Staff Favorite Moments: Producer Sheila Rogers | Letterman

The longtime Letterman music and supervising producer looks back on Eddie Vedder's surprise, Warren Zevon's final performance and more.
#sheilarogers #eddievedder #letterman
Subscribe to Letterman: bit.ly/3GeOIAg
Follow Letterman on Social:
Facebook: / davidletterman
Instagram: / letterman
Twitter: / letterman
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. These highlights have been artisanally-produced, carefully-curated, and chosen completely at random by an old computer that used to pick numbers for the New York Lotto back in the 90’s.

[@unitoolzee]

These Staff Favorite Moments videos are my favorite thing on the channel. It is so cool to hear from the people behind the scenes, and the moments they choose are always so good.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Could not agree more. We have had a bunch of these folks on our show, some before their moments segments released, some after. They, and their moments. fascinate us to no end.

[@plaws0]

HTG, I was just about to post the same thing. I love Dave and love seeing the old stuff, but these are *great*.

[@Heres_Johnny.]

100% agree! They share unique behind the scene stories that we otherwise wouldn’t have known. And as we see here, sometimes very touching.

[@jonseals]

I was just about to post the same thing. I love these so much.

[@upallnightwithbob214]

Becoming my favorite thing on KZbin period. :)

[@adampiggott5430]

The Warren Zevron part lays bare Dave's humanity. And that's why we love Dave.

[@SaintMartins]

Don't mean to sound like a "kiss up" but seriously this was one of the best "Staff Favorite Moments" so far. It matches many of my favorite memories too.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Hands down.

[@dcolb121]

Go ahead. Kiss up.

[@dottiegillespie8067]

I'll join you!

[@davidwartski7213]

Warren Zevon. I'm bawling my eyes out. I was fortunate enough to see him perform a solo gig at a small club in the '80s. Unforgettable.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

What a blessing.

[@LloydBraun11]

Warren was also very funny. He was an excellent substitute whenever Paul had time off. Over a period of 20 years he always brought great music and fun conversation to the show. Reading about his farewell to Dave backstage after his final visit, and that he gave Dave his grey guitar that he always had with him on the show., really hit me hard too.

[@danielgoodson703]

Saw Warren Zevon after he got out of rehab. Venue was a small classroom with a piano on the campus of University of New Hampshire….maybe 50 people. So many times I saw performances in my life not knowing the significance… Warren Zevon bowled us over. No griping about the small space like I have seen with other performers. He played to us as if we were a colosseum.

[@rezkat6]

wow, how lucky you are! Im only 16 so I was born about 4 years after he passed. the idea of ever getting to see him in the flesh is very alien to me. nevertheless, the presence of him in his music still moves me every day :)

[@acarlovonsexron1994]

As a music lover, I can't express how much great music I was turned onto and how many classic performances this lady facilitated. Thank you, Sheila.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Well said.

[@BobbySacamano]

Seeing Eddie in a thumbnail just made my day. I saw Dave introduce/induct PJ into the rock hall a few years ago. Yeah, I was there, and I'm bragging about it. I also remember fondly the Beastie Boys performance. My old man was like "what the hell is this?" I recall thinking: "perfect." RIP MCA and Taylor Hawkins

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Dave’s ‘Mother Love Bone’ joke at the R&R HOF was hysterical.

[@allendracabal0819]

Have you turned into your old man vis a vis today's music? I certainly have.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Her shot-put skills are legendary to this day. As are her booking skills. A lot of BTS Stories there. Sheila is one of the reasons the show(s) were so good.

[@blakfloyd]

I love the way she carries herself. So carefully worded, thoughtful, and sincere-sounding.

[@pauld205]

I've never been a fan of Warren Zevon. Mainly due to the lack of exposure to his work, but his last show on Letterman never fails to make me well up with sadness. Truly touching tribute, and one of Letterman's finest shows.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Warren is the very definition of the often used phrase, ‘Friends of the Show.’ A wonderful present Dave helped give the world with the exposure he provided.

[@blakesmith5198]

I was at the taping when Charlie Watts walked out just before showtime. I was a fifteen year old from TX, in love with everything Letterman, and visiting NYC with my family. Woke up at 5:30am, hustled across town to 30 Rock, and waited two hours in a cold hallway to score a STANDBY ticket for that evening's show. I returned that afternoon and was the last one allowed up to the studio for the taping. I ended up sitting on stairs near the back audio booth, but I didn't care. I can remember just about every minute of that hour. Gary Busey and Orville Redenbacher were the perfect guests for the absurdity of the day. Sheila, I'm glad you got a free drink out of the ordeal.

