Johnny Carson, 1925-2005

Brian Olewnick · January-23rd-2005, 02:02 PM

Johnny Carson, King of Late Night, Dies

JEFF WILSON

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Johnny Carson, the "Tonight Show" TV host who served America a smooth nightcap of celebrity banter, droll comedy and heartland charm for 30 years, has died. He was 79.

"Mr. Carson passed away peacefully early Sunday morning," his nephew, Jeff Sotzing, told The Associated Press. "He was surrounded by his family, whose loss will be immeasurable. There will be no memorial service."

Sotzing would not give further details, including the time of death or the location.

The boyish-looking Nebraska native with the disarming grin, who survived every attempt to topple him from his late-night talk show throne, was a star who managed never to distance himself from his audience.

hornplayer · January-23rd-2005, 02:12 PM

You beat me to it, Brian. I had just copied the obit to post. My Dad loved him and watched every night. He sure had a GREAT band on every night. A lot of cats ate well because of that gig!

My "twin," Joe Williams, was on more than any other singer. Johnny definitely had good taste!

Rest in Peace.... Johnny Carson. (I loved Floyd R Turbot)

Johnny Carson, King of Late Night, Dies

3 minutes ago

By JEFF WILSON, Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES - Johnny Carson (news), the "Tonight Show" TV host who served America a smooth nightcap of celebrity banter, droll comedy and heartland charm for 30 years, has died. He was 79.

"Mr. Carson passed away peacefully early Sunday morning," his nephew, Jeff Sotzing, told The Associated Press. "He was surrounded by his family, whose loss will be immeasurable. There will be no memorial service."

Sotzing would not give further details, including the time of death or the location.

The boyish-looking Nebraska native with the disarming grin, who survived every attempt to topple him from his late-night talk show throne, was a star who managed never to distance himself from his audience.

His wealth, the adoration of his guests — particularly the many young comics whose careers he launched — the wry tales of multiple divorces: Carson's air of modesty made it all serve to enhance his bedtime intimacy with viewers.

"Heeeeere's Johnny!" was the booming announcement from sidekick Ed McMahon that ushered Carson out to the stage. Then the formula: the topical monologue, the guests, the broadly played skits such as "Carnac the Magnificent."

But America never tired of him; Carson went out on top when he retired in May 1992. In his final show, he told his audience: "And so it has come to this. I am one of the lucky people in the world. I found something that I always wanted to do and I have enjoyed every single minute of it."

His personal life could not match the perfection of his career. Carson was married four times, divorced three. In 1991, one of his three sons, 39-year-old Ricky, was killed in a car accident.

Nearly all of Carson's professional life was spent in television, from his postwar start at Nebraska stations in the late 1940s to his three decades with NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson."

Carson choose to let "Tonight" stand as his career zenith and his finale, withdrawing into a quiet retirement that suited his private nature and refusing involvement in other show business projects.

In 1993, he explained his absence from the limelight.

"I have an ego like anybody else," Carson told The Washington Post, "but I don't need to be stoked by going before the public all the time."

frankiepop · January-23rd-2005, 03:05 PM

from my former hunting grounds....i know ____--> He just gave a few hundred thousand dollars to the Norfolk Ne Theater Group. (his home town)

goodnite johnny ...teehee

Ron Thorne · January-23rd-2005, 04:01 PM

We just learned this sad news during a phone call from one of our sons who lives in California.

I had always hoped to be able to visit the set of the Tonight Show sometime before Johnny retired to watch the master at work, and to enjoy Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show band in-person. Johnny contributed a lot to music and jazz, in particular.

He was also a passionate, better-than-average drummer, too.

Another American icon is gone. What a loss.

Goodnight, Johnny.

Gentle Giant · January-23rd-2005, 04:47 PM

His drum set and lessons came from Buddy Rich, too, I believe.

I'd be tempted to say this loss is incalculable, although, since he's been retired for so long, suffice to say it's surprising and sad.

