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.

Biography

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.

Awards

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

Selected discography

As leader

• Popeye Twist And Stomp, 1962
• Twist with Steve Douglas and the Rebel Rousers, 1962
• Reflections In A Golden Horn, 1969
• The Music Of Cheops, 1976
• Rainbow Suite, 1981
• Hot Sax, 1982
• King Cobra, 1984
• Beyond Broadway, 1991

As sideman, albums

• The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds; 15 Big Ones; Keepin' the Summer Alive
• Dion DiMucci : Born to Be with You, Streetheart
• Bob Dylan: Street Legal; Bob Dylan at Budokan; Shot of Love; Knocked Out Loaded
• Duane Eddy: Have 'Twangy' Guitar Will Travel
• Sammy Hagar: Street Machine
• Mink DeVille: Cabretta; Return to Magenta; Le Chat Bleu
• The Ramones: End of the Century
• Leonard Cohen: Death of a Ladies' Man
• Dwight Twilley: Suba Divers

As sideman, singles

• The Crystals : He's a Rebel