Saying goodbye to Colbert, we can't forget these 'Late Show' musical performances

Whether Billy Joel or Brittany Howard, a Broadway-best tribute to Stephen Sondheim or the classical stylings of Yo-Yo Ma, the stage at the Ed Sullivan Theater welcomed a genre-hopping assortment of performances during Stephen Colbert’s tenure.

Well, David Letterman’s as well, but this is Colbert’s swan song as he prepares to sign off “The Late Show” May 21 and take with him the musical legacy of the famed New York venue.

The combination of Colbert’s deep musical interests combined with the passion and knowledge of original bandleader Jon Batiste (and, since 2022, Louis Cato) assured the late-night show attracted top-tier talent. It didn’t matter if it was a stalwart like Tony Bennett or K-pop favorite Blackpink, who made their U.S. network TV debut on the show in 2019.

Colbert has invited Bruce Springsteen as his final musical guest on his penultimate show May 20. While it's certain to be memorable, here are 10 of the best musical performances on "The Late Show" from Colbert's 11-year run.

Chris Stapleton, 'Drunkard’s Prayer' (2018)

The stark ballad from Stapleton’s “From a Room: Volume 2” is a heartbreaker in any setting. But put the big man solo onstage with only his acoustic guitar and a voice spilling reflection and regret and you’ll want to absorb his pain.

David Byrne, 'Burning Down the House' (2026)

Call it recency bias since it aired two nights before “The Late Show” dissolved into history. But watching the ageless Byrne bend and twist around the stage while members of his quirky band emerged from the shadows, moving like water as they merged into a lineup was joyful enough. Seeing Colbert, clad in matching cerulean with Byrne and Co., wiggle onto the stage, spinning, jutting his hips and letting his freak flag fly was to witness a man unburdened.

Earth, Wind & Fire, “Devotion” (2020)

As a way to keep music on the show in the early months of the pandemic, Colbert created the #PlayAtHome series, which welcomed musicians including Alicia Keys and Grace Potter. But EWF’s stunning version of their 1974 hit was especially impressive given the coordination of 11 musicians and singers, each performing from home, but somehow blending seamlessly.

The Avett Brothers, “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” (January 2017)

A few days before a presidential inauguration that rendered half of the country in disbelief, Colbert directed his barely concealed emotions toward the notion of peace. Fortunately, North Carolina’s Avetts aced the assignment with a soul-gripping version of George Harrison’s melodically rich proclamation of hope, this time inflected with fiddle and banjo.

Brandi Carlile, “The Joke” (2018)

Hearing Carlile’s haunting howl during the coda of her Grammy-winning song is what most remember when they recall her searing anthem about the uprising of the marginalized. But when she glances toward the ceiling with glassy eyes while singing, “I see you tugging on your shirt, trying to hide inside of it and hide how much it hurts,” your heart will break alongside hers.

Foo Fighters, “This is a Call/Everlong” (2026)

Foo Fighters made their network TV debut on “The Late Show with David Letterman” in 1995 and performed “This is a Call.” The band returned 30 years later, better dressed in suits, to serenade Letterman as the last musical guest on his show, with “Everlong.” So why not really close the circle with an adrenalized medley of both to accompany Colbert’s departure?

Janelle Monáe, “Make Me Feel” (2018)

With an intro that nodded heavily to Janet Jackson circa “Rhythm Nation,” Monáe brought the drama early. But even better was the rest of the mesmerizing performance, which blended elastic dance moves, visual effects, a checkerboard stage and the charismatic Monáe steering us through her wonderland of electro-R&B.

Raye, 'Click Clack Symphony' (2026)

Surrounded by a chorus of heavenly voices, Raye directed a master class in vocal zigzags. As the troop click-clacked their heels in unison and a string section swelled in the background of the broadcast shown in black and white, it became evident that Raye’s intriguing mix of pop-cabaret-jazz-soul translated beautifully in any arrangement.

Pearl Jam, 'Rockin’ in the Free World' (2015)

During his inaugural season, Colbert welcomed a heady musical guest list including Mavis Staples (the first performer on the show), Florence and the Machine, Ed Sheeran and Darlene Love. But who didn’t envy the bespectacled host when he bopped out to sing alongside Eddie Vedder as the rocker splayed his guttural vocals across the Neil Young cover? Check it out on YouTube.

Tony Bennett, 'Love is Here to Stay' (2018)

Maybe his voice wasn’t sanded to perfection on the Gershwin classic. But there was no diminishment to Bennett’s unparalleled ability to sell a song. Watch and be impressed with his delivery, dotted with an oddly timed phrase, a glance into the rafters, a pull back of the mic and, that most Bennett-ian move, a warm smile and thumbs up.