Biography
The least likely hipster since Sammy Davis, Jr. was drafted into the Rat Pack, Paul Shaffer made not only a lifetime but an industry of spinning his shortcomings into bold career moves. The only son of a Thunder Bay attorney with a passion for jazz, Shaffer was trucked by his parents on vacations to Las Vegas, where he developed an early taste for dazzle and ring-a-ding-ding. A rock-n-roll worshipping teenager, Shaffer joined a boy band …
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Career Milestones
| Landed job as musical director of Toronto production of "Godspell"; met its composer-lyricist Steven Schwartz who invited him to play piano on Broadway for "The Magic Show" (1974) | ||
| Studied classical piano from age 6 | ||
| Was the musical director for the first 10 induction ceremonies for the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame | ||
1964 | Performed with the rock band The Fabulous Fugitives in home town of Thunder Bay | |
1975 | Was the original band member of NBC's "Saturday Night Live"; played keyboards, composed special music material and acted in skits | |
1976 | Worked on the Broadway production of "Godspell" | |
1977 | Took time off from "SNL" to star in the short-lived comedy series "A Year at the Top" (CBS) | |
1979 | Collaborated with Gilda Radner on songs for her Broadway show, "Gilda: Live from New York"; also played keyboards | |
1979 | Was the musical director for Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, performing as the Blues Brothers, for their US tour and on the albums, Briefcase Full of Blues (1978) and Made in America (1980) | |
1980 | Received screenwriting credit for the feature "Gilda Live"; also performed | |
1982 | Served as music director for "Late Night with David Letterman" (NBC); leader of The World's Most Dangerous Band | |
1984 | Played Artie Fufkin, the promo man, in Rob Reiner's parody of a rock documentary, "This Is Spinal Tap" | |
1987 | Executive produced and played himself in the Cinemax special, "Viva Shaf Vegas" (also wrote theme) | |
1988 | Appeared with Miles Davis as part of a street musicians scene in "Scrooged," starring Bill Murray | |
1989 | Released the solo album, the Grammy nominated, Coast to Coast | |
1990 | Contributed music to the feature "Postcards from the Edge" | |
1990 | Had cameo as harried passenger in John Travolta's cab in "Look Who's Talking Too" | |
1993 | Moved with Letterman to CBS becoming music director for "The Late Show with David Letterman"; leader of CBS Orchestra | |
1993 | Released second solo album, The World's Most Dangerous Party | |
1996 | Was the musical director for the concert finale at the closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta | |
1997 | Heard as the voice of Hermes in Disney's animated feature "Hercules" | |
1997 | Seen as part of the "Blues Brothers Bash" during the Super Bowl XXXI half-time show | |
1998 | Performed in "Blues Brothers 2000" with Dan Aykroyd and John Goodman | |
2001 | Hosted the VH1 game show "Cover Wars" along with co-host, DJ/model Sky Nellor | |
2009 | Published his memoir, We'll Be Here for the Rest of Our Lives: A Swingin' Showbiz Saga | |
Awards
1989 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement In Music Direction in Late Night With David Letterman Seventh Anniversary Show |
1992 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement In Music Direction in Late Night With David Letterman |
2001 | Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance |