Hootie and the Blowfish, First and Last on Late Show, 1994 & 2015

Hootie and the Blowfish made their network television debut on Late Show, performing "Hold My Hand" on September 2, 1994. Twenty-one years later, they appeared for the last time on the show performing the same song on April 30, 2015.

[@gund2281]

I seriously hope that Darius (Hootie) and the boys all realize just how special they are to people like myself. They were a HUGE part of some of the happiest times in my life, and I won't EVER forget it. Every time I hear Darius sing these songs it warms my heart. I wish I could put it in to better words, but I just don't know how.

[@loconn729]

When I saw this performance I had no idea I would have a son who would go to U of SC and retrace their steps. 😀

[@77cjp77]

Gund, you said it perfectly. There is no other group/band on the planet that has/does/will evoke such a warm feeling with every song they made. I absolutely love these guys and wish them nothing but happiness. Darius' voice is sublime and the group oozes smoothness. #bow #salute

[@tboda2621]

@@77cjp77You had to know some idiot like me would bring this up. Not manynblack guys liked white guy's singing so much they wanted to emulate them. But, alas..... Hootie: "Mom, you promised to get me Wayne Newton's greatest hits album for my birthday! I want to learn how to ooze smoothness." Just trying to have some fun in these trying times. Try it.

[@nickc9482]

Mr. Rucker is an american treasure.

[@BSA2TONE22]

Yes he is.

[@DogGuy19]

Love that guy's voice. Doesn't matter what he is singing. ❤

[@Oh_I_Will]

I remember when this aired…I was deployed in the military and the Armed Forces Network was showing the 94 show. When they started performing this song, my ears immediately pricked up….great tune

[@kp1flush]

Thank you for your service

[@loristone9242]

This song still gives me the same amazing feeling I had back in the day when I first heard it. 💖

[@nyy190343]

It's so cool that despite the demands of an NBA career Dirk Nowitzki had time to play guitar for these guys

[@chef2542]

Lol, i love it..

[@user-R2D2397]

And he got shorter.

[@jjmanzano9]

Pretty cool backing vocals for a guy whose second language is English

[@davehughesfarm7983]

I thout it was that azzhole rapper Mike rapaport.

[@lukast5904]

love to see kanye and dirk doing smth different

[@orbison]

Great timing with Hootie and the Blowfish going on tour again in 2019. Love that David thought highly of them to bring them back on his last weeks

[@jbarwick50]

Their songs bring back such fond memories. I’ve lived in Columbia, South Carolina since 1983 and I saw Hootie before they were famous! I ❤️ them but especially Darius. He’s a good guy! ♥️ Hootie and the Blowfish ♥️

[@bobstacy4]

Perfect sounds from a great band with a lead singer that is just magical

[@jakedeyoung8568]

Darius Ruckers voice sounds the exact same in both performances. Truly a gifted musician.

[@alexmurray7949]

I think he use to smoke 💨 much raspier voice in the first video

[@michaelhotz7118]

Better

[@WULDORI]

well… he sounds less motivated in the second performance

[@Minivan_Man]

Great voice, awesome 90s tune.

[@davidtcollins1565]

Hootie and Darius still sounding great in 2019 on tour now!

[@allisonmarlow184]

These boys don't need studio albums, they can play LIVE!!

[@rohan750]

it seriously sounsd exactly like the studio version

[@dwayneelizondomountaindewh6073]

wow i remember seeing that first performance when i was 7. i was sick and couldn't sleep, my dad told me listen to this song it will make you feel better. It really did. memories

[@tonyascarlett2413]

Beautiful memory 😊

[@leroyoneill1929]

What a tune, what a singer. ❤

[@ryecabs]

The most celebrated part of my life.. the 90’s! 🎊

[@michaelsharp1991]

Bought the record right after this. Still play it,

[@LightworkerLissa]

Gawd, I just LOVE this band.