I've often wondered why he'd kept such a low profile since leaving the Tonight Show. Makes me wonder how long he'd been sick.

He certainly was a true entertainer and he provided me with many good laughs over the years.

RIP.

Hi-yooooooo!

Edit: Listening now to "Johnny Carson" from The Beach Boys Love You. From a time when Brian would write about just about anything.

Jimmy Cantiello · January-23rd-2005, 04:58 PM

I always admired Carson for the way he took care of himself. He always seemed to be in good shape. A recent photo I saw shocked me. He was bloated and had a pot belly. I know I should cut him some slack since he was 79 years old and was suffering from emphysema but he looked totally different from what I was used to. Regardless, he was a wonderful entertainer and I appreciate his contributions to popular culture and tv. Always had a great band too.................

RIP, Johnny

Mike Schwartz · January-23rd-2005, 05:30 PM

By way of Louie Bellson telling me about this, Carson had a drum kit on the Tonite Show set at all times.

A favorite TV jazz moment of mine is a night that Buddy Rich was making one of his regular visits. Bellson was subbing and was on the Tonite Show Orchestra, and they set up Rich's & Bellson's kits for what turned out to be a titanic battle!

Earlier in the day, to play a joke on Carson, they had Carson's kit set up between that of Buddy's and Louie's. Upon his arrival Carson ordered his drums taken away...NO WAY he was going on TV with the likes of those two guys...

Although Johnny was not my idea of a great funny man, I laughed my ass off a lot over the years wacthing that show. He and his staff were pretty fair talent scouts as well, and as has been mentioned before, the music he regularly booked was more to the liking of many of us here at JC to just about anything out there in TVLand today...

Knowing how the guy died, thought about how many cigarettes I watched that guy smoke on the tube...RIP

stonemonkts · January-23rd-2005, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

I've often wondered why he'd kept such a low profile since leaving the Tonight Show. Makes me wonder how long he'd been sick.

He tried to keep a low profile his entire life, relatively speaking. When he left the show, no one expected to ever hear from him again. He didn't disappoint.

Carson was a very private man. RIP

RainyDay · January-23rd-2005, 06:25 PM

Oh, what awful news. I always hated that when he retired, he just left the business altogether. I stopped watching Tonight when he left. He was insanely unique. When I was kid, I used to watch him on that goofy game show that came on after I got out of school, before he got Tonight. I was a big fan of his. Loved when he hosted the Academy Awards. Always a class act and yet deadly funny. RIP.

Jesse · January-23rd-2005, 07:05 PM

Here's some of the cats I recall playing him in & out of commercials. Am I trippin'? Are there others you recall?

Lew Tabackin
Ernie Watts
Snooky Young
Ross Tompkins
Tony Mottola

Unabashed cornball that I am, I was hooked to the end. Hardly watched it nightly, but tuned in frequently. I was 10 when he signed on. Great slow takes, ala Benny. Buddy Rich's regular appearances creeped me out when I was young. I thought he was truly psychotic. Continuing in the indefensible entertainment vein, I always enjoyed Rickles' appearances.
Johnny was lounge cool, seldom flummoxed, even when tanking. Often watched him behind the bong, probably a factor in my enjoyment.
I saw many stand up cats for the first time on the Tonight show. Still recall Carson's off camera laughter when someone was killing 'em.
He was the template for all of the godawful yappers who followed. A very strange, intimate cathode relationship with millions.
As someone mentioned, watching him pound all those heaters over the years makes emphysema hardly suprising. As stoner said, he was famously controlling of his reclusivity, & walked away from the broadcast throne with panache.

Whatever happened to Joey Bishop, & that rat terrier sidekick, Regis Philbin?

Johnny at a desk in the celestial realms, pulling on an unfiltered, tatooing a beat with a pencil, cutting his eyes right & left, looking for Ed...

frankiepop · January-23rd-2005, 07:35 PM

one of my favorites was drummer Ed Shaughnessy who was the regular in the tonight show band for years. one night he smoked buddy rich in a drum battle.

