Paul Shaffer--born and bred music junkie and longtime leader of David Letterman's "Late Show" band--opens up in this candid, endearing, hilarious, ...
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Jun 06, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it: 
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are seven acknowledged wonders of the world, you are about to witness the eighth." You know him for such hits as "It's Raining Men," "Bermuda," and the theme from "Will It Float," the Funky Jew himself...
Paul Shaffer has lead a charmed life and he is the first to admit it. From his childhood playing piano for his adoring parents and listening obsessively to pop records, to sitting in with some of rock music's greatest perf More...
Paul Shaffer has lead a charmed life and he is the first to admit it. From his childhood playing piano for his adoring parents and listening obsessively to pop records, to sitting in with some of rock music's greatest perf More...
Feb 13, 2010
Dan
rated it: 
As a guy who has been in the eye of pop culture hurricanes such as the beginning of Saturday Night Live, the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame, and the David Letterman show, Paul has surprising few interesting tales to tell.
About the only story I found valuable was how he turned down the role of George Costanza in the Seinfeld television show.
It is well known that Paul was a heavy party guy in the past with an appetite for drugs. None of those stories made it into the book. All More...
About the only story I found valuable was how he turned down the role of George Costanza in the Seinfeld television show.
It is well known that Paul was a heavy party guy in the past with an appetite for drugs. None of those stories made it into the book. All More...
Aug 05, 2011
Patrick
rated it:
I absolutely loved this book. Paul Shaffer has mined a wealth of backstage stories from his amazing career.
It's no secret that Canadians are some of the most talented showmen on the planet.
And who knew that a boy from Thunder Bay, ON. would help create the Blues Brothers and become David Letterman's band leader.
Shaffer's memoir mirrors his own personality - light, fresh and entertaining.
It's also refreshing to read a celebrity memoir that doesn't include rehab, incest, drug abuse or a rap sheet More...
It's no secret that Canadians are some of the most talented showmen on the planet.
And who knew that a boy from Thunder Bay, ON. would help create the Blues Brothers and become David Letterman's band leader.
Shaffer's memoir mirrors his own personality - light, fresh and entertaining.
It's also refreshing to read a celebrity memoir that doesn't include rehab, incest, drug abuse or a rap sheet More...
Dec 26, 2011
Julie
rated it:
Really disliked the structure of the book (what structure???), often the tone, and much of the content, but it's worth the two stars to hear some of the celeb stories (like when he cut Mel Gibson's leg on the Letterman show, or his long pre-SNL history with Gilda Radner), although it seemed about half of the stories were gossipy and/or were trying to project a biased image. It was very bizarre, because sometimes the words were there to say something nice about a celeb (like Jerry Lewis), but al
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May 08, 2010
Jill
rated it:
Loved listening to this book audio-style, because hearing Paul's voice tell the stories gave it extra hipness!! While I loved getting the 'insider bits' (particularly his bittersweet perception of Dylan, and an explanation of what really went down between the Gilda camp and Belushi camp over "Blues Brothers"), I too agree that we're getting a watered-down version of the events of his life. While there's no shortage of rock n' roll, what happened to all the sex & drugs? A real 'swing
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Oct 13, 2009
Jeff
rated it:
His smarmy shtick and lounge lizard vibe might make it easy to dismiss Paul Shaffer, but if you know anything about music, you know he's one of the most talented players in the business -- and with a list of achievements that includes time in the "SNL" trenches, work with the Blues Brothers, nearly three decades with David Letterman, and countless recording sessions, he's got a stack of stories taller than you. "Rest of Our Lives" plays it light and breezy, recounting the hig
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Nov 02, 2009
Diane
rated it:
I've always liked Paul Shaffer. He's kooky, swingin', and fun to watch. But he's not a writer. His music career is truly amazing. He has met and worked with nearly everyone who is anyone in "the biz", but this book really fell flat.
He changes from first person to third and back again repeatedly, changes tenses mid-paragraph, and the narrative jumps around so much it's like watching a dog chasing cars. The slightest little memory jog makes him abandon a story midway and More...
He changes from first person to third and back again repeatedly, changes tenses mid-paragraph, and the narrative jumps around so much it's like watching a dog chasing cars. The slightest little memory jog makes him abandon a story midway and More...
Jan 17, 2010
Linda
rated it:
I thought I was familiar with Paul's career, but this book turned out to be full of surprises. I knew Paul was Jewish, but not that he was observant, and Orthodox. I knew he rubbed shoulders with celebs because of his gig on the Late Show, but I had no idea how far his celebrity encounters strayed outside the boundaries of Late Night/Late Show, and even SNL. He was swinging with the hip crowd even as a child, thanks to his too-hip-for-Thunder-Bay parents. If you're at all interested in anecd
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Feb 06, 2012
Chris
rated it:
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this given that I find Shaffer to be irritating and obnoxious. Ty Templeton raved about it, I found it on abebooks.com for a dollar and was hooked from page one. It is basically about living the ultimate dream, wanting to be yourself and growing up to be just that.
The book would have gotten 5 stars but he completely glosses over his drug use which was a pretty big part of his life in the 70's and 80's.
The book would have gotten 5 stars but he completely glosses over his drug use which was a pretty big part of his life in the 70's and 80's.