[@adampratt1925]

All of Sheila's memorable moments are included in my own. I'd also add the fire escape performance by TV On The Radio and any of the performances by The Heavy. We forget that we were gifted with esoteric art imbued with emotion every night Letterman was on, we took it for granted that this is just how television is, only to find that the Late Show crew were truly the 1%. I have deep gratitude for having been alive to watch it all as it happened.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

The TV on the Radio appearance was one of our favorites as well. And Jay Z and Eminem on the roof. Also a mountain of others. Our hope is one day to begin a sister podcast focusing just on the music on Letterman.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Don Giller has a compilation of the Eddie Vedder stuff, put together beautifully.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Don is the greatest, if you're a Letterman fan.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

@@OMGWTFLOLSMH also a Tad Lathrop fan.

[@shinigami146]

Thanks to Sheila for sharing her greatest memories. I think many of us share the same great memories of these musical guests, but it is great to hear her side of them as a producer!

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Absolutely.

[@FerdinandCesarano]

That Beastie Boys performance is a triumph on every level. It ranks as one of the greatest moments in television history. By the way: Sheila's hair is gorgeous. (There, I said it.)

[@PhilMoskowitz]

You can't be serious about that Beastie Boys assessment.

[@FerdinandCesarano]

@@PhilMoskowitz - What's wrong with you? Of course I'm serious. The production, with an absurd level of difficulty, is flawless. And the musical performance itself it beyond killer. This is an utterly perfect presentation.

[@user-dq3is2qp3s]

faith no more

[@TheLadsBandLive]

I normally don’t watch letterman videos to make myself cry but here we are.

[@gregodify]

I'm glad I'm not the only one!

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Now imagine if John Lennon had been a running drop-in guest.

[@danielgoodson703]

Agreed

[@gutz1981]

Ha ha, I love Eddie's look into the jacket seeing the mic looking like he is saying "Oh its there after all, I guess I am going through with this." LOL

[@MattTee1975]

My nephew has been on a few times - once as the drummer for the band Everest. To this day, it's one of his biggest professional "moments" is when Dave came out and said, "I would like to manage the band."

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Did he ask who’s drums they were?

[@stebstebanesier6205]

@@thelettermanpodcast "Are those rentals?"

[@Eggmanontheair]

Always admired Sheila's talent and shotput skills. Very sad to read of her husband's passing from Covid a few years ago. If by some remote chance you read these comments, Sheila, my deepest condolences.

[@eatonuter7113]

A great perspective on some of the most influential musical guests from both 'Late Night' and 'Late Show.' Warren Zevon's song towards the end was lovely. Still can't believe it's been over 20 years since he was on Dave's show.

[@nodadchad]

Wow, what an incredible mini documentary. Thank you to Sheila and the whole Letterman crew who influenced me nightly as a child of the 80s/90s.

[@Memo2Self]

Of all the things I miss about Dave every night, what always impresses me is how truly enthusiastic he was when a musical guest appealed to him. Colbert and Seth are so calm and "professional" about the performances; Fallon gushes over everyone. But Dave could get really excited about musicians, and his reactions were absolutely genuine; he never faked them.

[@paulocuaresma9480]

Gosh these staff moments are so great!!!

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Could not agree more. Many have been on our show and expanded on them.

[@jeffanderson8384]

🤣🤣

[@tbradtbrad]

The Future Island clip is awesome

[@thelettermanpodcast]

One of the best performances ever!

[@jamess.6767]

Unfortunately, he was immediately rushed to the hospital afterwards to treat a groin injury due to lack of stretching.

[@BreannaMae]

Wow I didn't expect to get teary-eyed over a video about a Letterman producer! That Warren Zevon part was so incredibly sad. 😥

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Beautiful, and sad. Enjoy every sandwich.

[@BreannaMae]

@@thelettermanpodcast That is advice I promise to take and live by from here on out! 🥪

[@thelettermanpodcast]

@@BreannaMae it is really simple genius, isn’t it?

[@BreannaMae]

@@thelettermanpodcast indeed! I happen to be Italian. We love our sandwiches 😎

[@thelettermanpodcast]

@@BreannaMae 😄 Canadians do too…sandwiches…the international culinary equalizer.

[@patrickdlogan]

What a great set of memories. I really appreciate all the staff favorite moments.

[@danadominguez5760]

That Beastie Boys performance was incredible - both creatively and technically.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

All their Letterman shots were, in a word, awesome.

