Will Lee talks about playing with Paul Shaffer on The Late Show with David Letterman

This part two of an interview we did in 2004 in New York City. It was the first time I met my great friend, Will Lee.
Will talks about meeting Paul Shaffer and how they put together The Worlds Most Dangerous Band and how they put together the band for The Late Night show with David Letterman.
Part One: • Will Lee talks about T...
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[@QBAN2010]

My favorite will Lee moment is when he sang MacArthur Park on letterman. Epic, I watch it a couple of times a year to this day!!!!

[@mousearebec]

I was just watching that after I surprisingly found it after watching, well listening to Richard Harris. Didn't know it existed, but it was really great to see and hear Mr Lee. He was excellent.

[@marco27c1]

Such an amazing song written by the great Jimmy Webb.

[@monopodbs]

What a great sign of a true musician "We'd be playing anyway, there just happens to be a camera on us, that's the big difference."

[@markread7333]

Love Will. Love his Fab Faux work as well. If you ever had the privilege of attending a LS taping, you can appreciate the incredible talent exhibited during commercial breaks. Stellar line up. They could (and did) play with anyone.

[@WillyPDX94]

Lovely interview. Wish it were longer as Will must have a million stories about playing with Paul the band. They always looked like they were having so much fun, and the groove was always killer.

[@aphillips1987]

Thanks, Will, for your awesome performance of Macarthur Park on late night, so, so good.

[@QBAN2010]

Epic!

[@syn707]

So glad I watched this. Joe, thank you for your fine and IMPORTANT work. Robert

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks again Robert...Joe

[@andyinoregon]

The Letterman show in the '80s was so often the network television debut for emerging artists, because The Tonight Show stuck with established stars. Always remember guitarist Hiram Bullock playing in his bare feet, and I always envied the studio audience who got to hear the entire song when they went to a commercial break ... especially whenever they played The Nashville Teens version of "Tobacco Road." Will Lee was part of the best damn cover band on the planet!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Andy....Joe

[@WakadooPlaypen]

Love it! The 13 week 30 yr gig.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks again for watching Playpen....Joe

[@nixoni.bogaine155]

The best music doc series on the internet is right here! 👍👍👍👍

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Mike...........Joe

[@photonotavailable7936]

Well spoken Will Lee was living the dream. Like all of your interviews, Joe, this is excellent. I like the fact that you don’t interrupt the interviewee. 👍 Your conversational style of interviewing reminds me of the great Dick Cavett when he hosted The Dick Cavett Show on ABC. Listen more, talk less, or as they used to say in radio, more rock, less talk. Bravo 👏.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks again EOTT.....Joe

[@mattfoley6082]

Yeah, I noticed that about Joe, too. He asks good questions and lets them talk.

[@mattkaustickomments]

Love Will Lee & GE Smith. Thanks for posting videos of both these TV music machines.

[@pattidonohoo1952]

This is such a great interview!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you Patti.... Joe

[@estimatedleighton6389]

Joe this one really took my breath away

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

E.L.... thanks again for watching..Glad you enjoyed it...Joe

[@colinwilliams553]

WILL LEE, man I miss that guy on late night.Him and Sid McGinnis,Anton Fig and of course the great PAUL SCHAFFER.The WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS BAND.

[@stevefaure415]

Such great stories. I'm grateful these important musical and cultural moments are being preserved. Important stuff not to forget--

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you Steve....Joe

[@majortwang6211]

Will Lee : when music is the mood.

[@Lilliecwalinski16]

Will Lee. That’s also the name of, the man who play the original store owner, Mr. hooper on Sesame Street!! Who died in 1982, for real. The next year, 83 they did that episode.

[@patrickostrom2762]

A great musician,No ego does the vibe! The difference between a player and pro musician! Hope he's still gigging! Legacy he's played with the greats! This a great follow up would like J.C.updates on this musician!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Patrick.... I hope to do a Backstage series interview with Will next time he’s in Nashville... best...Joe

[@johnbryant4]

Last I heard a trio started with Anton Fig and Eric Johnson

[@daviddesmond2143]

Will Lee is an amazing bassist. One of my favorite things about seeing him on Letterman was Will's making some sort of funny sounds on his bass to accent Dave's jokes-usually like a drummer would do. I would love to see a video collection of Letterman's jokes accented with Will's bass sounds. How about making that, somebody?

[@redstrat1234]

Will (to 24th St Band) - hey guys, we got a gig on TV ! - well, everyone except you Clifford...ouch...

[@richsackett3423]

That band had already broken up. Pay attention to the story.

[@MuvoTX]

OMG did Artie fuffkin ever have hair??... lol great interview!!

[@crazybeatlefan]

Some great insite to how things work for a session musician..$40 an hour...and the tune can make millions...

[@SRHMusic012]

Late Night with David Letterman was an institution with me and my friends. World's Most Dangerous Band - always great. I have to check out the 24th Street Band now. Great musicians.

[@johndellaselva687]

Total Class Act! Great musician, singer, and incredibly versatile musically.

[@MaxStax1]

I wondered for years what the story was with the various musicians on that show. So many of the shows it was Will who you'd see as Dave came out, and behind him as he did his monologue.

[@rickyrydell]

He's so fidgety!

[@johntechwriter]

At first I found Schaffer irritating, but then I got used to his manner and began to appreciate his musicianship and his capable leadership of Letterman’s band.

