Friday, May 15, 2009

Sammy Davis Jr. Died 19 Years Ago Tomorrow

sammy-1967

Tomorrow marks 19 years since the death of Sammy Davis Jr. He died at his home in Los Angeles from throat cancer on May 16, 1990. Sammy was such a fantastic showman. He started his career at the age of 3 in vaudeville. Sammy was an all around great entertainer. He could do it all, everything from singing to dancing to acting to telling jokes to doing impressions of other celebrities. Sammy was wonderful in nightclubs, on Broadway, in the movies, on television, etc. He scored countless hit songs throughout his career. He was a Rat Packer, one of the coolest cats to ever walk the planet.

There were many highs, but there were also many lows. Sammy had quite a few health problems, including losing one of his eyes in a 1954 car crash. He abused alcohol and drugs. He spent and gambled way more money than he ever earned. He chased skirts while he was married. He faced racism due to the color of his skin and his marriage to a white woman. Sammy also faced resentment from many blacks, who said that he acted "white." His conversion to Judaism didn't go over very lightly with the masses. Sammy definitely faced his shares of trials and tribulations.

I want to raise a toast to Sammy Davis Jr. He's one of my favorite entertainers of all time. Sammy has more talent in his little finger than most of us have in our entire bodies. I don't think he ever got quite the amount of credit and attention that he deserved. I honor Sammy on the anniversary of his death. I'm sure he's up there in that big casino in the sky with all his pallies. Cheers!
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52 comments:

  1. Terence SamboMay 15, 2009 at 2:45 AM

    He had great style :o]..

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  2. Melissa HaftingMay 15, 2009 at 2:51 AM

    Gone but never forgotten what a true talent... How he is still missed today..

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  3. Mirko di WallenbergMay 15, 2009 at 2:53 AM

    Hi Keith, just heard that Martin Scorcesse is going to make a bio pic about Rat Pack Supremo Frankie, isn't that awsome! Have a sunny weekend!

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  4. MondoMay 15, 2009 at 8:03 AM

    I'll raising a glass and spinning a tune or two this weekend Kieth..

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  5. KeithMay 15, 2009 at 9:11 AM

    Thanks Terence. That he did.

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  6. KeithMay 15, 2009 at 9:11 AM

    Thanks Mel. Yeah, I agree. He, along with Frank and Dino, are all missed. We would really use them all here again.

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  7. KeithMay 15, 2009 at 9:11 AM

    Hey Mirko. Thanks for the comments. Another friend of mine had sent me a link about it. That is cool. I'm going to have to blog about it very soon.

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  8. KeithMay 15, 2009 at 9:12 AM

    Thanks Dave. I appreciate that. Cheers!

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  9. dino martin petersMay 15, 2009 at 10:10 AM

    Hey pallie Keith, nice trib to the Sam...a true pallie to our Dino...

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  10. KeithMay 15, 2009 at 10:29 AM

    Hey pallie DMP. Thanks. I appreciate that.

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  11. Nancy Sinatra FanMay 15, 2009 at 10:32 AM

    That's a nice tribute to Sammy. He is one of the best entertainers ever.

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  12. Couture CarrieMay 15, 2009 at 11:25 AM

    Beautiful toast, Keith! Cheers, and have a fabulous weekend!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  13. KeithMay 15, 2009 at 11:30 AM

    Thanks Phoebe. Glad you liked my post.

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  14. KeithMay 15, 2009 at 11:30 AM

    Thanks Carrie. Glad you liked it. Have a great weekend. Cheers!

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  15. Kim @ The Girl Can't Help ItMay 15, 2009 at 12:50 PM

    And don't forget his hilarious little bit when he made a guest appearance on All in the Family!

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  16. FilmFatherMay 15, 2009 at 1:34 PM

    Thanks for the Sammy tribute, Keith. I hope Sammy soon gets the respect and recognition he deserves from the masses. He was the original triple threat, a true entertainer through and through.

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  17. GabbiMay 15, 2009 at 1:46 PM

    Cheers to Sammy, he was always one of my favorites also. Him and Dino to be honest... all those tribulations are definitely an attestant to his talent and strength.

    Great post dear Keith, hope you have a nice weekend!

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  18. TikimamaMay 15, 2009 at 2:11 PM

    Eerie...I didn't know it was the anniversary of his death coming up. Yesterday, I was at an estate sale with hundreds of records, and I was actually thinking of you as I snatched up every Sammy record I saw! All the records looked pristine, the owner obviously loved them. I was planning to take pix and send them to you in case you didn't already have them. RIP, Sammy.

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  19. erika soroccoMay 15, 2009 at 2:19 PM

    Very nice tribute - and great picture! :)

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  20. Robert M. LindseyMay 15, 2009 at 2:21 PM

    Sammy's day will come. He will be recognized as the giant talent he was.

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  21. KeithMay 15, 2009 at 3:13 PM

    Hey Kim. Yeah, that's right! That's actually probably my introduction to him.

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  22. KeithMay 15, 2009 at 3:13 PM

    Hey FilmFather. Thanks. Glad you agree. Yeah, he could do it all. He was a fantastic entertainer that deserves more than he gets.

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  23. KeithMay 15, 2009 at 3:14 PM

    Hey Gabbi. Thanks. Glad you are a fan too. Sammy is actually my second favorite Rat Packer. Dino is my favorite. I think he's a fab entertainer. Have a great weekend.

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  24. KeithMay 15, 2009 at 3:15 PM

    Hey Tikimama. Thanks for the comments. That is so cool. I'm glad you were able to get those records. Yes, I would love to have those pictures. That would be awesome. I appreciate it very much. Cheers!

