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Shaffer began his musical career in 1972 as the musical director for a Toronto area production of Godspell. He went on to play piano for a Broadway show called The Magic Show in 1974, then became the musical director for NBC's popular Saturday Night Live television program from 1975 to 1980. SNL gave Shaffer the opportunity to stretch his comedy wings as well, when he eventually started appearing in sketches with the other comedians.

Shaffer occasionally teamed up with the Not Ready for Prime-Time Players off of the show as well, including work on Gilda Radner's highly successful Broadway show, and a time spent as the musical director for John BelushiJohn Adam Belushi ( January 24, 1949 March 5, 1982) was an American actor and comedian. John was the child of Adam Belushi, an Albanian immigrant who left his native Qyteze village in 1934 at the age of 15, and Agnes, was born in the U. of Albanian immigr and Dan AykroydDaniel Edward Aykroyd (born July 1, 1952 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) is a comedian, actor and screenwriter. He gained fame on the American TV show Saturday Night Live from 1975 to 1979 where he was known for his impersonations of celebrities like Julia Ch, whenever they recorded or performed as The Blues BrothersThe Blues Brothers is the name of a blues band fronted, incognito, by comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. Belushi (as vocalist Jake Blues) and Aykroyd (as harpist Elwood Blues), both members of the original cast of NBC's Saturday Night Live television.

Shaffer has appeared in a number of motion pictures over the years, including a role in Rob ReinerRob Reiner (born March 6, 1947) is an American actor, director, producer, and writer. His father is Carl Reiner. He became famous playing Michael Stivic, Archie Bunker's liberal son-in-law, on the 1970s sitcom All in the Family which was the most-watched's This is Spinal Tap, Blues Brothers 2000, a scene with Miles DavisMiles Davis ( May 26, 1926 September 28, 1991) was an American jazz composer, trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist and was one of the most influential, innovative and original musicians of the twentieth century. In terms of importance to the history of jaz in the Bill MurraySee also William Murray for other individuals who might be known as Bill Murray . William James Murray (born September 21, 1950) is an American comedian, producer, film director and actor from Wilmette, Illinois. Murray initially rose to prominence as a c film Scrooged and as a passenger in John TravoltaJohn Joseph Travolta (born February 18, 1954 in Englewood, New Jersey) is an American actor. He became famous for his appearance in Saturday Night Fever and Grease at the height of the disco era, as well as for his portrayal of Vinnie Barbarino on the tel's taxicab in Look Who's Talking Too. In addition, Shaffer lent his voice to Disney's animated feature and television series, Hercules.

Shaffer has released two solo albums, 1989's Grammy nominated Coast to Coast, and The World's Most Dangerous Party in 1993. Shaffer has also recorded with a wide range of artists, including Grand Funk Railroad, Diana Ross, B.B. King, Cyndi Lauper, Carl Perkins, Yoko Ono, Blues Traveler, Cher, and Robert Plant.

Shaffer has served as musical director and producer for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony since its inception in 1986. He has also served as musical director for two of David Letterman's variety shows: as leader of "The World's Most Dangerous Band" for Late Night with David Letterman ( 1982- 1993) on NBC, and as leader of the CBS Orchestra for The Late Show with David Letterman ( 1993-present) on CBS, for which Shaffer also composed the theme song.

In 2002, a street which surrounds the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium was renamed "Paul Shaffer Drive".