Nov 28, 2009
Chris
rated it: 
I've always been a huge fan of Paul Shaffer. I actually think he's funnier than David Letterman. When Dave announced the release of this book on his show, I couldn't wait to get a hold of it. This is a great celebrity biography by the coolest hipster around. His stories are even more fascinating than I could have guessed. To hear him read this on the audio book, with his hilarious impressions of the funny and the famous, is a true insider's delight.
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Oct 22, 2009
Gary
rated it:
Equal parts schmaltz and rock-and-roll (just like Paul), this quick read has satisfying celbrity dish on many of the entertainment industry's most compelling figures. My favorites involve Jerry Lewis, Britney Spears, Eddie Fisher, Sammy Davis, Chevy Chase, Bob Dylan, and David Letterman.
Maybe this book is a guilty please, but it is a pleasure.
Maybe this book is a guilty please, but it is a pleasure.
Feb 15, 2010
Anthony
rated it: 
A fun read but I always got the impression Shaffer was holding back on the details of his interesting and diverse career to date. Sure he has either worked with, or knows a lot of major stars, over the last few decades but he doesn't really give you anything that you haven't heard somewhere before. I think he has got a second and more impressive memoir to come because he sure knows how to tell an entertaining story he just needs to spill the beans on the next time out.
Feb 26, 2010
Danielle
rated it:
What a fun read! I really enjoyed this book a lot. It's like having a fabulous conversation late into the evening with a celebrity who turns out to be even more interesting and down-to-earth than you imagined. And I loved that he presented both incredible highlights, sad times, and less-than-proud moments.
Feb 01, 2010
Erin
rated it:
What a fantastic inside look in the world of celebrities! From his roots in Thunder Bay, Canada to the calling of the neon lights of New York, this was a hoot to read. If you like Paul Shaffer, or if you're an aspiring musician, or if you just like a good story, you have got to read this!
Nov 30, 2010
Meganatimmons
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I really loved this book! My Dad just finished it and loved it too! It's all about Paul and his many moments meeting various music and comedy stars throughout the years. A quick read-it was funny, endearing and I could appreciate the moments where Paul met his musical heroes.
Dec 19, 2010
Lew
rated it:
Paul Shaffer has had a very interesting life in music and this book just scratches the surface. It is chock full of funny stories. All are great and you get the feeling that he kept some of the best out of the book. Very enjoyable.
Jul 24, 2010
Candace
rated it:
This book was co-witten by David Ritz. It's an as-told-to volume if ever there was one. The autobiography is not strictly chronological, and sometimes tangents lead to other tangents. There are a number of more and less interesting anecdotes involving celebrities and music industry insiders. There are no penetrating insights or profound revelations. It's just the easy-going story about an easy-going piano-player who is lucky enough to turn his passions and predilections into a career.
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Jul 18, 2010
Lori
rated it:
This was a great way to read an autobiography because Mr. Shaffer wrote the entire book as if he was talking personally to the reader. And hearing about all the areas of entertainment he worked in prior to his time with David Letterman I found varied and interesting.
Jan 10, 2010
Missy
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Who knew? He has a great history and some very pleasant stories from the entertainment world. I could have used a little less of the detailed musical past.....but he is a musician afterall. Nice read.
Feb 18, 2011
Jen
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I've always liked Paul from wathching him on David Letterman, but this book was a little disappointing. It jumped around a lot, and it didn't feel like the individual stories had much depth.
Mar 29, 2010
Adela
rated it:
Listened to the e-book as read by Paul which was fun b/c he did voices! I love his devotion to Sinatra and the Rat Pack, and his hipster lingo that he uses in homage to them is very fun. Good stories about the Blues Brothers Days, SNL, Gilda Radner, and the Letterman show, of course.
Jul 26, 2011
Fun read! Paul Shaffer has had a great musical career, I enjoyed reading about it. He is clearly connected to some amazing musicians and others in some deep ways.
Feb 18, 2010
Bgouldmsu
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Great insight to a great musician. He's had a great life. I loved hearing his anecdotes and glad to hear that his parents supported him in his musical quests.
Jan 16, 2010
Jo
rated it:
A must read for all ages! The history of pop culture and rock and roll over the last 50 years served up in one irresistible seamless read.
May 19, 2011
Stephen
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Didn't know a lot about Paul Shaffer and found it was an interesting read. I'm sure he could have told more stories but you do have limited time for your audiences. I didn't realize that he was so connected in the music industry!
Dec 27, 2009
Jeff
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Just a fun read. Paul sincerely loves the showbiz life. He'll probably say that he had no regrets when it's his time.
Dec 06, 2009
Carol
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I loved this memoir written in the breezy, hip style which is the same way Paul talks. Very enjoyable.
Feb 05, 2012
Ben
rated it:
I have a new appreciation for Paul. You see where his comedic skills were developed at an early age as well as his passion for music.
Jul 29, 2011
Kristine
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Paul Shaffer is a living legend. I didn't know that going in, but I'm sure he is now.
Sep 21, 2011
Batmensch
rated it:
As a musician and a big fan of Saturday Night Live, I can't resist a book like this. Classic stories about early band experiences, performing in the Toronto performance of Godspell with several members of Second City, the early Saturday Night Live, and the David Letterman shows make this a very fun book. Could have been a lot longer for my money, but I liked it a lot.
