As David Letterman says goodbye to late-night TV, I remember all the great musicians I watched perform. He was often ahead of the curve, selecting talent who were just about to break big. Here are my favorite memories of groundbreaking, entertaining, and surprising performances. All of which I remember watching live as they happened, and many I still have on dusty old VHS tapes. 10. Oasis - "Live Forever" - March 8, 1995
Credit David Letterman with their American Network debut. As Oasis were exploding in the UK, Americans had not heard much Britpop. Listen to Liam Gallagher at his snarly best on the song that started it all. 9. Von Bondies - "C'Mon, C'Mon" - June 23, 2004
At the time it appeared a new American garage rock renaissance was underway, but it proved to be short lived. Outside of only a few major acts, most of these bands have already been forgotten. This Detroit band had a great moment in the national spotlight. 2 minutes of pure Rock and Roll. 8. Paul McCartney - "Get Back" - July 15th, 2009
In one of the Late Show's most elaborate performances, Sir Paul climbs the roof and re-creates the Beatles' classic 1969 "Let it Be" concert, minus John Lennon's fur coat. 7. Jake Bugg - "Lightning Bolt" - October 4th, 2013
"That was peppy." Dave welcomed the new generation when this 19 year-old Brit channeled Bob Dylan and George Harrison. The final seconds where Jake meets Dave - two entertainers born 47 years apart - are classic Letterman. 6. Bruce Springsteen - "Glory Days" - June 25, 1993
On the final episode of Dave's "Late Night" on NBC, he had the one guest he always wanted. "Time slips away and leaves you with nothing, mister, but boring stories of..." 5. Alanis Morissette - "You Oughta Know" - August 17, 1995
This is a reminder of what an original force Alanis was when this song took radios by storm in the Summer of 1995. She poured her heart out in this performance, and network TV had never seen anything like it. Did she change her lyrics for the censors, or let it all fly? Check it out. 4. Wilco - "Hummingbird" - June 16, 2004
This quirky unusually structured pop song is unlike most live music found on network TV. It hit just as the band was reaching mass popularity when most people had never seen what this band looked like. 3. Elliott Smith - "Stupidity Tries" - July 17, 2000
No stranger to national TV, Elliott Smith made one of his final national appearances with a full band. This Beatles-esque tune from "Figure 8" captures his signature mix of beauty and sadness. It's still hard to believe he's gone. 2. White Stripes - "Fell in Love with a Girl" - March 18th, 2002
Now this was a moment. How can only two people make so much noise? Jack and Meg White did it with a guitar and drums and authentic Detroit attitude. A new rock god was born. 1. Eddie Vedder - "Black" - February 27, 1996
This surprise appearance is proof that live talk shows are worth watching. Previously it was a running joke that Dave would hum/mangle this Pearl Jam tune. He needed to be shown how it was done - so Eddie appeared. At the height of their popularity, Pearl Jam made very few TV appearances, which makes this spontaneous Eddie Vedder rendition so special.
