- He led the band (including Eric Clapton and Nile Rodgers) for the "We Are the World" finale of Live-Aid in 1985.
- He graduated with a degree in Sociology and Philosophy from the University of Toronto in 1971.
- Paul Shaffer wrote, with Paul Jabara the number one '80s hit "It's Raining Men", performed by The Weather Girls and re-recorded by Geri Horner topping the British pop charts in 2001.
- As of February 2003: has been David Letterman's sidekick for 21 years.
- He was musical director of the closing concert at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
- (September 21, 2002) A street in his hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, is being renamed after him as Paul Shaffer Drive.
- He was the musical director of the 1999 Concert of the Century at the White House, featuring Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Gloria Estefan, N Sync and others, to aid music programs in public schools.
- Son, William Wood Lee Shaffer born. (January 21, 1999)
- He has served as musical director and producer for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria since its inception in 1986.
- Daughter, Victoria Lily (b. 8 April 1993)
- Release of his book, "We'll Be Here for the Rest of Our Lives: A Swingin' Showbiz Saga" by Paul with David Ritz. (October 2009)
- Valerie Bertinelli once admitted when she was 16 she had "gone out" a few times with the then 27-year old Schaefer. She admitted this on an appearance on Late Night while her then-husband Eddie Van Halen was sitting in with the band.
- He appeared with the Blues Brothers at the 1996 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
- Dr. Shaffer was awarded the 2002 Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal from the Canadian Governor General. He lives in New York City.
- Guest hosted the Late Show formally (when David Letterman was out because of shingles) on March 24, 2003 with guests Bob Dole, Connie Nielsen, Cat Power, and Mike Smith from the Dave Clark Five subbing for him as bandleader.
- He hosted "Live from the Hard Rock Cafe" each month on NBC Radio from June 1985 to August 1986.
- He was chairman of the American Red Cross recruiting drive in 1990.
- Judge for the National Jewish Outreach Program's Great Shofar Blast Off final in Herald Square on September 22, 2005. (September 2005)
- He receieved two honorary doctorate degrees: one from Five Towns College, the other, from Lakehead University in Canada.
- Is portrayed by Aaron Lustig in The Late Shift (1996)
- Father of Will Shaffer and Victoria Shaffer.
- He won a Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance: "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," with Earl Scruggs, Glen Duncan, Randy Scruggs, Steve Martin, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Gary Scruggs, Albert Lee, Jerry Douglas and Leon Russell in 2002.
- He was part of the group Northern Lights who sang the song "Tears Are Not Enough" which was on the We Are The World album.
- He hosted CBS's 1994 New Year's Eve special from New York's Times Square.
- In 2001, he hosted a "Cover Wars" on VH1.
- Friends with David Letterman.
- He was awarded the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal from the Canadian Governor General. He lives in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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