I've told a number of stories on this blog about prowling the premises of the old NBC studios in Burbank, first as a kid who had little to no business being there; later, as a writer who had actual, work-related reasons to be in that building and a real pass. In the earlier days, Johnny Carson's show was still based in New York but sometimes when I was there, so was it, broadcasting from the West Coast for a few weeks. Whenever possible, I tried to get by and hear the band rehearse.
They generally did it around 2 PM, though it could be earlier or later depending on guest stars and the amount of music that would be in the show taped later in the afternoon. Trust me on this: That band was incredible, way more thrilling than anything you ever heard come out of your home speakers. It was really the last of the Big Bands and its personnel included many of the top guys who'd played for the most famous orchestras of an earlier time.
Much has been written about the transition from Johnny hosting The Tonight Show to Jay hosting but I haven't heard much said about how Carson's retirement also meant the end of that band…and a very sweet gig for the men (no women except for the occasional harp player) who comprised the orchestra. Many of them had been roaming nomads for years, away from home for weeks at a time, moving from one gig to another. Getting into the band on the Carson show meant a stability that few in their profession ever achieve. They worked maybe six hours a day, often only four days a week. And at times, they got to play with a guest of the stature of Buddy Rich or Pete Fountain.
For that, they received a good paycheck and could be home in time for dinner. They could also supplement that income with occasional other jobs. Being in The Tonight Show Band was a very prestigious thing indeed. When I was writing variety shows or cartoons and we needed to hire musicians for the day, the guy who did the hiring would often boast, "I got four guys from Carson's band."
And though everyone knew it had to come to an end someday, few were prepared when that day came around. I know a lot of people on Johnny's staff didn't understand why it had to end…why Jay's show couldn't just be exactly the same operation with Leno subbing, as he had for years, for Carson. A lot of emotion came with the transition.
Here from the show for 5/12/1977 is a band number that was often played during commercial breaks, of which Johnny's program had many. Musical spots like these became rare in 1980 when Johnny cut The Tonight Show from 90 minutes to 60…though the band always had a couple of numbers rehearsed and ready to go in case something went awry and they were necessary to fill time. No matter how good this may sound coming out of your computer speakers, believe me: It was surely way better in person. Way, way better…