My years on 'SNL' had reconfirmed that what I do best is play for a sort of edgy comedy.
— Paul Shaffer
James Brown was my favorite, my absolute idol. Every time I played with him was like a music lesson, and I never thought I could be so funky! I mean, a white boy from Canada - a Jew - getting down with his funky bad self!
I still talk incessantly about 'SCTV,' and I say, 'Screw the kids!'
When Marty Short and I get together, I sit down at the piano and play the score of 'Godspell.'
I want to learn to sight-read music. And to play the bass pedals on the organ. Those are my only ambitions.
I don't know why this concept of what is hip became so important to me.
I think of all the things that I've gotten to do, all the wonderful people that I've played with, being in the recording studio with Phil Spector tops them all. And of course, now he is in prison. I hope to visit him, I still consider him a friend, and what can you say? A terrible way for a guy like that to be remembered.
The Dave Clark Five had more appearances on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' than The Beatles.
Everybody should have a shelter dog. It's good for the soul.
When you look into the eyes of an animal you've rescued, you can't help but fall in love.
I love to do comedy, but music is really my heart.
As far as favorite 'overall package' record of all time, I'd have to say 'My Girl' by The Temptations. I like everything about it, not only the composition - but the arrangement, the production, the lead vocals, the background vocals, the horns, the strings. That one I listen to over and over again.
I actually met Deadmau5 for the first time on the red carpet in Hollywood for the Grammys. I was there with my daughter, and he introduced himself to me. He said, 'Hey, I'm from Toronto.' I had a little conversation with him, and then I realized I'm talking to a guy with a giant mouse head.
Writing never had the immediate gratification I was looking for.
Not only was it enough to be a cover band, it was perhaps the highest calling. After all, if you could play music recorded by others, stay true to the original, and still add fire and flare, why not?
I love to be the center of attention. My oversized ego craves it and needs it.
When I discovered that I could tune into American radio stations after dark, this was the hippest thing to me. It sort of saved my life.
I'm doing less than I used to because I'm a family man now, and I have two kids.
I love funny people. I met and became friends with some of the funniest people ever. Gilda Radner, bless her soul; Martin Short; Dave Thomas; Eugene Levy.
I lived at the Gramercy Park Hotel for about 10 years. It was terrific. It was a pleasantly run-down hotel of the '70s and '80s with a mix of older, rent-controlled apartment dwellers, Europeans and new wave and punk bands. The room service was great, the hamburger was terrific, and they had a doctor who made house calls.
You've got to be a really straight man to write a song like 'It's Raining Men.'
Life is nutty; anything can happen.
I've never had a plan for the future.
The record business has always mystified me. Sometimes there are reasons why things sell or don't sell that can't be understood by mere mortals.
Why would you want to do anything else but rescue a pet?
