Happy Birthday Jimmy Fallon: Best Musical Moments From _The Tonight Show_ So Far

Rob Slater on September 19, 2014

Just like us here at Relix, Jimmy Fallon is also turning 40 this year. In fact, today is The Tonight Show host’s birthday. To celebrate, we revisit five of the best musical performances throughout the former SNL funny man’s tenure including stellar appearances from Arcade Fire, KISS and Phish as well as landmark performances from Neil Young, Jack White and The Replacements.

Fallon’s priority on booking quality musical guests is what makes him the premiere late night show and stems from the efforts made by Tonight Show music booker Jonathan Cohen as well as house band The Roots, who together have lured in some of the best talent in the game today. Having the Legendary Roots crew on set has also led to some incredibly unique moments such as backing the likes of Public Enemy and collaborating with Soundgarden. Check out five clips from The Tonight Show‘s new era below.

Arcade Fire Bring Reflektor to (After)Life

Every time Arcade Fire stepped onto the stage to promote their (at the time) forthcoming release Reflektor, it felt like must-see TV. That’s because it was. On the opening week of The Tonight Show, Fallon brought the Canadian rockers on the show to deliver their new cut “Afterlife.” The result is an interactive, disco ball-laden performance that set the bar high for the musical guests that followed.

Neil Young and Jack White Press Live Record

In what may have been the most unique late night musical stunt ever, Jack White brought along his vintage “Voice-o-Graph” from his own Third Man Records and actually pressed a record live on the show. Neil Young stepped into the booth (where he recorded his entire album A Letter Home) and delivered a delicate version of Willie Nelson’s “Crazy.”

KISS Turn Up the Heat on 30 Rock

A larger than life band like KISS couldn’t be confined to the regular studio. Instead, the crew at NBC turned their former Late Night studio into a concert hall and filled it with members of the KISS Army. The band played a mini-set including “Kind of the Nighttime World,” “Hotter Than Hell,” “Firehouse” and “Black Diamond,” among others. There was pyro, confetti and all the theatrics you’d expect from a normal KISS concert.

(Yes, that is the first time “normal” and “KISS” have ever been used in the same sentence.)

The Replacements Return to NBC

Following their ban from Saturday Night Live almost thirty years ago, rockers The Replacements made their triumphant return to the friendly confines of 30 Rock to play their hit “Alex Chilton.” Thankfully this time there were no reports of damaged dressing rooms and all of the band members appeared sober enough to perform, so it’s safe to say they’ll be invited back.

Phish and Fallon Reunite

In support of their latest, Fuego, Phish stopped by to visit old pal and fan Jimmy Fallon for a pair of performances. While they stuck to “Waiting All Night” for the broadcast, the web exclusive “Fuego” provided The Tonight Show with its jammiest moment yet.

Happy Birthday to our favorite lip-synching late night host, Jimmy Fallon.