Meet the Vigodas: Conan O’Brien Plays Out His Teenage Dream With L.A. Cover Band

Conan O’Brien is playing out a long-held ambition with the Vigodas, a Los Angeles cover band that has performed about 10 shows since its debut last August. The 63-year-old comedian and former late-night host fronts the group through an hour-plus set of rock and roll covers, and says playing with the band brings him great joy.

The band grew out of O’Brien’s guitar lessons with Jason Roberts, whom singer Norah Jones introduced to him after appearing on his podcast in 2023. O’Brien later asked Roberts to assemble a group, and they named it after actor Abe Vigoda, a friend and frequent guest on O’Brien’s former show. Their set spans music from the 1950s to the 1980s, including songs associated with Elvis Presley, Elvis Costello, Bo Diddley and John Lennon.