Anton Fig is one of the most recorded and widely heard drummers of the modern era — a first-call session musician known for flawless time, musical taste, and the ability to serve any song instantly. Many fans recognize him as the longtime drummer for Paul Shaffer’s “World’s Most Dangerous Band,” where he anchored David Letterman’s late-night shows for nearly three decades, backing an unbelievable range of artists in live television settings.
Born August 8, 1952, in Cape Town, South Africa, Fig grew into a musician with a wide musical vocabulary and a deep respect for groove. In an interview connected to his solo album Figments, he explained that he never wanted to be boxed into a single genre, and that he sees all music as connected through groove and melody — whether it’s jazz, rock, world music, or pop.
Outside of TV, Fig’s reputation was also built through high-level studio work. He is strongly associated with KISS-related recordings, playing on major sessions during the Dynasty / Unmasked era. This included being brought in during a period when drummer Peter Criss was dealing with injuries from a 1978 car accident — one of the key reasons producers used Anton for significant studio drumming during that time. (This “injury” story applies to Peter Criss, not Anton Fig.)
What he’s doing now: Fig remains active as a performer, session drummer, and recording artist, with continuing live and studio work and periodic appearances tied to the wider Letterman-era band family.
Quote: “This business is a combination of luck and skill — but the harder you work, the luckier you get.” (SmoothJazz interview)
Recordings / credits: Late Night / Late Show with David Letterman (CBS/NBC house band); KISS (Dynasty / Unmasked sessions); Ace Frehley-related sessions; extensive session work across rock, jazz, pop, and TV/film.
Gear: Yamaha Drums; ProMark (Anton Fig signature sticks); Zildjian cymbals.
Sources: AntonFig.com; SmoothJazz.com interview (Figments); Yamaha Artist profile; World’s Most Dangerous Band bio/credits; documented KISS album session notes.
Update: 1/22/26
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