Staff Favorite Moments: Bassist Will Lee | Letterman

The bassist for The World's Most Dangerous Band and the CBS Orchestra remembers jamming with the Godfather of Soul, "Dress Cool" and more.
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Welcome to the Letterman KZbin Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. And for those of you who like Miscellaneous, you may very well find some Miscellaneous here.

[@kstepko]

Good to know that Will was the vocalist for those theme songs. They were one of my favourite parts of the show!

[@gabrielmcconnor4493]

My favorite part was Dave, but the theme songs were cool too.

[@JCO2002]

Wow, he's got a hell of a vocal range! Couldn't believe it when he hit that last note in McCarthur's Park. Incredible!

[@graphicbrew]

14:50

[@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931]

He’s an amazing singer, did studio work even.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Our boy Will Lee is a legend! We’ve had him on our show, and look forward to having him on again. These moments of reflection are so special, thanks so much for all the thought and care put into these staff favorite moments!

[@DrVVVinK]

Do you have the inside info on who Will is talking about?

[@davewestner]

Jeez, that last note on McArthrur Park......friggin badass. One thing that Will didn't mention about the jumping section of the LNWDL theme is that he would occasionally throw in the "NBC Chimes" melody on those three "bah bah bam". Always love a little musical Easter Egg. And I've probably written this in the comment section of every one of these that the band's been in, but these guys are huge heroes to me. The way they'd back up artists on Late Night as if they'd played the songs 1000 times before always blew me away. I learned a lot about the spirit of music from watching Will, Anton, Paul and and Sid pull it off night after night.

[@porcorosso999]

Absolute legend! Thanks for sharing Will. The band was just as much of a reason to watch the show every night. Can't wait for more of these!

[@carlodave9]

Oh my god! Paul leading that last number gave me the laughing chills. 14:45. That is a man living the life he was meant to live.

[@andypalumbo7571]

I remember being blown away by the MacArthur Park performance that night.

[@UniversalExports23]

OMG! I totally forgot about Kamar the Discount Magician!! Those segments were always comedy gold! Thanks for your walk down memory lane Will -- you were the coolest cat in the World's Most Dangerous Band. You still look and sound as great as ever! Thanks Will! ❤

[@nomnomnomJon]

Lol the last Kamar appearance I must have watched when it came on. Still remember to the day how po'd Dave was lol

[@mattfoley6082]

I remember watching Will hit that high note on Macarthur Park and being amazed.

[@nickstarkey]

Will Lee is my bass playing hero. an absolute master and if he hit that bass slide during a joke, you know it delivered

[@acffh]

ah HUM!

[@arthurlevine1840]

I told myself that I wasn't going to allow the Darlene Love snippet to give me chills/goosebumps like the full song versions always do - but I still couldn't control it.

[@mikeinmaryland]

I couldn’t agree with Will more. I still love the first time Darlene performed that song. That said, I dig the fact Paul and (Dave) but probably mostly Paul, said we’ve got something here. I still get teary when I watch her performances. Ps. I seen the Fab Faux 5 times. Here’s a teary thing for Will. My daughter is 22. A friend asked her and her group. What was your first concert. She said. The Fab Faux when she was 12❤

[@Memo2Self]

I met Will Lee one afternoon in NYC sometime in the mid-80s (and I believe he'll remember it). It was a concert on a small boat docked on the Hudson owned by the International Center of Photography. About fifteen people showed up to hear... Etta James. And we were among the fortunate few, years before she was thankfully rediscovered. I always wanted to see Mr. Lee again to share that memory (and she was GREAT). So here I am doing it!

[@hinthegroove9740]

Unsung heroes, thanks for the smiles. It almost hurts to smile so hard 😊

[@peterjdecourcy]

Will Lee…start to finish the coolest MF. Voice of an angel. 😏 Great bass player. Awesome musical stories. This might be my favourite “Staff Favorite Moments” so far! I threw in some Canadian for Paul. I imagine there’s some wild moments in the early years of “The World’s Most Dangerous Band” before the marathon runner took over on guitar and Anton Zip took over on drums. You can even see it in passing in the clips: the guitarist has his foot wrapped…lol.Awesome memories! Thanks, Will!

