Who was the bandleader of Late Night with Conan O’Brien for most of its NBC run?

Max Weinberg was the bandleader of Late Night with Conan O’Brien for most of its NBC run.

Weinberg led the Max Weinberg 7, the house band created for Conan O’Brien’s debut as host of Late Night in 1993. The group supplied musical performances, comedy cues, and the show’s energetic opening sound.

Weinberg was already widely known as the drummer of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. His television role introduced him to a broader audience, while his deadpan comic persona became part of the program’s identity.

A common mix-up is confusing Weinberg with Paul Shaffer, who led David Letterman’s band, or Doc Severinsen, who led the Tonight Show band for Johnny Carson. Weinberg later continued as bandleader when O’Brien moved to The Tonight Show.