Talk Show Turnover: Who Is the Best Musical Sidekick?
SLIDESHOW: Who Is the Best Musical Sidekick?
Max Weinberg
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Max Weinberg
Weinberg led the band on both of Conan O'Brien's talk shows (and plays drums for Bruce Springsteen). But he won't be joining O'Brien on his TBS show.
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Paul Shaffer
Paul Shaffer is more than just a bandleader on the "Late Show with David Letterman" -- he's also Dave's sidekick. He has worked with Letterman since 1982.
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Doc Severinsen
Severinsen became bandleader on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in '67, sometimes subbing for Ed McMahon as announcer/sidekick. The flashy trumpet player stuck with the show until Carson retired in '92.
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Branford Marsalis
From 1992-1995, Branford was the leader of the Tonight Show Band on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." He's also performed with Sting and Dave Matthews.
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Kevin Eubanks
Eubanks led the Tonight Show Band on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" from 1995 until he left the show in May. He also led The Primetime Band on the "The Jay Leno Show," while it lasted.
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The Roots
The jazzy hip-hop group became the house band on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" last year.
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Michael Bearden
Bearden, musical director of George Lopez's "Lopez Tonight," was hired by Michael Jackson to direct "This Is It." Bearden has also worked with Madonna, Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder.
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Michael Wolff
Wolff, a jazz pianist, was the bandleader and musical director of "The Arsenio Hall Show."
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54 votes
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35% | |||
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41 votes
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27% | |||
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58 votes
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38% | |||
Max Weinberg, who was Conan’s bandleader from the very beginning of "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" in 1993, will not appear on Conan's new TBS show this November, he confirmed on Monday.
“Max has been a huge part of my life for the past 17 years and he is an incredible band leader and musician. I hope he can find time to stop by the new show, sit in with the band, and pretend to find my monologue funny," O’Brien said in a statement.
After "Late Night," Weinberg, who is also a longtime drummer for Bruce Springsteen, stood by Conan's side in his short-lived role as host of "The Tonight Show."
According to NBC, Weinberg was the only member of Conan's band to not go on the “Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television” tour this year. Instead, he toured with his own big band -- a sign of things to come.
As guitarist Jimmy Vivino steps in as Conan's new bandleader, it makes us wonder: Who is the best bandleader/musical sidekick of all time? Our vote goes to Paul Schaffer of "Late Night with David Letterman," but we also love The Roots on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," who have redefined the notion of the "house band."
Who's your favorite?
More: http://www.nbcchicago.com/entertainment/television...
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