Warren Zevon’s Parting Gift Left David Letterman in Tears

Warren Zevon’s closing look on the Late Show With David Letterman on Oct. 30, 2002 was memorable for a couple of causes.

One was how Zevon’s profound sense of braveness got here throughout — earlier that very same 12 months, he’d been unexpectedly given a grim analysis of pleural mesothelioma, a most cancers usually attributable to publicity to asbestos. Zevon had been advised he solely had a couple of months to stay, and but, sitting beside Letterman, he projected a sense of acceptance and understanding, with a contact of humor. “First of all,” Zevon mentioned on the present, “let me say that I might have made a tactical error in not going to a physician for 20 years. It was one of those phobias that really didn’t pay off.”

But he was additionally keen to speak about how his analysis affected his day after day life. “You put more value in every minute,” he mentioned. “It’s more valuable now. You’re reminded to enjoy every sandwich.”

Over the course of a number of a long time, loads of musicians sat down with Letterman on his Late Show, together with a handful of earlier appearances from Zevon, however that night held particular weight. Both males have been acutely conscious this was seemingly the final time they’d sit collectively on set, and Letterman was nervous – Zevon was not solely his visitor however a buddy, one which he wished to deal with respectfully as they mentioned his impending demise on nationwide tv.

“The solely a part of it that felt regular to me,” Letterman told The Ringer in 2022, “was after the present upstairs in his dressing room.”

Following the show, the pair were chatting while Zevon put his guitar away in its case. “It was small discuss. Just fill the air with one thing whereas he’s going by the enterprise of placing the guitar in the factor,” Letterman recalled. “He places it in, closes the lid, snaps it closed, fingers it to me, and he says, ‘Take excellent care of this for me.’ And I burst into tears. Uncontrollable. I had no concept that I might be bursting into tears, however I did. And I hugged him and I mentioned, ‘I simply love your music.’ And that was it.”

Watch Warren Zevon’s Final ‘Late Show’ Appearance on Oct. 30, 2002. 

Zevon ultimately outlived his prognosis and got to witness the birth of his twin grandsons, plus the release of his 12th studio album, The Wind. He passed away at age 56 on Sept. 7, 2003, 12 days after the album was released.

Letterman has never forgotten that moment in the dressing room in 2002, and though he’s received many guitars from guests over the years, none compare to Zevon’s. “It’s simply my favourite,” Letterman said. “The others have been form of, ‘Hey, thanks. Enjoyed the gig,’ sorts of issues. This was, ‘Thank you, and goodbye.'”