In what appears to be the dumbest (or most brilliant?) move in music history, hip hop greats The Roots will be retiring from touring as of March 2009.  The reason?  They’ll be the house band for Jimmy Fallon.  Yea, that guy that couldn’t stop laughing during any of his skits on SNL.  This is, however, TV history, as this will be the first time that the band is bigger than the host.  From 2dopeboyz…

Last night in Chicago The Roots announced that they will be retiring from touring effective March 2009. The move is being made to accommodate their new Night Gig as the house band for Jimmy Fallon when he replaces Conan O’Brien as the host of Late Night in March of 2009. Conan will be moved to the Tonight Show.

Uhhh… bad idea.  Max Weinberg even leaves Conan when The Boss calls him. 

Fans of soul-master Al Green are in for a treat with his latest release, Lay It Down, produced by ?uestlove of The Roots. Al may not have the shrill range that he once did, but he can still bring it, rest assured. Give a listen to some tracks here, and while you’re at it, check out Synthesis’ Al Green interview from last fall.