'90s Rock Legend Pens Emotional Message Ahead of Stephen Colbert's Final Show: 'Need You More Than Ever'
‘90s rocker Bonnie Raitt, with a career spanning five decades and widely respected across rock, blues, folk, and Americana music, took to social media today to pen a sweet message for Stephen Colbert as he prepares for his final Late Show tonight. In it, she said to Colbert, "We need you more than ever."
"As we're forced to say goodbye to one of our most brilliant, hilarious and beloved shows, @colbertlateshow, I want to thank Stephen and his incredible team for the eleven years of astonishing gifts they've given us all," Raitt said on Instagram. "How insane that the number one show in that time slot is being booted off the air because some in power can't take a joke or alternative points of view."
Raitt continued, saying that after a well-deserved break, she hopes Colbert will "find a way to once again illuminate and delight us in an exciting new chapter."
Raitt appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2022, where she performed her song "Blame It On Me." She concluded her message on Instagram by thanking Colbert for that opportunity.
"Thanks also for your kindness in having us on your show and for showcasing the incredible talents of both @jonbatiste and @reallouiscato and their bands," Raitt said. "What an honor for us all. God bless and til next time, here's to us all still speaking our truths to power."
It was announced in July 2025 that The Late Show would be cancelled. While some have speculated that the show is ending due to Colbert being a critic of Trump, CBS said in an official statement that the show is ending because of "a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night."
Colbert's final episode will air on May 21 at 11:35 p.m. (ET) on CBS.
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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 5:33 PM.