The Show
Meet Dr. Z
DATELINE: Now. Very Now. There is a special group of entertainers that only require one name. Madonna. Sammy. Cher. To that list you can now add… Dr. Z.
“Dr.” is a title, so it works.
A movie star and more, this simian standout is a triple threat: actor, singer, dancer AND raconteur! From starring on the silver screen to swinging in the glory days of Vegas, Dr. Z has been there and done that. He’s worked, played, cavorted and romped with everyone who was anyone, and some more that were nobodies. Dr. Z is a one-man history of show business. And he’ll see you … now.
Meet Rusty Steel!
Growing up, did you come from a musical family?
I sure did. My parents loved to entertain so they would throw a lot of parties. I have a very distinct memory of my father playing the drums while my mother stripped. The crowd really seems to enjoy it.
When you were growing up, what were early musical influences?
You know, the usual. Jim Nabors, John Tesh. Did I mention Jim Nabors?
The quote, “Never meet your heroes, because they’re sure to disappoint you”. Has that ever happened to you?
Oh definitely. I met Joey Buttafuoco and it was shockingly disappointing.
What are the ups and down’s of being a musician?
There are ups?
You were booked for the The Concert for Bangladesh but you didn’t make it. What happened?
Actually I was there. I was supposed to play on Bob Dylan’s controversial rendition of Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini but just before I was set to go on Ravi Shankar thought it would be funny to lock me inside Leon Russell’s road case.
When they finally let me out I was in Pittsburgh and had to hitchhike home. Hey kids, don’t hitchhike. Unspeakable things can happen to you. Unspeakable.
On the other hand, you were at Woodstock? What was that like?
They were all just a bunch of bullies if you ask me. Especially Ravi Shankar. We’d just be hanging out and suddenly he’s say, “Hey Rusty, think fast!” and push me in the mud. I’d pretended to think it was funny but it wasn’t. Love fest my foot.
You’ve been known as the ultimate collaborator when it comes to music. You’ve worked with, Brian Wilson, Leonard Cohen, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Robert Matthew Van Winkle who is known professionally as Vanilla Ice. You came up with the line and title, “Ice Ice Baby”. Was that a tribute to your Canadian heritage? What did you mean by it?
Originally I had written a song for Jerry Lewis that he was going to sing on his telethon. “Nice, Nice, Lady!” The idea was he was going to sing it while he pretended to help Totie Fields up onto a stool for about twenty minutes. The song was cut because Jerry got a little too handsy with Totie so she walked. Which wasn’t the easiest thing for her. A very young Vanilla Ice was also on the show so I pitched him “Ice, Ice, Baby!” and a classic was born.
Are there any other unknown contributions to songs that have been overlooked or that you are proud of?
I played the trombone solo on Stairway to Heaven. I also played the banjo solo on Slayer’s Raining Blood. And I sang backup for Herb Alpert on Spanish Flea. All of which were cut by the way.
‘Rusty’? Where does that nickname come from or is that your given name?
It’s a nickname that was given to me by Fannie Flagg when I guested on Match Game ’77. It’s a play on my real name which is Rustee, and I guess it just stuck.
Is there any dead musician that you wish you could play with and who would that be?
I don’t understand the question. How could I play with a dead musician? They’re dead. Then again, I did once jam with both Steely and Dan and they were so boring I thought they were dead.
Worst Musical Gig ever
Besides this one, I’d have to say playing keyboards for The Sweatermen. They were a barber shop quartet and people just yelled “Shut up! There aren’t supposed to be keyboards in a barber shop quartet!”, the whole time.
How did you and Dr. Z meet?
We met in prison. He was there as part of the Scared Straight program and I was directing an all-murderer version of The Music Man.
How would you describe your working relationship?
I think we have the perfect working relationship. It comes from knowing each other for so long. Basically, he talks and I pretend to understand what he’s saying by nodding. Then I play music.
Are you Married?
Yes, I’ve been married for about 20 years. She’s a Russian princess. We haven’t actually met in person but she’s very good at cashing checks. And I did get a postcard for my birthday. She’s a keeper!
First Concert you went to?
