In the world of stand-up comedy, few have had a career quite like Dennis Blair. His journey is one of serendipity, talent, and the ability to seize the right opportunity at the right time. Unlike many comics who spend years grinding in comedy clubs before catching their big break, Blair’s entry into the world of comedy was almost accidental. He began his career as a musician, but one unexpected moment on stage—an improvised parody—set him on a path that would lead him to work alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment.
Blair’s career spans decades, crossing paths with comedy icons like Rodney Dangerfield, George Carlin, and Joan Rivers, as well as music legends such as The Beach Boys, Barry Manilow, and Gloria Estefan. Whether he was writing jokes for films, crafting his own unique brand of musical comedy, or opening for some of the most beloved comedians of all time, Dennis Blair cemented his place in entertainment history.
From Musician to Comedian: A Career Born from a Joke
Like many aspiring musicians, Dennis Blair started out performing in bars and clubs, hoping to make a name for himself. His dream was to become a successful songwriter, in the vein of James Taylor or Paul Simon. He played original songs, mixed in with cover songs, trying to win over crowds that were often more interested in their drinks than in the music.
But one night, something changed. Frustrated that audiences weren’t paying attention, Blair decided to try something different. He took the Bee Gees’ hit Stayin’ Alive and rewrote it as a parody called Singin’ Too High, mocking the group’s signature falsetto vocals. The crowd went wild.
The reaction was immediate—people were laughing, fully engaged in his performance for the first time. Encouraged by this unexpected success, Blair wrote more musical parodies and began incorporating comedy into his act. Soon, audiences weren’t just enjoying the music—they were laughing along with his jokes.
Getting Noticed: A Chance Encounter with Rodney Dangerfield
After developing his act in small venues, Blair took a chance on an open mic night at Dangerfield’s, the New York comedy club owned by the legendary Rodney Dangerfield. At the time, he had no aspirations of being a full-time comedian—he was just experimenting.
The open mic went better than expected, and soon, Blair was given the opportunity to open for Jackie Mason at the club. That week-long gig was just the beginning. One night, Rodney himself happened to be in the audience and saw Blair perform. Impressed with his ability to mix music and stand-up, Dangerfield invited him to open for his act the following week.
That single opportunity led to a multi-year touring partnership with Rodney Dangerfield. Blair went from performing in small clubs to opening for Dangerfield in front of thousands of fans in massive theaters and casinos.
Writing for Rodney: Crafting Comedy Gold
Blair’s relationship with Dangerfield went beyond just opening for him—he also became one of his trusted comedy writers. One of Blair’s biggest contributions to comedy was co-writing Rappin’ Rodney, the 1983 Grammy-nominated novelty song that became one of Dangerfield’s most iconic bits.
Blair also worked with Rodney on the 1983 film Easy Money, where he helped write jokes, refine scripts, and ensure that Dangerfield’s signature comedic voice remained intact. However, working with Rodney wasn’t always easy—he had a very particular vision of comedy. As Blair recalled, if a joke didn’t land exactly the way Rodney envisioned it, it had to be rewritten until it did.
Despite the challenges, the collaboration with Dangerfield helped establish Blair as a formidable comedy writer, opening doors to even bigger opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Touring with Joan Rivers: A Different Kind of Comedy Legend
After several years on the road with Dangerfield, Blair found himself touring with yet another comedy icon—Joan Rivers. Their working relationship was quite different from his experience with Rodney. While Rodney was known for his unpredictable behavior and raw energy, Joan was an absolute professional, meticulously crafting and refining her material.
Blair spent two years opening for Rivers, and during that time, he witnessed firsthand how disciplined and hardworking she was. Unlike Rodney, who could be moody and chaotic, Joan was warm and inviting—often taking Blair and the other opening acts on outings, whether it was skiing or shopping.
One of the biggest highlights of his time with Rivers was that she got him a spot on The Tonight Show—a major milestone for any comedian. This was a game-changer, as it put Blair in front of a national audience and further solidified his status in the comedy world.
18 Years on the Road with George Carlin
If working with Rodney Dangerfield was a crash course in high-energy one-liners and opening for Joan Rivers was an experience in professionalism, then touring with George Carlin was a masterclass in intellectual comedy.
Blair toured with Carlin for 18 years, one of the longest professional partnerships of his career. He saw firsthand how Carlin painstakingly crafted his sets, constantly refining and evolving his material. While many comedians reused jokes for years, Carlin was always working on something new, constantly challenging himself to push the boundaries of stand-up.
Blair even contributed material to Carlin’s act, something he considers one of the greatest honors of his career. Few people had the opportunity to collaborate with such a legendary comedian, and Blair took full advantage of that experience to refine his own craft.
Opening for Music Legends: Blending Comedy and Concerts
Blair’s unique brand of musical comedy didn’t just make him a perfect fit for stand-up—it also made him a strong opener for major music acts. Over the years, he shared the stage with The Beach Boys, Barry Manilow, Gloria Estefan, and even Tom Jones.
Opening for musicians was a completely different experience from opening for comedians. Music fans don’t typically expect to see a comedian before a concert, which meant Blair had to work even harder to win them over. However, his ability to incorporate music into his comedy helped bridge that gap, making him a successful warm-up act for some of the biggest names in the industry.
Touring with Legends: The Highs and Lows
While Blair’s career has been filled with incredible opportunities, life on the road wasn’t always glamorous.
- Rodney’s unpredictability often led to bizarre moments—like getting stranded on the highway after convincing their driver to take the shoulder, only to get a flat tire.
- Joan Rivers’ tireless work ethic meant that downtime was rare, as she was always refining her material.
- George Carlin’s perfectionism made every joke matter, with constant revisions and rewrites.
Despite the challenges, Blair’s ability to adapt, write, and perform in diverse settings made him one of the most versatile acts in comedy.
Dennis Blair’s Lasting Impact
Dennis Blair’s comedy career is a testament to the power of being in the right place at the right time—but also being ready for the opportunity when it comes. His ability to pivot from music to comedy, adapt to different comedic styles, and work with some of the greatest entertainers of all time is a lesson in versatility, hard work, and seizing the moment.
From writing for Rodney Dangerfield, opening for George Carlin, and performing alongside Joan Rivers, Blair’s journey is one of resilience and reinvention. His story proves that sometimes, the best careers aren’t planned—they just happen when you take a chance.