[@DarthSmirnoff]

"I had to wear a coat of cheese...I don't remember why." I mean, it's Letterman. That explains the why. lol

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Better than a suit of suet that Dave wore.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Also Velcro.

[@kstepko]

I wanted to hear more about the coat of cheese! I’ll bet that was not pleasant.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@kstepko On 8.5k a year, that coat's comin' home to Mama's fridge!

[@klipkultur3680]

That was gold. Thank you Sheila!!!

[@Deguello23]

"Check It Out" and that Future Islands performance are legendary. And Warren Zevon... that was just pure class all around. Even back in the 80s as a teenager, I had nothing but respect for Dave's musical taste. He always loved the great stuff and you could see it.

[@allendracabal0819]

I am so happy that Sheila closed the loop on the Foo Fighters montage thing. When I saw that as it originally aired, I had wondered if the Foo Fighters knew that they would be mostly hidden behind the montage. I respect them even more knowing that they knew it, and were OK with it. And kudos to the Letterman staff for properly clearing that with them in advance. They put Prince and Charlie Watts to shame with their humility.

[@Rob_Kates]

This is fascinating. She orchestrated all of the best musical performances on Dave's show. Not a bad gig.

[@HollywoodinSJ]

This was AMAZING. Thank you so much. ❤

[@pslsmo]

Sheila, Thank you for the insight! As a viewer, loved what you contributed! Beastie boys to Warren" Freakin " Zevon! Thank you!!

[@judykane7682]

Staff favorites are the best! It’s so wonderful to see those moments that I thought were lost. ❤️

[@jkatsieris1]

Geez I miss this show. I’ve been in the audience for a show, saw McCartney & his band perform up top, and was so blown away by Future Islands that I’ve seen them live in Australia multiple times.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Our host is a fan of many artists and bands as a result of Dave.

[@jkatsieris1]

@@thelettermanpodcast me too, believe me.

[@AnnNunnally]

Lovely memories. Thanks!

[@sundancita]

That was very moving, one of the most moving one of these memory segments I've seen. I remember the Warren Zevon episode. So moving. Thank you for sharing.

[@gecafe]

THANK YOU to Dave or whoever for shelling out for some MUSIC on the channel! So much magic. Thank you!

[@nycpackrat]

This was a tremendous installment. Thank you, Walter and Jay!

[@mariyamwaniki]

This was great, thank you

[@JeremyHartson2000]

Wonderful reflection. Thank you!

[@AllanAdamson]

that's amazing for Vedder to come out like that cold and do that

[@jamess.6767]

And Eddie never even sang the “Why”. Black will always be one of the greatest songs ever.

[@bucksguineapigtalks]

How fantastic is this ! Wow. Loved it. We don't have this sort of tv in England - it's great to see how relaxed and enjoyed it all is.

[@jimwaters1562]

Great segment. The Zevon episode was so remarkable, and the NBC finale with Springsteen was just awesome. At the time Springsteen was very rarely on TV, so this was a big deal. I saw Springsteen at MSG that same week. That was a good week! Disappointed to hear the weird Prince story. Pretty awful way to treat someone. Another musical stand out for me was when Tom Waits sang “one last look” in one of the final episodes. That was powerful. And of course, I’ve watched that Future Islands performance about 150 times and it always makes me smile. What a marvelous show Letterman had all those years. He’s the king, and his staff is the all time best. I’m so glad that this KZbin channel is so well managed. It keeps the magic alive.

[@greg6602]

I lived in San Francisco a couple decades back when Prince would play a rare, surprise 2 a.m. gig at Slim's after his regular concert somewhere in the Bay Area. Slim's is not a big venue at all and has a long bar off to the side in full view of the stage. Staff I knew there said that they were told by Prince's management that all employees and security were to never under any circumstance look in the direction of Prince or his bandmates as they were performing. He was weird about employees and staff of anywhere it seems.

[@sheldon6248]

Dave is a sweetheart of a man👍 such a big heart!

[@upallnightwithbob214]

Thank you so much for these I just had a bigger laugh than I've had in a week. Sure miss the show.

[@elizabethbrauer1118]

What a life Sheila. We are so fortunate to have these wonderful memories. Thank you for making this. ❤ And thanks to Dave for apologizing to Bill Hick's mom; that meant so very much to many people. No doubt you helped out there, too. 🕊

[@robclarkson5356]

Thank you Sheila, that was great.

