John C. Reilly turned a late-night stop at a Charlestown pub into an unexpected live-music cameo last Thursday, joining Bosstown Heavy onstage for a couple of songs. The “Step Brothers” star reportedly grabbed the mic for “54-46 (That’s My Number)” — because apparently a normal night at the bar was too boring.
According to Boston.com, Reilly was visiting Tavern at the End of the World with a friend when local musician Jimmy Trapella and his band invited him to join the set. He sang at least two songs, including the Toots and the Maytals reggae classic, while whether he also touched the drums remains unconfirmed.
The venue’s own website describes Tavern at the End of the World as an Irish-style pub with live music, traditional Irish sessions and late-night hours. In other words, it is exactly the sort of neighborhood spot where a famous actor can wander in, end up near the stage and make everyone’s Thursday considerably more interesting.
Reilly’s Boston Visit Included A Theater Show And Newport Cameos
The Charlestown performance came during a busy Boston-area stretch for Reilly. Boston.com reported that he brought his one-man show “Mr. Romantic” to the Emerson Colonial Theatre on July 23, then attended the Newport Folk Festival from July 24 through July 26, where Nathaniel Rateliff and Dawes each invited him onstage.
Reilly has become something of a recurring surprise guest at musicians’ sets, so the Charlestown cameo was less a random celebrity sighting than a very on-brand detour. Still, there is a difference between appearing at Newport and suddenly singing reggae at a neighborhood bar — and Tavern patrons got the more intimate version.
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