Vinnie Colaiuta Joan Rivers Showcase!!! 1986 1987

Here is 7 minutes of Vinnie Colaiuta doing his thing all over the Michael Sembello composed opening for Fox's "Late Show w/ Joan Rivers." The show started airing in October 1986. Joan Rivers was fired in October 1987 and Vinnie and the band were gone soon after.
I put this together using an amazing 4 hour compilation created by Ray Lombardo.
Thanks, Ray!
Piano & Arranger: Randy Waldman Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta Bass: Jimmy Johnson Guitar: Bruce Gaitsch Trumpets: Rick Baptist (Lead), Doug Scharf, Ray Brown Trombones: Lew McCreary, Alan Kaplan Saxes: Saxes: Beverly Dalke, Brandon Fields, Dave Boruff, Tom Saviano Percussion: Steve Reid, Band leader: Mark Hudson

[@rlbrett]

When Chuck Norris was a guest on the Joan Rivers show, Chuck first had to ask Vinnie if it was ok.

[@viviencharrier1984]

Bronze Brett lol

[@MrRezRising]

Legend has it the Splash Cymbal Killer still roams Hollywood to this day...

[@jonathanpacemusic]

I love watching the reaction of the guitarist next to him every time. He is genuinely blown away by Vinnie's fills each time

[@Chris_Stanley007]

👉💯👍

[@jasoncowie71]

This is so good it makes me laugh, have a look at the guitarist laughing his head off at what he's hearing from Vinnie, pure gold!

[@Chris_Stanley007]

😂

[@fluxmuldar]

I feel like I'm watching Groundhog Day... starring Vinnie Colaiuta.

[@edoardozampetti4601]

..and now ladies and gent...MR. COOOOOOLAIUTAAA......

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

This is brilliant! Thanks to the manic who created and posted this.

[@matthewhughen5613]

Ray Lombardo was the source for the video which I distilled into this 7min piece of insanity and subsequently posted here. I chose clips from Rays collection that had clear views of Vinnie. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelcaplin8969]

@@raylombardo4186 You are a true hero, sir!!!

[@Chris_Stanley007]

​@@matthewhughen5613cool

[@andreapittaluga]

Vinnie and the great bass player ever: Jimmy Johnson!

[@twelge15]

Hillarious!! And he never played it the same way after those kicks.

[@joshdrums37]

Pilgrim Vinnie is my favorite!!

[@Ted_Swayinghill]

This is what I call "COUNTING MUSICIANS" Vinnie does a crazy lick but they ALL come in together!!

[@michaelcaplin8969]

Those toms in the very beginning fill, FUCK ME!!! What an incredible sound! Cool that this kit was just random spare drums he didn't know what to do with and just put together as a frankenkit, as he didn't want any of his real kits to be permanently on the set. The kit sounds incredible, and he loved the feel and the sound of it. Super easy to tune and to get good sounds off according to Vinnie and the sound engineer for the show.

[@HenryPerez_royal_hp]

03:27 greatest fusion-to-hip-hop/funk transition i've ever heard. Only vinnie can make that sounds so friggin' cool! -HP

[@tyronebiggimsh]

MEMORIES! I use to watch just ithe intros every night just to see what f*cked up lick or fill Vinnie would throw at the band! NUTS! Most musical drummer EVER!!

[@rlbrett]

Vinnie playing balls out every time, never the same because he can!

[@slingerlandrox]

What can you say...? Vinnie will always be the man!

[@praxisdev1884]

Man, what special moment in late night tv history. Vinnie!! Kudos, to whoever compiled this.

[@drummyonekenobi]

Incredible Vinnie.. Never the same fills on the same part of the song every night! Brilliant.

[@PeterThoegersen]

The best show band of all time.

[@SXI96]

damn that splash is so high haha, Vinnie never fails to amaze, awesome clips

[@Themplayahz]

@ 5:09 the guitarist is like Vinnie is beyond epic, he fully realizes how great he is!

[@mikeycon10]

On top of this catalogue of Vinnie's awesome playing, he then even manages to make a funnier joke than the guy at the end who's trying(and failing)to take the piss!! 😆

[@JRock1900]

The GREATEST TV BAND

[@krisanton80]

Christ, how good is that band!!

[@bassplayer1966]

Vinnie is the best drummer on the planet!

[@albitcapinigro1107]

I can watch this over & over again. Vinnie. Nuff said.

[@stixs2005]

ba-ba-ba...Drum fill...jooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooan rivers! stuck in my head for hours

[@briandrumsandbikes]

I used to stay every night just to watch this exact thing.

[@johnz4412]

Vinnie. A master craftsman at drumming!

[@Han-Solo459]

What a gem of a video. Thank you, Matt. Absolutely amazing.

[@hughenmatt]

You're welcome.

[@michaelwhitlow1413]

Hey Jason, Chris Parker is an incredible drummer, but Vinnie is in a class of his own. He is one of the greatest drummers on the planet earth (in my opinion).

[@KONAMAN100]

i agree ... the sliver of an opportunity the man steals the show 1 min 47.

[@praxisdev1884]

Michael Whitlow, you nailed it!!

