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Kevin Eubanks announces 'Tonight Show' departure
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"The Tonight Show" can start its search for a new bandleader in earnest now.Kevin Eubanks, who said earlier this year that he would depart, made it official during Monday's (April 12) broadcast. Eubanks told host Jay Leno that his last day on "Tonight" will be May 28.
"After 18 years, I just need a change of pace and see what else is going on," Eubanks told Leno. "But it's a really difficult decision, because this has become my second home, as it has been for the band, and I love the audience and the American people really love the show and it's been a wonderful experience to be here."
He also joked that after "playing America in to commercials" since 1992, when he joined Leno's "Tonight Show" band, "I'm gonna go somewhere where I can finish a song."
"You've been a great friend and really supportive," Leno said to Eubanks. "When those jokes die, I've got to look to you, man."
Eubanks was originally a guitar player for the "Tonight Show" band and became its leader three years later, when Branford Marsalis departed. He followed Leno to his prime-time show earlier this season and then back to "The Tonight Show" after NBC's late-night shakeup. News of his departure from the show first leaked in February.
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'Tonight Show' bandleader Kevin Eubanks quits
Photo credit: NBC
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Can't imagine who's going to replace Kevin. They should find someone really good! But I hope "Conan" doesn't think he can steal him.
Oh please don't be stupid. Yeah like conan would want to "steal" kevin. Go watch your gay leno show.
This is just really sad. I wonder if the rest of the band is going to stay. Thay are great!
leno sucks who cares! Team CoCo. Oh ya and Leno is also a thief. Boooooooo leno
Conan O'Brien is NOT FUNNY.
Drew carey is funny, Roseann is funny Conan is NOT funny
Pathetic. Conan bribes NBC a decade ago to force out Leno, who didn't want to leave; then whines when Leno does the same thing to him in return. And people are all "oh, Conan didn't do anything" -- he STARTED this mess, folks. As for Kevin leaving, like the show or not, he's a substantial plus to it, and he'll be missed.
Mike, put down the pipe. NBC promised Conan the Tonight show all those years ago because they didn't want him to walk. Jay had to say OK to NBC... it was so many years away, after all. NBC screwed the pooch, but Leno was not a standup guy (pardon the term) about it.
I don't think Conan is funny either...never have. Ellen is really not funny but people think she is hilarious.
i thought max weinberg from conan was going to take over?
Good effin riddance the guy was lazy and phoned it in for years.