Howard Talks About a Busy Summer Including His Surprise Shows and Attending the Star-Studded Ed Sheeran Concert

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After a two-month summer hiatus, the Stern Show was live Tuesday morning and Howard wasted no time detailing his busy vacation. As many heard, Howard broke into his own channel not once but twice with surprise shows. The idea was born out of all the great music that Howard was listening to while he painted. “I’m listening to some tunes and I’m like, ‘You know, these tunes are really good, I wish I could share it with my audience,” he recalled to co-host Robin Quivers. “It would be fun to do.”

After working out some logistics, Howard was prepared to go live when he had a dinner party with the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Drew Barrymore, and Jon Bon Jovi — but he wasn’t necessarily planning on it until wife Beth mentioned something. “When my wife suggested it, everyone at the table got super excited,” Howard remembered. “I ended up dragging everyone down in my basement and that’s how it came about.”

Noting the fun time he had, Howard was particularly impressed with Jimmy Fallon’s rendition of “Killing in the Name” by Rage Against the Machine. “That guy is a fucking powerhouse talent,” he declared of the frequent Stern Show guest. “When he does a bit man, he commits. I mean, he was just singing his heart out.”

Photo: Getty Images for SiriusXM

Howard also appeared blown away by the intimate Ed Sheeran show he attended in August.

Put on by SiriusXM and airing later this week on Howard 101, the performance was so strong, Howard felt compelled to say something to a few other attendees who also happen to be rock royalty. “I turned to Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, and Jon Bon Jovi and I go, ‘Hey, you three maniacs could learn from this guy,’” he revealed. “He’s just up there with a guitar — you guys have to pay a band.’”

Sal Governale had an eventful summer in his own right, having traveled to Italy. Originally, he was hoping to take his parents, but a legal issue with his father prevented his mother from going as well. “She said she didn’t want to go because she was scared that she was going to be detained at the airport,” the Stern Show staffer explained.

While in Florence, the aspiring crooner sang with a busker on a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.”  “I think somehow somebody broke a glass, somebody threw a glass — I don’t know if they were throwing it at me,” he said before admitting he had consumed some wine beforehand.

“Sal is annoying in every country,” Howard joked in response.

Ed Sheeran’s live concert from the Stephen Talkhouse debuts Friday, Sept. 8 at 7 & 10 p.m. ET on Howard 101.