[@renhoek3851]

That NBC band were amazing. I wish there was a collection of all their bits between adverts!

[@dongiller]

There’s one.

[@dongiller]

@@robertgoerss I can’t provide a link, but I can give you the title: “Green Onions” Selected Performances on Letterman, 1982-90.l There are also a number of full break-music performances here: The Faces Project, Part 1: 1982-1993 And more scattered about this YT channel I read about.

[@ronsandlin9618]

Fantastic. What an asset to the show.

[@petterw5318]

Musically the show did AMAZING things.

[@rockturtleneck]

Will is the man, I was hoping he would do one of these. What an incredible blessing to play with so many musical legends and have a better-than-front-row sea to virtually every David Letterman show. And go see his Beatles band the Fab Faux if you get a chance, they are amazing, especially when they do special theme shows like playing the White Album in its entirety.

[@colinwilliams553]

I miss WILL LEE,the house bass player for the LETTERMAN show.He's always great.

[@AkumaAPN]

My Favorite Will Lee moment is when he sang MacArthur('s) Park, with Jimmy Webb joining Paul on the keys, during the final season. Pure magic!

[@oystertoadfish1149]

Fun fact - Will Lee’s Dad (Dr. Bill Lee? - I think) was a professor at University of Miami…and recruited Pat Metheny with a full scholarship. Within a short amount of time Pat was teaching since his skills were above those teaching.

[@lacheraqui]

Will, what a great segment! I remember every one of your choices, including the thrill I got when you made that last MacArthur Park note...and my concern while watching the final NBC show. "What's Francisco doing there?" I wondered. "Where's Will???" You were so fortunate, and deserving, to have had that gig...and they were even luckier to have had you! ❤ xo zan

[@mzamonster2008]

iconic bassist

[@214jef]

Great interview. Loved Will on the show.

[@Redmenace96]

How many staff have added, the Fabulous.... the Majestic.... the Hardest Working Man in Show Business... The GodFather of Soul... Soul Brother Number One! I feel, to be in the same room with him was a peak experience- never forgotten.

[@Fakename70]

I always remember the Godfather’s 1985 appearance, which, is when he officially named Letterman as “soul brother #2”.

[@elizabethlarson9655]

I love hearing from the guys in the band.

[@TheMattsterling]

WILL! I met you after a show at NBC in the 90s and meant the world to me. You are the very best and I miss Hiram and the World's Most Dangerous Band!

[@markread7333]

One of the best parts of being there for the taping of a Late Show was getting to hear the music during commercial breaks. What a tight and talented group! They can (and did) play with anyone in the business. Side note: if you haven’t caught the Fab Faux, I highly recommend doing so).

[@fretfix1]

When I went thay also played a bit before the show...So. Damn. Good.

[@janeltranmer2284]

Well. Thank you, Mr. Lee. I think this is my third time watching this. Fantastic.

[@robatsea2009]

Still remember Will knocking out a killer rendition of "Stagger Lee" on the NBC show. Brilliant talent.

[@michaelstusiak5902]

Thanks, Will

[@DrLumpy]

Thanks Will. It was a blast watching 30 years of your musical career.

[@kungfuchemist]

Whew that MacArthur Park was incredible

[@pauld.172]

I appreciated the 30 year explanation why Will was at on the last NBC show. It’s wasn't surprising but I am glad to see it was addressed. It’s getting close to that time of the year to watch Dave’s mom on Thanksgiving, Jay Thomas and Darlene Love.

[@hellboypi]

Awesome job, Will!

[@mr.spockie1987]

I was hoping Will would do one of these!