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  25. KeithMay 15, 2009 at 3:15 PM

    Thanks Erika. Glad you liked it.

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  26. KeithMay 15, 2009 at 3:15 PM

    Thanks Robert. I believe that's true. Cheers!

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  27. CocktailsMay 15, 2009 at 5:03 PM

    Hi keith, Great tribute to a great man. Thanks for reminding me - I'll dig out some of his tunes this weekend for sure. Have a goood weekend yourself.

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  28. Scott (gotankgo)May 15, 2009 at 5:59 PM

    A true individual, who lived life on his own terms and left a rich and creative legacy.

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  29. Elizabeth MarieMay 15, 2009 at 8:44 PM

    The big casino with all his pallies!

    Love it. Such a legend! Xo

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  30. A BIT COQUETTISHMay 15, 2009 at 10:34 PM

    A toast to Sammy Davis! =]

    Bisous,
    La C.

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  31. The Vintage KittenMay 15, 2009 at 11:17 PM

    Great entertainer and what an interesting life he had. My favourite song he sang is Hawaii Five O. Takes me back to saturday nights as a kid in the 1970's. My dad would be out for the night singing (he was a singer in the clubs at the weekends, sadly he wasnt a Dean, Frank or Sammy). I didnt even know there were words to that tv theme tune until I hear SD jr singing it.... X

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  32. KeithMay 16, 2009 at 11:10 AM

    Hey Cocktails. Thanks for the comments. That's a great idea. I'm playing some of Sammy's music right now. I plan to drink some cocktails to him later today. Cheers!

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  33. KeithMay 16, 2009 at 11:10 AM

    Thanks Scott. I really liked what you wrote about Sammy. So true.

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  34. KeithMay 16, 2009 at 11:10 AM

    Thanks Liz. Glad you enjoyed that. Cheers!

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  35. KeithMay 16, 2009 at 11:11 AM

    Thanks La C. Cheers!

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  36. KeithMay 16, 2009 at 11:12 AM

    Hey Vintage. Thanks for the great comments. That's so cool about your dad. I'm sure he had quite the talent. There are very few of us who are like Sammy, Dino, or Frankie. I never knew there were words for Hawaii Five O until I heard Sammy sing the tune. I love it. Cheers!

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  37. AllisonMay 16, 2009 at 12:45 PM

    He always looked so fabulous, despite his many problems. Great post in memory of him, Keith!
    I hope all is well with you and you have a wonderful weekend!

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  38. Mrs. M.May 16, 2009 at 1:44 PM

    i loved that man. i wanted to be him when i was younger-id put on my tap shoes and play SDJ. That is when i wasnt reinacting Cats.

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  39. SyedMay 16, 2009 at 3:49 PM

    He was truly amazing. An all round entertainer and a stunning one at that :)

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  40. Some Like it Vintage.comMay 17, 2009 at 12:47 AM

    Raise a glass of scotch to Sammy...he was a huge person. I remember the day he died...a sad day. Thanks for the memory Keith!

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  41. KeithMay 17, 2009 at 9:27 AM

    Hey Allison. Thanks for the comments. It was nice hearing from you. I hope you're doing well. I'm glad you enjoyed my tribute. It's a shame he had so much against him. He was definitely a fantastic entertainer.

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  42. KeithMay 17, 2009 at 9:28 AM

    Hey Mrs. M, Thanks for the comments. I don't blame you one bit. Sammy is amazing. The man could do it all. He's one of a kind. I love Cats by the way.

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  43. KeithMay 17, 2009 at 9:28 AM

    Hey Dapper Kid. Thanks. Yeah, I totally agree. We don't have many entertainers like Sammy anymore.

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  44. KeithMay 17, 2009 at 9:29 AM

    Hey Veronica. Glad you enjoyed my tribute. I raise a toast to Sammy too. It was a sad day when he did. The 90's was a sad decade concerning the Rat Pack.

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  45. AnonymousMay 17, 2009 at 11:16 AM

    Here, Here! To Sammy! :clink:

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  46. KeithMay 17, 2009 at 11:51 AM

    Thanks Kat. Cheers!

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  47. CUPCAKE PRINCESSEMay 18, 2009 at 3:38 PM

    Where does the time go?! I was just thinking about him the other day and felt it was just like yesterday that he left us..... Great talent and style! Go Sammy!!

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  48. islandgirl4ever2May 18, 2009 at 3:40 PM

    Just realized my last comment was signed in on my French cupcake blog-- Whoops!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and writing... I'm glad you found me b/c I like your blog!
    Take care,
    Leesa

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  49. KeithMay 19, 2009 at 12:49 AM

    Hey Cupcake. Thanks for the comments. Great hearing from you. I know what you mean. It's hard to believe that he passed away almost 20 years ago. The years have flown by.

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  50. KeithMay 19, 2009 at 12:50 AM

    Thanks Leesa. No problem about that. You are very welcome. I'm glad you like my blog. I like yours too. I hope you'll stop by again. Cheers!

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  51. Melissa HaftingJune 5, 2009 at 3:51 AM

    Thanks for posting this great photo. These 3 men did so much for charity during their lives God bless them and living in palm springs was highly condusive to the golf lifestyle ;-)

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  52. KeithJune 5, 2009 at 9:34 AM

    Hey Mel. Thanks. I think you left this comment on the wrong post. That's okay though. I am glad you liked that pic I posted today. It was great hearing from you. I hope you are doing well. I've missed ya. Cheers!

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