Jesse · January-23rd-2005, 07:54 PM

frankie,
what is your avatar? Looks like Japanese ink brush?

Lenny D.Guitarist · January-23rd-2005, 09:43 PM

Saw Johnny Carson in concert in 1976(?) at Westbury. He was hilarious. His show got me through many college evenings when I wasn't in the mood for studying. He was a unique artist and will be missed. Rest in peace, Johnny.

Joey X · January-23rd-2005, 09:55 PM

Seems to me that Cannonball A. was a guest emcee for Carson off and on. Among other good things about the regular man, this was a fine touch.
Joey X

GoodSpeak · January-23rd-2005, 10:02 PM

Johnny Carson, 1925-2005

Damn.

I was hoping we'd have him for much longer.

RIP, Johnny.

frankenmeister7 · January-23rd-2005, 10:19 PM

RIP mr. carson.

not only was johnny a great drummer but his first act out of college was a magician.

he had harry anderson on a few times and that was something to watch.

dad always like carson and met him on one of his trips to california with the older brothers and sisters. he caught a few shows when johnny's hair was still dark and not dyed.

i love bette midler on one of the award shows. johnny was the presenter and lost her balance purposely and johnny got a hand full of miss Divine Ms
bossoms. he turned a color purple.

also when she sang for him on his last night. not a dry eye in the house.

he timing on those movie skits with the signs to take what rode to were with that wig of his and one of those babes that had the big bossoms. blonde too and very smart but she had that vague look.he had the whole family peeing in their pants.

yes, johnny carson was an original and no one has yet to come and take his place. those are some big shoes to fill.

he gave richard pryor his first break. George Carlin and the rest is history.

i loved that face and his smirk.

also mentioned was his laugh when caught off guard was priceless. i do remember one time that he fell out of his chair. he was just too much.

he also spat coffee at some comedian for being so dry witted. Ed McMahon
almost died for he was embarrassed and carson just went along with the show.

that is truly a professional. it was "his" show. he could do no wrong.

Rest in Peace, Johnny Carson

you will be missed by all.

Mike Schwartz · January-23rd-2005, 10:30 PM

[QUOTE=Jesse]Here's some of the cats I recall playing him in & out of commercials. Am I trippin'? Are there others you recall?

Lew Tabackin
Ernie Watts
Snooky Young
Ross Tompkins
Tony Mottola
QUOTE]

Those were the guys on the West Coast Band.
In the NY days he had Clark Terry, who was one of the funniest of them all when they would play "Stump The Band"...CT would go into "Mumbles" and fracture the audience and everyone else.

Many others on both coasts that I can't recall at the moment...

Jesse · January-23rd-2005, 10:49 PM

I thought of Clark Terry, & also thought I was suffering false memory syndrome. The coastal thing makes sense.
What was the deal with Doc Severinson?

frankiepop · January-23rd-2005, 10:51 PM

Quote:

frankie,
what is your avatar? Looks like Japanese ink brush?

i believe chinese....translation: the sound 'koong'
cd cover for mcphee/duval/heward - undersound II

and so it goes

Ron Thorne · January-24th-2005, 03:06 AM

Another musician/bandleader who I always enjoyed on the old Tonight Show was Tommy Newsom. He had a droll wit and sly style which often cracked up Johnny, and me. He rose up through the ranks of the reed section to become Assistant Band Leader, sometimes even subbing for Ed McMahon.

Jesse · January-24th-2005, 03:19 AM

I remember Mr. Newsom, Ron. Carson mocked his wardrobe, & played him like he was slow-witted. Affectionately, of course. Newsom led the band in Doc's absence, played alto pimarily.
Do you remember the bandleader prior to Doc's tenure?
Hint: it wasn't Butch Morris. Nor George Russell.

clinthopson · January-24th-2005, 11:37 AM

One of my old friends was a director on the Tonite show for many years, he retired the same time as Johnny Carson.