I’ve only been to one. Kajagoogoo at the Burger Barn, Cincinnati, 2018. I thought it was fun, although the crowd turned pretty violent.
Favorite Movie
This is part where I’m supposed to say Planet of the whatever that movie is, you know that early Dr. Z one. But if I’m going to be honest, Leprechaun 3. No 2. No 3. Definitely 3.
You’ve been called a ‘one man band’ due to your ability to play so many instruments, and you are the only musician in the orchestra on Dr. Z Live. I’ve heard various reasons. Can you tell us how that decision came about?
Oh I have a full band. We’re actually called Rusty Steel and The Baked Beans. They just always have other gigs that pay better. Who can blame them, am I right?
Favorite Song of All time
My favorite song of all time is Afternoon Delight by Starland Vocal Band. It’s so wholesome. I’m pretty sure it’s about having a picnic which is super fun.
Song you refuse to play at a wedding?
I get asked to play this at literally every wedding and I always downright refuse. I think it’s called The Wedding March. So boring and to be honest really dumb sounding.
Credits
Dana Gould
SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO DR. Z.
Emmy award winning comedy writer Dana Gould is known for his work on the Simpsons and for creating IFC’s cult horror-comedy Stan Against Evil. He is also a stand-up comedian and actor. His podcast, The Dana Gould Hour is…. a podcast.
Paul Greenberg
RUSTY STEELE’S KEYTAR TECH
Emmy award winning writer Paul Greenberg began his career as a member of Canadian sketch comedy troupe The Vacant Lot. Paul’s written many things including this paragraph. He is also an actor who once had the displeasure of traveling across Asia with William Shatner.
Robert Cohen
DIRECTOR
Emmy award winning writer/director Robert Cohen is known for enjoying Dana’s work on the Simpsons and IFC’s cult horror-comedy Stan Against Evil.
Pete Aronson
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
BET Award winning writer and producer Pete Aronson is known for occasionally watching The Simpsons. He was the network executive who ordered three seasons of IFC’s cult horror-comedy Stan Against Evil so Rob and Dana owe him.
Denny Tedesco
PRODUCER
Denny Tedesco’s claim to fame was producing and directing the award winning music Documentary called the ‘Wrecking Crew’. Over the 19 years in the making, he was inundated with phone calls asking for master cylinder caps for 1972 Datusun 240z’s and gas tanks for the 1975 Ford Pintos. He finally gave up on film making and is currently the proud owner of “The Wrecking Crew Junk Yards; The place of total loss is your stroke of luck”.
Recently he was listed as Tow Magazine’s’ annual ‘Tow Poll’ as ’The Junkyard Dog’ to watch in 2018. For more information of hard to find car parts or music documentaries, visit www.wreckingcrewfilm.com.
Kandice Martellaro
PRODUCER
Kandice Martellaro is a comedy writer whose credits include Stan Against Evil on IFC and Hulu, The CBS Diversity Showcase and she’s written for various YouTube talent. She’s also a sketch comedy writer and spent several years writing and performing with the LA based comedy group, Femmebot PhD. She is not an Emmy winner of any kind.
Todd Jackson
WEB MONKEY, DESIGNER & DEVELOPER
Todd builds websites for comedians, authors, podcasters, small businesses and anyone who needs a more personal touch for the web. You can find a portfolio ofsome but notallof his work at toddjacksonworks.com.
Mike Upchurch
EDITOR
Mike Upchurch is an Emmy Award-winning writer who has written for Mr Show, the Chris Rock Show, and Mad TV. Mike learned video editing while trying to get sued by Tom Cruise for messing with his movies. Mike considers Dr Z to be his creative “come back” before he goes away again.
Cris Shapan
PRODUCT PLACEMENT EXECUTIVE
Perhaps best (?) known for his Emmy-avoiding career in basic & premium cable comedy, Cris Shapan is also the sole curator of the Deluxe Fuxley Corporate Archives, which chronicle the rise and fall of the world’s second largest defunct global manufacturing conglomerate. An L.A. native, Cris considers himself a writer, an idea the industry has yet to embrace. He’s a Libra, he loves pudding, and he digs chicks who chain-smoke.