Paul Shaffer is not your average music legend. He’s best known for his stint as the music director for David Letterman, first on Late Night with David Letterman from 1982-1993 and then on the Late Show with David Letterman from 1993-2015. He was also a member of the Saturday Night Live house band from the show’s first season in 1975, and became a featured player in the cast for one season in 1979. Paul’s career spans movies, television, and radio, and in 2009, he co-authored We'll Be Here for the Rest of Our Lives: A Swingin' Show-biz Saga with David Ritz. On Sunday, April 6 at 11:30 a.m., he’ll be here in Westport as part of the Westport Library’s fourth annual VersoFest, appearing with Christine Ohlman, Saturday Night Live’s “Beehive Queen,” for the 2025 Oral History Podcast: Television Rocks! The talk is sponsored by the Y’s Men of Westport/Weston. Onstage, Paul and Christine will talk about Paul’s storied career, SNL’s 50th anniversary, his time with the “World’s Most Dangerous Band,” and more. (And yes, there will be music, too.) Westport Lifestyle caught up with Paul ahead of this exciting appearance.
Westport Lifestyle: What can we expect from your appearance at VersoFest?
Paul Shaffer: Christine will ask about me, but she also knows that I share her fascination for the details and the history of this music we love so much. We're gonna be tying that in in a clever way. And then I'm working on whether I can get her over to the piano and get her to sing some tunes, with me on piano, and maybe some duets. I don’t think we have anything to worry about.
WL: What is your relationship like with Christine?
PS: I've known her for quite some years now. I saw her working for my old pal G.E. Smith when he was conducting at Saturday Night Live, and then I met her and finally got to do music with her on a number of occasions. She is sort of a similar spirit to me when it comes to music, [particularly] her loyalty to the soul music that was around in the ‘60s when I was growing up, and that I still love. Of course, her look is nothing but '60s! [When I heard VersoFest would be a conversation with her,] I said ‘great. Sounds like a breeze!’
WL: VersoFest celebrates music and media, and this year we have three musicians who are also authors appearing [for more, see page TK]. What was it like working on your memoir?
PS: It’s no secret that I had a ghostwriter, David Ritz (his name is on the cover!), and I actually met him 50 years ago when I was in the house band at Saturday Night Live. Ray Charles was the host and musical guest, and David Ritz was around, as he had written the definitive Ray Charles biography. That’s when I first became aware of him. And when I got the opportunity to write a book, I was playing a gig with Jon Bon Jovi, and David was working on a project with him. He said ‘if you ever want to do a book, let me know.’ When I told him I would have comedy in it too, he said he’d just finished Don Rickles' book. I said, well, you sound perfect for me!
WL: You’ve been a part of so many iconic late-night series— from SNL to Letterman to this past December when you appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to accompany Darlene Love’s Christmas set. Is there something about late-night TV that uniquely speaks to you?
PS: Just as I was finishing up the five years of SNL with the original cast members, I got a call about David Letterman, when he was not the name that he became, saying ‘he's getting a morning show, would you be interested in being the bandleader?’ I passed. I just said ‘morning doesn't sound like me.’ Two years later, they gave him the show after Carson, and I got the call again. I thought ‘wow, even later than Johnny Carson? Now that’s more like it.’ Late night always seemed to have a more glamorous vibe.
WL: SNL is turning 50 this year. What is it like to think back on being a part of those iconic first years, with the show’s continued legacy?
PS: Well, first, Lorne [Michaels], keeping it relevant all these years—what an accomplishment. The show is more of a conversation piece now than ever. I’ve been invited to some of the 50th anniversary events, and I’ll participate, too. [Ed note: you can catch Paul in the new documentary Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music, now streaming on Peacock.]
WL: What are you working on now that you’re excited about?
PS: I have a symphony show that I love to do. I’ve done it 6 times with six different orchestras and boy, what a feeling that is. That’s my favorite thing I do these days. Really, I just like to play songs.
More From VersoFest
Now in its fourth year, VersoFest is the Westport Library’s annual celebration of music and media. This year’s lineup features not just Paul Shaffer, but other music legends who have dipped their toes into the publishing world: Patti Smith and Henry Rollins (more at right). In addition to these headliners, there’s the chance to hear from author and music historian Andrea Warner, as well as a panel on a legendary album from the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen. Here, Westport Lifestyle breaks down the VersoFest happenings— choose the talk that most interests you or attend them all.
PATTI SMITH
One of this year’s Verso Visionaries is singer/songwriter Patti Smith, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame known for her songs “Gloria” and “Because the Night.” In 2010, Patti Smith won a National Book Award for her memoir Just Kids, which focused on her early career in N.Y.C. and her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Her most recent book is the photography book A Book Of Days. Patti Smith will discuss her work, art, and career on Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m. in the Trefz Forum. Tickets, $45, at versofest.org
HENRY ROLLINS
Another Verso Visionary, Henry Rollins is best known as the frontman for punk bands Black Flag and the Rollins Band. He’s also an accomplished spoken word artist, founding the record label and publishing company 2.13.61 which has released countless books and his spoken word albums. He is the author of the memoir Get In the Van as well as many other works, hosts a radio show on KCRW in Los Angeles, and had a recurring role on the FX series Sons of Anarchy. He will appear in conversation with Nabil Ayers, the president of record label Beggars Group US and author of the memoir My Life in the Sunshine, on Saturday, April 5 at 7 p.m. in the Trefz Forum. Tickets, $35, at versofest.org
THE WALLFLOWERS
The VersoFest concert this year features rock band The Wallflowers. Fronted by Jakob Dylan, Bob Dylan's son, The Wallflowers are known for their hits off their smash 1996 album Bringing Down The Horse, which featured “One Headlight,” “Three Marlenas,” and “6th Avenue Heartache”. Jakob Dylan recently returned to the band for their 2021 release Exit Wounds. The Wallflowers will appear on Friday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Trefz Forum. Tickets, $100, at versofest.org
PANEL DISCUSSION
Saturday Night Live isn’t the only thing turning 50 this year-- Bruce Springsteen’s seminal album Born to Run was also originally released in 1975. This panel will feature Bruce Springsteen’s manager/producer Mike Appel, Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music executive director Bob Santelli, former Columbia Records executive Michael Pillot, and author and music culture writer Kenneth Womack discussing this legendary release, and its continued impact 50 years later. Hosted by Arlen Schumer and Dick Wingate. The panel is on Saturday, April 5 at 1 p.m. in the Trefz Forum. Tickets, are free, but registration is recommended at versofest.org