Leave it to Stephen Colbert to know exactly what to say, as the host paid a fitting tribute to the late Glenn Frey with a story from his youth before kicking things off on Late Show. 

“I just want to take a moment to thank Glenn Frey for what he gave me,” the host said. He then went into a funny tale about dancing to “Desperado” at his eighth grade dance with Dolly Lockwood. “It was one of the sweetest, most beautiful experiences of my life. And that day, I took a small, a very small step toward manhood,” he added. “I don’t think I would’ve reproduced by now if that song had not played that night.” 

Watch the tribute below.