Thursday’s episode of Conan was the last to feature longtime house band The Basic Cable Band. The show’s host Conan O’Brien performed with the group on a cover of a Chuck Berry classic. The departure of The Basic Cable Band is part of a larger overhaul of the show that includes moving from one hour to 30 minutes and the end of musical guests.
Originally called the Max Weinberg 7 when E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg led the ensemble beginning in 1993 on Late Night, they were later called Max Weinberg & The Tonight Show Band during O’Brien’s brief stint at Tonight Show host. Guitarist Jimmy Vivino took over as band leader after Weinberg declined to join Conan on TBS.
The Basic Cable Band features Vivino, as well as Scott Healy, Mike Merritt, Mark Pender, Jerry Vivino, James Wormworth and Richie “La Bamba” Rosenberg who is known for his participation in the “Year 2000” sketches. Watch O’Brien join the group for “Forty Days,” the Ronnie Hawkins’ version of Berry’s “Thirty Days,” as well as the host’s tribute to his house band and their performance of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor” below:
