Nothing like a good old fashioned montage to say so long to an old friend. And that's exactly what Jay Leno and the Tonight Show delivered Friday in one of many parting gifts to longtime bandleader Kevin Eubanks.
"Kev, we are going to miss you. We are going to miss the whole band," Leno added at the tail end of his nightly monologue. True to form, Eubanks attempted to take the focus off his solo departure, graciously reminding viewers it's actually the entire musical crew on their way out.
"The whole band is leaving," he laughed. "This really would not have been the same experience, the same fun, the same music, the same everything. We have gone through all this together."
Eubanks treated friends and fans alike to a special performance during his final Tonight, and in giving the introduction to his sidekick, Leno was able to pay his brand of tribute:
"Something very special for you right now," a visibly emotional Leno said. "Our musical guest tonight has been my friend and part of the Tonight Show family for 18 years. It's unbelievable. You know we do all these jokes and we screw around and people sometimes forget what an incredible musicians, one of the best, best damn guitar players you'll ever find."
And then, for the last time: "Please welcome our own Kevin Eubanks."
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Without the Tonight Show, how is Kev going to see so many Stars at Their Hottest?!