Warren Zevon with David Letterman, October 30, 2002 (Photo: Barbara Nitke/CBS)
Many celebrities suffering from terminal illnesses choose, for personal reasons, to keep their diagnoses to themselves, preferring to live out their final days away from the glare of the media and even the sympathies of their own fans. Few outside of David Bowie’s inner circle, for example, even knew he had cancer until the day his death was announced.
Warren Zevon chose another route. Months prior to his passing on September 7, 2003, from mesothelioma, a form of cancer that affects the linings of the lungs, the 56-year-old singer-songwriter had disclosed his situation publicly. He even discussed his illness openly on The Late Show With David Letterman, an appearance that was both heartbreaking and, thanks to the artist’s humility and grace, heartwarming.
The date was October 30, 2002, some two decades after Zevon had first performed for Letterman. In those 20 years, the two men had established a close friendship, with the classic rocker visiting the show on numerous occasions, even subbing for the program’s bandleader, Paul Shaffer, on occasion. But the 2002 appearance was something special: Zevon didn’t just drop by for a quick song and a chat; instead, Letterman devoted the entire hour to his sole guest.
Zevon used his time to discuss his mesothelioma honestly, keeping the mood light but holding nothing back. “I might have made a tactical error in not going to a physician for 20 years,” Zevon said wryly. “It’s one of those phobias that didn’t pay off.”
And, in a quip that has since been quoted countless times, Zevon responded succinctly and with humor to Letterman’s question about what his experience with cancer had taught him about life and death. “How much you’re supposed to enjoy every sandwich,” he replied.
Zevon, born on January 24, 1947, also performed, of course, giving the host and audience three classics from his catalog: “Mutineer,” “Genius” and “Roland the Headless Gunner,” the last a personal request from Letterman. Zevon avoided the new songs he’d only recently recorded for his final album, The Wind, which would be released just two weeks before his death.
Related: Warren Zevon dies, 2003
The version of “Roland…,” with Zevon backed by Shaffer and the program’s house band, is a stunner. It would turn out to be his final public performance but Zevon, who’d been given a few months to live, managed to buck the odds and survive for nearly another year, sticking around long enough to experience the birth of his twin grandsons.
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Zevon’s recordings are available in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.
Five years after the Zevon farewell, Letterman recalled that night for Rolling Stone. Off the air, afterwards, Letterman went to see Zevon in his dressing room. “As we’re talking, he’s taking his guitar strap and hooking it, wrapping it around, then he puts the guitar into the case and he flips the snaps on the case and says, ‘Here, I want you to have this, take good care of it.’ And I just started sobbing. He was giving me the guitar that he always used on the show. I felt like, ‘I can’t be in this movie, I didn’t get my lines.’ That was very tough.”
Letterman was born April 12, 1947.
Related: Our Album Rewind of Zevon’s Excitable Boy
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4 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationWarren was a true genius. Got to see him live three times, wish it had been thirty. His songs will last forever. He was fun guy who enjoyed life. Gone to soon.
Warren was an absolute genius that really showed on Letterman, one of the best 60 minutes of television ever imo️✌️
What a powerful tribute to Warren Zevon! His final appearance on Letterman was so moving, and it truly showcased his wit and vulnerability. It’s hard to believe how much depth he brought to both his music and his personality. Thanks for sharing this moment in music history!
“How much you should enjoy every sandwich”. Great line. And I knew how fond of Zevon Letterman was, but damn, Warren gave him his guitar? Yeah, that would’ve turned on the waterworks for me, too.