Johnny Carson really liked him- because I remember him mainly from the countless times on the Tonight Show. Good sense of timing, as a musician and a comic. I always liked him.
I heard about an appearance where Barbutti took a trumpet solo and then tossed the horn to a ringer sitting in the front row, who soloed and passed it on to eyt another ringer, etc. Eventually the horn was passed to an average Joe in the audience who didnn't play and had no idea the others were plants. Has anybody run across any video of this performance?
Read all about what it was like to work behind the scenes at The Tonight Show in my book, "Backstage at The Tonight Show, from Johnny Carson to Jay Leno." It's on amazon.com
I've been a musician for 40 yrs. and doing standup for the last 21 and when I listen to Pete's clips I realize what's been missing in so much of entertainment these days...heart.
Having worked on The Tonight Show for 20 years (16 1/2 with Johnny and 3 1/2 with Jay) visits from Pete Barbutti were something I and The Tonight Show Band always looked forward to. Pete was always funny on camera and even funnier off camera.
I saw Pete open for Sinatra in a 17,000 seat arena and he killed. He did the toilet plunger bit on the piano stool - to hold the cigar. He would tune the stool with the knob..."I have perfect stool".
I'm so glad you brought that up, I've always loved that joke too. Funny thing happened though...In 1996 I went to see a taping of Conan O'Brien when I had an afternoon off in new york. Norm MacDonald was a guest. Now, I like Norm, and I think he is a really really funny guy. However, I was very disappointed when Norm starts telling this joke about a drunk guy throwing a bullseye in a bar. Norm basically ripped off Pete's joke on national TV and told it word for word. Big bummer...
"...Germans LOVE David Hasslehoff." Loved Norm on SNL too. The Letterman guest slot he did the day he got fired from SNL is some of the funniest stuff ever.
Sure do remember the 'broom' routine. I think Pete played 'Tenderly'in the mic with the broom. Just hilarious! I don't know why that bit has stayed in my mind all of these years. Probably the uniqueness of his comedy.
20 years ago he was playing our comedy club in Philly, and was really impressed that 2 doors away there was a hardwear store where he could buy a broom. I mean, how many clubs have a hardwear store two doors away? Pete is the best! Has the greatest road stories of all time!
When Pete breathed warm air on his cup mute, inserted into the broom's bristles and then wiggled it softly against the mic, I lost it completely. That must have been 35 years ago and I remember it as though it was yesterday! Great guy, great player, great comedian!
"so, I decided to start giging on this (holds up broom after taking it out of a leopard skin case) because I'm the only guy listed for it in the union directory"
Do I remember it? I'm ROFL just thinking about it. A classic bit.
Johnny Carson really liked him- because I remember him mainly from the countless times on the Tonight Show. Good sense of timing, as a musician and a comic. I always liked him.
tmacart 3 months ago
he's a pretty good pianist too.
themeleed 5 months ago
The one and ONLY... Pete Barbutti! What a zany, talented nut!
mrmuch 11 months ago
I heard about an appearance where Barbutti took a trumpet solo and then tossed the horn to a ringer sitting in the front row, who soloed and passed it on to eyt another ringer, etc. Eventually the horn was passed to an average Joe in the audience who didnn't play and had no idea the others were plants. Has anybody run across any video of this performance?
bozmado 1 year ago
@bozmado - That's a story he tells. Don't know that it's ever been filmed or if he ever even did it but I'd bet he did.
crab25241 8 months ago
So simple, yet hilarous...
VEGANSAM 1 year ago
Read all about what it was like to work behind the scenes at The Tonight Show in my book, "Backstage at The Tonight Show, from Johnny Carson to Jay Leno." It's on amazon.com
DonPSweeney 1 year ago
his piano talents are over shadowed, by being a comedian first, but he can realy swing.
undapar1 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I had forgotten about him, but Officer Barbutty on South Park made me recall him. What a hoot! Great!
sgtredbluered 1 year ago
Comment removed
sgtredbluered 1 year ago
Why is Pete Barbutti so awesome?
rtifishul 2 years ago
great crumpet section !
gnativerson 2 years ago 2
I've known-and worked with PETE BARBUTTI.
He is, without one single doubt, the best of the best.
laswilliam 2 years ago
One of my all-time favorites: the great Pete Barbutti
mrmuch 2 years ago
:45 - HAHAHA!
silvrtbon 2 years ago
I've been a musician for 40 yrs. and doing standup for the last 21 and when I listen to Pete's clips I realize what's been missing in so much of entertainment these days...heart.
sunglass2 2 years ago
Having worked on The Tonight Show for 20 years (16 1/2 with Johnny and 3 1/2 with Jay) visits from Pete Barbutti were something I and The Tonight Show Band always looked forward to. Pete was always funny on camera and even funnier off camera.
