Jimmy Fallon might be a late night genius.
When he took over hosting duties of the legendary “Tonight Show” in 2014, audiences weren’t quite sure what to expect of the former SNL cast member in the top-tier late night slot.
Five years later, any doubts have been quelled. Fallon -- whose birthday is Sept. 19 -- has proven that his childlike, fun-loving personality still comes through in a suit. In fact, his is the ideal temperament for disarming guests and making them comfortable enough to follow him anywhere.
Even a classroom. High among Fallon’s talents is his knack for coming up with segments that are just really fun to watch. A prime example is his classroom instruments bits, mini performances performed on mini school supplies, always with the program's versatile band The Roots in tow for additional backing.
The classroom performances have featured some impressive guests, with everyone from rock legends The Who to hitmakers The Jonas Brothers. These are some of the most memorable classroom instruments segments from Fallon's "Tonight Show."
The Who
Back in May, rock legends The Who performed "Won't Get Fooled Again." Guitarist Pete Townshend went back to basics on a ukulele and lead singer Roger Daltrey grooved out on a tambourine.
Jonas Brothers
Between this performance and Kevin Jonas' recent first day pic of his daughter, it feels like the Jonas Brothers have been prepping for back to school all summer. For their July classroom performance of "Sucker," they added that extra xylophone you never knew the song needed. They also had help keeping time with clappers and a banana shaker rhythmically provided by The Roots.
Weezer
Weezer's decision to cover Toto's 80s hit "Africa" last year was a smart and mature move for the band, a self-reinvention via pop classic from the past. In March, they kept the retro vibes going on their Fallon appearance, delivering a stripped down but spirited rendition of a-ha's "Take on Me" on music toys, decked out in their Miami Vice best.
Aerosmith
Aerosmith breathed new life into their classic "Walk This Way" by paring down the instruments and adding a lot of shakers. We're happy that Joe Perry was on ukulele, and really happy they did this song instead of "Get a Grip."
Shawn Mendes
Mendes lost a few of the sounds but not the vibes on his classroom performance of "Treat You Better."
Adele
Have you ever gotten emotional listening to a woman sing over a plastic, rainbow-colored xylophone? If your answer is no, then you haven't seen Adele's performance of "Hello" with Jimmy and the Roots.
Sesame Street
Okay, now this one really makes sense. The cast of "Sesame Street" joined Jimmy to play an audience-appropriate version of the kid show's classic theme song.
The Lonely Island
It's hard to believe The Lonely Island's hilarious anthem "I'm on a Boat" is a decade old when the central message still resonates today (it's still baller to be on a really big boat). And it holds up as much in a classroom as it does on the high seas.
