Johnny Carson Memories: Johnny Pauses Spelling Bee To Call Out Band Member, Then Has Him Try 

He did not have to know how to do any thing , just his expression on his face, was total talent .

Johnny loved his staff

That would have been epic

And that was 2 years ago..... how is North Mexico now?

Their salaries were very very good, especially the longer they remained in the band. However, they did not make their real money by being on the show every night. It was their own private work after the show that earned them a fortune. If you were a member of the Tonight Show band, your appearance fee at night clubs, concerts etc sky rocketed by 85% and they knew it. So for a very decent annual salary, the guys in the band raked in a large amount of money from other appearances, all down to the fact they worked on Johnny's show. That was the power of working for Johnny Carson.

@@johnking5174 Can you give me examples of the salaries of the members of the band?

@@coleymoke6709 According to Peter Lassally, the band members in around 1972 when they moved to Los Angeles, could earn up to $100,000 per year on the Tonight Show. And now take into account that was in the seventies, that makes around $700,000 a year in 2022. Not a bad earning.

@@johnking5174 That is helpful. Thanks.

Craig was prefect for his time, and the only one to hold a candle to JC, but Johnny will always be the KING.