Radiohead
Radiohead Performs High and Dry Live on Tonight Show with Jay Leno
On March 16, 1996, Radiohead performed "High and Dry" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, a significant moment in their early career, just after the release of their sophomore album, "The Bends," which came out the previous year, in 1995. This performance showcased the band's transition from a modest UK indie group to a more prominent player on the international stage. "The Bends" was a critical turning point, featuring lush instrumentation and deeply emotional lyrics—a stark contrast to their debut, "Pablo Honey." Interestingly, during this period, Radiohead were still establishing their identity, grappling with fame while maintaining their artistic integrity. The performance exemplified their knack for merging catchy melodies with introspective themes, something that would become a hallmark of their later work.