To open this 4th and concluding Chapter from 2007, I have a few words to say about my man Steve Allen that I didn't have time for before the break.
Then it's off to perhaps the most famous tongue-twisting bit ever on the Tonight Show.
Did you know that Johnny Carson wrote the liner notes for Kenny Rankin's album Mind Dusters in 1967?
I think the only other time he did so was for the jazz artist Stephane Grapelli.
So we will hear a track from that album.
And hear from another folk-rock singer who Carson had on the show, and was so impressed he invited him back the NEXT night!
Only the 2nd time he had ever done that.
Carson had 2 guests on his next-to-last show (the final one was filled with clips from over the years).
One was Robin Williams and the other was Bette Midler, who famously performed that touching version of one of Johnny's favorite songs.
I guess there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Wrapping up, we come to the Final Goodbye on that last night, after almost 30 years of watching a guy from bed.
Kinda makes you feel you almost know him- and it was something that could be depended on.
We will close this whole thing out with another of Johnny's favorite songs.
Here's hoping you enjoyed this ambitious and difficult high-wire act of blending comedy with rock & roll.
If you can, let me know if you feel I succeeded.
And if you have any ideas for future theme shows, you can pass them on to me.
Thanks for listening.
And have a very pleasant Tonight!
Here are the links to listen to a historic Television event that took place 21 years and a week ago-nobody did it better- at Mike Pell Rockollections:
You need to be a member of Classic Rock Bottom to add comments!
Join Classic Rock Bottom