[@DGNYY27]

This was outstanding. When I watched the show I said this is special moment

[@bobstacy4]

Always have loved these guys. Great job

[@futureshock7425]

Most would kill for pipes like rucker

[@annekepplinger5466]

In the 1990's I was newly married and lived in Vienna, Austria...I so missed the Carolina's and when we saw/heard them in Vienna I was so thrilled!!...One of my happiest memories!!!

[@elcid92bulldog]

This song is like fine wine. I think it sounds better now than it did back then. Darius has tweaked the lyrics here and there and Mark has added some new riffs.

[@kurtisbased183]

amazing band

[@julianandreaswiggins5756]

Growing up in the 90s, this song was the reason why I started listening to different genres of music!! Thanks fellas!!!

[@Dumbguydiy]

I love how through all the years David Letterman was always so appreciative of the musical acts that came on, and was always a fanboy, and really allowed them all to have a great platform to showcase their talent. You can see how genuinely in love with the music and, sharing the stage with them he was in that last appearance.

[@craigsouder9334]

From greenstreets to David letterman....homeboys know what I am talking about..

[@demonknight7965]

I never knew who did this song. Never lstened to Hootie n the Blowfish (knowingly) then when he swotched to country under his real name with wagon wheel i was instantly impressed. He never changed his style he just changed Persona's

[@alika207]

I encourage you to listen to everything he has done with and without them. He’s incredibly talented and can sing so many genres!

[@b.o.b3461]

Darius Rucker in the mid 90’s was probably the coolest person to ever live

[@bradlafferty6076]

I met him walking in front of the band at JFK in 1995. I asked him “ Is your name Darius” he said yes and I shook his hand.

[@Shaun579]

if he was wearing a SF 49ers or Dallas Cowboys hat instead of Miami Dolphins i might agree with you

[@rnrtruestories]

always loved these guys.

[@michael7054]

Me too!!!

[@paulkersey1007]

This performance changed my life as a 17 year old budding musician in 1994.

[@justayoutuber1906]

This show made the band, overnight.

[@nickherger7578]

Such a talent....

[@byrongammonbyrongammon9937]

Kick ass band.

[@gribblegribble5432]

I think the first one was better, you can hear the hunger in there voice to make it..and I just found that hat, was looking for a long time but finally got one, was so happy!

[@jamesboyd2394]

I turned to Country and never looked back..From Texas to South Carolina...God Bless! Great move Darius!

[@jnt-eirshalom7449]

This Is AWESOME! I'm Happy For Them

[@destarruction]

There even better now than back then

[@matipelmatip]

u know how good a performance/song it is by how much paul shaffer is into it

[@jjmanzano9]

1994: you can tell Darius put a little bit more into his singing. He knew that performance was important to launch his career.

[@marthalisk303]

Still have all my Hootie CD's and still listen to them regularly. Darius will go down in history as having one of the best voices in history!

[@marioarellano1239]

Key n peele brought me here!

[@diskoeric2248]

don't admit that

[@BursterMFG]

South park brought me here.

[@f-15eagle84]

Darius sporting that Miami Dolphins lid back in the day. Go Phins 🐬🐬😉

[@AD-im5to]

I have a feeling this band will have a very good career

[@JMC01644]

Will?

[@jl4785]

They've been around for at least 20 years and and they are in the middle of their career right now

[@heathlee5698]

They started in 1986. Hold my hand was their first hit in 1989. Ur way off lol

[@cygnus_XI]

Everyone’s missing the joke here lol

[@AD-im5to]

@@cygnus_XI exactly

[@bradlafferty6076]

I bought the Cracked Rear View cassette in 1995 and wire it out. 1 of 16 million sold.