[@colinstewart3699]

Duh ???

[@tombest3562]

So silly! And what professionals they all are. Check out that consistent, killer energy every night!

[@michaelcaplin8969]

Such an amazing drum sound! Those toms! After having had a big problem with that type of sound for a while, it really is something else hearing someone like this guy. This type of sound was almost exclusively used for the most simple backbeats one could think of, but it really fits this way of playing. I adore it!

[@pastalavista5754]

Great, my favourite drummer AND bass player in the same band! Vinnie and Jimmy Johnson (both played on Allan Holdsworth -Secrets)

[@praxisdev1884]

Didn’t realize that was JJ on bass. Secrets is probably my all-time fave Vinnie recording. City Nights was cut on the 2nd read-thru. Nuts!

[@Dannob]

Thanks Hughenmatt...I used to stay up late just to record the intro, and the commercial bumps!!!..stil have them on VHS, but this rocks....now get the commercial bumps together....also got a to attend a taping of the show , and the band played for 45min b4 It was AMAZING!!!...What a great band!!!!

[@gregmckee2740]

I would stay up just to hear the announcer say “ Mark Hudson with the Party Boys, and the Tramp!”

[@CaylonTravis]

This is the greatest thing I've ever seen

[@dougplavinmusic9902]

Man, I could watch Vinnie over and over and over again…thanks so much for posting! Sort of related, does anyone have a compilation of Steve Jordan‘s fills from the early 80s Letterman theme? Amazing stuff. I used to have about 30 clips on a VHS tape that my three-year-old daughter in advertently recorded cartoons over…😲 yeah, Jordan played some serious sh*t on those drum breaks.

[@musopaul5407]

Yes, that band with Jordan, Hiram Bullock and Will Lee was fantastic. The later versions with Anton Fig and Sid McGuinness on guitar were never as characterful. Also, a shout out to Jimmy Johnson on bass in these clips, one of the greats!

[@drew-shourd]

the G R E A T E S T 'late night drummer' that ever was or ever will be....Vinnie!!

[@earldrum]

This is why I watched this show to see Vinnie play is ourside as he could each night. Thanks for the clip ... great job.

[@michaelcaplin8969]

Those toms at 0:01 are monster! Loving the sound!

[@carlosmartinez324]

Muchas gracias por subir este material!!! Realmente de coleccion!!!

[@mikeycon10]

Vinnie is on fire hear!!! Wish we could just hear the band vamping as one performance and Vinnie soloing inbetween instead of the freaky ," Groundhog Day " thing :-D Great compilation though, must've taken quite a lot of effort!! :-)

[@mariosangermano]

Awesome!! Vinnie Calaiuta, Jimmy Johnson on bass, and Steve Reid from the Rippingtons on perc.

[@JerroldKavanagh]

I cant believe there were this many episodes of the Late Show with Joan Rivers

[@isnadd]

Best KZbin video ever.

[@nathanwalters2856]

And now ladies and gentlemen Mr Viiiiiiniiiie Colaiuta

[@VivaMcCrilly]

The most outrages fills ive ever seen.

[@DanyMeyer]

HAHAHA, oh man I got crazy after the 36th time :-) And Vinnie is just amazing!!!

[@darylfan]

I used to watch this show just to see Mark Hudson. Those were the days! Thanks for uploading! :-)

[@hjalmarbackstrom5883]

THANX for posting this!!!

[@nrgimages]

Jimmie "Flim" Johnson(long hair, ponytail) on bass guitar! He's from Flim & The BB's(great 80's Jazz/Fusion group), James Taylor and many other credits to his name.

[@phluphantom]

muchas gracias!!!le hiciste un bien a la humanidad,y a dos enfermos musicales de banfield argentina!!vinnie rules!!!!!!!

[@TravisOrbin]

MISS JOOOOOOOOOAOAAAAAAAAAANNNN RIIIVERRRSSSS

[@PierluigivillaniMr]

Amazing!!

[@Themplayahz]

Damn, man! I remember being a 16 year old inspiring drummer watching this on Fox. Miss Boooone Giveeeeerrssss and Vinnie would kick my ass every fucking night during the late 80's.

[@andresmarino2788]

Jimmy Johnson !

[@patton303]

Just listen to that first full intro at the top. It’s why I’ve always felt it’s not the gear......it’s the guy playing the gear.

[@praxisdev1884]

This comp demonstrates why Vinnie is god: spontaneous, delicious invention. He’s obliterated the envelope.

[@carloneal]

GOD BLESS U FOR POSTING THIS!!!!!!!!!!@5:38 WAS IT!!!!!!!!

[@Moog168]

3:02!! OH MY GOD!

[@TheClintDavis]

So sick.

[@stephenmuth1425]

Glad to see I wasn't hallucinating re: the bass player (Jimmy Johnson). Wow. The few times I caught the show when it was airing, I just remember being so bummed that it wasn't showcasing that band all the time. Had to take a TV hiatus, as the only attempts at music-based shows would never survive in the US.

[@dougsteeleguitar]

I thought that was Jimmy Johnson, he's such a bad ass.

