David Letterman Last Show on NBC Part 7

[totoado]

the guitarist in the back seems to have a really really good time

[JasonC9774]

Is Paul having a great time or what?



[andyinoregon]

Leave it to The Boss to write the best high school reunion song ever!

[dieselemt]

That was berserk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[alienhuman]

Who is playing bass?

[abhaddiction]

Oh my.. I enjoy my 8 minute time here

[grjobin]

thats what we are talkin about , thanks Mr Letterman, thanks Mr Springsteen, I will have a brew for you! you both are invited to have a brew at my house anytime up in Lompico CA !

[yvonnes10]

Wow...I missed this back then...I wish I had seen Bruce in concert..I don't know why it took me so long to fall in love with his music even when I was out partying in his days somewhat listening to his music!! Now I can't get enough of it!! I love his sense of spirit that comes out in his music:o))

[Sharky165]

CLASSIC Bruce, jumping up on top of Paul's piano while jamming with the Late Night band !! LOVE the "Louie, Louie"-themed ending also !! With the passing of Elvis and James Brown, NO ONE alive can work a crowd like The Boss !!!

[quintessential37]

They call him the boss, if ya need him.

[Smeldrum1]

I remember watching this when it happened, and how pissed I was that Will Lee wasn't playing on the last show with Springsteen.

[Smeldrum1]

I remen

[Wangyfai]

What a reaction from the audience :D i love it :p He totaly takes control of the show, he is the boss :)

[Wangyfai]

What a reaction from the audience :D i love it :p

[swales99]

Two of my favorite entertainers of all time.

[alexmutherpeeps]

Bruce should really do this again i would miss work for this

[starfish53]

Amazing moment in TV history

[Ronbodog]

Wow I Seen this Live and it brings back this memory and man they rocked

[headly66]

Like the little Louie Louie ending. They was rockin!

[captross07]

@statman06 How is that Ironic?

[snackleforkofemir]

Ahh, ain't it nice to see a happy bass player?!

Fantastic!

[padraighenny62]

the song lags

[hellahotdude]

I saw this show when it first happened...wow how time flies!!!

[California10able]

Fine as wine that's Bruce and I love how thrilled Letterman is to have him on the show!

[jpjonesy]

Like CCR's John Fogerty, Springsteen is one of the greatest songwriters ever. I admire their music, but despise their politics. If they just play, hooray. If they play and preach, boo.

[cosmos4]

perfect song to play for Letterman!!

[beatle11]

Wow...doesn't get much better than that.

[crabbigail2007]

the leg thing makes this wierd a little. Looks like a dog near a fire hydrant

[archer1558]

@crabbigail2007 I gotta agree with ya there.

[SUNMAYDEN518]

is that dave sancious on the sax?

[seans10]

I think Bruce was advertised as a performer that night, though I can't recall with certaintly. In any case, I do recall being blown away by his performance. Sidenote: I recall seeing Bruce live about 8 years prior to this performance and Bruce making a reference from the stage about Letterman (rather than Carson). Anyone else there there that night who recalls what I'm talking about?

[Shezzy316]

God damn Springsteen was/is such a fine looking man. *drool* (Not to mention talented)

[Lennon4life1968]

This whole scenario repeated itself with Conan.I'm so happy Dave said "Screw this" and went to CBS. I hope Conan is given consideration when Dave retires. The legacy of Jay Leno will be the fact that he's irreparably tarnished Johnny Carsons' Tonight Show.

The Boss rocks and Dave is KIng!

[RodriguezBass]

Hey starionpatrol, the bass player is (NYC session legend) Francisco Centeno, one of my all time favorites!

[starionpatrol]

Haha, shit, is Will Lee the bass player? He was going crazy!

[RetroBoyWontDie]

And even more ironic that Bruce's drummer would be on the first show to take over Dave's: Late Night w/ Conan O'Brien.

[tvinsomne]

07:51 LOL The tune is "We Gotta Get Outta This Place"

[BlkBtone]

Paul is the man

[juffan]

was bruces appearance a surprise to the audience.

[jermsolo]

Yeah it was. I love the look on Dave's face, at :51. He can hardly contain himself.

[jpd782]

@ juffan. Yes. Letterman was moving to CBS from NBC. This was his last show there and Bruce Springsteen was the one guess he wish was on his show before. And his last show was a suprise apperance. I remember, on TV, the suprise guest had been built up for weeks. No one knew who it would be.

[Moredread25]

This is kind of depressing. People of the future, tell me what Conan's final show will be like, a day before. Both guys were cheated out of the Tonight Show.

[AsherSax]

I love Dave, but after that performance when he walked onto the stage, I wanted to shout, "No, get off the stage, Dave. Let them play it again!"

[whatnowgop]

I always thought Letterman had the best of the best in music on his shows. He dedicated a full week to U2 recently. I'm glad that Springstien was his last guest on this show. This was an excellent video thanks for posting it.

[kingdingle]

those were the glory days boys...

[brettsko]

The guy in the Panama Jack hat is having WAAAAY too much fun with this

[captross07]

@brettsko He's playing with the BOSS!!!

[beatle11]

@brettsko They are all having way too much fun.