[@rubyred93chev]

_Final tally 21 x Platinum(double Diamond and then some). And this is why a 90s band named 'Hootie and the Blowfish' were the hottest ticket in 1994!_

[@billwrubel6313]

That’s one band that I would love to go see live they came out when I was in college and they were one of my favorite bands in my college years and they still are a band maybe I’ll catch them on a reunion tour sometime that would be cool There’s only a handful of bands from the 90s that are still intact that I really enjoyed most of had a member die from a drug overdose unfortunately

[@alexshealy8618]

Saw them at Williams Brice stadium during halftime of a USC game

[@JP-wx6uh]

I want to hear a "Hootie's had one too many" version of this song. I bet it would be 👌 awesome

[@josephdeese5298]

I love the fact that he isnt using an in-ear. Pure talent!

[@maxfrombeyblade]

Joseph Deese Whats wrong with in ears? Genuinely curious

[@josephdeese5298]

@@maxfrombeyblade not a single thing! Just pointing out that he doesn't need one

[@haveaday1812]

That’s because he has feedback monitors on the floor in front of him genius.

[@PMSAvenger1]

I heard this on the radio yesterday and can't stop listening to them. I thought they were good in the 90s, but they were great. I should have been paying closer attention back then. I also didn't realize how much time went by. I'm shocked this song actually came out in 1994.

[@useesin]

Legend has it Paul Schaffer is still headbanging to the final chorus

[@dongiller]

Shaffer; Paul Shaffer.

[@user-sh8jz7nf4x]

Loved Hootie and The Blowfish, times were so much different and better then👍👏🎶

[@user-sh8jz7nf4x]

College students, 3 white guys and 1 black guy, friends, great band and songs.

[@kingcassels7859]

The Back-up band is doing an incredible job as well. over all an amazing performance by Hootie.

[@parkerjon29]

Darius is such a beautiful man.

[@jamesmarshall1905]

Very cool!

[@diannaburnett8109]

I bought the record the next day❤

[@PlasticPellets]

they look so much more confident in 2015

[@Countcho]

he has amazing voice. he voice barely changed over 20 years. crazy.

[@sgtpepper1138]

Going to see them this June with Barenaked Ladies.

[@matthewlilley6226]

"the very popular CD format"

[@pamelabartholomew449]

Love this band. Scott walker. Hozier. Darius rucker- best voices ever?

[@kimnora53]

One of the best for sure

[@brianmodum5312]

I love when he gets together with Old Crow Medicine Show

[@guitarandotherthings6090]

I like how he got rid of the fake 90s “Creed accent” on the second filming :) They were also less nervous, it was great!

[@clarkm4200]

He's seamless...with sharp backing.

[@NoCoverCharge]

Good ol Music Farm shirt …Charleston sc

[@homergurganus9884]

Awesome, I saw the debut on Letterman

[@BERZERKERSV4]

Look Taylor Swift..no auto tune, no lip syncing and live music...

[@lisafarrell5996]

Love this. Did I see they got back together and toured a few years ago?

[@scottk8245R]

Shlda stayed together

[@jameshoffa7085]

2:03 lol he wasn't expecting that

[@wpochert]

Saw them open for Toad the Wet Sprocket a couple weeks after this aired. They did the entire Cracked Rear View album...freakin' flawless. In between the shows I went to the bathroom and got a soda at the bar.. I looked over and saw them playing basketball in an adjacent room through a cracked shade. Walked int here and watched them for a while.. then Darius walks over and introduces himself and the rest of the band did as well. I was learning to play guitar at the time and had a conversation with Mark about chords and stuff. I told Darius they should play summerfest and he's like man we cant just do that, they would have to invite us. At the time they had not quite become superstars. Turns out they did wind up playing summerfest the following summer :) Later that night Mark was at the bar and kinda drunk and he recognizes me and we talk a bit and he explains how he is just a musican trying to make a living.. yadda yadda.. haha. What a night

[@jlf21022]

"Hootie...Hootie...Hootie"!! "Blowfish...Blowfish...Blowfish"!!

