After qualifying as a lawyer in 1955, he travelled to London to begin his five-decade-long musical career during which he worked with and wrote for well-known artists including Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand and David Bowie.
[3] Throughout his career, Shaper's work was released by well-known artists including Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand (for whom he wrote "Martina"), Petula Clark ("My Friend the Sea"), Jack Jones ("The Years of My Youth"),[2] Val Doonican ("The Mysterious People"), Lena Horne, Bobby Darin and Richard Anthony.
In addition, various other writers in the company brought about international successes, getting released by artists such as Moody Blues, Desmond Dekker, David Bowie and Blondie.
Shaper further created and published approximately 60 movie soundtracks for films such as The Go-Between (1971), Papillon (1973), The Boys from Brazil (1978), and First Blood (1982).
Along with composer Cyril Ornadel, he wrote two award-winning shows: Treasure Island, which ran for two seasons at the Mermaid Theatre; and Great Expectations, starring John Mills, Moira Lister and Lesley-Ann Down.