[suckshack]

that earring was a mistake.

[dbaron84]

man it hurts seein bruce without the E Street Band...its like seeing a great cover band that just happens to have Bruce playing in it

[ElenaRN1]

@dbaron84 Gotta disagree...Bruce is amazing with ANY band who happens to back him up...Seeger sessions, Letterman's band, etc. It is the music, the lyrics, the sheer joy and effort he puts into every performance that makes him magical to watch live. Of course the ultimate is seeing Springsteen with the E Street Band, but I'd pay good money to watch Bruce and his guitar anywhere and anytime!

[poopsmith11]

Tom Hanks+Bruce+Letterman+Simmons.­..I need a new pair of pants.

[aztrancer]

Simmons! You are the man.

[cubman238]

Simmons! Thanks!

[msubobcats]

Thank You Simmons!!

[smcindoe]

Did Paul and the band know Springsteen was coming out? The way they react, Dave's little nod to Paul right before, and the way Bruce goes over to talk with them before playing always made me wonder if it was a surprise.

[bigedjr1780]

Simmons!

[justingarman]

The Boss and Tom Hanks = Awesome!

[ElenaRN1]

You can see the excitement in Letterman's band to play with the one and only Bruce Springsteen! Springsteen is amazing live as always. Thanks for posting!

[Chiboy00]

um did his cord fall out after he jumped off?? hahaha. all of a sudden all you hear is paul. lol rockstars being rockstars....

[nataliasafran]

WOW, adding this to Favorites asap - thanks for posting!

just saw Bruce's two concerts in Los Angeles at the LA Sports Arena and it was beyond exhilarating. not just because he was as good as ever, but because somehow he was even better, more furiously energetic, playful, commanding and so damn sexy. how does he do it?! i almost resent him for it.. now i'm pining for more concert nights. we waited for him after the gig and he was great when he came out, perfect end to the night. BRUUUUUUUUUCE!

[jeffm1962]

Yes I had heard rumors that it was going to be Bruce, as till that time, he had never been a guest on Dave. It was cool being that close to the Boss

[mcgurkryans]

I really liked the sax solo... they should keep it with Clarence.

[malvadeza]

I liked too. I was wondering if it was in the album version, it'd be really better than the original one.

[modeo92]

Ok, I'll try this again, without the quotes and brackets, regarding all-time television performances.

I'd put U2 on Saturday Night Live playing I Will Follow right up there. But given the circumstances and appropriateness of this song, I'll give the nod to Bruce.

Beatles on Sullivan for the impact it had deserves a mention, although the performance itself isn't up to that level.

[MalubaySyecado]

Bette Midler won an Emmy for her performance on the final Johnny Carson. Regardless of what you think of her music (old standards), I think that performance is generally considered the best because it would be impossible for her to duplicate it anywhere else. Very few people remember this performance at all perhaps because its not unique among his performances.

[modeo92]

Ok, I missed your comment on Bette Midler, hence the delayed response. I just forgot about her appearance. I have it under my favorites. I can't really argue with it being #1. The intimate camera shot of her singing with Johnny in the background will never be equalled.

[larilin]

Hey, you're fogetting Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show.. the all time tv appearance

[jackassfromnc]

U2 never performed I Will Follow on Saturday Night Live. They did perform it on Tom Snyder's old Tomorrow show in the early 80s.

[modeo92]

They definitely did play "I Will Follow" on Saturday Night Live. It was at the end of the show on November 20, 2004. Bono even danced with an ecstatic Amy Poehler. I think NBC took down any filmed proof but a quick Google will clear up any doubts. Plus, from u2tours: U2 made their second appearance on the long-running NBC variety show. Unlike most acts which perform on SNL, U2 are allowed to do three full songs, rather than the usual two and the end credits of the show roll over 'I Will Follow'.

[jackassfromnc]

I thought you meant the early days of the band. I remember seeing these clips and realized that after I typed that response I have that performance on my external hard drive. I have tons on U2 floating everywhere, from the unreleased concerts that I have taped to the boots I have from other tapers.

[modeo92]

Ok, no problem.

[modeo92]

<best live performance on a tv show EVER!

U2 on Saturday Night Live playing "I Will Follow" is up there too. But given the circumstances and the appropriateness "Glory Days", I'd give this the nod.

[chomsky88]

Just think--there was still a time when a brilliant musician still had some sort of an effect on the general populace. Now, it's the brilliant and sexy Naomi Klein.

[shnerfspider]

wow

[jeffm1962]

I was at this taping sitting in the 2nd row. This was cool, sitting that close to The Boss

[mcgurkryans]

Did you have any idea sitting there then who the "surprise" guest was going to be?

[gymnosophy]

host is a prick

[fottyfoop]

Yeah, Letterman really treated him shabbily, just as he did Zevon, right?

Get a clue.

[DollyDuck21]

Glory days! Yeah!

[Mojoman360]

A raise!  NO...

[Quickstoptim]

The IMMEDIATE audience reaction to the name is PRICELESS!

[peter271180]

best live performance on a tv show EVER!

[RealTime88]

Great ending at NBC!!! Bruce Springsteen rocks!!! Keep it rockin' boys!!!!

