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The Roots Join "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon"
Legendary hip hop band to be funnyman's house band.
by
Nov 20, 2008
Nov 20, 2008
I've had a strange sense of unease since hearing the news that Fallon will be joining the ranks of late-night hosts early next year, filling Conan O'Brien's vacant time slot when he takes over Jay Leno's "Tonight Show."
Not to shit on the guy's birthday cake before the guests even arrive, but much as I love the guy, the concept seems like a recipe for disaster - unless it's put together really well.
A little boost in the cool factor came early this week when it was confirmed that Philadelphia-based hip-hoppers The Roots will serve as the house band on Fallon's show.
Letterman has Paul Schaffer, Leno's got Eubanks and Conan O'Brien has Max Weinberg and the Max Weinberg 7. And now, former "Saturday Night Live" sparkplug and late-night newcomer Jimmy Fallon has the coolest house band of them all.
The band, known for being a relentless touring group, will obviously no longer be able to embark on the tours that helped them develop such a strong fan base. In a video comment on the band's official site that's since been removed, Roots drummer and resident spokesman Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson broke the news this way:
Yeah its hard to make this announcement, cause its not like we wanted to pull the heartstrings on some "this is our last tour" cause we will forever do gigs.... I mean people east of Chicago shouldn't fear and I'm certain that on weekends we could trek to an occasional Seattle or Diego.
But obviously Europe and abroad could miss out (then again 10 weeks off and once he gets nuff reruns under his belt could mean more gig time).
I see the possible chance of this being a "bigger" move...but on the real? I don’t know if I want to be 40 on the road and single no more. And with the kids my group has now getting older, its harder for the guys to leave more than it was when the kids were 2 and 3. And I can’t even start to go on that path til a woman takes me seriously. and ain’t noone taking a man serious who is in his own home for only 3 months out the year. I been in my crib since 2006 and I STILL ain’t unpack everything yet.
I pray this show don’t take the Chevy road just yet. Imma love my new home at 30 Rock. 2 visits and I'm already on first name basis with the SNL cats.
The Roots have are no strangers to the comedy circuit, having worked with Stephen Colbert and Dave Chappelle previously, and drummer ?uestlove has appeared in countless films and TV shows.
The group released its first album in 1993 and was one of the first groups to back rappers with a live band. Their one major hit, 1999's collaboration with Erykah Badu, "You Got Me," put them on the map, but isn't at all indicative of the group's sound, or responsible for their fanbase. The Roots have toured and worked with a wide variety of musicians, including backing Jay-Z for his "Unplugged" concert in 2001 and Reasonable Doubt anniversary show in 2006, touring with Dave Matthews, and nearly countless recorded collaborations. ?uestlove has been particularly involved in musical direction, having served as musical director for the Jay-Z concerts (including his 2003 "Fade to Black" show) as well as "The Dave Chappelle Show."
Not to shit on the guy's birthday cake before the guests even arrive, but much as I love the guy, the concept seems like a recipe for disaster - unless it's put together really well.
A little boost in the cool factor came early this week when it was confirmed that Philadelphia-based hip-hoppers The Roots will serve as the house band on Fallon's show.
Letterman has Paul Schaffer, Leno's got Eubanks and Conan O'Brien has Max Weinberg and the Max Weinberg 7. And now, former "Saturday Night Live" sparkplug and late-night newcomer Jimmy Fallon has the coolest house band of them all.
The band, known for being a relentless touring group, will obviously no longer be able to embark on the tours that helped them develop such a strong fan base. In a video comment on the band's official site that's since been removed, Roots drummer and resident spokesman Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson broke the news this way:
Yeah its hard to make this announcement, cause its not like we wanted to pull the heartstrings on some "this is our last tour" cause we will forever do gigs.... I mean people east of Chicago shouldn't fear and I'm certain that on weekends we could trek to an occasional Seattle or Diego.
But obviously Europe and abroad could miss out (then again 10 weeks off and once he gets nuff reruns under his belt could mean more gig time).
I see the possible chance of this being a "bigger" move...but on the real? I don’t know if I want to be 40 on the road and single no more. And with the kids my group has now getting older, its harder for the guys to leave more than it was when the kids were 2 and 3. And I can’t even start to go on that path til a woman takes me seriously. and ain’t noone taking a man serious who is in his own home for only 3 months out the year. I been in my crib since 2006 and I STILL ain’t unpack everything yet.
I pray this show don’t take the Chevy road just yet. Imma love my new home at 30 Rock. 2 visits and I'm already on first name basis with the SNL cats.
The Roots have are no strangers to the comedy circuit, having worked with Stephen Colbert and Dave Chappelle previously, and drummer ?uestlove has appeared in countless films and TV shows.
The group released its first album in 1993 and was one of the first groups to back rappers with a live band. Their one major hit, 1999's collaboration with Erykah Badu, "You Got Me," put them on the map, but isn't at all indicative of the group's sound, or responsible for their fanbase. The Roots have toured and worked with a wide variety of musicians, including backing Jay-Z for his "Unplugged" concert in 2001 and Reasonable Doubt anniversary show in 2006, touring with Dave Matthews, and nearly countless recorded collaborations. ?uestlove has been particularly involved in musical direction, having served as musical director for the Jay-Z concerts (including his 2003 "Fade to Black" show) as well as "The Dave Chappelle Show."
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (and The Roots) airs on NBC in June of 2009.
Not in any way associated with Crave Entertainment, Inc.
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