From Musician to Late Night Legend: How Paul Shaffer Found His Way
In an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, legendary musician and late-night TV personality Paul Shaffer shares the story of how he transitioned from playing gigs at weddings and bar mitzvahs to becoming one of the most iconic figures in late-night television. At 68 years old, Shaffer reflects on his early days as a musician and the unexpected twists that led him to comedy. “When I graduated from college, my dream was to be a professional musician,” he says. “I took any job I could get—playing at weddings, bar mitzvahs, and even topless clubs. I was willing to do anything to keep playing music.”
It was a chance opportunity in 1972 that changed everything. Shaffer was hired to conduct the hit musical Godspell in Toronto, where he met a group of comedians who would shape his future. “These were some of the funniest people I’ve ever worked with,” he recalls. “Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, and Victor Garber—they’re all still close friends today. We spent countless hours together, trying to make each other laugh. They had a way of looking at the world through a comedic lens, and it rubbed off on me. I started to see humor in everything.”
Paul and Dave on the Late Show.
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Breaking Into Saturday Night Live: A Musical Director’s Right-Hand Man
Shaffer’s journey into the world of comedy took another big leap when he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live. It all started when Howard Shore, the show’s musical director, hired him to be his right-hand man. “I already knew a lot of the cast members from Godspell, like the incredible Gilda Radner,” Shaffer says. “I used to do an impression of Don Kirshner, this nasal-voiced rock show host, and one day I introduced The Blues Brothers in that character. The next thing I knew, they got a record deal and hired me to put a band together for them.”
Shaffer remembers the first time they performed “Soul Man” together. “It was electric. We’d never felt anything like it before. That moment changed everything for me. It wasn’t just about playing music anymore—it was about creating something unforgettable.”
From SNL to The Late Show: A Lifelong Partnership with David Letterman
After five years on Saturday Night Live, Shaffer decided it was time to move on. “Everyone in the original group was leaving, so I thought it was a good opportunity to see what else was out there,” he explains. “I spent two years as a studio musician when I got a call asking if I’d like to come in and speak to Dave Letterman about his new show.”
Shaffer and Letterman hit it off immediately. “Dave mentioned liking the Bill Murray lounge singer sketch, and we just clicked. He says now that he never had anyone else in mind for the job, and I believe him,” Shaffer says with a laugh. “But back then, I had no idea we’d end up working together for 33 years!”