[@fr0103]

Oh man, this loop would make an excellent interrogation technique at Guantanamo Bay. Forgive me Vinnie, oh masterful god of drum kit... :-)

[@Taikomaniac]

The Yamaha Recording custom the kit that changed the industry

[@Okie-00-Spool]

Pretty consistent sound design.

[@Taikomaniac]

Get a kick out of this post Vin's Cymbal set-up was way higher and vertically placed

[@ThruAWiderLens]

Love the bass drum and splash cymbal work at 2:22!

[@XTheSonofTheSunX]

sweet love of man!

[@paulalexanderjohnson]

If you really think about what he was doing without subdividing it so technically he really did a double paraddidle configuration between his hands & his feet. But technically seaking with the subdivisions, you're definitely right about that. I like your thinking!

[@Moog168]

Abe Laboriel Sr. at 1:23

[@Revelator2025]

+Moog168 I caught that too.

[@Han-Solo459]

Nice!

[@drawlbag]

Was she drunk, why does she take 15 attempts to come round that corner?

[@SXI96]

+drawlbag lmao

[@RhythmNotes]

Couldn't decide what to wear

[@Themplayahz]

My thoughts exactly!

[@SebastianPersini]

so much about the intro.., i wanna see the show now!!

[@2005dave]

Some good horn players in that band too. The one who got the most attention was Beverly Dahlke-Smith who rocked the bari sax every night. She did a few comedy bits (including a "Who Killed Bev The Tramp" skit with James Coco), and Clint Holmes always mentioned "Bev the Tramp" in the opening. Lew McCreary of the "Wrecking Crew" contributed too on bass trombone; phenomenal player in any style. That was some bottom end in the brass!

[@eduardobueno5698]

Goat

[@nedwart]

Johnny and Dave's shows had the best late night bands, but Joan gave them a real run for money musically.

[@350kph]

JUST VINNIE!

[@bencausey]

Ha ha! As well as being one of the greatest drummers ever, he is also extremely quick witted...don't ever try to poke fun at Vinnie - it will backfire!

[@patton303]

Nobody’s gonna mention Jimmy Johnson on bass? Monster.

[@Themplayahz]

Ladies and gentlemen...Buck Henry, Elayne Boosler...Those were troubled times for Fox. However, it's still epic to see Vinnie Colaiuta holding down the house show after show!

[@stillphil]

Not a single recycled lick. Yes Jayson! thank you for pointing that out maybe the kids will "hear" it? *well that's not likely since the kids don't actually listen. (and the can't see the overhead Vinnie Cam) Still a good point :)

[@nemesisinvidia5792]

Vinnie on drum !

[@lorenzmuller3542]

02:35 nice one!

[@lorenzmuller3542]

also love 04:56

[@mule659]

3:48 haunts my dreams

[@lakebay972]

Did you know The Late Show with Joan Rivers was THE first program to ever air on Fox?

[@idrumaton]

I used to do the same exact thing. I have a vcd tape of about 10min of just the intros. I was so bummed when vinnie would send a sub! haha i was 14.

[@topherstott]

Notice THe Paistes near the end

[@Ted_Swayinghill]

A young Abe Laboriel Sr. at 1:31 :)

[@MarcPlaysDrums]

Jeff Berlin sitting in on bass!!!

[@dddanea]

Jeff Berlin at 5.08

[@DavidHartley88]

By coincidence I just read beatcrazy's comment about 1:47. Whilst not sounding as "fast and technical" as most of the other fills, I think it's beat displacement is THE stand-out fill of all. Starting his 2- measure fill a triplet early,i.e on the last triplet 8th (the last band stab), he re-phrases the 1+24 triplets into three groups of seven and one group of four ! And how 'bout that gear-shift into "Arsenio.." ?

[@RockMacDonald23]

yeah the way i heard it was three groups of 7/16 and to me it just seems crazy that he could pull that off in the context of this song

[@aarondudas8927]

Great video...but that is definitely Steve Dudas on guitar.

[@absolutedrumsya]

At 06:48 Vinnie proofs to have a great sense of humor too!

[@arieladriansoldini2263]

Who's that funny guy? Looks like Frank Zappa

[@ChannelOfDiscord]

i finally stopped physically being in a position that looked like i was about to change it at about 4:30 into it

[@paulalexanderjohnson]

How about that fill at 2:34?! A monster chop!

[@faruge67]

Is that and 8' and 10' set up?

[@Themplayahz]

Vinnie was layin' it down for Arsenio Hall!

[@kennethhouston4838]

Does anyone know who was squealin on the sax in these clips? I wanna say Sanborn but not sure.

[@fernandomartincom]

Brandon Fields 🔥🎷🎶

[@Joesfosterdogs]

genius...best band ever...VC plays something different every night. Hudson let VC play balls out...Ed Shaughnessey is is thinking, "Really...I had to play the same thing for 30 years!" This is Vinnie before BR II performance...you see that same flame and style here. Knowing how sensitive Vinnie is, the dude at the end here really must have caused him to freak out after. Worse than any guy holding a cam at the Baked Potato. Oh...that would be better than a Buddy Rich bus tape.