Sammy Davis, Jr. Collection on Letterman, 1985-89
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- Опубликовано: 21 мар 2020
- For a Sammy fan.
1. September 16, 1985.
2. May 19, 1987. In Las Vegas. "For Once in My Life."
3. June 9, 1989. Book Why Me and "Can't Get Started With You."
On Sammy's Las Vegas appearance:
Paul Shaffer interview in Fi Magazine, March, 1998 by Bill Mikowski:
Bill: Did you ever meet Sammy Davis, Jr.?
Paul: First time I met him was Motown at the Apollo, a television show to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Apollo. Nile Rodgers put together a band for Rod Stewart and called me. Sammy later appeared on Letterman from Las Vegas. I called him up to ask him, "What are you gonna sing?" He said, "You tell me. Kick around some ideas of what I might do with your band...we can have some fun. Something that cooks." And P.S., he was flying in that day from Boston and wouldn't be able to rehearse. So I had to come up with songs we could do without rehearsal. My idea was "For Once In My Life," the Stevie Wonder arrangement, because he had sung the song many times. But I could never get him on the phone.
So I found myself that morning not knowing what to rehearse with the band. Then miraculously a call came through a backstage number. He was on the plane, and said, "'For Once In My Life' will be cool; this is the key." So I rehearsed the band and put the tune on cassette so he could hear the arrangement. He arrived for the last five minutes of the rehearsal and I said, "Here, listen to the tape." He said, "I don't wanna hear the tape." I said, "What if you don't like it?" He said, "I'll like it, I'll like it." I said, "What if it's in the wrong key?" He said, "OK, play the tape." He starts listening, he's liking it, and then he turns to me and says, "Do you realize how much fun this would've been if I had never heard this tape?" And then I could see he really didn't want to rehearse. He really did want to capture the first take on TV. That's what he liked...the spontaneity of a first performance.
Sammy is the definition of “entertainer.” Gone way too soon. The world needs more like him.
He would have turned 95 this year. Man, I wish he’d made it to 100.
A compliment, however, "unique" means "no other"!
We need a world full of this guy today!!!
wouldn't that be lovely?
Yes we most certainly do.
Much of popular entertainment has sunk so low. We need him now more than ever.
Sammy Davis was a genius of art. In music, dance, acting. An entrepreter of the highest level and child prodigy. A humble human being , of the golden era of American music and cinema. His legacy lives on.🎭🎼🎻🎙️
Considering he had no formal education, Sammy Davis Jr. displays a great deal of intelligence and is incredibly well spoken.
In a word "self-taught"!
Mr. Davis proves how fraudulent a College "education" can be. This is coming from someone who has one. LOL.
He was a very smart, naturally intelligent, self educated man.
He would not have had the breadth and the depth of talent or incredible success that he did, without high intelligence.
Absolutely wonderful, no-one can/could come anywhere close. Just the very, very best.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Absolutely 💯 intelligent
What a warm personality he had. The world could use a man like him.
You should read his Autobiography “Yes I Can.”
Mark Gipson also the last one Why me? That one covers his life until he got really sick
Mr. Davis was a class act and a supreme talent in many areas. What a great man.
Way better and talented than MJ in my book. The bloke was versatile, intelligent, charismatic and impressively articulate.
@James Martin Walker Well stated, Mr. Walker. One of the many things I love about Mr. Davis is that he didn't respond in kind to the ignorance that was directed at him. Instead, he remained classy and dignified. His supreme talent did the talking for him, as it was undeniable. Mr. Davis was a pioneer who became an icon. Many other black entertainers suffered in obscurity, but were no less important in fighting the same bigotry. There is still work to be done.
@@afuwad4073 Why even try and compare them, who was better, etc., etc.,? Both were great and leave it at that.
Sheesh he is pure scholar and a gentleman
I couldn’t have said it better love Sammy TY 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻⭐️⭐️⭐️🙏🏻❤️🌹
I saw him, Frankie and Liza in Miami 1989. Frank was my big hero ever since I was a kid but man, Sammy stole that show. What an entertainer! He was simply the king of that stage!
For those who saw him perform he is missed. Talent like that is once in a lifetime!
I shook his hand when I was around 10 yrs old at The Melody Tent on Cape Cod. 1 of the GREATEST entertainers ever and you never heard a bad word about him. Theyll never be another Sammy!
