Let Me Roll It. I wish there was a higher quality version of this.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 11:37 AM on August 23, 2024 [8 favorites]
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 11:37 AM on August 23, 2024 [8 favorites]
What? No mention of Reggie Watts?
posted by Johnny Quaternion at 11:40 AM on August 23, 2024 [15 favorites]
posted by Johnny Quaternion at 11:40 AM on August 23, 2024 [15 favorites]
I'll start watching the late night shows again when they bring back Conan. He was the best. Now it's all political jokes...dull,dull,dull.
posted by Czjewel at 11:56 AM on August 23, 2024 [3 favorites]
posted by Czjewel at 11:56 AM on August 23, 2024 [3 favorites]
You couldn't pay me enough to be in a band with Fred Armisen.
posted by grumpybear69 at 12:04 PM on August 23, 2024 [14 favorites]
posted by grumpybear69 at 12:04 PM on August 23, 2024 [14 favorites]
One of the greatest moments in Late Night band history starts at about 5:15 here
You are very welcome.
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only at 12:05 PM on August 23, 2024 [17 favorites]
You are very welcome.
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only at 12:05 PM on August 23, 2024 [17 favorites]
For their list, one of these things is not like the others. Night Music wasn't a talk show. (I guess it was late night, but so was Midnight Special).
From actual talk-show bands, I vote for Roots, who really were imaginative.
Most talk show bands consisted of talented musicians playing stale arrangements.
I'm old, and since I was young I've always said that late night talk shows deserve to die. They consist of outdated unimaginative conventions that are slavishly adhered to, officiated over by clever bitter men whose wit never quite overcomes the fact that they're bitter. The exceptions that bend the rule (Gary Shandling, Martin Mull, Martin Short) inverted the concepts.
posted by ovvl at 12:10 PM on August 23, 2024 [2 favorites]
From actual talk-show bands, I vote for Roots, who really were imaginative.
Most talk show bands consisted of talented musicians playing stale arrangements.
I'm old, and since I was young I've always said that late night talk shows deserve to die. They consist of outdated unimaginative conventions that are slavishly adhered to, officiated over by clever bitter men whose wit never quite overcomes the fact that they're bitter. The exceptions that bend the rule (Gary Shandling, Martin Mull, Martin Short) inverted the concepts.
posted by ovvl at 12:10 PM on August 23, 2024 [2 favorites]
I was looking at this old thread remembering times when the Late Night house band would play along with the musical acts, for example:
Beastie Boys
James Brown
Screaming Trees
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Sonic Youth
Pixies
posted by credulous at 12:31 PM on August 23, 2024 [9 favorites]
Beastie Boys
James Brown
Screaming Trees
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Sonic Youth
Pixies
posted by credulous at 12:31 PM on August 23, 2024 [9 favorites]
Abehammerb Lincoln, Apple's Instagram has a good snippet.
(Of the youtube options, for a slightly-less-muddy clip try this upload of the performance.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:37 PM on August 23, 2024 [3 favorites]
(Of the youtube options, for a slightly-less-muddy clip try this upload of the performance.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:37 PM on August 23, 2024 [3 favorites]
Late-night talk show house bands can be a real asset to the program.
[Craig Ferguson didn't need a house band.]
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:43 PM on August 23, 2024 [19 favorites]
[Craig Ferguson didn't need a house band.]
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:43 PM on August 23, 2024 [19 favorites]
Don't forget the very short-lived Andy Summers and the Summerettes. Andy didn't quite seem to grasp that his job was to stop playing and let the host speak once they were back from commercial. Can't seem to find any video, alas.
posted by indexy at 12:56 PM on August 23, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by indexy at 12:56 PM on August 23, 2024 [2 favorites]
It's The Roots for me, but I'm super biased.*
*Questlove was the very best celebrity customer I ever had when I worked at the record store and once spent about three hours hanging out on a rainy Monday night with me talking about weird old soul, elementary school music teachers, and parental jazz albums. I was both completely starstruck and utterly charmed.
posted by thivaia at 1:00 PM on August 23, 2024 [32 favorites]
*Questlove was the very best celebrity customer I ever had when I worked at the record store and once spent about three hours hanging out on a rainy Monday night with me talking about weird old soul, elementary school music teachers, and parental jazz albums. I was both completely starstruck and utterly charmed.
posted by thivaia at 1:00 PM on August 23, 2024 [32 favorites]
Geoff and Secretariat were Craig's house band...
"Secretariat?"
Such a fun show.
"Did you see that horse?"
posted by Windopaene at 1:03 PM on August 23, 2024 [8 favorites]
"Secretariat?"
