Last Night On
Fansided

Tonight Show band The Roots drop out of David Bowie concert

By Hector Cruz

AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 19: The Roots brought their legendary Jam Sessions to SXSW for the first time during an exclusive performance at the Bud Light Factory during the Bud Light Music Showcase on March 19, 2016 in Austin, Texas. Bud Light - Americas most popular and inclusive beer brand, and first time sponsor of South By Southwest® - transformed Austins Brazos Hall into the Bud Light Factory, bringing exclusive performances to SXSW attendees from March 16-19. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Bud Light)
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 19: The Roots brought their legendary Jam Sessions to SXSW for the first time during an exclusive performance at the Bud Light Factory during the Bud Light Music Showcase on March 19, 2016 in Austin, Texas. Bud Light - Americas most popular and inclusive beer brand, and first time sponsor of South By Southwest® - transformed Austins Brazos Hall into the Bud Light Factory, bringing exclusive performances to SXSW attendees from March 16-19. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Bud Light) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Tonight Show’s The Roots have pulled out of the David Bowie tribute concerts due to “bitchassness”

A pair of David Bowie tribute concerts are set to take place in New York City at Carnegie Hall on Thursday and Radio City Music Hall on Friday. The shows will feature an all-star lineup, including Cat Power, Cyndi Lauper, Laurie Anderson, Perry Farrell, Blondie, Pixies, the Flaming Lips, the Mountain Goats and Michael Stipe, who promoted the concerts by performing a cover of the late singer’s “The Man Who Sold the World” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday night.

The late-night series’ house band The Roots were also scheduled to perform, but have since stated they will no longer take part in the concerts due to a dispute over equipment.

“I’ve never been so insecure or petty as to deny a fellow musician use of ANY of my equipment (or my band’s equipment—-or resources or contacts or knowledge or ANYTHING) it angers me when that same courtesy is not reciprocated,” Roots drummer Questlove wrote on Instagram, before announcing that the band along with Kimbra and Bilal would no longer be taking part in the gigs.

He added, “We have patience. But we do NOT have patience for the #Bitchassness. Enjoy your equipment.”

City Winery CEO Michael Dorf, who organized the Bowie tribute concerts, confirmed Questlove’s allegations in a statement to Entertainment Weekly, but said that he still hopes the Roots will reconsider their plans to drop of the shows:

"“There was a miscommunication about the use of the Holy Holy’s drum kit last night on the tight City Winery stage for the rehearsal show. Very unfortunate. I would hope that after a nights sleep and knowing we have a much larger stage with multiple drum kits and other equipment that The Roots will still join us this evening. They have been a regular part of our tribute series and we deeply love and respect them. I remain hopeful they will still join the important celebration of David Bowie’s music tonight and tomorrow and the two sold out shows can experience their powerful performance as one of the 20 amazing songs planned.”"

Next: The Tonight Show band The Roots sued by former member

Both shows are sold out, but Friday’s concert can be live streamed at MusicofDavidBowie.com. All proceeds will benefit music education charities. “The Music of David Bowie” show at Carnegie Hall was announced just two hours before the singer’s death at age 69 in January, and the second tribute concert was later added as they both turned into memorial events.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon featuring the Roots airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. on NBC. Upcoming musical guests include Weezer and Wild Belle.

Home/Tonight Show