Top Ten List: Thanks for the Music, Dave

With Wednesday marking the last airing of The Late Show with David Letterman, there's a lot of reminiscing going on, both on the show and on the web. Far be it for me to let an opportunity to let the occasion go by without addressing it; after all, Letterman is responsible for introducing me to some of my favourite bands. Case in point: when I read an article online a handful of years ago talking about The Gaslight Anthem's performance on the show, I clicked play not because of the band themselves but rather word of Letterman's enthusiastic reaction to said performance.

This is why, when Letterman hangs it up, there will be a massive void in late night TV when it comes to musical performances. Jimmy Fallon fawns over everybody, and Jimmy Kimmel doesn't seem to get more excited than necessary about anyone. Meanwhile, Dave has a genuine appreciation for the music, and heartily supports artists who give it their all.

What better way to illustrate this than to appropriate the other thing Letterman's renowned for: his infamous Top Ten lists? Granted, my list is in chronological order rather than ranked, but you'll get the idea. There have been many great performances on Letterman's program over the years, and this is ten of my faves:

WHITE ZOMBIE
More Human Than Human
Air date: July 14, 1995
"Our next guests may quite literally blow the roof off the dump."




PEARL JAM
Hail, Hail
Air date: September 20, 1996
"It's a big thrill for me."




GREEN DAY
Hitchin' a Ride
Air date: October 14, 1997
"Ha ha ha ha... oh, there - oh my God!"




FOO FIGHTERS
Everlong
Air date: February 21, 2000
"My favorite band playing my favorite song."




THE WHITE STRIPES
Fell in Love with a Girl
Air date: March 18, 2002
"How 'bout that?"




THE VINES
Get Free
Air date: August 19, 2002
"Is he alright, Paul?"




WARREN ZEVON
Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner
Air date: October 30, 2002
"I begged him to do this song."




TV ON THE RADIO
Wolf Like Me
Air date: September 12, 2006
"That's all you're lookin' for!"




THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM
The '59 Sound
Air date: January 30, 2009
"What are you, the drummer?"




THE HEAVY
How You Like Me Now?
Air date: January 18, 2010
"Wow... do it again, just a little more!"




Letterman's last musical guest will be Eddie Vedder. Set your PVR now.