Though Max Weinberg followed Conan O'Brien to Los Angeles for 'The Tonight Show,' the drummer won't appear on the comedian's new TBS show, 'Conan.'

According to The New York Times, guitarist/keyboardist Jimmy Vivino told The Riverfront Times in St. Louis that he will take over as bandleader when the new show begins in November. "We're staying in L.A. and I'm committed to that now," Vivino said. "It feels different than when we went out and tried to continue the New York show, because now we're disassociated from one network and starting up with a new one. It's going to be great."

http://www.tvsquad.com/

...for the same reason Kevin Eubanks left Jay Leno's "TONIGHT SHOW" earlier this year: he wants to perform with his own hand-picked band before live audiences in concert, and doesn't want to be "tied down" to a daily TV show anymore. I understand his reasons, and Max seems to be doing very well on the "concert circuit". Jimmy Vivino {Floyd's brother} is a darn good arranger/conductor, and Conan made a wise choice by having him front the "Conan Band" [or whatever it's going to be identitifed as on the show]...

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Are the other guys in the former Max Weinberg 7 still going to be with Conan besides Jimmy? You know, "La Bamba" and so forth?

Yes, I believe most of what had been "The Max Weinberg 7" (and Conan's "Tonight Show Band") are staying together for the new TBS show in November, under Jimmy Vivino...

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Cool!! :cool: :D Who's going to be the new drummer - that cute dude who filled in for Max whenever he toured with the Boss & the E Street Band? :D I don't remember his name. LOL

Still, you have to give it up to both Kevin Eubanks and Max Weinberg for longevity AND loyalty. Kevin was with Jay since 1992 (and took over as bandleader in 1995 when Branford Marsalis left) and Max was with Conan since 1993.

So is Max going back East to live? I would assume so, but I'm not positive.

...here's the lineup for Conan's "Basic Cable Band" when it begins playing on his TBS show next month:

Jimmy Vivino, arranger/conductor/guitar/vocals
Scott Healy, keyboard
Mike Merritt, bass
Mark Pender, trumpet
Richie "La Bamba" Rosenberg, trombone
Jerry Vivino, sax/woodwinds/vocals
James Wormworth, drums


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