Max And Jay Weinberg: Like Drummer, Like Son

Published June 21, 2009 at 8:01 AM EDT

Max Weinberg is the drummer for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and The Tonight Show Band.

Father's Day was only officially recognized in the U.S. in 1972, just two years before Max Weinberg joined the E Street Band as Bruce Springsteen's drummer. He recently got one of the best Father's Day gifts a dad could receive.

Weinberg, as you may know, is also the bandleader for The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, after 17 years on Late Night fronting the Max Weinberg 7. The new, higher-profile show, which is starting its fourth week, left Weinberg with some scheduling issues on the latest Springsteen tour. When he couldn't make some of the gigs, the Boss suggested that Weinberg's 18-year-old son, Jay, sit in this summer, during his break from college.

In honor of Father's Day, both dad and son recently talked with NPR's Guy Raz — Max from Los Angeles and Jay from Athens, Ohio, where he was touring with his band The Reveling, fresh off the Springsteen tour.

While Springsteen has called Max Weinberg "the greatest drummer in the world," he clearly is comfortable with Jay filling the drum seat.

"Pride doesn't really describe it adequately," Max Weinberg says. "And I must say, when the scheduling conflicts arose for June, and Bruce and the E Street Band were going to Europe to play, I was fortunate to debut The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien and my band here. It seemed like a very organic solution to have Jay play drums.

"Jay did it all himself," he says. "I mean, this is someone who just embraced the challenge, went for it, learned hundreds of songs and assimilated my style, and then threw it out to the audience, flavored by his own metal- and punk-style playing. You see your son, who's doing something he so loves doing, doing it with your band that you played with for nearly 40 years — and in some cases, playing it better than me. As a dad, it is the greatest Father's Day I could have. It's an incomparable experience."

To hear the full interview with Max and Jay Weinberg, click on the "Listen" link at the top of the page.