

Knowing that this would likely be Zevon's final appearance on the show, the Late Show 's producers proposed departing from convention to devote an entire episode to the singer. Zevon hoped to promote the album on an episode of the Late Show, which typically booked two guests and a musical act. He revealed his fate to the public in the following month. In August 2002, a few months ahead of the release of Genius: The Best of Warren Zevon, Zevon received a terminal diagnosis of lung cancer (pleural mesothelioma).

#WARREN ZEVON ENJOY EVERY SANDWICH MOVIE#
Zevon is a Letterman favorite because they share the same cranky humor, the same appreciation of ironic absurdity Letterman probably could have written " Werewolves of London," and Zevon could have hosted a talk show, if he didn't have to dress up or endure simpleton movie stars. Of the relationship between Letterman and Zevon, newspaper columnist Terry Lawson would later write: Zevon returned the favor by giving Letterman a bit part on Zevon's album My Ride's Here. He even served as the show's substitute band leader during Paul Shaffer's absences. Letterman often brought Zevon onto his subsequent CBS Late Show with David Letterman through the 1990s despite his lack of commercial success during that time. Letterman would later tell The Ringer reporter Alan Siegel that he began following Zevon in 1981 because he was "crazy and fascinating". It is known for the humor that Zevon used throughout the interview, as well as his quip that the terminal diagnosis was a reminder to "enjoy every sandwich".ĭavid Letterman, a comedian who began the late-night NBC Late Night franchise in 1982, was a major fan of Zevon's work. Zevon, who regularly appeared on the show over the preceding decade, was unusually given the majority of the episode to talk with Letterman and perform three songs. Shortly after American singer Warren Zevon was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, he made his final public appearance on the late-night talk show Late Show with David Letterman on October 30, 2002. Warren Zevon's Final "Late Show" Appearance via Letterman/YouTube (23:21)

Warren Zevon's final appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, OctoExternal video
