It appears David Letterman will complete a long-standing mission next month: inducting his late friend Warren Zevon into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The museum has announced the first round of special guests who will be on hand at this year’s induction ceremony, and the list includes Letterman. While the Rock Hall has not specified what role the former late-night host will play, his participation comes as Zevon, who died in 2003, finally earns a spot in the hall of fame. Previously nominated in 2023, Zevon made the cut this year under the Rock Hall’s “Musical Influence” category.
Zevon has a storied history with Letterman and his late-night run, with the host having been a fan of the musician before he began his late-night career. Zevon was not only a frequent guest on Late Night and Late Show over the years, but a celebrated fill-in for bandleader Paul Shaffer.
In 2002, Zevon famously visited Late Show two months after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Zevon’s extended interview and musical performances on the episode became a standout moment in Late Show—and music—history. Following the episode, Zevon moved Letterman to tears when he gifted the host the guitar he had used during the show. Zevon died less than a year later.
As one might expect, Letterman has been lobbying for Zevon’s inclusion in the Rock Hall for years. “Warren should have been in this establishment,” he told Vulture in 2023. “I mean, come on. To me, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is only of interest if Warren gets in.”
Letterman went on to suggest he would participate in the induction ceremony, even offering to loan out the guitar Zevon gifted him in 2002 for the festivities. The host expanded on his feelings about Zevon’s 2023 snub on his Youtube channel, revealing he had discussed Zevon’s slim chances with friend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation chairman John Sykes.
Letterman previously inducted Pearl Jam into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. “I would just like to say that one day I hope to come back here,” he said during his tribute to that band, “for the induction of my friend Warren Zevon.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will stream on Disney+ on Saturday, November 8th at 8 PM ET / 5PM PT. ABC will broadcast an edited version of the event on Thursday, January 1st.
great
it’s about time. WZ had more talent in one finger than some of the other artists altogether. Thanks Dave.
In a world of BS rock n roll inclusions to the “hall” Zevon wrote, performed, and earned this accolade and his untimely demise robbed “us” rock n roll fans of his continued greatness-way way overdue and “play it all night long” would be the song that should be rocked by his inductees at warp factor 11 to confirm his legacy!
About freaking time!Long overdue