# Why did bands appearing on Letterman used to have to play along with the house band? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 9, 2009, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125 "2009-02-09T20:28:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/21 "2009-02-11T07:21:47Z")
I chalk it up to the show wanting to involve the band that way, and also that the bands coming on the show generally don’t mind because the Late Show band is damned near legendary in stature. The original lineup, when the tradition began, was Paul Schaffer, Will Lee on Bass, Steve Jordan on drums, and Hiram Bullock on guitar. Hiram Bullock played with Steely Dan, Billy Joel, Sting, Paul Simon, Miles Davis, and many, many others. He played on some of the biggest albums of the 1970’s and 80’s. Steve Jordan was a member of Stevie Wonder’s band, and later played in the Saturday Night Live band and was one of the original members of the “Blues Brothers” band, which actually got him a lot of cred because that band was one of the best ensembles ever put together. Paul Schaffer was in it as well, and was also the music director. Will Lee has played with pretty much everyone worth noting in music. Paul Schaffer will probably be in the Rock n Roll hall of fame one day. Not necessarily for his keyboard skills (although he’s damned good), but because he has been involved with about a zillion big musical projects, such as being musical director for the Olympics one year, musical director for SNL, the Late Show, the Blues Brothers, and others. And by the way, the late show band is the official house band of the Hall of Fame, and backs up all the inductees when they sing at the ceremonies. I think there are a lot of rock acts who consider it an honor to be able to play with these guys. ---
**Author:** ![mediacomputer1678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@mediacomputer1678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mediacomputer1678)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/22 "2017-05-28T00:36:56Z")
Wow this is an oldie. I was watching Gregg Allman on Letterman and it rekindled my curiosity about the house band always playing with the music guests. So, looking at the Pixies clip I noticed it was labeled as being recorded back in 1992, and I had a friend who toured with the pixies back then as either a guitar tech or audio engineer. Sent him a text and he confirmed that he was back stage talking to ‘Larry Bud Melman’ during that performance. Said “It’s in Paul’s contract, and the contract the bands sign to perform on Letterman. Even a superstar like Elton John is required by contract to have Paul play.” Also of note, “Larry Bud Melman is a very smart, well educated conversationalist. Outside of his character. One of those 190 degree opposite things.” ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/23 "2017-05-28T01:36:33Z")
> [@mediacomputer1678](#): > > Wow this is an oldie. I was watching Gregg Allman on Letterman and it rekindled my curiosity about the house band always playing with the music guests. So, looking at the Pixies clip I noticed it was labeled as being recorded back in 1992, and I had a friend who toured with the pixies back then as either a guitar tech or audio engineer. Sent him a text and he confirmed that he was back stage talking to ‘Larry Bud Melman’ during that performance. Said “It’s in Paul’s contract, and the contract the bands sign to perform on Letterman. Even a superstar like Elton John is required by contract to have Paul play.” > > Also of note, “Larry Bud Melman is a very smart, well educated conversationalist. Outside of his character. One of those 190 degree opposite things.” Hey, thanks for following up!! ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/24 "2017-05-28T01:46:07Z")
You know who never played on Letterman? The Zombies. Quit shovin, I’m goin. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/25 "2017-05-28T01:49:36Z")
I just did a little spot check. Soul Asylum, Weezer, and Green Day do not play with WMDB. it must have been kind of context sensitive. I think there must have been plenty of acts who didn’t have to. Maybe it was part of the alternative effect. The Replacements never played Letterman, but when Westerberg did he did not. I find this fascinating. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/26 "2017-05-28T03:34:18Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Hey, thanks for following up!! He would have done so sooner, but he had to wait for texting to be invented. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/27 "2017-05-28T04:41:06Z")
Even my kids were texting by 2009. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/28 "2017-05-28T04:54:28Z")
> [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > Even my kids were texting by 2009. True. Was just a joke. (I think I started texting around 2012, though.) ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/29 "2017-05-28T06:10:33Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > You know who never played on Letterman? The Zombies. > > Quit shovin, I’m goin. First hand accounts are well worth the bump. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/30 "2017-05-28T06:27:41Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > I chalk it up to the show wanting to involve the band that way, and also that the bands coming on the show generally don’t mind because the Late Show band is damned near legendary in stature. The original lineup, when the tradition began, was Paul Schaffer, Will Lee on Bass, Steve Jordan on drums, and Hiram Bullock on guitar. > > Hiram Bullock played with Steely Dan, Billy Joel, Sting, Paul Simon, Miles Davis, and many, many others. He played on some of the biggest albums of the 1970’s and 80’s. > > Steve Jordan was a member of Stevie Wonder’s band, and later played in the Saturday Night Live band and was one of the original members of the “Blues Brothers” band, which actually got him a lot of cred because that band was one of the best ensembles ever put together. Paul Schaffer was in it as well, and was also the music director. > > Will Lee has played with pretty much everyone worth noting in music. > > Paul Schaffer will probably be in the Rock n Roll hall of fame one day. Not necessarily for his keyboard skills (although he’s damned good), but because he has been involved with about a zillion big musical projects, such as being musical director for the Olympics one year, musical director for SNL, the Late Show, the Blues Brothers, and others. And by the way, the late show band is the official house band of the Hall of Fame, and backs up all the inductees when they sing at the ceremonies. > > I think there are a lot of rock acts who consider it an honor to be able to play with these guys. Don’t forget that Paul also co-wrote Homer Simpson’s favorite song: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/atBhoH-cyJo/hqdefault.jpg "The Simpsons - "It's Raining Men?!"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atBhoH-cyJo) ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/31 "2017-05-28T13:53:22Z")