[@LadyValdezRNCCRN-df5hj]

ICONS FOREVER AND EVER 🏥☦️🇺🇲🏡🪖🗝️

[@b5maddog]

Awesome stories! Amazing voice!

[@Eddie-hn5hp]

MAESTRO UNCLE WILL LEE!!

[@user-uw6gk5yl6n]

These 'Staff Favorite Moments' are great. Thank you.

[@disconnexionsdotcom]

I wish we had a real documentary on the show(s), but this might be better.

[@water.77]

Killer white Wurlitzer piano behind him. Great to see Will looking so young too, what a legend.

[@LerockJohn]

Best TV Band ever!

[@speedfreakjive8843]

Absolute legend. Thanks Will!! You are a true musician's musician.

[@DryHeaveSteve]

Those early “Late Night” shows just starting out are the best. No expectations… no limits. Less is more.

[@cjthrill]

Will Lee is the man.

[@TheJuniorMints]

THANK YOU WILL!🤓❤️

[@user-id8nr2yo4s]

DAMN, THIS WAS THE SEGMENT I WAS HOPING FOR!!! As a bass player, Mr. Lee is one of my bass legends from when I was a child, even when I did not know what a bass was or who the bass players in my favourite music (1975 to 1978, me being 4 to 8 years old) were. A wonderful segment.

[@cartwright420able]

Loved it when Booker T and the MG's were on and Will played the cow bell

[@byronbrewer33]

Always loved Will on the show. Looking good, buddy! 🎸🎤🎶

[@ryanellis4474]

What a legendary show What a great musician I love that these are being made I HOPE Don Giller is THE paid staff member in charge of this effort

[@joeski734]

Well that was the best one I've seen. I had no idea how cool and smart Will Lee is. Awesome stuff.

[@stevecrozet306]

What a guy!!!!!

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

I will never forget Bronson Pinchot walking out to ZZ Top's "Pincushion" ...

[@MrDuojet]

Funny how Will's favourite moments are similar to those of long-time Letterman fans.

[@hamsandwichson]

Hells yes! Legend Will Lee! I love his playing w Oz Noy and Keith Carlock!

[@dirkevans3443]

I’ll be honest and admit, for the longest time I was like WHO is this guy on Base???!!!! He’s killing it!!! We’ll know I know Will, in short….yer th’ Man!

[@patton303]

I’m gonna take a pinch of credit for this because I’ve been begging to hear from Will Lee for years on every thread. Lol. Thank you!

[@ellenwood2167]

This was great!!!

[@JoeVideoed]

I'll always remember him for his performance of "The Strong Guy, the Fat Guy, the Genius".

[@Wuggyboobeaufuf138]

WILL! So nice to see different band members talking about the show! Nice to finally have an explanation on where Will was for the last NBC show.

[@huflungdung8252]

Will Lee. The wealthiest man in showbuisness.

[@jondeaux336]

WOW!!! I had no idea. I was an avid fan for many years, but clearly missed a ton of episodes. What a funny, talented, guy.

[@graphicbrew]

4:15 Best Will Lee hairstyle of them all. Keep rockin' Will!

[@renegade-zeraus]

Iconic!

[@kajem575]

The STRONG GUY. Great vocal performance.👍

[@bobbyk9815]

For some reason I always thought "Dress Cool" was a regular, commercially released song.

[@lorip.1110]

Where there's Will, there's a way!

[@paullarimore8598]

I am a Letterman fan and a Will Lee fan. Remember a segment that highlighted Will's jumping at the beginning of the song. Dave said you could tell how good the show was going to be by how high Will Lee jumps.

[@elizabeth7563]

Will Lee was always A-MAZING

[@ajn465]

Will is a legendary Studio musician and Hired Gun. To be something like that you need to be a ridiculous player on every level. I'm glad he stayed with the show throughout the Run

[@jfjoubertquebec]

12:20 I agree... that performance chokes me up every time. Superb plain and simple.

