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"Doc" Severinsen - The nickname of Carl "Doc"
Severinsen, the trumpeter and bandleader on the NBC network late
night talk show THE TONIGHT SHOW starring Johnny Carson. While
growing up in Arlington, Oregon his dentist father was called "Big
Doc" so Carl became "Little Doc."
Doc Severinsen, Ed McMahon and Johnny
Carson
Doc was hired as bandleader for THE TONIGHT SHOW in 1967 after the
bearded Skitch Henderson left the program. Doc's proclivity for
bright colors (pink, mauve) and trendy designs in clothing, often
made him a brunt of Johnny Carson's lightning wit. Doc had played
for Tommy Dorsey, and Benny Goodman before becoming an NBC staff
musician.
One night when Doc wore a puce Pucci tie, Johnny Carson remarked,
"I wouldn't wear that to fondle Randolph Scott's saddle horn!"
Delighted with the uproarious audience response, the show's
writers decided to make Doc's wardrobe a recurring nightly event.
Over the years, Doc wore such clothing items as crushed velvet knickers,
rhinestone jumpsuits, flamboyant satin shirts and tapestry cloaks.
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