Questlove
Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson performs with Elvis Costello and The Roots from their album, "Wise Up, Ghost," at Brooklyn Bowl on September 16, 2013 in New York City.
His late-night TV gig on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" has changed everything for the 43-year-old Thompson, whom Rolling Stone has called "America's band leader," and Time magazine recently anointed the "Coolest Person of the Year."
"This is probably the most golden year of any year that I have ever had," Questlove told CBS News' Anthony Mason.
By CBSNew.com senior producer David Morgan
West Philly Kid
Ahmir Thompson grew up in West Philadelphia, and by age 10 he was touring with his father's doo wop band, Lee Andrews & the Hearts, performing roadie duties. One day the band's drummer broke his arm. "And then that's when I did my first show," Questlove said. "And that was at Radio City Music Hall."
He was all of 12 years old.
Questlove told Anthony Mason his parents were strict, pushing him to play drums four hours a day in the basement: "Much to the chagrin of the neighborhood. I was a loud drummer, and the walls are very thin."
West Philadelphia
At Philadelphia's High School for the Creative & Performing Arts, Thompson's classmates included the members of Boyz II Men, some of the country's top jazz musicians, and a young rapper, Tariq Trotter, with whom he'd start The Roots.
On weekends, the group would busk on street corners around the University of Pennsylvania. They started getting interest from bars that weren't into hip hop: "Often we'd have to sort of disguise and play down a little bit," Questlove told Mason. "Like, 'What do you guys do?' 'Well, we do spoken word, we do jazzy spoken word!' That was our Trojan Horse into the battles: 'We do jazzy spoken word'!"
Crobar
The Roots, featuring drummer Questlove (Ahmir Khalib Thompson) and rapper Black Thought (Tariq Trotter), formed in 1987.
At left they perform at the Moveon.Org civic action benefit concert on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina at Crobar on August 24, 2006 in New York City.
Discography
Since 1993, The Roots have released 11 studio albums and two EPs. Their 1999 song, "You Got Me" (with Erykah Badu), won the Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
They've also collaborated on albums with John Legend ("Wake Up!" which won two Grammys in R&B categories), Betty Wright ("Betty Wright: The Movie"), and Elvis Costello ("Wise Up Ghost").
Waldorf-Astoria
Questlove of The Roots performs during the Michael J. Fox Foundation's 2010 Benefit "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's," at The Waldorf-Astoria on November 13, 2010 in New York City.
Hammerstein Ballroom
Questlove performs onstage during VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul at Hammerstein Ballroom on December 18, 2011 in New York City.
Grammys After-Party
DJ Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson performs inside the VEVO Presents I'm With the Band post-Grammys party, on February 12, 2012 in West Hollywood, California.
Grammy Awards
From left: Musicians F. Knuckles, Black Thought, Kamal Gray and Questlove of The Roots arrive at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
The Roots
Black Thought, Questlove and Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson of The Roots perform at the Rolling Stone Hosted Jeep Heroes Tailgate on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, La.
Questlove and Heidi Klum
Questlove and Heidi Klum (in costume and makeup) attend Heidi Klum's 14th Annual Halloween Party, at Marquee on October 31, 2013 in New York City.
Bud Light Hotel
Questlove performs onstage at the Bud Light Madden Bowl at The Bud Light Hotel Cruise Ship, January 30, 2014 in New York City.
City Harvest
Questlove speaks onstage at City Harvest: An Event Of Practical Magic, on April 24, 2014 in New York City.
Questlove and Grandmaster Flash
Questlove and Grandmaster Flash perform at the "Power" screening after-party on June 2, 2014 in New York City.
Evolution Tour
Questlove spins at the Mercedes-Benz Evolution Tour, with Alabama Shakes and Questlove, at Terminal 5 on July 24, 2014 in New York City.
Bud Light's Whatever
Questlove performs for the crowd at Bud Light's Whatever, USA on September 6, 2014 in Crested Butte, Colo.
Bow Tie
Before going o stage at "The Tonight Show," Questlove selects a bow tie from his voluminous collection.
Paley Center for Media
Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson attends the Paley Center for Media Presents: "The Sixties" Series Finale on August 5, 2014 in New York City.
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"And Then You Shoot Your Cousin" by The Roots (Def Jam); Available via Amazon and iTunes