Steve Douglas (saxophonist)


Steve Douglas was an American saxophonist and flautist. As a Los Angeles session musician, he worked with Phil Spector, Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys and Ry Cooder.

Biography

Douglas can be heard on records by Duane Eddy, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Willy DeVille, Bob Dylan, The Ramones and many others. He was also a record producer, having produced Mink DeVille's Le Chat Bleu, as well as tracks for Wayne Newton and The Lettermen.
On April 19, 1993, while warming up with Ry Cooder, Steve Douglas collapsed and died. Heart Failure was the official cause of death. He was 54.
It became a tradition for Darlene Love to perform "Christmas " for Christmas on the Late Show with David Letterman with Douglas's sax from the original recording being played by Bruce Kapler. This tradition continued through December 19, 2014, when it had been announced that Letterman would be retiring in May, 2015.

Awards

In 2003, Douglas was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Selected discography

As leader