[ricepoper]

what year is this

[jermsolo]

Summer of '93

[statue75]

"A raise?"

"NAAAAAAAAAAAAAH"

[kevinla72]

I know this kinda thing isn't why they call him The Boss, but it should be.

[jasisrad]

Is it just me or is the drummer playing way too slow? It seems like each band member at one point looks at him like "u gonna speed up?" but he never does.

[stephenj2]

I'm not the biggest Bruce fan either, but i was WOWED when i saw this 15 years ago. Thanks for posting it!

[sgc236]

Wow

The bass player really does have a chubby

How fired up is Dave's band? Good stuff

[jeremydwolf]

this was the best thing that ever happened to me

[essquared24]

i think he'll be on Conan's "last" show too.

[hugesunglasses]

two clear observations:

1. paul schaeffer blew bruce off the stage

2. the bass player literally has a chubby

[essquared24]

sorry if i inconvenienced you by making you check this but

LOL lol lol-lol-lol

[turnonthejets]

That was simply amazing!

[TBlake34]

Nice. But it could use more David Sanborn. Any bum can shake a tambourine, I want to hear him blow.

[gamehng007]

awesome the way he included those guysand let them rock it

[shecanreadshecanread]

Not the biggest Bruce fan, but that was simply awesome. It's cliche, but yeah that's what music should be about: pure love and passion.

[mattully]

Pay more attention to the words of the song. It's a message of regret and nostalgia; don't be fooled by the uplifting melody.

[lyablonski]

mattully:WOW!!Such insight from a young soul!

Glad to know you are out there.Great,true way to interpret a song.Nostalgia has a funny way of sneaking into your life. Regret always seems to come when I am having trouble sleeping.Most of the music that I listen to by Bruce and Band,hits my heart first,stays there then goes to my brain.I saw Bruce on April 14th. Incredible. They were struggling with Danny's condition and losing Terry last year. They never let on and did not let us down.

[isirota1965]

Absolutely correct point.

I remember watching this performance live....

[NickHodges]

Classic Bruce. That's just the kind of guy Springsteen is. Back in the day, he'd come to Minneapolis, and he'd go down to a local bar, Thumpers, and just jump up on stage and play with whatever band was there, making sure everyone had a good time.

[bossnbruce]

Good song but not his best, but BRUCES bottom songs are better than 99.5% other artists best songs!!

[sxer99]

Bruce is the boss!

[bugattibowler]

Makes a studio sound like a stadium!

[tcbwalsh]

He really has a way of working a band and audience into a frenzy. Guess that's why he's the boss.

[smokes2468]

He is so cool. Bruce Springsteen has amazing energy.

[rolliefingerz]

David Sanborn rocking the tambourine. Nice, David.

I do appreciate this being posted. I saw this when it originally aired, and I couldn't get over how much fun Bruce's bass player was having. Beautiful.

[hi2u202]

bruce springsteen represents all that is best about the American Dream. In these cyncial and sad days i can but hope ordinary America folks keep their soul.

The terrorists will never defeat America!

[MonsterSound]

America is an idea and the Constitution is the blueprint. Terrorists can't defeat that.

BRRRUCEEE!!

[johnnykew]

hi2u202 ... To us furriners Bruce is one of the greatest things about America. Actuallly Bruce is just great ... whether he is American or Armenian or Azebaijani ... or anything else beginning wih B. But the terrorists are not the issue dude. Don't buy the propaganda that makes you think they are.

[nataliasafran]

so true! love that you made that point!! last sentence especially.

[blrossp]

Bruce brought me back to GLORY DAYS - Remember sittin' in the Royal Hotel on many occasion have some cool ones even if we lost our ball game. Thanks for the excellent performance...Peace out

[jdandrea9]

You all seem surprised. Bruce has been flooring audiences for over 30 years!! He is an American treasure.

[jonasgalad]

poffe suger

[char192001]

wow..bruce looks so hot in that video

[HeldUp]

Friggin' amazing!

[freddykrueger1428]

BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU­CE

[1972abc]

10/10

[gluca05]

great show with nothing, no cool stuff, no cool lights,no cool clothes or cool moves.. just HIM and one song, HE'S JUST COOL. Bruce makes special something normal.. that's Love, man

[Quickstoptim]

OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!

[samuelshepard]

i'm lost. how and when did borat meet dave letterman if his last show was when sleepless in seattle opened up, in 1993....?

[kathl85]

David is now hosting the late show on CBS hence Borat, this is the last time he was on Late Might NBC which now is hosted by Conan until 2009 anyways.

[kathl85]

Late Night I mean...eh

[postmanmet]

best f*cking performance i've seen on Dave!

[ElvisTribe]

I've seen him twice and he works so damn hard on stage. Watch him here and see for yourself. A true performer who enjoys all that he does.

[greene333]

The band was eat'n that chance up!

[outfidel]

great song, but why does he call it a "speedball"? in baseball, it's a "fastball". just curious.

[alamandrax]

poetic license.

[alyse1969]

best music performance on dave ever. : )

[claudiaforcutie]

bruce rocks!