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.🎭🎼🎻🎙️
@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.
*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.
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!
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!
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😎
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.
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.
@@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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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. :)
I'm only familiar with the gentleman from these Letterman TH-cam 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.
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 !!!...
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 🥰
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.
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.
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 TH-cam so new generations can appreciate what we had. Thank you, Mr. Giller , for this little tribute to Sammy via Dave.
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!
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 monster talent he was - and he always conducted himself with dignity and class. They just don’t make them like Sammy Davis Jr. any more. RIP Sammy and thanks for all the wonderful memories.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 !
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! ;)
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!
"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*
In the 70's, I worked at NBC News in Burbank. The news room had a special entrance where the camera crews gathered. Whenever there was an entertainment show at NBC, Sammy would take a break a sit on a couch outside the newsroom. Naturally, we were all impressed with him.....he spoke to us just like his friends....he was a great, unpretentious guy.
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"!
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.🎭🎼🎻🎙️
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
For those who saw him perform he is missed. Talent like that is once in a lifetime!
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 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻⭐️⭐️⭐️🙏🏻❤️🌹
A fabulous entertainer who is sorely missed. Thank you Don for this great collection. 👍
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.
*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.
Sammy is so comfortable in front of that crowd. What a real performer❤️💕
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!:
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.
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!
What a total sweetheart. This is the best thing about these old talk show clips, getting to appreciate yesterday's heroes for yourself
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😎
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
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
Mr. Sammy Davis JR. is absolutely timeless I love his voice delivery and arrangements!!!
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 💖
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
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.
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 never took himself too seriously , which makes him a rare find...
What talent and what a beautiful song 'with no rehearsal'. Mind blowing beauty!
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.
I love Sammy! He was an amazing artist and human being!
The best performer who ever lived! Thank you for the music, dance and all the performances, Sammy! You are forever in our hearts!
The most versatile entertainer ever!
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.
What a delightful series of interviews and performances. Sammy never fails to bring a smile and good cheer.
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.
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!
He was amazing as a kid. He worked his butt off to be who he was. Inspirational.
One of the true entertainment legends, 100%. He could do it all. Incredible talent.
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 TH-cam 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.
❤❤❤ Sammy was unstoppable and the best of the best talents in the world, our Sammy Davis Jr. I grew up watching him on TV. ❤❤❤
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!
My goodness! This is worth watching- great interviews and GREAT performances by the wonderful Sammy Davis Jr!!!!!!!!
Possibly my favourite of these collections yet! Thank you.
Such a charming and talented man he was. Thanks for the upload Don!
WHAT A PIONEER !!! SO EXCEPTIONALLY GIFTED !!! THANK God For THIS GREAT MAN PAVING THE WAY FOR SO MANY FUTURE GREAT AFRICAN AMERICAN ENTERTAINERS !!!...
I love the Vegas performance with Sammy, Paul and the band. David Sanborn was on fire. Great compilation.
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 .
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!
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: th-cam.com/video/q3gHj5LHB6s/w-d-xo.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 🤣
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.
They don’t make entertainers like SDJ anymore. He had quite a career.
Love Sammy, the very best, no else can touch him. Even today. ❤❤❤😂😂😂😂
Thanks Don, so far this is the best part of my corona quarantine.
This man has got to be the greatest entertainer of all-time. He can dance, sing, act, play musical instruments, and do comedy.
Wow!! That was Awesome!!! Mr. Sammy Davis Jr. was just such an Amazing Talent and consummate gentleman. Hollywood Royalty!!
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 TH-cam 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👍💕🤗
😊 we were so lucky to have him entertain us. ❤
WHAT A CLASS ACT ! BELIEVE IN YOURSELF , NO EDUCATION , BUT SURROUNDED HIMSELF WITH THE BEST IN HIS CRAFT .
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!
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.❤❤❤
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 monster talent he was - and he always conducted himself with dignity and class.
They just don’t make them like Sammy Davis Jr. any more.
RIP Sammy and thanks for all the wonderful memories.
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.
The PERSONALITY of this man! It is absolutely incredible. SDJ you are sorely, sorely missed. ❤️
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.
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.
What a wonderful, kind man. He's seen it all. xoxox Much respect. Wish I could've met him.
his laugh was so genuine..... thank you mr. entertainer!!
What a delight Sammy is! He is the candy man! He could sing any song!
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.
Just came across this...LOVE it!! He was great wasn't he. Thank u from Malta 😎
legendary..one of a kind, class act, old school and stylish..the way he engages the band when singing with them..and dave..
The greatest all around entertainer that ever lived.....
Sammy"Mr Entertainment" Davis Jr - I hope he got every award available in entertainment and the arts.
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!!
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.
Sammy had more talent in his little finger than all these ridiculous performers today
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 !
Sammy is a national treasure.
The late GREAT Sammy Davis Jr. A genuine legend. 🙏👏👏👏👏👏
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.
So articulate with no formal education. He was small in stature but Big with talent 👍👍
Always a fan of Sammy, I watch these clips now and just cry.
This is someone who is a class talented brilliant entertainer.... and a great guy and friend. 👏👏👏
Great video! Such a talented man ...and so nice.
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! ;)
Very glad for this "collection" thanks 😊
OK, by far your best compilation. Absolutely stunning.
What an absolute gem of a bloke he was
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!
What a great raconteur (that laugh probably helped him in a lot of racially-dicey situations).
A lovely first appearance. Lovely man at a lovely time in his life.
This man was so beautiful, he looks very elegant here, ijust love this man
"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*
Great, thanks for sharing
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!
Don, You are my hero! Thanks for all the great Letterman videos. I really need them now!
#StayHomeSaveLives
I miss Dave every night..so good with Sammy...both the best!!!
Don't know anyone who doesn't love Sammy. A true showbiz natural who didn't have to try. Was just born to perform.
These are great to see, What a time & great era of Late Night TV.
The one and only Mr Sammy Davis Jr.
This is awesome to see. Such a legendary entertainer.
In the 70's, I worked at NBC News in Burbank. The news room had a special entrance where the camera crews gathered.
Whenever there was an entertainment show at NBC, Sammy would take a break a sit on a couch outside the newsroom.
Naturally, we were all impressed with him.....he spoke to us just like his friends....he was a great, unpretentious guy.