We'll Be Here for the Rest of Our Lives: A Swingin' Show-biz Saga Hardcover – 6 Oct. 2009

If you love showbiz annecdotes...and I mean proper 'biz not celebratey or fame this is the book for you. Think John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Marty Short, Jerry Lewis, Sammy,Frank and Dean!Paul Scaffer is the sidekick/musical director on the David Letterman show and previously worked on Saturday Night Live. This is Paul lifes from child to now, with some great stories that make you wish you were there...and he really does call people cats! Its an enjoyable journey that enthuses the joy through the pages and into your brain. I loved it!

After watching sooo much Letterman this was exactly what I expected. The stories and personal observations are great and it’s a really fast read. The narrative bounces along and the personality we all know from the show really comes through. I dug it Baybee!

Paul Shaffer was born to be band leader on a talk show. More particularly, David Letterman's band leader. That's the only conclusion I could arrive at after reading this book -- that his life was a journey to arrive at this job. His interests, personality, and experiences led him unerringly to a job that has few openings. This is a guy who loves music, loves playing music, and who grew up fascinated with performers and telethon schmoozers. Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Vegas performers, shaped and entranced him, and that interest led him to the bright lights of New York and the opportunity to meet the people who'd molded him.I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book, which I purchased largely on a whim. I like music a lot, but I'm not musical or so into it that I know the intricate details of bands, particularly obscure bands. To top it all off, Shaffer is a different generation, and with music even a few years can make people speak a different language. What wins the day is Shaffer's passion and enthusiasm and natural role as someone who keeps the party, and story, going. His passion for people and music is infectious and carries the book.There was also his time spent with members of Second City, SNL, and The Blues Brothers. This is an interesting culture and he spent time with legends like Belushi and Radner. Anyone with even a casual interest in the comedy of the seventies and eighties will enjoy reading about that time.Gilda Radner told Paul that he was the most show business person that she knew, and that seems about right. He also confirms, although nicely, that Britney Spears is no brain trust. He had to explain to her who Bob Hope was. The book is chocked full of anecdotes about musicians and celebrities and a love of life.Good read! One of the better autobiographies I've read this year.

Paul Shaffer comes across exactly as how I imagined him to be. His caliber as a musician is undisputed, for he has played in so many important dates that he surely deserves the recognition. This book is fun and easy to read, I found myself skipping quite a few pages that really did not have enough interesting value. Apparently Mr. Paul Shaffer is a very happy man, and there is nothing wrong with that. He briefly mentions various names, which is the correct way to say I Know Them!, but really he does not say much besides letting the reader know how incredibly lucky, and respected musician he is. I guess I am so used to hear about chaos in the life of musicians, and with Paul Shaffer that does not happen. Just a clean cut kid that grew up to become a staple in late night television, plus his glory days with Saturday Night Live. There is very little to dislike about his career, and much to admire. Still, the book did not have a lot of oomph, and it became easier and easier to skip to the more pertinent parts, which were far and few in between. I bought it, will pass it to the next interested party, but will not say is outstanding by any stretch of the imagination. Great musician, a little boring on the side. 3.5 Stars.

Really found this to be an interesting read.

I recommend that you buy this book!Paul Shaffer is of my generation and I viscerally connect to everything about him. He grew up in a close family. Me too. His parents loved entertainment and exposed him to an immense variety of high-quality music. Me too. Paul's first love is performing music. Me too. Paul is a cheerful creature who is too busy loving all the groovy things in life to have a bad day. Me too.I've loved Paul on everything from his Saturday Night Live days up to the last Letterman episode, and I've enjoyed the forays into movies, sitcoms, benefits, award shows, albums, etc. with which Paul's life has been filled. I've enjoyed many of Paul's interviews, where he is shown to be quick-witted, extremely articulate, and as happy a creature as you'll ever see. Paul takes every opportunity to acknowledge Dave Letterman's immense talent, which shows he gets it, and his generosity. In my case, because I'm a musician, the thing I love most about Paul is how he plays keyboards. Paul might never be inducted to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame because he has had very little direct connection to hit songs, but in my opinion he should be. Watch videos of Paul playing and, especially if you're a musician, you'll appreciate Paul's encyclopedic knowledge of material and his immense vocabulary of (what we call in the music biz) chops. Paul has as many chops as any cat who ever touched any instrument. In short, I'm a huge Paul Shaffer fan.Back to the book. In the book, we see that Paul has led the ultimate charmed life. And in the book we see that the great thing is that he knows it and appreciates it.Thanks for sharing your story Paul!Write another one in a few years!