We went to the show several times as his guest and sat in the control room. We always got to the studio by 3:00 for the band rehearsal and heard Doc's band go through charts that were sent them by some of the top arrangers, guys like Bob Florence and Don Menza. The band was awesome.

Amongst the players we got to hob nob with after the show were Ross Tompkins, Bob Cooper, Ernie Watts, Snooky Young, Conte Condoli, Chuck Findley, Pete Chrislieb, Ed Shaughnessy and the loveable Tommy Newsome. Louis Bellson often filled in for Ed Shaughnessy.

I'm waiting for a call from my friend, who now lives in romantic Boise and I'll share any special tidbits for our call to y'all.

BTW, many of the jokes I posted on the joke thread were from my friend who got them from Johnny.

Jimmy Cantiello · January-24th-2005, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse

I remember Mr. Newsom, Ron. Carson mocked his wardrobe, & played him like he was slow-witted. Affectionately, of course. Newsom led the band in Doc's absence, played alto pimarily.
Do you remember the bandleader prior to Doc's tenure?
Hint: it wasn't Butch Morris. Nor George Russell.

Pretty sure it was Skitch Henderson.................

Jesse · January-24th-2005, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Cantiello

Pretty sure it was Skitch Henderson.................

It was. There was some kind of long forgotten rift between Henderson & Carson. Guess who left.

clinthopson · January-24th-2005, 12:23 PM

I don't think there was a rift, Carson moved to LA and Skitch wanted to stay in NY.

I just got off the phone with my buddy. We had a nice visit about Carson and my friend's 19 year tenure with the show.

He was directing the show where the lady brought potato chips she had collected that looked like historic persons. She was very proud of her collection. Johnny told my friend to keep alert to what would happen. Ed MacMahon distracted the lady for a moment and when she turned back to Carson, he was munching chips. The look on her face was priceless.

Carson once said that the greatest optimist is an accordion player with a beeper.

Chris D · January-24th-2005, 12:33 PM

I talked with Ernie Watts once about The Tonight Show Band.

"Man, that band was a lot of things. For one, we were the best STOPPING band in the world!"

I always loved the animla bits when some creature would crawl all over Johnny. Best deadpan in the business.

Valerie · January-24th-2005, 12:36 PM

i remember when the show moved out here from new york. john b. williams (bass player) was among the musicians who came out here with the show.

Ron Thorne · January-24th-2005, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clinthopson

He was directing the show where the lady brought potato chips she had collected that looked like historic persons. She was very proud of her collection. Johnny told my friend to keep alert to what would happen. Ed MacMahon distracted the lady for a moment and when she turned back to Carson, he was munching chips. The look on her face was priceless.

I saw that segment last night on an NBC tribute. Johnny looked like a school kid being mischievous.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that the bandleader before Doc was Skitch Henderson, Jesse.

clinthopson · January-24th-2005, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that the bandleader before Doc was Skitch Henderson, Jesse.

Or as Carson called him - "Scotch Hendershot."

BFrank · January-29th-2005, 02:29 PM

Monday on Letterman:

- Senior Vice President of Worldwide Pants and Former Executive Producer of The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, Peter Lassally
- Former Bandleader of The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, Doc Severinsen

**Update**
NY Times
Letterman on Carson

David Letterman has lined up several "Tonight" show alumni for his first new show since the death of Johnny Carson. CBS said yesterday that Mr. Letterman's guests on the "Late Show" on Monday at 11:30 p.m. Eastern time would include Doc Severinson, leader of the Tonight Show Band; Peter Lassally, Mr. Carson's executive producer and close friend; Ed Shaughnessy, who played drums on "Tonight"; and Tommy Newsom, who played saxophone and was often a target of Mr. Carson's on-camera ribbing. — JACQUES STEINBERG