Such a fun show.
"Did you see that horse?"
posted by Windopaene at 1:03 PM on August 23, 2024 [8 favorites]
I enjoyed the way the Max Weinberg 7 were integrated into the comedy bits.
I have a memory of watching Conan in the mid-90s and there was a throwaway gag involving Max Weinberg where the camera cut to him and he was sitting naked on his drum throne. I've been unable to find any evidence that this actually happened, but I swear it was real. Does anyone remember that?
posted by grumpybear69 at 1:09 PM on August 23, 2024 [4 favorites]
I have a memory of watching Conan in the mid-90s and there was a throwaway gag involving Max Weinberg where the camera cut to him and he was sitting naked on his drum throne. I've been unable to find any evidence that this actually happened, but I swear it was real. Does anyone remember that?
posted by grumpybear69 at 1:09 PM on August 23, 2024 [4 favorites]
*ding dong*
"WHO'S THAT AT THE DOOR?!"
*Secretariat music blares, joy ensues*
House band? As at least two others have noted, Craig did not need an actual "band."
posted by davidmsc at 1:09 PM on August 23, 2024 [4 favorites]
"WHO'S THAT AT THE DOOR?!"
*Secretariat music blares, joy ensues*
House band? As at least two others have noted, Craig did not need an actual "band."
posted by davidmsc at 1:09 PM on August 23, 2024 [4 favorites]
TMBG with Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show Band. (Also Doc Severinsen is still hanging on at 97!)
posted by nathan_teske at 1:16 PM on August 23, 2024 [13 favorites]
posted by nathan_teske at 1:16 PM on August 23, 2024 [13 favorites]
Nothing against the Carson or Letterman bands (or Conan and Max Weinberg), but The Roots get my vote.
posted by box at 1:56 PM on August 23, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by box at 1:56 PM on August 23, 2024 [2 favorites]
No love for Arsenio Hall's band?
posted by emelenjr at 2:20 PM on August 23, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by emelenjr at 2:20 PM on August 23, 2024 [2 favorites]
I was looking at this old thread remembering times when the Late Night house band would play along with the musical acts
Ugh, nothing made me cringe more to see Paul and that band were going to join in and ruin an otherwise fun band appearance.
Where's the Reggie Watts band, indeed.
I have to say that Colbert and his show is still some of the smartest stuff on TV (LOL New York Post). But I don't doubt that he'll hang it up at the end of his (recently renewed) contract in three years.
Gonna watch some Craigy Ferg clips tonight. OMG I loved that show so much.
posted by intermod at 2:25 PM on August 23, 2024 [8 favorites]
Ugh, nothing made me cringe more to see Paul and that band were going to join in and ruin an otherwise fun band appearance.
Where's the Reggie Watts band, indeed.
I have to say that Colbert and his show is still some of the smartest stuff on TV (LOL New York Post). But I don't doubt that he'll hang it up at the end of his (recently renewed) contract in three years.
Gonna watch some Craigy Ferg clips tonight. OMG I loved that show so much.
posted by intermod at 2:25 PM on August 23, 2024 [8 favorites]
Paul Shaffer is obviously extremely talented and a funny guy to boot, but his taste in keyboard patches bugged the hell out of me, especially the “mushy but blaring Doc Severinson Brass Section” ones he seemed to favor for much of his run with Letterman.
posted by mubba at 2:45 PM on August 23, 2024 [4 favorites]
posted by mubba at 2:45 PM on August 23, 2024 [4 favorites]
A little love for some of Arsenio's musical guests (spoiler alert, neither the former president nor the former Robert Van Winkle appear on this list):
Pete Rock & CL Smooth
Beastie Boys
Mariah Carey
Living Colour
A Tribe Called Quest & Leaders of the New School
posted by box at 2:46 PM on August 23, 2024 [1 favorite]
Pete Rock & CL Smooth
Beastie Boys
Mariah Carey
Living Colour
A Tribe Called Quest & Leaders of the New School
posted by box at 2:46 PM on August 23, 2024 [1 favorite]
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Nick Cave
SRV
Lou Reed
Sly and Robbie
Duane Eddy
XTC
posted by credulous at 2:58 PM on August 23, 2024 [7 favorites]
Nick Cave
SRV
Lou Reed
Sly and Robbie
Duane Eddy
XTC
posted by credulous at 2:58 PM on August 23, 2024 [7 favorites]
(also if you have the chance to see Living Colour, they're still touring and as good as they were then)
posted by credulous at 2:59 PM on August 23, 2024 [7 favorites]
posted by credulous at 2:59 PM on August 23, 2024 [7 favorites]
Always great to get a chance to see XTC in performance even if it’s a Colin song
posted by Horace Rumpole at 3:13 PM on August 23, 2024 [4 favorites]
posted by Horace Rumpole at 3:13 PM on August 23, 2024 [4 favorites]
Obligatory link to when Doc Severinsen counted off They Might Be Giants' "Birdhouse In Your Sould" way too fast.
