Sunday’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony delivered no shortage of memorable moments — from Olivia Rodrigo’s acoustic-led tribute to the White Stripes, to Soundgarden teaming up with Jerry Cantrell, and Joe Perry strutting his stuff with Bad Company.
However, the story that cut through all the glitz and glamour did not come courtesy of a musician but rather from former talk-show host David Letterman.
A theme of the night was seeing (mostly) non-musician celebrities induct their favorite bands. Comedian and lifelong metalhead Jim Carrey hit plenty of high notes in his speech honoring Soundgarden, while Letterman did the same for the late Warren Zevon, helping the “Werewolves of London” songwriter’s legacy live on through the Killers.
Zevon was a frequent guest on The Late Show With David Letterman. His final appearance, on September 30, 2002, came less than 12 months before he died from mesothelioma at age 56.
“It was the last time I saw Warren — that was 22 years ago,” Letterman told the audience while inducting Zevon.
But the noteworthy moment during that final appearance happened backstage, away from lights, cameras and audience.
“He’s got the guitar there that he’s used every time he’s appeared on our show,” Letterman continued. “And as we’re chatting… he picks up the guitar and he puts it in the guitar case, closes the guitar case, he hands it to me and he says, ‘Take care of this for me.’”
He says the act of kindness brought him to tears.
“Warren and I hugged,” he recalls, “and I said, ‘Warren, I just love your music.’”
Over two decades later, the electric guitar — an all-grey Modulus Blackknife — was sitting beside Letterman as he made his speech at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
“This is the guitar,” he adds, “and tonight, by God, it’s going back to work.”
With that, he handed the guitar to the Killers’ Dave Keuning, and the band burst into Zevon’s “Lawyers, Guns and Money.” The group had assistance from guitarist Waddy Wachtel, who worked with Zevon on seven consecutive studio albums, and drafted him to play keyboards on the Everly Brothers’ 1972 album, Stories We Could Tell, and its subsequent tour dates.
Across his career, Zevon graduated from session musician and jingle composer to celebrated solo artist. His sessions stints included his aforementioned work with the Everlys as well as with the Turtles and David Lindley.
His greatest success was the 1978 album Excitable Boy, which Wachtel co-produced with Jackson Browne. Fleetwood Mac bass player John McVie was also a guest on the record, playing on the hit single “Werewolves of London.”
Zevon biographer James Campion recalled how “Werewolves of London” was fleshed out during a rather booze-filled jam session.
“The next day, he forgot the whole thing,” Campion said. “He comes in the studio and Jackson's in there at the board, and Waddy says, ‘Play that song — that thing you played last night.’ ‘What song?’ ‘Y’know, the “Werewolf” song.’ Warren’s like, ‘What are you talking about?’
“He forgot!”
In his final Late Show with David Letterman appearance, Zevon was asked if he'd learned anything about life and death over the course of his lifetime. He replied, “How much you're supposed to enjoy every sandwich.”
Speaking ahead of the Rock Hall induction, Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil said their recognition was important to the late Chris Cornell's legacy. At the ceremony, the band played "Black Hole Sun" with Jerry Cantrell, Brandi Carlile and Taylor Momsen.