[@nickspreadhead8127]

This is the best one, she loves live music much appreciated ❤

[@lindseywalker6925]

I've seen many of these staff favorites. This is the best

[@robatsea2009]

What a brilliant range of memories, particularly the segments on Warren Zevon and Foo Fighters. It's a sharp contrast to the displays of ego and pretense some other artists may have subject the staff to.

[@jayhache5609]

37th! Also, great vid. Thanks for putting it together, and for the memories. Time flies when you’re having fun!

[@AR-ed3xw]

I just want to know what band she was talking about in the end now!

[@dazxmedia]

The band was The Orwells

[@Redmenace96]

The Eddie Vedder segment was fantastic! Never saw that, before.

[@paulcooper8818]

I remember the show with Warren. It was very touching and he was very open and calm about his soon to be passing.

[@forestyogin2218]

wow . . . this one was a tear-jerker .:)

[@madinthekitchenllc3159]

I remember taking you to lunch your first week - love and miss you

[@darkly666]

Wow, I just want to say thanks to miss Sheila Rogers, those were some fantastic moments. Thank you Sheila.

[@Ryan-st7hq]

Good stuff!

[@jeremymcinturff985]

Speaking of the Beastie Boys, one of my favorite appearances was when they were promoting their concert DVD. They had Dave, Paul, and some people in the audience with handheld cameras videotaping them while they performed. 10 out of 10.

[@TheBrettWilson]

Request: a supercut of all the times Dave asked "Are they your drums or rentals? Very nice!" Please? 🙏

[@davidclements7696]

Wonderful!

[@thelettermanpodcast]

One more point: Sheila might have the best hair in show business.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

She's beautiful.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

@@OMGWTFLOLSMH and even more impressive.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

@@taxesdeathandtrouble.1886 thank goodness so many guests couldn’t say no either; one of the best bookers ever.

[@jamess.6767]

Agree. But don’t forget about Bud Melman.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

@@jamess.6767 ooooooo. Good call.

[@MrEvans1973]

There are few Letterman clips that I have watched more over the years than that Beastie Boys clip. Never, ever get tired of that!

[@s.l.dixononline]

Beautiful.

[@DigitalNeb]

What a lovely video.

[@bobot1981]

The yellow and blue bearded Dave logo is hip hip hip!

[@thelettermanpodcast]

We are lobbying for an emoji.

[@reggieflanders6079]

Wonderful

[@maryrosekent8223]

What a happy happenstance-this was one of the random options on my iPad when I fired it up, and what a delight it was!

[@toolrocks10]

The best late night show ever. I miss it.

[@vhmike81]

A fellow high school alum, Sheila also wrote the “Random Notes” quasi fly-on-the-wall column for Rolling Stone. Maybe the only other person at school that liked also liked the Stooges and NY Dolls! Well done!

[@gecafe]

That bit at the end about the napping band reminds me of this band that was on the show in 2014 I think, the name escapes me. The performance itself is eh, as the lead singer just sort of lazes about the stage and went and slumped on the guest chair for a bit before going and laying on the floor for a verse. But everything that happens after is legendary. Dave comes over and begs them to play it again, they don't because I guess they busted their strings or whatever, then Will and Paul and the band just do it themselves, spot-on, and Paul goes and lays himself out on the floor as the show ends. Brilliant bit. Dave and Paul tell the story to Regis on a guest-hosted episode of the Late Late Show that ran during the interim between Ferguson and Corden. I used to have a cut of this performance and that interview up, though it's been removed by this channel. Would be nice to see it again!

[@gregodify]

I really want to know which band it was. Thanks for the info.

[@jamess.6767]

I dying to find out who the band was and to see this clip!

[@dazxmedia]

The band was The Orwells

[@JohnSpencersHeavySounds]

I think it was the vines

[@Nathan-gd7xq]

The Orwells were once best known for their Letterman performance. They are now best known for something else.

[@jasonjaxxson]

Great video! Great woman

[@spooley]

PS. Take Warrens Zevon's advice and enjoy every sandwich. Amazing performance esp considering how sick he was.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Could not agree more.

[@martin29976]

Thanks

[@stayaway7859]

I knew Warren Zevon. He was wonderful, his music is my soundtrack and his face is tattooed on me.

[@ShibaMomma143]

Eddie (be still my heart) Vedder! Love You!

[@jn5122]

I wish I could like this 100 times.

[@assmane999]

Enjoy every sandwich is so simple yet so deep. It’s stuck with me since I saw that appearance the first time it aired.