Speaking of Gregg Allman on Letterman… There was [one episode](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5074048/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_38) back in '87 where Allman was a guest early in the show, then he sat in with the band for the rest of the show. Towards the end, Peter Allen was also a guest, and the band (with Allman) played the opening bars of “Copacabana.” Allen actually kidded him about it–“Ooh, Mr. Outlaw Gregg Allman playing ‘Copacabana!’” Allman flashed him an “Eat shit” smile and didn’t say a word, and the interview went forward. I gained a lot of respect for Allman and lost a bit for Allen. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/32 "2017-05-28T14:25:56Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > First hand accounts are well worth the bump. Agreed; good bump, but how often do you get a perfect set-up like that? Keep it on the down-low and there’s a shiny new quarter in it for you. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/33 "2017-05-28T17:21:10Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > You know who never played on Letterman? The Zombies. > > Quit shovin, I’m goin. Ah, but [White Zombie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjVAYx8mzFY) and [Rob Zombie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSZEGU7MYtQ) did and [The Cranberries](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81c5ko2GGzg) played Zombie. And Paul was there with The Cranberries and the White Zombie performance. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/34 "2017-05-28T17:44:20Z")
There were 3 versions of “Love Me Do.” One with Pete Best on drums, one with Alan White, and one with Ringo Starr. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/35 "2017-05-28T17:54:17Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Ah, but [White Zombie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjVAYx8mzFY) and [Rob Zombie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSZEGU7MYtQ) did and [The Cranberries](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81c5ko2GGzg) played Zombie. > And Paul was there with The Cranberries and the White Zombie performance. Paul’s a zombie?! Explains a lot, actually. ---
**Author:** ![Tread](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Tread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tread)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/36 "2017-05-28T18:50:14Z")
I see the OP was banned. See what happens when you question the World’s Most Dangerous Band. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/37 "2017-05-28T20:23:54Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Ah, but [White Zombie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjVAYx8mzFY) and [Rob Zombie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSZEGU7MYtQ) did and [The Cranberries](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81c5ko2GGzg) played Zombie. > And Paul was there with The Cranberries and the White Zombie performance. I’d forgotten how much I liked the Cranberries and O’Riordan’s voice. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/38 "2017-05-28T21:06:59Z")
I’ve got some old LSDLs copied off of tape. So I checked: Wide Spread Panic, 2006. Just them. Natalie Merchant, 1996. Her band. Warren Zevon, 2003. Just the horn section of the WMDB. Trisha Yearwood, 1994. Her band. John Fogerty, 1997. His band. Rod Stewart, 2002. His band. John Michael Montgomery, 1997. His band. Billy Bragg and Wilco, 2000. Just them. Cast of _Kiss Me Kate_, 2000. Their orchestra. Oasis, 2000. Just them. Melissa Etheridge, 2005. Her band. Yellowcard, 2006. Just them. Bonnie Raitt, 2005. Her band. The Raveonettes, 2003. Just them. Edwin McCain and Darius Rucker, 1995. With the WMDB. Darlene Love, 2006. The annual big production with the WMDB, lots of other musicians, extra backup singers and Carole King as a 2nd keyboardist. So that’s 16 performances. 13 of which don’t involve the WMDB at all. One that uses just the horn section for a solo performer and one that uses the whole band for a duo. The _Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)_ is a category unto itself. No. Paul and the band don’t have to do the backup. No. They don’t do it most of the time. I didn’t think I had a musical performance on the only LNDL (1991) at hand but double checking I see Buddy Guy in the _middle_ of the show. With the WMDB and some backup singers. Again, basically a solo act. And Paul and the band are just fine for _Mustang Sally_. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/39 "2017-05-28T21:34:19Z")
Buddy Guy would be an honored guest and sit in for sure. That would be the whole point of his being there. I’m surprised at the pixies and sonic youth clips. Maybe there was an executive decision about the bands not cutting it. ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125/40 "2017-05-28T21:44:22Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > I’ve got some old LSDLs copied off of tape. So I checked: > > So that’s 16 performances. 13 of which don’t involve the WMDB at all. One that uses just the horn section for a solo performer and one that uses the whole band for a duo. The _Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)_ is a category unto itself. But all of your selections are from the CBS run of the show, and most after 2000. I remember a Rolling Stone article from 1994 on the competition between Leno, Letterman, and Arsenio Hall for musical guests. It noted many acts were wary of going on Letterman because they were required/urged to used Paul’s band (I’ve forgot the exact wording, and the libraries are closed for the weekend). You have to remember during the Johnny Carson era, there weren’t many options for rock bands. Carson rarely had rock acts on, and CBS and ABC had news/reruns for most of that era. So for many bands it was Letterman or else. You wonder if the competition for rock bands in the mid-90s forced Letterman to stop insisting using the backing band. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bands-appearing-on-letterman-used-to-have-to-play-along-with-the-house-band/485125.md?page=3)