Late Night talk show host, Conan O’ Brien, has introduced countless bands on his various entertainment shows. Does he play an instrument himself?
Conan O’Brien does play guitar. Conan O’ Brien has stated he has been playing electric guitar for many years. He has played guitar several times while hosting the Tonight Show and Late Night. He also enlisted the help of Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash to help him find a new guitar on Craigslist, during a segment of the Tonight Show.
Let’s look at the times Conan O’Brien has shown off his guitar skills.
Guitar Hobbyist
During a segment of the Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, the host tells the audience, “One of my hobbies is playing and collecting guitars. It’s something I’ve enjoyed doing all my life.”
The host then proceeds to travel to different locations in order to test out guitars listed on the buy and sell site Craigslist, with the help of Guns N’ Roses guitarist, Slash.
Challenging the Tenacious Jack Black
On the host’s self-titled talk show Conan, he and Jack Black took part in a guitar battle.
While O’Brien does play some impressive guitar parts, after he finishes an outstanding guitar solo, it’s revealed that Slash was behind the curtain, and had been giving O’Brien a helping hand.
Performing for his Stand-up Tour
In 2015, Conan O’Brien played guitar to “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, to a delighted crowd: Listen and watch in this video:
Conan O’Brien Teaches Kids How to Write Blues Songs
In this adorable clip from Conan, the host teaches young students how to write blues songs. He tells them that Blues music is about things that make you feel sad, and asks the kids what makes them feel sad in their day-to-day life.
With the childrens’ help, the host manages to come up with some catchy numbers, such as “No Chocolate On Mondays” and “I Always Get Hit in the Head With a Ball.”
Listen to the catchy tunes, as well as the creative process of making kid-orientated blues music:
He Plays with Jack White on his Show Conan
Conan O’Brien performed alongside the lead singer and guitarist of The White Stripes. Together with the show’s house band, the pair performed “Twenty Flight Rock,” with Conan both playing guitar and singing.
With Grace Potter and Full Spectrum
O’Brien was invited by Michelle Obama to put on a show for US Air Force members on an airforce base.
After the on-base show, the host invited the band and American singer Grace Potter to join him on his show Conan, and do another rendition of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary.”
Listen to O’Brien’s sing and play guitar alongside the military musicians:
He Sends Off the House Band for Conan
After eight years of working together on O’Brien’s talk show Conan, the host decided the only way to say a proper goodbye to the musicians was to perform with them one last time, allowing all the musicians to have their own solo.
Conan O’ Brien plays the guitar and sings the lead vocals for Ronnie Hawkins’ “Forty Days.”
Conan O’Brien Takes A Blues Lesson With Lil’ Ed Williams
On a segment of Late Night With Conan O’Brien, the host learns how to write Chicago Blues songs with renowned Blues musician Lil’ Ed Williams.
The pair jam and freestyle some lyrics, such as “My baby’s gone. And she won’t be home no more,” with O’Brien replying “Well you don’t know that for sure, she might come back some time. You can’t assume something negative, yeahhh.”
Watch and listen to the hilarious clip below.