Here is the first time that Warren did Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner on Late Night. Good stuff as always! I don't own it just want to share it with the world
I had the honor of meeting Warren back in the 90's after a show in Syracuse with a few dedicated people who braved the cold raw temperatures on a Wednesday night in late winter. Unfortunately, it was a small club tucked away in an industrial park but as he said" Not only have I brought Grand Piano, I brought My Massive Ego!!" The guy never broke out of character but you could tell he appreciated the dozen of people who stuck around to thank him.
Warren used to come to The Pony in the late 80's and early 90's when his Werewolves success had died down. He usually came alone because it was too expensive for him to bring a band on the road. It was incredible to hear the "loudness" that he got out of his 12 string guitar and his piano. I didn't miss the backing band in those days. Warren always sounded as good live as he did on his recordings.
What a fantastic rendition of Roland! Perhaps Zevon's best piano performance - he was masterful with the melody and the occasional hard hitting chords (with head nods) to emphasize the emotion. Great accompaniment by the Letterman Band only added to the performance. It was also a nice reminder to see Dave's admiration and friendship for Warren. Thanks for posting this memory of better days gone by. RIP Warren Zevon.
today was the first time i heard this song, at about 4 in the morning, with a full moon out and gin through the thick forest. i was just waiting to maybe see a glimps of Roland.
Not how did he die, but how did he live? Not what did he gain, but what did he give? These are the units to measure the worth Of a man as a man, regardless of birth. Not, what was his church, nor what was his creed? But had he befriended those really in need? Was he ever ready, with word of good cheer, To bring back a smile, to banish a tear? Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say, But how many were sorry when he passed away. R.I.P Warren Your light went out too early.
Warren was of course great. However, this configuration of the Letterman Band was the best...Sid, Antone, Will and Paul. An argument could be for Hiram on guitar. But this definately was the Worlds Most Dangerous Band.
Trying to watch a Zevon performance is always torture: "Okay, let's hear it....shit, I couldn't hear his voice 'cause I was singing along. Alright, let's play it again....FUCK, I was singing along that time too....okay, one more time....FUCK, I DID IT AGAIN...."
Great song, but what i don't understand is why the CIA wanted Roland dead. Roland was helping out the Congolese who were led by Mobutu, and he was out in power by the CIA. I don't get it.
You can never be bigger than the game. Roland was too good, too popular. Probably made good contacts with the oppressed peoples. Watch the original Rollerball.
I think it’s just a terrible mess, and Zevon understood that, and he was also able to recognize the fact that CIA involvement was only adding to the mess, and there was a lot of bad and very little to no good doing by anyone involved in that conflict and the it culminates in the fact that a bunch of unhappy self loathing lunatics, some of the time being rich white liberal women; patty hurst, dig in and start shooting folks because they are exactly what they are, lunatics.
it is a complete and utter travesty that this man is not in the rock-n-roll hall of fame...
this is rawsome, thank you...
Made it now ! ~
@@craigwalker7415 He's nominated, not in. But yeah...compared to some krap in there now. Put some respectability back into the Rock Hall.
I don't think Warren needed that shit
F*ck the hall of fame man. Who cares about that stupid institution, because I sure don’t.
Hall of Fame ridiculous
I’ll bet I’ve heard this song 500 times in my lifetime and every time it’s like the first.. the eternal..Warren Zevon. Love that man.
And every performance is different. So damn good. Talkin' about the man...
We live in a world full of Van Owens! Long Live Roland!
We sang this in the barracks and in bars whenever we got the chance. Great memories.
I had the honor of meeting Warren back in the 90's after a show in Syracuse with a few dedicated people who braved the cold raw temperatures on a Wednesday night in late winter. Unfortunately, it was a small club tucked away in an industrial park but as he said" Not only have I brought Grand Piano, I brought My Massive Ego!!"
The guy never broke out of character but you could tell he appreciated the dozen of people who stuck around to thank him.
Warren used to come to The Pony in the late 80's and early 90's when his Werewolves success had died down. He usually came alone because it was too expensive for him to bring a band on the road. It was incredible to hear the "loudness" that he got out of his 12 string guitar and his piano. I didn't miss the backing band in those days. Warren always sounded as good live as he did on his recordings.
Nice to see the love Dave had for Warren, I feel the same
What a fantastic rendition of Roland! Perhaps Zevon's best piano performance - he was masterful with the melody and the occasional hard hitting chords (with head nods) to emphasize the emotion. Great accompaniment by the Letterman Band only added to the performance. It was also a nice reminder to see Dave's admiration and friendship for Warren. Thanks for posting this memory of better days gone by. RIP Warren Zevon.
Likely the greatest song writer ever...top of the list for sure.
None like him...one of a kind. God Bless.
I love this era of Zevon.
Give me chills everytime
I still love WZ. He was a funny, talented man. Songs were a bit odd most of the time but that's just who he was.
he's also tearing that piano a new hole. great performance! watch how much hes "into it" with the head tilt on accented noted
Love this rendition ❣️
RIP Warren and Roland.
today was the first time i heard this song, at about 4 in the morning, with a full moon out and gin through the thick forest. i was just waiting to maybe see a glimps of Roland.
Not how did he die, but how did he live?
Not what did he gain, but what did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not, what was his church, nor what was his creed?
But had he befriended those really in need?
Was he ever ready, with word of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,
But how many were sorry when he passed away.
R.I.P Warren Your light went out too early.
Heroic !!
So good to see Warren play again
Warren was of course great. However, this configuration of the Letterman Band was the best...Sid, Antone, Will and Paul. An argument could be for Hiram on guitar. But this definately was the Worlds Most Dangerous Band.
Agreed. Phenomenal backing
yep, that's the way it's done
This is how it's done.
We lost a true legend way too soon.
Vote for Warren Zevon for 2022 rrhof
Trying to watch a Zevon performance is always torture: "Okay, let's hear it....shit, I couldn't hear his voice 'cause I was singing along. Alright, let's play it again....FUCK, I was singing along that time too....okay, one more time....FUCK, I DID IT AGAIN...."
we need this in 4k
Many visits to the park west in Chicago, great venue.
Great video, thanks for uploading! =)
Best ending to a song I'll no doubt eva hear + the rest :^))
Oof, warren knows those keys like family
Awesome artist
Great song!!!!
Great song.
...and I was hunting them down with my M1, headless.
The best rendition of the song?
Great song, but what i don't understand is why the CIA wanted Roland dead. Roland was helping out the Congolese who were led by Mobutu, and he was out in power by the CIA. I don't get it.
Your clearly a little naïve. We are after all talking about the CIA here !!!
It can be worth adding that this is completely fictional. Roland that is.
You can never be bigger than the game. Roland was too good, too popular. Probably made good contacts with the oppressed peoples.
Watch the original Rollerball.
Neither did he
I think it’s just a terrible mess, and Zevon understood that, and he was also able to recognize the fact that CIA involvement was only adding to the mess, and there was a lot of bad and very little to no good doing by anyone involved in that conflict and the it culminates in the fact that a bunch of unhappy self loathing lunatics, some of the time being rich white liberal women; patty hurst, dig in and start shooting folks because they are exactly what they are, lunatics.
well thats for sure you don't fuck with norwegian hired guns 😎
corruption i guess