Responses: 6
Sammy Davis Jr. - I Gotta Be Me
Performing on the Playboy After Dark Show...
Thank you Maj Marty Hogan for letting us know that December 8 is the anniversary of the birth of U.S. Army WWII veteran, American singer, dancer, actor and comedian Samuel George Davis Jr. who was a star in his own right and a member of the Rat Pack.
According to his Together We Served page:
"Private Samuel George Davis Jr. served in the Quartermaster Corps as a 442-Entertainment Specialist
in the Army Band (Enlisted) which was assigned to Army Service Forces from 1943-1945
An all-round performer, he could sing, act, dance and make people laugh with his many impersonations. Davis's long career in show business was even more remarkable because he managed to overcome racial barriers, in an era of strict segregation and racism.
Davis was drafted into the US Army when was eighteen and his experiences were not happy ones.
Suffering abuse by fellow soldiers, he was transferred to an entertainment regiment, and eventually found himself performing in front of some of the same soldiers who had painted the word "coon" on his forehead.
After the war, Davis went solo and signed a recording contract with Decca Records. His first two albums - ‘Starring Sammy Davis, Jr’ and ‘Just for Lovers’ – both sold well and he soon became a headliner in Las Vegas and New York.
In the 1960s Davis managed to turn an average Broadway show, ‘Mr Wonderful’, into a roaring success. He went on to woo critics in the film ‘Porgy and Bess’ and, as a member of the high-profile ‘Rat Pack’, he hobnobbed with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Curtis, and Joey Bishop."
He was a very talented actor, singer and performer
Rest in peace Sammy Davis Jr.!
Here is Sammy Davis Jr. performing "I Gotta Be Me" on the Playboy After Dark Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbLlCxK0pHY
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Michael Thorin SPC Margaret Higgins SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
According to his Together We Served page:
"Private Samuel George Davis Jr. served in the Quartermaster Corps as a 442-Entertainment Specialist
in the Army Band (Enlisted) which was assigned to Army Service Forces from 1943-1945
An all-round performer, he could sing, act, dance and make people laugh with his many impersonations. Davis's long career in show business was even more remarkable because he managed to overcome racial barriers, in an era of strict segregation and racism.
Davis was drafted into the US Army when was eighteen and his experiences were not happy ones.
Suffering abuse by fellow soldiers, he was transferred to an entertainment regiment, and eventually found himself performing in front of some of the same soldiers who had painted the word "coon" on his forehead.
After the war, Davis went solo and signed a recording contract with Decca Records. His first two albums - ‘Starring Sammy Davis, Jr’ and ‘Just for Lovers’ – both sold well and he soon became a headliner in Las Vegas and New York.
In the 1960s Davis managed to turn an average Broadway show, ‘Mr Wonderful’, into a roaring success. He went on to woo critics in the film ‘Porgy and Bess’ and, as a member of the high-profile ‘Rat Pack’, he hobnobbed with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Curtis, and Joey Bishop."
He was a very talented actor, singer and performer
Rest in peace Sammy Davis Jr.!
Here is Sammy Davis Jr. performing "I Gotta Be Me" on the Playboy After Dark Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbLlCxK0pHY
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Michael Thorin SPC Margaret Higgins SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
LTC Stephen F. Maj Marty Hogan "One Eyed, Black, Jew" that Never Hesitated to Point it Out to His Audience. A Saint in My Book.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
Sammy Davis Jr. - Mr. Bojangles
This is Sammy Davis Jr.'s Version of "Mr. Bojangles".
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
Sammy Davis Jr. - The Candy Man (1972)
Sammy Davis performs his big world-wide smash hit recording of "The Candyman" in this 1972 clip. The song was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley a...
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
Diana Ross & Sammy Davis, Jr. Astaire/Rodgers Fantasy 1969
A sweet 'n classy little fantasy from Miss Diana and the incomparable Sammy Davis, Jr.
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So tired of this black and white crap. Sammy was a great role model. I live in a remote area. I am a "redneck" so is my neighbor who I call if I need help. Only person I let fish in my two ponds. We sit and talk... OMG he is black ! To me just a good neighbor .
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Maj Marty Hogan: Sammy Davis Jr.-may he rest in peace, was a terrific singer; to my way of thinking. -SENDING PRAYERS AND CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOURS, MARTY- Margaret
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