Photo by Dino Perrucci

Perhaps Jazz Fest’s most talked about collaborative set took place at the end of the festival. New Orleans’ Radiators—who will break up this year after an historic career that dates back to 1978—headlined the final night at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival’s Fairgrounds on Sunday. Local percussionist Michael Skinkus, who shares a rich history with the group, served as an auxiliary member of the band throughout the set. The Radiators opened their final Fairgrounds performance without guests for “Love Grows On Ya” and “The Man Who Lost His Head.” Soon after, BeauSoleil’s Michael Doucet emerged for takes on “You Aint Goin’ Nowhere,” “7 Devils” and “Never Let Your Fire Go Out.” Warren Haynes, who returned to New Orleans after a show in Mississippi to sit in with the band, then joined in on “Sylvie,” “City Of Refugee” and Waiting For The Rain.” In addition,Bonerama’s Mark Mullins, who the band described as an unofficial member of The Radiators, appeared on “Lovely You.” The rest of the Bonerama Horns then appeared for “Early Bird Café,” “Cocktail Music,” “The Twitch” and “Long Way Down.”

The Radiators, who have closed more Fairgrounds performances than anyone besides the Neville Brothers, finished things out with Haynes, Doucet, the members of Bonerama and Little Feat’s Paul Barerre onstage for “Where Was You At” and “Wild and Free.” Then The Radiators, Haynes, the members of Bonerama and the Subdudes’ Tommy Malone (brothers of the Radiators’ Dave Malone returned to the stage one final time for “Like It Like That.” “Click here“http://www.relix.com/blogs/exposed/2011/05/11/the-radiators-jazz-fest-fairgrounds-farewell for a photo gallery from this performance over at Relix.com

The Radiators only have a limited number of gigs left before their final show.