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,(most famously for his sax solos on the hit "Peter Gunn Theme"), 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.
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.
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. 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.
Twist with Steve Douglas and the Rebel Rousers, 1962
Reflections In A Golden Horn, 1969
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
Mink DeVille: Cabretta; Return to Magenta; Le Chat Bleu
The Ramones: End of the Century
Leonard Cohen: Death of a Ladies' Man
"Steve Douglas". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Steve Douglas discography at Discogs