Foo Fighters Close Late Show Era with Full-Circle Medley

On May 4 2026, Foo Fighters performed a two-song medley on *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*. The set opened with “This Is a Call,” the band’s first national-TV appearance in 1995, and closed with “Everlong,” the song they played on David Letterman’s final episode in 2015. The performance was streamed as a web-only exclusive after the broadcast.

Foo Fighters Tip Hat to Letterman with Special Colbert Performance of Two ClassicsRolling Stone

Foo Fighters first appeared on Letterman’s program on August 14 1995, delivering “This Is a Call” as their debut television slot. Letterman became an avid supporter, inviting the group back repeatedly and ultimately featuring “Everlong” on his farewell show on May 20 2015. Letterman has credited “Everlong” with helping him through a five-week recovery after a quintuple-bypass surgery in 2000.

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The band’s April 2026 release, *Your Favorite Toy*, supplied two additional tracks—“Caught in the Echo” and “Window”—performed on the same episode. Following a Tiny Desk appearance, Foo Fighters are slated for BottleRock Napa Valley at the end of May, a European “Take Cover” tour, and a North-American stadium run from early August through late September. U.S. dates include Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Nashville and Los Angeles.

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Stephen Colbert introduced the medley as a tribute to the show’s history, noting the 31-year span between the two songs. Dave Grohl reflected on the band’s long-standing connection with Letterman, emphasizing the personal significance of the performance. CBS confirmed that *The Late Show* will air its final episode on May 21 2026, ending a decade of Colbert’s tenure.

Foo Fighters Tip Hat to Letterman with Special Colbert Performance of Two Classics

• “When we found out [Letterman] actually liked our music, that he actually was a fan, I was really blown away,” — Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters frontman

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• “When he came back from his open-heart surgery, they requested that we play our song ‘Everlong’ because that was his favorite song … I think we even cancelled a tour. We just felt like we had to be there. Not only was it an honor to be asked, but it felt like something we had to do – because he had always meant so much to us. And that started this connection that we’ve had for years. It’s fucking cool, you know?” — Dave Grohl

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• “I’ve watched so many of these Tiny Desk shows and have a bunch of favorites,” — Dave Grohl

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• “Performing a medley of the first song they played on this stage on The Late Show 31 years ago, ‘This Is a Call,’ and the last one on Letterman in 2015, ‘Everlong,’ ladies and gentleman, Foo Fighters!” — Stephen Colbert, host

Foo Fighters Tip Hat to Letterman with Special Colbert Performance of Two Classics

Audience members reported an “impassioned” response as Grohl delivered a full-scream rendition of “This Is a Call” before transitioning into the anthemic “Everlong.” The live atmosphere was described as celebratory, underscoring the symbolic closure of the band’s late-night journey.

Foo Fighters Tip Hat to Letterman with Special Colbert Performance of Two Classics

• First TV appearance: August 14 1995 (“This Is a Call”)

Foo Fighters Tip Hat to Letterman with Special Colbert Performance of Two Classics

• Last Letterman performance: May 20 2015 (“Everlong”)

Foo Fighters Tip Hat to Letterman with Special Colbert Performance of Two Classics

• Medley broadcast: May 4 2026

Foo Fighters Tip Hat to Letterman with Special Colbert Performance of Two Classics

• Final *Late Show* episode: May 21 2026

Foo Fighters Tip Hat to Letterman with Special Colbert Performance of Two Classics

• New album release: April 2026 (*Your Favorite Toy*)

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• Upcoming U.S. stadium tour: August – September 2026 (Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Nashville, Los Angeles)

Rolling StoneFoo Fighters Tip Hat to Letterman with Special Colbert Performance of Two Classics

The medley links three eras of late-night television—Letterman’s early years, his farewell, and Colbert’s concluding season—while simultaneously promoting Foo Fighters’ latest album and tour. It highlights the band’s enduring cultural relevance and illustrates how musical acts can serve as connective tissue across shifting media landscapes.

Foo Fighters Tip Hat to Letterman with Special Colbert Performance of Two Classics

The performance will remain available as a web-exclusive video. *The Late Show* will air its final episode on May 21 2026. Foo Fighters will continue their 2026 itinerary, beginning with BottleRock, followed by European dates and the U.S. stadium tour later in the summer.

Foo Fighters Tip Hat to Letterman with Special Colbert Performance of Two Classics

All source material presents a consistent account of the performance, dates and related events; no discrepancies were identified.

Foo Fighters Tip Hat to Letterman with Special Colbert Performance of Two Classics