Tonight Show Vet Dead at 78
Former Tonight Show backup bandleader Tommy Newsom died of cancer Saturday at age 78. Newsom first joined the late nighter in 1962 as a sax player in the band before ultimately rising to the position of assistant music director and earning the sarcasm-laden nickname "Mr. Excitement" from Carson. Newsom retired along with Carson in 1992.
Former Tonight Show backup bandleader Tommy Newsom died of cancer Saturday at age 78. Newsom first joined the late nighter in 1962 as a sax player in the band before ultimately rising to the position of assistant music director and earning the sarcasm-laden nickname "Mr. Excitement" from Carson. Newsom retired along with Carson in 1992.