[@revkenwiz]

I follow lee throughout his career, what a great talent. Peace & Love

[@april7thartwork]

the faces on 11 28 and 11 31 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@toolbuckettim8389]

Wow ! What a great tribute !

[@kajem575]

Would love to have a compilation of all the on and off air performances.

[@JonathanHudgins]

Very talented man. Thank you Will.

[@robclarkson5356]

Magnificent, Will, thank you!

[@stereoroid]

Yay! Will is a bass legend, I think I even commented that he’d surely have some great stories to tell.

[@MajorMajor420]

He gave Adam Clayton from U2 bass lessons at one time. Also wrote Bass for Dummies, if you can believe it.

[@danielfittipaldi3705]

That was a great scream

[@frishhawk]

That was great! Thank you for sharing the memories.

[@natfunk5992]

I've been singing that Kenny song since the first time it aired and I still do.

[@privatepenguin3137]

Same here! Look out that gardener is here!!!!

[@byamrcn]

Really enjoyed this one. Great to hear from Will.

[@nomnomnomJon]

Fantastic selections Will Lee! I wish the music from the world's most dangerous band came out especially with Steve and Hyram!

[@nomnomnomJon]

Dress cool looks like a goof on the Share Your Dreams album cover and the Firucchi scene in Xanadu lol

[@stephengiese7549]

Well done! Wonderful recollections! Speaks very well! Missed all of them. Too late for me. Miss Dave alot! Nothing even close today! Thanks for this😅

[@loranv3435]

❤ ABSOLUTELY AMAZING THANKS FOR SHARING, LUV FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN CANADA 😊😊

[@peerenboom77]

Did Will Lee come up with the bass line for the Bowie song "As the World Falls Down"? It's one my favorite bass lines ever.

[@rocketreindeer]

This was epic, thanks.✌🏽

[@alan.schertz]

Thanks Will for sharing

[@MattTee1975]

I saw Will smokin' outside the Hello Deli once. Wish I'd had the balls to go say hi to him.

[@MattTee1975]

He was closed :(@@ObamaFromKenya

[@transglamproductions1840]

Will Lee is awesome, he hasn't aged a bit, but his hair styles have surely changed over the years, lol

[@BUNKERJR53]

Will Lee is a phenomenal bass player and I feel is very underrated.

[@privatepenguin3137]

The Fab Faux are an amazing band....they focus on The Beatles songs from when they has stopped playing live (post-1966)...not easy songs to play.

[@curtjunky]

Paul, Will, Sid, Anton: the World's Most Dangerous Band. I miss those guys so much. ❤

[@Fakename70]

Paul, Steve, Hiram and Will was the best lineup.

[@privatepenguin3137]

@@Fakename70 Charlie Drayton also did some time in the band on drums.

[@privatepenguin3137]

@@Fakename70 Steve Jordan can be seen at 4:53 of this video :)

[@GeoffNelson]

Wow this is a great installment of this

[@colwilliamnoydb4134]

Letterman was like nothing else. Stupid Pet, and Human tricks. Top ten, Making stars out of just about anyone, Bud, Alan Kalter the announcer, Biff the Stage Manager, Chris Elliot, and many more. Supported the troops with Fleet Week, and every Medal Of Honor winner during his hosting time. The 2 Army Apache helicopter pilots who were POW's was great. I got to go on 2 taping's while in New York for 2 weeks back in the mid 80's. Almost all his employees got a little taste of stardom.

[@KungEMuller]

Yes! Not too many people know this, but Will Lee was the only band member (other than Paul Shaffer) who stayed with David Letterman until the very end.

[@Fakename70]

Anyone who watched Late Night and Late Show knows that.

[@KungEMuller]

@@Fakename70 True. True. Good point.

[@sandrasmile]

You're awesome Will! ❤

[@Tommyr]

LOL! Excellent Will! Well done!

[@1basmatidrive]

Macarthur Park!