DonPSweeney 2 years ago
Hey Don! Just read your book this week. Liked it a lot!
har9020 2 years ago
Thanks for the book comment! Isn't Pete Barbutti one of the funniest? I love him.
DonPSweeney 2 years ago
I think I saw him on TTS when I was about 15 (late 70s) and laughed my butt off. Couldn't remember his name until recently.
har9020 2 years ago
@DonPSweeney What's the name of the book?
undapar1 1 year ago
I miss stuff like this on TV. With Carson went so many greats.
humbleradio 2 years ago
Yeah, like Real musicians, like Pete here.. Thanks to Big Business, we don't get ANY of them on corporate network TV and radio anymore....
ignorecorporatenews 2 years ago
@ignorecorporatenews Amen Brother!!
BSJOrchestra 1 year ago
Wow !!! This guy reminds me of the Legendary Band leader Greg francis. Although a rather muted version. But he likes a chubby cuban in his mouth!!!!
mykindatown 3 years ago
I saw Pete open for Sinatra in a 17,000 seat arena and he killed. He did the toilet plunger bit on the piano stool - to hold the cigar. He would tune the stool with the knob..."I have perfect stool".
martinimerlin 3 years ago
What ever happened to the clip of Pete playing "Moonlight in Vermont" on the accordian? Can anyone find and load it?
esanch 3 years ago
Why I LOVE YOUTUBE? Because I can discover cats like this.......
richmeister1 3 years ago 10
I have seen him play trumpet, piano, accordion, and trombone--where is he now? The discordant horn section, just too funny! What tune is he playing?
esanch 4 years ago
Pete is playing "Chicago". Frank S. sang it a lot and recorded it. I think it was a late 30's early 40's tune.
CordovoxMan 4 years ago
I was hoping he'd stick that toilet plunger suction cup to the side of the piano and put his cigar in it!! I always loved that!!
lazydave51 4 years ago
What a great feel....AND snappy hairstyle!
herbpedersen4 4 years ago 2
This guy is hallarious! I wish he would do more stuff in Las Vegas again :-)
agent8105 4 years ago 4
Yea. Bad dude. Wish I could see him on the East coast.
jlevinson6 4 years ago
Great routine!
bigcity1200 4 years ago 2
The best joke he ever told was about a drunk who wins a prize for throwing a bullseye at a dart board in a bar.
Rokinray 4 years ago
I'm so glad you brought that up, I've always loved that joke too. Funny thing happened though...In 1996 I went to see a taping of Conan O'Brien when I had an afternoon off in new york. Norm MacDonald was a guest. Now, I like Norm, and I think he is a really really funny guy. However, I was very disappointed when Norm starts telling this joke about a drunk guy throwing a bullseye in a bar. Norm basically ripped off Pete's joke on national TV and told it word for word. Big bummer...
piliage 3 years ago
Just curious -- Norm did the "perfect stool" cigar / plunger bit? I too love Norm -- my favorite SNL Weekend Update anchor.
martinimerlin 3 years ago
"...Germans LOVE David Hasslehoff." Loved Norm on SNL too. The Letterman guest slot he did the day he got fired from SNL is some of the funniest stuff ever.
piliage 3 years ago
I always loved when Norm gave it to OJ Simpson on Weekend Update -- FUNNY!
martinimerlin 3 years ago
Anyone remember Pete's routine playing the broom? Great stuff!
CliveNDerek 5 years ago 2
Sure do remember the 'broom' routine. I think Pete played 'Tenderly'in the mic with the broom. Just hilarious! I don't know why that bit has stayed in my mind all of these years. Probably the uniqueness of his comedy.
handstu 4 years ago 2
20 years ago he was playing our comedy club in Philly, and was really impressed that 2 doors away there was a hardwear store where he could buy a broom. I mean, how many clubs have a hardwear store two doors away? Pete is the best! Has the greatest road stories of all time!
LaughClub 4 years ago
When Pete breathed warm air on his cup mute, inserted into the broom's bristles and then wiggled it softly against the mic, I lost it completely. That must have been 35 years ago and I remember it as though it was yesterday! Great guy, great player, great comedian!
allowe 4 years ago
"so, I decided to start giging on this (holds up broom after taking it out of a leopard skin case) because I'm the only guy listed for it in the union directory"
Do I remember it? I'm ROFL just thinking about it. A classic bit.
piliage 3 years ago
The great Barbuti working it for all it's worth. Wonderful musician and comedian!!
Jazzbobill 5 years ago 2