My dad was there. He still talks about it.
Isn’t it such a blessing that most of these great artists and legends like him who are now unfortunately passed on but with a push of a button they live again
Sammy is so comfortable in front of that crowd. What a real performer❤️💕
Hard to believe he was dead 11 months after his last appearance on this group of videos. He seemed so healthy & vital, & his voice was still great. His laryngeal cancer was diagnosed only a few months after this. He left the world way too soon. What a great talent!
The best entertainer of the century. Sammy was unstoppable. His arrangements were so energetic and fun, even the ballads. You can see the appreciation and awe in Paul’s face.
I once saw a magazine post the top 100 entertainers of the last century, and Sammy was not listed !!! I almost died...this guy could do it all!!
@@frankmilligan6422 ,who ever voted had no sense at all.sammy davis jr.was the greatest entertainer that ever lived.sammy was in a league by himself.it was sammy davis jr.and every one else.the people who voted are clueless.from robert,the s.f.giant fan.
I'd say Sammy DAVIS Jr and Prince would be the TOP 2 of the century, with PRINCE taking top tier. But yes, Sammy as second, over Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, James Brown, Liberace, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Frank Sinatra, Al Jolson, Miles Davis.
The reason I put Prince over Sammy is because Prince played over 27 different instruments (virtuoso), singer , songwriter, arranger, composer, engineer, producer, dancer, philanthropist, actor, movie script writer, Grammy Award, Academy Award, Golden Globe Award winner, created his own look and changed it every few years!! Its a struggle, but I please Prince over Sammy. Both GIANTS in a land of giants. God rest all their souls. The only one still living is Stevie Wonder.
@@robertrothberg8678 p
@@robertrothberg8678 ppppppppp
Sammy Davis Jr. is the most talented and interesting man who ever lived, and the greatest conceivable interview guest there could ever be. Put him together with comic genius and legendary interviewer David Letterman, and I present you TV majesty.
Pure gold!
There will never ever be anybody like him ever again in our generation for sure .
Pure talent and nobody will ever top him.
Triple threat and a FKN legend😎
❤❤❤ Sammy was unstoppable and the best of the best talents in the world, our Sammy Davis Jr. I grew up watching him on TV. ❤❤❤
😊 we were so lucky to have him entertain us. ❤
The 1985 segment was probably the best Letterman interview I’ve seen.
Sammy Davis Jr. talking about having once worn black face combined with the clip of him performing as a 5-year-old was amazing.
I'd think he wore black face everyday he was alive.
@@richardlopez4318 yuk yuk
One of the greatest talents the world has ever seen. Such a smooth voice and a class act all around.
And he said he thought of himself as a dancer 'first'. singing just a great bonus!:
Sammy never took himself too seriously , which makes him a rare find...
Despite his lack of formal education, he spoke impressively with a wonderful grasp of the English language. Something that other adults and children today can learn from.
You are so right! Not only was he super talented, but the way he could tell a story was just enthralling. I was hoping he had done "Lady Is A Tramp"...he really makes that song something else (but I did enjoy his version of "Can't Get Started"). One version, Cary Grant is in the audience and Sammy sees him and says, "Oh, it is you isn't it?" in Cary Grant voice. They just don't make them like that any more...and it's a shame for this generation.
And their parents
I wish I had seen (@Cat Skittles) your comment before I posted my remark. Essentially we say the exact same thing and I'm the one who looks repetitive.
@@TotoFrancey You're not repetitive; great minds think alike!❤
Yes he had a lovely voice and he was amazing in the king's speech 💖
Love Sammy, but what caught me as soon as he appeared was Paul Shaffer playing "The Shelter Of Your Arms" - which was an attempt at Top 40 success by Sammy and Reprise Records back in the mid-60's. And Paul did that with all different entertainers whenever they entered on Letterman's show...a reference to something unique, maybe trivial from the person's past that is just so great. Dave always gave Paul enormous credit for the success of the show, and deservedly so. He bridged the gap between old style entertainment and late-20th-century pop culture with an amazing knowledge of their background. For those of us who, for some silly reason, appreciate that unique quality of "the right thing at the right time", I have always admired Paul Shaffer...