[@jeremymcinturff985]

and now i am dying to know who the musical guest Sheila was referring to at the end..."I hope they enjoyed their nap as much as we did." who could that be??

[@thelettermanpodcast]

;)

[@edwindevera7549]

Yanni?

[@dazxmedia]

The band was The Orwells

[@seanob99]

These Staff Fave Moments are my favorite part of the Letterman KZbin channel.

[@Archerjr1]

To borrow a phrase from Dave...that was lovely.

[@gtoger]

I've just gotta know what band enjoyed their nap. We've all felt some guests or bands have fallen flat so it's, I don't know... reassuring?... to hear the show did as well!

[@gecafe]

Hoping someone spills the beans, too.

[@ecoBearDen]

Me too. Who was the “nap” band?

[@dazxmedia]

The band was The Orwells

[@ecoBearDen]

@@dazxmedia Thanks!

[@Hexon66]

@@dazxmedia They may not have given good performances, but I don't think they would have been described as a 'nap', unless I missed another appearance.

[@zorantaylor3190]

Dave's onscreen displays of musical OCD are definitely among his most stealthily relatable qualities. I didn't hear "I Fink U Fweeky" by Die Antwoord until after I'd already seen the episode (multiple episodes?) where he kept quoting it throughout the show. The first time I actually heard the song I was in public, and I almost had to stop myself from yelling, "THAT'S WHERE 'I FINK YOU FWEEKY AND I LIKE YOU A LOT' IS FROM???"

[@stebstebanesier6205]

Ever since the Warren Zevon show I have made an effort to enjoy every sandwich.

[@micahclawrence]

I remember that a beastie performance. It was awesome and so New York.

[@SwitcherooU]

It's a good lesson, kids. Sometimes you just gotta GO for it like Future Islands did. Put it all out there, be unabashedly you. In an era of detachment and irony, people still respond to that.

[@jimgriffiths9071]

We need more teri garr! She was magic!

[@fredcrook8228]

That Zevon story got to me. I remember it well. 😢

[@toreckman8899]

Never heard of Foo Fighters. Now I’m a big fan.

[@Drawson663]

Micheal Bland drumming in that prince bit is phenomenal

[@apurugganan]

Of course I remember the Greatest Band in the World! And that voice of their frontman Eddie Vedder. Who for some reason continued touring with some guys that he knew, and called themselves Pearl Jam.

[@davewestner]

I've seen a couple of these staff moments, and from what I have gathered, LNWDL and TLSWDL were great places to work. I'm sure it wasn't all roses and sunshine, but there's an underlying warmth that everyone seems to share.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

We have had so many of these folks on our show and talked about exactly what you are talking about.

[@davewestner]

@@thelettermanpodcast Hey, the other day I was actually checking out the Will Lee one you did. Been kinda working my way thru the Griller LNWDW clips and episodes and then going off on google tangents.....which means I'll be back to your channel before too long. Thanks for the reminder!

[@thelettermanpodcast]

@@davewestner many thanks! We have a couple more members of the band coming on the show soon…and Don has been part of a few episodes about to come out.

[@davewestner]

@@thelettermanpodcast Excellent! Always looking for more info on the WMDB, and been super eager to learn more about the Don "the Donz" Giller!

[@gecafe]

It would be neat if Monty wasn't apparently banished from the show's acknowledged history. Whatever Dave did shouldn't mean all her great little bits are buried like she's Matt Lauer or whatever.

[@ericmagee9054]

Everyone was the absolute perfect song for the series final montage!! 🥲

[@ChuckAtComicList]

From this point on, the one word I will think of when I think of Sheila Rogers will be "memorable".

[@Julsis]

Tears was the last thing I expected from this clip...

[@user-yn4ww1yy2v]

A coat of cheese. Why? Why NOT!! 😂

[@oldmoviesinbwwithsubtitles3501]

Music on late night now is Dead! The days of the past are only memories that can be seen on YT. If you think about it it’s pretty sad. Love this channel.

[@debjoviful]

I came for Eddie Vedder (obv) but i stayed for it all!

[@greg6602]

I'm 52 and for me Dave will always be the king of late night. I think his writers and producers improved upon what Johnny Carson had/did. Just my opinion. Dave's a great comic and interviewer of course but his show's entire hour was always rich with material, be it the guests or the sketches and bits. That is where the show improved upon The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson - the Chris Elliotts, the Larry 'Bud' Melmans, the velcro suit, the pranks, all of it, too many comedic, well written moments to mention other than just having huge stars on the show. These are some great staff favorite moments.