[@HeliRy]

Darius is possibly the most natural stage performer of all time. His flow, his vibe, tone and inflections. All musicians have a stage persona they switch into. An alter ego. Darius is just Darius, on stage or off. Truly genuine.

[@binderboneyard]

I liked the 94 version best. Boh versions are amazing, but something in the 94 version struck me. Maybe memories from hearing it the first time back then. I'm not sure but either way, great song.

[@leovangroll7165]

What strikes me is how far downhill the Late show has gone since Dave retired.

[@SlickBlackCadillac]

Colbert is CIA

[@langdonalger9219]

“Is Hootie ready?”

[@2bLackCats1989]

As you may know, Darius hates being called hootie. The name came from 2 dudes they partied with. A big eyed guy named hootie and a big cheeked dude named blowfish!

[@matipelmatip]

I bet dave called darius hootie when he first met him, that must be the reason behind his smirk lol

[@mymohicans]

Hootie hootie hootie... No it's darius

[@brendanmetz2306]

what’s up with that super loud tambourine lol

[@Sanchezm16]

Smartness brought me here

[@daveharris9699]

Seeing Darius in concert next week

[@rashikrayat9536]

PC principal brought me here.

[@jaredkelly930]

0:40 cue the Key and Peele skit of Hootie being just a fictitious name.

[@austincarter8891]

It’s like gravel in a cup of maple syrup

[@ToxicConfusionZ]

Love that the late show band started with bitch by the rolling stones

[@dannycolverson6944]

To be fair this is as good as any Pearl Jam song.

[@unSTEVOED]

Listening to this makes my heart fly - especially after listening to the over produced, autotuned bullshit music that we are force fed today

[@victorsa1887]

LTHE DOLPHIN HAT 🔥🔥💯💯

[@Micheleelliso]

Mark bryan looks like most kids at USC nowadays

[@allisonmarlow184]

That guitar player on the right looks like he's 7 feet tall or something!

[@jamcofec]

Hot!

[@matthewrammig]

He almost sounds like Stevie Ray Vaughan

[@jordanb9511]

Takamine in '94 > Gibson in '15. Also hairlines lol. Really the whole '94 sound ftw...esp dat bass.

[@justinkrann7406]

did they want the show band to join?

[@dmorenod29]

Darius Rucker has an amazing voice, the other guys voice is not so powerful like Darius

[@kennethmartin1478]

Wait… which one is Hootie?

[@bigbromiki1]

he sounds bettwr with age

[@ArtichokeHeart2]

Bryan didn't get a solo in the later one.

[@briansolo]

good stuff! But why does Shaffer's band always have to insert itself into already great live bands' great songs? Always baffled me.

[@dongiller]

Maybe, just maybe, because the bands involved request their participation.

[@lisahardy9707]

@@dongiller I guess they did not request in 2015

[@stevenlitos9416]

With the move from NBC to CBS, Shaffer's band always "helped out". I think the policy changed later on in the show's run.

[@Scramble187]

Brian McGrath Shaffers band is full of talented musicians. The artist can't always bring their full band with them, and Paul will rehearse with them and fill in the gaps they need. I'm sure when Mastodon was on the show the house band wasn't involved at all

[@peachbellini2615]

I always liked that they "joined in" 🤔

[@Neil-pv8pw]

its weird i love hatbf music but if i saw them walk down the street i wudnt recognise them

[@rickfortune1339]

Darius...Its ok. I know..😊

[@jamesnieto8973]

Good people of colors i support and respect I'd be friends with black people

[@BennyNegroFromQueens]

Wtf?

[@jl4785]

Just shut up

[@ryank5761]

Least racist conservative

[@ifwecouldvote]

Lol wtf

[@straatcaveman7503]

Man that’s bad ass James. Thankfully there’s people like you that will be friends with black people because of Hootie. I’m sure all black people in the US are thankful for you.

[@rickfortune1339]

If you need to say "Hootie" you need another band.

[@fuiplu]

Hope Darius can navigate through drug charge...