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NYC Sightseeing Bus Honors 'Late Show' Band Leader Paul Shaffer

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Paul Shaffer enjoyed a Top Ten moment in his career Tuesday.

The longtime leader of the "Late Show with David Letterman" CBS Orchestra was honored by being inducted into the Ride of Fame with a Gray Line sightseeing bus dedicated in his honor, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported.

Shaffer took a seat at the top of the bus, which has a seat bearing his photo.

Paul Shaffer Honored With NYC Tour Bus

"See where we are now -- we're on a double-decker bus, and I was inducted into the Ride of Fame," Shaffer told Diamond. "We're going to take a magic bus ride. We're on the open floor, and we're right by the marquee of the 'Late Show,' and it says, 'featuring Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra.' This may be my favorite moment right now.

"People can sit on me whenever they feel like it's necessary," he joked.

Paul Shaffer Bus
A Gray Line bus was named after Paul Shaffer on May 5, 2015. (credit: Marla Diamond/WCBS 880)

Shaffer and Letterman, his partner of 33 years, will ride off into the sunset May 20.

David Chien created the Ride of Fame, whose past honorees include Whoopi Goldberg and Donald Trump.

Shaffer has "basically been responsible for the soundtrack of New York City for the past 20, 30 years now, and it's really bittersweet," Chien said. "But at the same time, hopefully the bus reminds everyone every single day what he's done."

Shaffer says he will continue making music after the "Late Show" wraps up.

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