It might not have the coolest line up around but the list of performers for the 30th annual Seaside Summer Concert Series was revealed earlier this week. Geared more towards the boomer audiences this free music series boasts shows from the likes of Michael Bolton and Liza Minnelli. So why am I mentioning this? Well, it’s because on July 17 you’ll have the chance to catch legendary Beach Boy Brian Wilson - which would certainly be worth the schlep out to Coney Island.

Performances will be held every Thursday night, beginning July 10 at Asser Levy/Seaside Park on West 5th Street and Surf Avenue in Coney Island, across the street from the New York Aquarium. Did I mention all of these shows are gratis?

If aging boomer acts aren’t for you then maybe one of these recently announced tours will be…

• Rock duo The Kills put together an early fall run (begins: 09/14)
• Ace’s fav The Silver Jews announce a rather lengthy North American tour (begins: 08/28)
• The new incarnation of Blind Melon will be on the road through October for their first tour in over a decade (begins: 06/26)
• Psychedelic hard-rockers The Secret Machines will keep busy this summer (begins: 06/27)
• U.K. sensations The Kooks are back in the States starting in September (begins: 09/04)
• Expansive Canadian rockers Stars hit the summer festival circuit, followed by a fall headlining tour (begins: 06/27)

Finally, looking to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump (and the blog band curse) L.A. indie-rockers the Cold War Kids will release their second album this fall. In anticipation of the release the band has lined up a fall tour that finds the band graduating to some larger rooms across the country. But before all of that, the band will take the stage tonight for a free show at the Prospect Park Bandshell with Elvis Perkins and Sam Champion supporting. See ya in BK!

I had a whole My Morning Jacket post full’a YouTubes all set to go today, but then I stumbled upon these wicked Blind Melon clips from — shit, could it really be 15 years ago? – October 1992 and felt compelled to post them instead. Let that be a lesson, Jim James: OD on us and you too can get top billing one day.

I first fell in love with much of Blind Melon’s catalog after Shannon Hoon’s death. The song Change used to emanate nightly from the jukebox of the deep-country bar we frequented every summer, and from there I began to recognize the genius I had written off when they were actually, you know, a working band. Eventually Tones of Home became a staple on my first iPod, and this video from a 1992 performance really takes it to a whole new level. Behold:

• Blind Melon’s Tones of Homes and Deserted — Oakland ‘92
• Blind Melon’s Soak the Sin and I Wonder — Oakland ‘92
• Blind Melon’s Dear Ol’ Dad and Seed to a Tree — Oakland ‘92
• Blind Melon’s Time — Oakland ‘92

As we entered the 1980s, there weren’t many places for rock bands to play on late-night television. Johnny Carson was more likely to have Paul Anka or Wayne Newton appear than Elvis Costello or Van Halen. But when NBC gave David Letterman the slot following The Tonight Show in 1982, things quickly began to change. Early on, Letterman established himself as a champion of up-and-coming acts. And as Letterman’s show got bigger, his bookings got bigger too.

Through the years, nearly every major act has performed on either Late Night with David Letterman or The Late Show with David Letterman. Many of these performances have been taken off YouTube by the networks (damn you, Viacom!), but at least 20 great clips remain. You’ll notice Paul Shaffer trying to get in on each and everyone of these performances.

Without further ado, read on after the jump for this week’s must-watch (seriously) B List, as we present 20 amazing Letterman appearances…