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

Thank you Joe. You always have the greatest content! I hang on every episode.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you Craig...Joe

[@haroldtrujillo]

Is there something wrong with Will's ear? He's been digging in it for the first 10 minutes of the video. Kinda gross.

[@SteveTheFazeman]

Can't rightly say I care about who's in this television band. But, when I see one or two with sandals or bare feet, that raises an eyebrow.

[@markwood3389]

0:52 I forgot about that goddess outfit! And what’s the name of that album? Take Me Home? What a riot! 😂

[@christophercarlimages9003]

Will Lee so underrated as a singer too!

[@myfeethavewings]

Im very happy me and my daughter got to meet Will at a Fab Faux at the Welmont, very gracious.(eternal fan!)

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Wings...Joe

[@tosinmcboy]

Will Lee he is a my favourite bass player In the Late Show with David Letterman

[@efhs1970]

Joe, another great interview, look forward to seeing more!💫

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks again Larry...Joe

[@drutgat2]

Thanks very much for this.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks again 2........Joe

[@sapelesteve]

I never knew all of the musicians in Letterman's band except for Shaffer. That was a nice gig for Will and the rest of the band. Obviously a very talented musician in his own right. I watched a few videos of Will's band the FabFaux and they were great! Fantastic interview Joe!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Steve...Joe

[@tuskedbeast]

Makes me remember how different it was to watch this new talk show and have there be a 4 piece rock band for segue music instead of a jazzy big band a la Johnny, Merv etc. Different and edgy. Thanks Joe- always interesting and historic!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Tusked...Joe

[@ivannovotny4552]

Thank you Joe for this interesting interview presentation. Much appreciated.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you too Ivan....Joe

[@jimwitt1094]

The original 4 piece Letterman band was the best cover band ever. It was a super group. They took those great songs to another level.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Jim...Joe

[@jimwitt1094]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum - Thanks for posting the video and doing a great interview with Will Lee.

[@mcpappysgolden]

I had the great privilege of being introduced to Will and having breakfast with him and his wife at Urth Café in downtown LA years ago. One of the tremendous thrills of my adult life. Thank you CS, wherever you are!

[@Jskins]

Saw 24th st band 3 times!

[@curtjunky]

The World's Most Dangerous Band. Thank you.

[@bjornandersson6713]

I really appreciate your interviews. I've been admiring Mr Lee's work for decades, and it's so cool get an insight from the man him self. Dig what he done with Oz Noy. Cool if you could get him on the show... Thanks again and keep up the good work. Peace

[@PC160]

Thanks, Joe & Will. We need more live music, daily! Would be nice to see an update with Will. $160!?!?

[@wash711]

Was he part of the SNL band, too? Joe, you rock every interview! I know people that named their daughters Mandy. Clive... 💙 ✌️💞

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Rick.....Joe.... I don’t think Will was part of SNL.... That was Paul Shaffer.

[@JohnDoe-jc3cl]

......Joe 👍😊 Very good job as usual. ( I was always interested in knowing about the Worlds most dangerous band) Now I’m learning. Much respect for studio musicians! You always get interesting musicians to interview. Great job. Carry on. As you were ! ( thanks for having my favorite, Billy Cox, to set the story tellers straight, on the Internet). Greetings from Chicago ( the home of the blues) to people who never heard of Memphis

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks John...Best...Joe

[@putzengiler]

Cool video Joe, Will Lee is one of my bass heroes , my friends and I saw the 24th St. Band 0:58, NYE of '79-'80 in a club in New Paltz N.Y.. Great show !

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you too for watching Dan....Best, Joe

[@scottiejsrockrollsports5547]

Had know idea he had worked with so many greats

[@deheckler]

And Sid....Pride of de Burghh haha

[@mrheem44]

Say what u will about Manilow not being rock and roll- "Mandy" is a freaking beautiful song

[@lastdaysguitar]

What the heck is going on with his left ear???????

[@jacocharzukanamericanautho2422]

I love Will Lee, he is so awesome and is a very underrated musician and guitarist which he really shouldn’t be.

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

He's a Bassist not a Guitarist, very different. You basicly just called a Tuba Player, a Trumpet Player. I will absolutely agree with you that he is a very fine musician.

[@helethead]

@@bassmangotdbluz3547 he’s actually a good guitar player. Plays piano and other stuff, too.

[@mattfoley6082]

He's played on so many hits. He's known for his bass but he's a good singer, too.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Matt...Joe

[@mattfoley6082]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Joe, have you heard this one with Will on bass and vocal? Funky! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZ62g5-aq7V3hLs

[@vhm14u2c]

💕

[@pamr4040]

🧡

[@alevine1951]

But this was 16-17 years ago.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Yes... We shot this interview in 2004. Thanks for watching...Joe

[@helethead]

That messing with his ear really gets annoying

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Monkeydog.... I love your name... anything with Monkey in it makes me smile. Yeah... everyone has a habit. I bounce my knee up down shaking the table. Will touches his ear. Still... I hope you enjoyed the interview... Best...Joe

[@photonotavailable7936]

And so is your comment.

[@tomstiel7576]

@@photonotavailable7936 I agree WTF

[@DFDuck55]

I agree with Monkeydog. The fidgeting and sticking his finger in his ear was distracting. I was wondering if he was on drugs. That aside, it was an insightful interview.

[@LateShowBottomEnd]

So sorry about my nervous tics - I'm not camera-worthy!!! Plus I hate talking about myself........oh well

[@LuisSancho-v7o]

As much as I love Mr. Lee, I wish someone had tied his hand to the armchair. Damn, such an annoying habit.