Paul Shaffer
Paul Shaffer is a prominent Canadian-born composer, director, and musician, widely recognized for his role as the music director on David Letterman's late-night talk shows since 1982. Born on November 28, 1949, in Fort William, Ontario, Shaffer was exposed to a diverse range of music from a young age, eventually pursuing a career in music despite initial doubts about its viability. He gained early recognition while working on Broadway, particularly with productions like "Godspell" and "The Magic Show," before becoming a key figure on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) during its formative years.
After transitioning to the role of musical director for "Late Night with David Letterman," Shaffer's career flourished, leading to significant projects like the Live Aid finale and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Beyond his television work, he is celebrated for co-writing the disco classic "It's Raining Men" and has released several albums, including "Coast to Coast" and "The World's Most Dangerous Party." Shaffer is also noted for his humanitarian efforts, supporting various charitable organizations and participating in benefit concerts. His accolades include a Grammy Award, induction into Canada's Walk of Fame, and membership in the Order of Canada. Shaffer resides in New York and has authored a memoir detailing his experiences in the music industry.
Paul Shaffer
Musician
- Born: November 28, 1949
- Place of Birth: Fort William (Thunder Bay), Ontario
Contribution: Paul Shaffer is a Canadian-born composer, director, and performer. He is best known as David Letterman’s music director, producing music for Letterman’s late night talk shows since 1982. Shaffer has had a long and distinguished musical career, which includes a Grammy Award and induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Early Life and Education
Paul Allen Wood Shaffer was born in Fort William (renamed Thunder Bay in 1971), Ontario, on November 28, 1949, the only child of Bernard and Shirley Shaffer. His mother and father both had a love of music and exposed Shaffer to classical music, show tunes, and other genres at a very young age. Shaffer began piano lessons at six, quickly learning to play by ear. As a teenager, he received a certificate of music from the Royal Conservatory and played rock and roll throughout high school.
Despite his talent, Shaffer was raised to believe that a career as a musician was unrealistic. Therefore, after high school, he enrolled at the University of Toronto, majoring in sociology, philosophy, and psychology.
Career
Shaffer quickly realized that music was his real calling, and after receiving a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto, he supported himself by playing piano at clubs and weddings. He earned additional money as a pianist providing musical accompaniment for performers at auditions.
In 1972, while playing piano for a friend who was auditioning for the Toronto production of Godspell, Shaffer was discovered by composer Stephen Schwartz, who hired him to conduct and play piano for the production. When the show finished in 1974, Schwartz again hired Shaffer as a pianist for his new Broadway production, The Magic Show.
Following his Broadway debut, Shaffer began his career in television as one of the original members of NBC’s newly launched Saturday Night Live (SNL). With the exception of a break in 1977, in which he starred in CBS’s short-lived comedy series A Year at the Top, Shaffer was a staple on SNL for five years, playing keyboard, composing many of the musical parodies and other materials, and even periodically performing in skits, including the first to feature Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as the Blues Brothers.
After five years on SNL, Shaffer decided to move on, and in 1980, he left television. However, Shaffer soon returned to television as the musical director for the new NBC comedy show Late Night with David Letterman, which debuted on February 1, 1982.
Shaffer’s role on Late Night opened doors to many other opportunities. In 1985, he was the musical director for the Live Aid “We Are the World” finale. In 1986, he began to work as producer and musical director for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s induction ceremonies.
In 1993, David Letterman left Late Night and NBC. Shaffer followed him to CBS, which premiered The Late Show with David Letterman in August of 1993. In 2012, he assured the media that, despite reports he was ready to leave when his contract expired, he wanted to remain on the show as its bandleader as long as Letterman would have him. He remained with Letterman until the talk show host retired in 2015. Although Letterman retired, Shaffer continued his prolific musical career, playing numerous live shows and serving as musical director for productions such as the 2018 Grammy Awards and several Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
In addition to leading the CBS Orchestra on The Late Show and other pursuits, in 2007, Shaffer began to narrate a series of sixty-second radio spots, Paul Shaffer’s Day in Rock, for Envision Radio Networks. The vignettes first aired on New York’s WAXQ-FM. They continued until 2019.
Compositions and Recordings
In 1979, Shaffer and Paul Jabara composed “It’s Raining Men,” which was first released on the album Success by the Weather Girls in 1983 and went on to become a disco hit. In 2001, Geri Halliwell performed the song as part of the sound track for Bridget Jones’s Diary, and it reached number ten on the Canadian Singles Chart.
Shaffer’s albums include Coast to Coast (1989) and The World’s Most Dangerous Party (1993). He played piano on the country album Earl Scruggs and Friends (2001). The album’s “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” won Shaffer and the other musicians a 2002 Grammy Award for best country instrumental performance. In 2017, Shaffer and his band released the self-titled album, Paul Shaffer & The World's Most Dangerous Band.
Humanitarian Work
Throughout his career, Shaffer has also been known for his humanitarian work. Organizations he has supported include the Great Lakes Heritage Coast Project, the Royal Conservatory of Music, and Epilepsy Canada, for which he has served as national spokesperson. He has been involved in benefit concerts such as the Concert for New York City (2001) following the September 11 terrorist attacks and 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief (2012).
Notable Achievements
In addition to his 2001 Grammy Award, Shaffer has received many awards, including two honorary doctorate degrees, and the Canadian Association of New York’s Arts and Letters Award. In 2006, Shaffer was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, and in 2008, he was appointed a member of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian honor.
Personal Life
A resident of New York, Shaffer has been married to Cathy Vasapoli since 1990; the couple has two children. Shaffer’s memoir, We’ll be Here For the Rest of Our Lives, was published in 2009.
Bibliography
“Paul Shaffer.” Canada’s Walk of Fame, 2013, www.canadaswalkoffame.com/inductee/paul-shaffer. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Mason, Anthony. “Paul Shaffer’s Showbiz Journey.” CBS News Sunday Morning, 4 Oct. 2009, www.cbsnews.com/news/paul-shaffers-showbiz-journey/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Newman, Jason. "Life After ‘Letterman’: Paul Shaffer on Show’s Final Music and What’s Next." Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2014, www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/life-after-letterman-paul-shaffer-on-shows-final-music-and-whats-next-55402/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Oloffson, Kristi. “Q&A: Letterman Bandleader Paul Shaffer.” Time, 7 Oct. 2009, time.com/archive/6910390/letterman-bandleader-paul-shaffer/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
"Paul Shaffer and The World's Most Dangerous Band." Official website, 2024, www.theworldsmostdangerousband.com/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Shaffer, Paul. Interview by Gayle King, et al. CBS This Morning. CBS, 19 Apr. 2012. Transcript.