We'll Be Here For the Rest of Our Lives

For Cathy, Victoria, and Will

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

PRELUDE

Chapter 1
DYLAN AND ME

Chapter 2
TWO JEWS’ BLUES

Chapter 3
B3

Chapter 4
RUNNING INTO RAY CHARLES

Chapter 5
WITH YOUR KIND INDULGENCE…

Chapter 6
SHAFFER A-GO-GO

Chapter 7
DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE VENTRILOQUIST AND THE RABBI?

Chapter 8
HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY

Chapter 9
FRANK SINATRA WELCOMES ELVIS BACK FROM THE ARMY

Chapter 10
SWEET, SWEET CONNIE

Chapter 11
THE ALL-TIME GREATEST PUSSYCAT OF THE WORLD

Chapter 12
NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN

Chapter 13
KEEPING NORTH AMERICA SAFE

Chatter 14
“YOU’VE SEEN THESE, THEN?”

Chapter 15
“WHERE ARE WE NOW?”…

Chapter 16
BLAME CANADA

Chapter 17
JILLY LOVES YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL KNOW

Chapter 18
“LOVE’S THEME”

Chapter 19
“WHICH OF THESE COFFEES
IS
THE FRESHER?”

Chapter 20
A BLACK CASHMERE COAT WITH A RED SILK LINING

Chapter 21
HOLLYWOOD SWINGING

Chapter 22
THE BRADY BUNCH, THE OHIO PLAYERS, AND MR. CHEVY CHASE

Chapter 23
PAUL AT THE GRAMERCY

Chapter 24
CATHERINE VASAPOLI

Chapter 25
THE BLUES BROTHERS!

Chapter 26
DIVIDED SOUL

Chapter 27
KING OF HAWAIIAN ENTERTAINMENT

Chapter 28
THE HEALING POWERS OF MR. BLACKWELL

Chapter 29
HOW BLUE CAN YOU GET?

Chapter 30
THE CALL THAT CHANGED IT ALL

Chapter 31
BLUES, BROTHER

Chapter 32
I’M NO HOMOPHOBE, OR HOW I CAME TO CO-WRITE
“IT’S RAINING MEN”

Chapter 33
THE GIG OF GIGS

Chapter 34
MY ELVIS

Chapter 35
LOVING GILDA

Chapter 36
“KICK MY ASS—PLEASE!”

Chapter 37
TAKE MY LIMO, PLEASE

Chapter 38
VIVA SHAF VEGAS

Chapter 39
MEL GIBSON AND THE JEWS

Chapter 40
ON THE NIGHT SHIFT

Chapter 41
BAD TASTE

Chapter 42
FAMILY IS EVERYTHING

Chapter 43
WHAT KIND OF HOST AM I?

Chapter 44
THE GRINCH WHO RUINED CHRISTMAS

Chapter 45
PATRIOTISM AND RELIGION

CREDITS

acknowledgments

Paul thanks …

David Letterman, it’s an honor to take it to the stage with you every night—a true friend
David Ritz, you are the answer to the question, “What is hip?”
Daniel Fetter, without whom I wouldn’t know where “1” is
Eric Gardner, wise and conscientious counselor; I couldn’t imagine a better manager
Suzan Evans Hochberg, my favorite rock and roll lawyer chick
Chris Albers, writer to the stars, labor negotiator; who says working for me doesn’t lead anywhere?
Chris Schukei, news anchor, marketing genius; who says working for me doesn’t lead anywhere?
Jann Wenner, your knowledge and loyalty are unwavering
Phil Hordy, my good friend, thanks for my street and hooking up the Order of Canada
David Smyth, for the gig that entitled this book
Susan Collins Caploe, what a voice!
Joel Peresman, the rock CEO with the movie-star looks
Joel Gallen, talent by the gallon
Bob Anuik, lead Fugitive who sang the hell out of “Jezebel”

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