Still an awesome version of the song with the horns.
posted by Ike_Arumba at 4:33 PM on August 23, 2024 [5 favorites]
Still an awesome version of the song with the horns.
posted by Ike_Arumba at 4:33 PM on August 23, 2024 [5 favorites]
Does anyone remember a Letterman episode where Dave said that he'd always thought Paul was talented, but he'd never expected anything out of him like he'd performed that evening with *and here my mind goes blank*
I *know* this happened and I can't remember what it was. Paul's talent at the piano was the subject of the comment.
posted by tzikeh at 4:36 PM on August 23, 2024 [1 favorite]
I *know* this happened and I can't remember what it was. Paul's talent at the piano was the subject of the comment.
posted by tzikeh at 4:36 PM on August 23, 2024 [1 favorite]
It seems like a snub that Conan's band doesn't even get a mention. And if we're expanding it to non-talk shows, the SNL band has gotta rank above the Sunday Night band!
Don't forget the very short-lived Andy Summers and the Summerettes.
Is this a real thing? I Googled it and couldn't find any reference to Summers fronting a talk show band, but it does sound familiar somehow.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 4:36 PM on August 23, 2024 [1 favorite]
Don't forget the very short-lived Andy Summers and the Summerettes.
Is this a real thing? I Googled it and couldn't find any reference to Summers fronting a talk show band, but it does sound familiar somehow.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 4:36 PM on August 23, 2024 [1 favorite]
Does anyone remember a Letterman episode where Dave said that he'd always thought Paul was talented, but he'd never expected anything out of him like he'd performed that evening
I remember him complementing Paul on his keyboard solo for the Beatles' "In My Life" but I think that was just an interstitial.
Here's the Dennis Miller Show where he first introduces Andy Summers. I can understand his music being a little dense for the format; his solo albums featured all the notes he left out of The Police songs.
posted by credulous at 4:50 PM on August 23, 2024 [4 favorites]
I remember him complementing Paul on his keyboard solo for the Beatles' "In My Life" but I think that was just an interstitial.
Here's the Dennis Miller Show where he first introduces Andy Summers. I can understand his music being a little dense for the format; his solo albums featured all the notes he left out of The Police songs.
posted by credulous at 4:50 PM on August 23, 2024 [4 favorites]
What? No mention of Reggie Watts?
I would just like to echo this sentiment. Or loop it.
posted by vverse23 at 4:59 PM on August 23, 2024 [6 favorites]
I would just like to echo this sentiment. Or loop it.
posted by vverse23 at 4:59 PM on August 23, 2024 [6 favorites]
Ugh, nothing made me cringe more to see Paul and that band were going to join in and ruin an otherwise fun band appearance
I was always annoyed by this too. Was there a specific reason for this? It seemed to stop all of a sudden, iirc shortly before the move to CBS. Was it a union thing? Contractual?
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:45 PM on August 23, 2024 [1 favorite]
I was always annoyed by this too. Was there a specific reason for this? It seemed to stop all of a sudden, iirc shortly before the move to CBS. Was it a union thing? Contractual?
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:45 PM on August 23, 2024 [1 favorite]
You are still subscribed to PAUL FACTS. Here are bonus Robyn Hitchcock tracks:
Madonna of the Wasps
So You Think You're in Love
posted by credulous at 9:24 PM on August 23, 2024 [3 favorites]
Madonna of the Wasps
So You Think You're in Love
posted by credulous at 9:24 PM on August 23, 2024 [3 favorites]
grumpybear69: I enjoyed the way the Max Weinberg 7 were integrated into the comedy bits.
I have a memory of watching Conan in the mid-90s and there was a throwaway gag involving Max Weinberg where the camera cut to him and he was sitting naked on his drum throne. I've been unable to find any evidence that this actually happened, but I swear it was real. Does anyone remember that?
That vaguely rings a bell for me too. I just like when they’d pan to Max for a reaction.
