| Steve Douglas | |
| Background: | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| Birth Name: | Steven Douglas Kreisman |
| Birth Date: | 24 September 1938 |
| Birth Place: | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Los Angeles, California |
| Occupation: | Session musician |
| Instrument: | Saxophone, flute, woodwinds |
Steven Douglas Kreisman (September 24, 1938 – April 19, 1993) was an American saxophonist and flautist. He was a member of the famed Los Angeles session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew. As a Los Angeles session musician, he worked with Phil Spector, Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys and Ry Cooder.
Douglas can be heard on records by Duane Eddy, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Willy DeVille, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, 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.[1]
On April 19, 1993, while warming up with Ry Cooder, Douglas collapsed and died. Heart failure was the official cause of death. He was 54.[2]
It became a tradition for Darlene Love to perform "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" for Christmas on the Late Show with David Letterman with Douglas's baritone saxophone from the original recording being played by Bruce Kapler.[3] This tradition continued until December 19, 2014, when it was announced that Letterman would be retiring in May, 2015.
In 2003, Douglas was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Pet Sounds; 15 Big Ones; Keepin' the Summer Alive
Street Legal; Bob Dylan at Budokan; Shot of Love; Knocked Out Loaded
Have 'Twangy' Guitar Will Travel
Street Machine
Cabretta; Return to Magenta; Le Chat Bleu