Thanks for so eloquently describing Paul’s all-so-subtle homages that only a select few would appreciate. Including the guests.
And Paul’s last name was spelled correctly, a rarity in this channel’s comments. :)
Paul was a gem.
Thanks for mentioning the name of the song. I thought it was “Today” by Tom Scott
I'm only familiar with the gentleman from these Letterman RUclips videos. We didn't have the show in the UK; we had Parkinson whose house band was lead by another fine musician called Harry Stoneham (who'll be as unfamiliar to you as Paul was to me). Your comment is eloquent and clearly from someone who knows.
You probably can't be paid a much larger compliment in the business than having Sammy tell you he does not think you need to rehearse his number. It means he's worked with you before (and he had on this very show) He knows your band's reputation as individual musicians, and he has enough confidence for all of you that this live performance is going to be up to his standards. It was great.
Not James Brown, not Michael Jackson, not Elvis Presley, not Frank Sinatra....SAMMY DAVIS JR. was the greatest entertainer in the world! He sang, danced, played a variety of instruments, did impressions, the greatest!!
Carlton jumel smith,there will never be another sammy davis jr. Sammy was in a league of his own.not only was he the greatest entertainer,he had the most compelling voice.
Anyone else miss the David Letterman show? It always had the best and or most unique guests, as well as either the best or most unique musical acts. I used to watch it every night back then. Too bad there's nothing like that on TV now.
Mr Davis...now, THAT'S a cat that I could've spent hours and hours, talking to. He was so approachable and available...no stuck=upness about him, offstage, anyway. And I always loved the fact that he knew who and what he was from. When he was accused by some in the black community of selling out..nothing could've been further from the truth. There is no Michael Jackson or Prince, if not for Sammy Davis Jr.
The most versatile entertainer ever!
Mr. Sammy Davis JR. is absolutely timeless I love his voice delivery and arrangements!!!
A fabulous entertainer who is sorely missed. Thank you Don for this great collection. 👍
What a total sweetheart. This is the best thing about these old talk show clips, getting to appreciate yesterday's heroes for yourself
This is a great compilation that I know I will be watching many more times. We were so blessed to witness this man's talents for so many years.
What talent and what a beautiful song 'with no rehearsal'. Mind blowing beauty!
I love Sammy! He was an amazing artist and human being!
*Wow!* It seems to me Sammy makes everything _around him_ seem like it's working wonderfully- be it a shaky interaction timing from David, a poorly worded question, missed beat from the band, a mic that's too treble, a mistimed commercial break - whatever: Sammy makes good and natural of it, with instinctive adjustments and accommodations without even thinking. That's a show biz master. If a person who'd never been on stage before, joined Sammy on stage, that person would come across just great. Humble and charming, open and sincere, so special yet so vulnerable, then a smile that comes from the deepest mine of the most infectious smiles, then a vocal that commands, captivates and blows the room away. What a truly stunning influence and joyful presence this man emanates.
Love Sammy, the very best, no else can touch him. Even today. ❤❤❤😂😂😂😂
What a delightful series of interviews and performances. Sammy never fails to bring a smile and good cheer.
The best performer who ever lived! Thank you for the music, dance and all the performances, Sammy! You are forever in our hearts!
One of the true entertainment legends, 100%. He could do it all. Incredible talent.
He was amazing as a kid. He worked his butt off to be who he was. Inspirational.
The hardest that my grandpa ever laughed was when Sammy Davis Jr kissed Archie Bunker. He almost fell out of his lazy boy.
Flux Capacitor link to video?
Here you go: ruclips.net/video/q3gHj5LHB6s/видео.html
I remember that episode!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
That's the hardest _you_ ever ever saw him laugh. You only knew him as a grandfather. He had an entire life before that, with what I'm had some very funny moments.
Flux Capacitor I remember 🤣
Aww 🥰 ... Thanxs for posting this Time capsule.. a truly rare talent of an extraordinary man whom bought love and laughter to many households for many years 🥰
Sammy! There’s no one around like him today.
I still have a crush on Mr. Davis to this day .
They don’t make entertainers like SDJ anymore. He had quite a career.
I love the Vegas performance with Sammy, Paul and the band. David Sanborn was on fire. Great compilation.
Most Talented performer (sing, dance, act, trumpet, drums, comedy, impressions) and most interesting bio of any performer I know.
