Enjoy Every Sandwich: Missing Warren Zevon
Hard to believe it's been 24 years since he passed. The songs he sings & the stories he tells are still relevant today. He was known as the songwriter's songwriter. Come along & listen!
Warren Zevon sits on the throne of the literary side of rock ’n roll. With his precise turn of a phrase and concise use of imagery, he could consolidate an entire novel into a 3-minute song. His lyrics were witty, and at times acerbic and cynical, but he still captured the humanity of his characters in stories about mercenaries, outlaws, war, drug addiction, and even our own mortality.
He was a child prodigy on guitar and piano and spent time at the home of the great composer, Igor Stravinsky to discuss music and music theory. His friendships ran deep and diverse ranging from Hunter Thompson to Stephen King, and he was admired by many from Bob Dylan to David Letterman. In the 1970s and early 80s, songs like Poor Poor Pitiful Me, Werewolves of London, Excitable Boy and Carmelita dominated the FM airwaves, not to mention his reputation as a raucous and passionate rock ’n roller in concert.
Although he passed on too young from cancer, he did not hide his illness nor his thoughts on the transient nature of our lives. His final performance was on Late Night with David Letterman, and on this night, he was the only guest. “As you know,” Zevon said, “you’ve been the best friend my music has ever had.” And when asked what he’s learned about life and death, Zevon replied “enjoy every sandwich.”
Click here to listen only to the playlist.
David Letterman is a huge Warren Zevon fan. Many of us remember this heartbreaking event when he was on his show for his final performance. (From “Late Show,” air date: 10/30/02)
Watch all of Warren’s performances on The Late Show through the years.
Learn more about Warren Zevon in this candid interview from the Uncut Archives.
Originally appearing in Uncut Take 317 [October 2023], this previously unpublished interview from 1990, found the cult singer-songwriter speaking frankly about the chaotic mingling of art and life, writing rock ’n roll and the attraction of songs about mercenaries... “When people say to me, ‘Don’t you wish you were popular with more people?’, I say no.”
On October 24, 2025, the Zevon family and the Wild Honey Foundation presented Meet Me in L.A.: The Songs of Warren Zevon, a 3-hour, 31-song celebration of the 2025 Rock Hall Inductee’s life and legacy. The night united some of Zevon’s closest friends and collaborators in a powerful homage to his storytelling.
During the event, Zevon’s son Jordan and 2004 Inductee Jackson Browne delivered this stirring performance of “Lawyers, Guns and Money.”
12 Warren Zevon songs you need to hear.
I was resistant to join the Zevon band wagon. I had my reasons. It was Letterman that eventually brought me around. A true artist. Wonderful selections!
Great show!