“In the year 2000, the lion will lie down with the lamb, the lamb will lie down with the lion, and Max Weinberg will be looking to get in on that action”
*Max vacantly shakes head*
posted by dr_dank at 10:11 PM on August 23, 2024 [3 favorites]
I have a memory of watching Conan in the mid-90s and there was a throwaway gag involving Max Weinberg where the camera cut to him and he was sitting naked on his drum throne. I've been unable to find any evidence that this actually happened, but I swear it was real. Does anyone remember that?
That vaguely rings a bell for me too. I just like when they’d pan to Max for a reaction.
“In the year 2000, the lion will lie down with the lamb, the lamb will lie down with the lion, and Max Weinberg will be looking to get in on that action”
*Max vacantly shakes head*
posted by dr_dank at 10:11 PM on August 23, 2024 [3 favorites]
You couldn't pay me enough to be in a band with Fred Armisen.Do we think he creeped on all the female musical guests on the show? I think about this perhaps more than I should.
posted by pxe2000 at 8:17 AM on August 24, 2024 [3 favorites]
Here's the Dennis Miller Show where he first introduces Andy Summers. I can understand his music being a little dense for the format; his solo albums featured all the notes he left out of The Police songs.
I actually saw Andy Summers when he played between Siouxsie & the Banshees and Julian Cope at the Greek Theatre back in 1987. Not exactly someone you'd expect to be opening for Siouxsie, but it wasn't too jarring a juxtaposition and her audience didn't seem to mind him. (Heck, there were probably a few Police fans who left after his set).
Never managed to catch the DM show, though considering Summers only lasted a month before quitting, there wasn't much of a window of opportunity to check out his "bandleader" skills anyway.
posted by gtrwolf at 9:48 AM on August 24, 2024 [1 favorite]
I actually saw Andy Summers when he played between Siouxsie & the Banshees and Julian Cope at the Greek Theatre back in 1987. Not exactly someone you'd expect to be opening for Siouxsie, but it wasn't too jarring a juxtaposition and her audience didn't seem to mind him. (Heck, there were probably a few Police fans who left after his set).
Never managed to catch the DM show, though considering Summers only lasted a month before quitting, there wasn't much of a window of opportunity to check out his "bandleader" skills anyway.
posted by gtrwolf at 9:48 AM on August 24, 2024 [1 favorite]
For their list, one of these things is not like the others. Night Music wasn't a talk show. (I guess it was late night, but so was Midnight Special).
Night Music wasn't a "talk show," true, but its shit-hot band performed the same function as any of the other bands listed: backing up a wide range of musical performers. And I'd argue that the Night Music band backed the most diverse assortment of performers ever to appear on late-night TV.
posted by the sobsister at 10:00 AM on August 24, 2024 [5 favorites]
Night Music wasn't a "talk show," true, but its shit-hot band performed the same function as any of the other bands listed: backing up a wide range of musical performers. And I'd argue that the Night Music band backed the most diverse assortment of performers ever to appear on late-night TV.
posted by the sobsister at 10:00 AM on August 24, 2024 [5 favorites]
The fact that the original version of Letterman show band backed James Brown (who only got his horn players with him) puts him as number one for me. Paul himself says that was one of his musical apogee.
posted by indianbadger1 at 11:44 AM on August 24, 2024 [4 favorites]
posted by indianbadger1 at 11:44 AM on August 24, 2024 [4 favorites]
I'd argue that the Night Music band backed the most diverse assortment of performers ever to appear on late-night TV.
I wasn't familiar with this show, but, dang, you're not wrong. Some names that jumped out at me, in alphabetical order: Diamanda Galas, Kronos Quartet, Lakim Shabazz, Ken Nordine, The Roches, Pharoah Sanders, Sister Carol, Sonic Youth, Sun Ra, John Zorn...
Some of the episodes are on YouTube--thank you very much for sharing.
posted by box at 2:14 PM on August 24, 2024 [4 favorites]
I wasn't familiar with this show, but, dang, you're not wrong. Some names that jumped out at me, in alphabetical order: Diamanda Galas, Kronos Quartet, Lakim Shabazz, Ken Nordine, The Roches, Pharoah Sanders, Sister Carol, Sonic Youth, Sun Ra, John Zorn...
Some of the episodes are on YouTube--thank you very much for sharing.
posted by box at 2:14 PM on August 24, 2024 [4 favorites]
All those Paul Shaffer assists and no White Zombie?
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 9:22 AM on August 26, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 9:22 AM on August 26, 2024 [1 favorite]
feels petty to mention Paul Shaffer supporting Del Shannon on "Runaway" (1987)
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:15 AM on August 26, 2024 [3 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:15 AM on August 26, 2024 [3 favorites]
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