My absolute favorite! Still have the book (and "Yes I can") on my shelf!
Loved this! Thanks!
WHAT A PIONEER !!! SO EXCEPTIONALLY GIFTED !!! THANK God For THIS GREAT MAN PAVING THE WAY FOR SO MANY FUTURE GREAT AFRICAN AMERICAN ENTERTAINERS !!!...
His generosity and heart could not be under estimated.
Here's a true story and the memory of a lifetime.
I got to meet him at Roseland golf course in Windsor Ontario at which I caddied as a young man about 11 12 years old. My mom said she thought he was playing at the course tomorrow so I got up at the crack of dawn to be first on the caddy bench... I waited for him till approximately 10:30 that morning and finally this brand new baby blue Cadillac pulled up and I knew it was him.
How disappointed I was when he told me he didn't need a caddy cuz they were going to take a cart, however he asked if I would carry his golf clubs to the pro shop for which he gave me $2 in American... keep in mind I was only paid that much money to go a full 18 holes!
Later on in the round I met him on the 9th tee which was close to where I lived and brought my bag of golf balls that I had raked out of the ditch, possibly 12 or 15 that weren't very valuable and had been hit quite a bit and had what we called smiles on the covers. Entertainingly and so pleasantly he looked at all the balls and looked down at me and said how does $10 sound to you...in great excitement I replied sure and quickly ran home to show my mother. It was the first thing I did as soon as I saw my father pulling the driveway after work as well.
Now I did a little conversion the other day as to the value of a dollar back in 1962 and turns out Sammy gave me the equivalent of $133.11 that day! And that's without factoring in the exchange rate between Canadian and American. LoL
Later on when I was in my early twenties he was back in the area at the time Candyman was a number one hit I got to see him do it live.
Like I said a loving lifelong memory...God bless him!
PS, that's me on the golf course a few years back.
Just a rare gem, what a unique class act, Sammy's everyone's best friend.
Can you imagine if someone came on to "The Voice" and performed like THIS? WOW!
Sammy had more talent in his little finger than all these ridiculous performers today
Such a charming and talented man he was. Thanks for the upload Don!
WHAT A CLASS ACT ! BELIEVE IN YOURSELF , NO EDUCATION , BUT SURROUNDED HIMSELF WITH THE BEST IN HIS CRAFT .
Wow!! That was Awesome!!! Mr. Sammy Davis Jr. was just such an Amazing Talent and consummate gentleman. Hollywood Royalty!!
Always a fan of Sammy, I watch these clips now and just cry.
Possibly my favourite of these collections yet! Thank you.
What a delight Sammy is! He is the candy man! He could sing any song!
Thanks Don, so far this is the best part of my corona quarantine.
36:55 thanks every member of the band. Total CLASS.
Shaffer always had a great band..knew EVERYTHING! And Dave Sanborn on sax on "For Once In My Life" - WOW!!
My goodness! This is worth watching- great interviews and GREAT performances by the wonderful Sammy Davis Jr!!!!!!!!
I think Sammy is a great example of what happens when talent colocates with work ethic. Without his talent, he would still have made something of himself. With his talent and no work ethic? Yeah, he probably still would have been something. But man, he put those things together and boom! I'll never forget his guest appearance on "All In The Family". Everyone was talking about that one.
his laugh was so genuine..... thank you mr. entertainer!!
Sammy was always popular with the cool talk show hosts--the ones who loved to have conversations with smart people. These were the innovators in the talk show genre, like Steve Allen, Johnny Carson and Dick Cavett--and even Phil Donahue. Like Letterman, Steve Allen did interesting things with the TV camera, taking audiences back-stage and behind the scenes when he had the Tonight Show. One episode showed Sammy dancing and singing while descending the multiple flights of steps at NBC's 30 Rock. Thank goodness many of these Sammy appearances still survive on RUclips so new generations can appreciate what we had. Thank you, Mr. Giller , for this little tribute to Sammy via Dave.
Yes and thank you one thousand times👍💕🤗
Oh lordy I've loved him all my life. There has never been anyone since, who could come close. We lost him way too soon.❤❤❤
Mr. Davis is an all-time favourite so, I'm happy to see this. I read, 'Yes, I Can"(autobiography)in my teens and, loved it. His version of "For Once In My Life" is definitive.
