Watch Letterman sign off for good, with Foo Fighters backup

David Letterman signs off — (Image credit: Late Show)

If you don't know why David Letterman chose the Foo Fighters as the final act in his 33-year career in television, he told you on Wednesday night's Late Show finale: The band "saved my life." He wanted Dave Grohl and Co. to play their song "Everlong" on his first show back after open-heart surgery in 2000, and the band canceled a South American tour to do so. On Wednesday, though, the Foo Fighters were mostly the musical backdrop to a highlight reel of Letterman's long, storied TV career. Before the band played, Letterman had one last thing to say: "All right, that's pretty much all I got. The only thing I have left to do, for the last time on a television program: Thank you and good night." And so it ends.

Watch the Foo Fighters, in black tie, and video montage below. —Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.