The PERSONALITY of this man! It is absolutely incredible. SDJ you are sorely, sorely missed. ❤️
What an absolute gem of a bloke he was
Sammy was incomparable and deserves every accolade he ever received. I really like the stage rapport between him and David Letterman. In the Hawaiian shirt David looks like one cool cat, a likable mix of self-assurance and slight shyness.
The late GREAT Sammy Davis Jr. A genuine legend. 🙏👏👏👏👏👏
What a delightful, humble, thoughtful and intelligent man he was. Add his talent to the equation and it’s crazy. When you look at what passes for talent today…
What a wonderful, kind man. He's seen it all. xoxox Much respect. Wish I could've met him.
This man was so beautiful, he looks very elegant here, ijust love this man
This is priceless!
Sammy here, without a doubt still one of the real high points of the show....class and supreme talent!!
Paul and the band killing it too with David Sanborn on Alto! Thank you Mr. Giller for post! What a great treat and effort on your part!
Alto!
We all get sick of people saying "They just don't make them like this anymore". But what the hell can you say but just that after listening to Sammy sing!
Sammy"Mr Entertainment" Davis Jr - I hope he got every award available in entertainment and the arts.
We all have regrets in life..... one of my top 5, I promised myself as a youth I would see Sammy do a live show. I was crushed the day Sammy died, I knew the dream would never be fulfilled.
Sammy is a national treasure.
Just came across this...LOVE it!! He was great wasn't he. Thank u from Malta 😎
Before Bruno Mars there was Sammy. Before Prince there was Sammy. Before Dean and Sinatra, there was Sammy. Sammy still is original, definitive, and continues to be legendary. At 5'4" his emblematic star power was gigantic.
This man has got to be the greatest entertainer of all-time. He can dance, sing, act, play musical instruments, and do comedy.
I always wanted to see Sammy and Dean Martin but never got to. Love these old videos. Sammy could do it all.
Can you imagine having film/recording of yourself as a little kid, performing like that? What a treat that must be. Loved watching SDJr growing up. Great charisma.
It would have been a treat to meet Sammy.
So articulate with no formal education. He was small in stature but Big with talent 👍👍
legendary..one of a kind, class act, old school and stylish..the way he engages the band when singing with them..and dave..
tingles runnin through me along with great warmth, from his creative genius and personality. quality emanates from this cat. Blessed we are to have had him doing his thing. He's out there somewhere now dazzling wherever he is, i'll bet! ;)
And he was a nice guy...humble,too. And he certainly took some knocks
The greatest all around entertainer that ever lived.....
This is someone who is a class talented brilliant entertainer.... and a great guy and friend. 👏👏👏
"Something happens to you when you dont take it for granted, and its not just laid on you man, I just wanted to always learn so i could fill my head with knowledge."
-Sammy
*He said give me back the sticks*
You don’t see these types of interviews anymore.
No u don't with the exception of Conan they're awful especially Fallon and Kimmel.
What a great raconteur (that laugh probably helped him in a lot of racially-dicey situations).
Triple threat dancer,singer, actor since age 3. Class act. RIP, Sammy
Sammy hit it on the head, he always seemed like family. What a talent!
“For once in life” great performance even though Sam was in bad voice and there was mike feedback. Plus they used Stevie Wonders arrangement which was just wonderful 👍
A lovely first appearance. Lovely man at a lovely time in his life.
I always thought Sammy was very handsome with a lovely smile! He was only 5'6 tall but made up for it with such a lovely personality, sheer talent and a brilliant sense of humour! They wrote a Charlie's Angels episode especially for him, Kidnap Caper, and I loved his comic acting in the boxing ring with 7ft tall Wilt Chamberlain!
I missed a lot of the 80s shows because of working midnights. Although I'm a frequent viewer of Don's video collections, sometimes I find some I havent seen, this was one. . a treat !
RIP David Sandborn. You really did play with some of the greatest of all time.
OK, by far your best compilation. Absolutely stunning.
Sammy is the Man ! What a Amazing Entertainer they don't make them like that anymore !!!!
Sammy...such CLASS✨ And he was so little...like a little keychain..
The greatest entertainer in my lifetime and one cool cat !