Sammy appeared at Ithaca College in the 60's when I was there. He put on the most amazing concert I had ever seen or have seen since. He sang beautifully as he did here, he did impressions, he actually went around his orchestra and played EVERY instrument perfectly. He did magic tricks. danced like Fred Astaire. He was the most singularly talented individual ever. I never knew he appeared with Letterman. So great to see it here. Thanks, Dave.
Paul and the band did an amazing job backing one of the greatest legends of all time. It certainly sounded like a big band, if not better. It ain't no nickel and dime operation!
Ahhh, I didn't realize how much I needed that performance at the end. They just dont make 'em like that anymore! Sammy was a singular, amazing talent.❤️
Watching this reminds me that we have no entertainers at this level anymore. And this was Sammy Davis Jr., one of THE golden age celebrities, many decades into his career, performing on Letterman for a younger and more cynical TV audience, as we were about to enter the 1990s. It brought a tear to my eye when he sang at the end.
The challenges this man had to face and still he was able to walk on any stage with a smile that would light up anyones day and perform was truly incredible. A true legend of epic proportions! Miss you ❤
What a treat seeing the World's Most Dangerous Band slowing it down to back a Rat Pack legend. I have zero memory of seeing this at the time, or perhaps my then 18-year-old ears couldn't appreciate it yet.
Paul consistently impresses. His playing and solo are great! He's a so underrated and never considered as a great musician because he's also a great comedy mind. Can't he be both?
Wow! Sammy Davis Jr. was the real deal, wasn't he? These Late Night with David Letterman throwbacks are great. Keep them coming, guys. And Happy Holidays too, guys. Regards, Michael M. Kamau, Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa, 9th December 2023.
Agreed, and that is saying something, when one is competing against Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Sammy could sing, dance, act, tell jokes, do impressions and play multiple instruments.
For my money, Sammy had it all and was perhaps one of the most underrated performers of his era. Sure he was in stellar company, but he always had a couple tricks that no one else could pull off. The ones that could sing, dance, play musical instruments, act and who had serious comedy chops, were few and far between. For my money, Sammy was king.
I heard Paul recount on a podcast that Sammy wanted the band to follow his lead and not rehearse but Paul wasn’t sure of that. This was later on when he followed Sammy’s wishes and let Sammy take what he knew was a masterful band onto and into his realm.
I sure do miss Sammy, Dean, Frank, Joey and Jerry as well. A golden era gone...RIP all those wonderful entertainers who have gone before us. No good entertainers anymore. Not of their caliber.🙏
Regarding Sammy Davis Jr. and Deep Throat, Linda Lovelace made some rather salacious claims involving Sammy back then in her memoir, for those who have any interest I suppose you can take them for what they're worth.
It was some more laid-back whenever we get the smoke on shows we use a society I’ve gotten so stupid. We think we can get secondhand through the screen.
Did I hear him right when they finished the song? I think he told Paul, “No rehearsal, see? It’s better.” Amazing. I guess if the WMDB is backing Sammy (like when local musicians would back Chuck Berry on tour), it’s ingrained in their bones enough that they can skip rehearsal and just go off a chart and the feeling of the moment. I don’t care much for old vocal tunes like that but hell yes did I stick around to hear Sammy. Hard to think of a more multi-talented performer. We’re lucky we had him.
Sammy would have been 98 today 12/8/23. He had less than a year to live in this video. RIP to one of the best.
Unreal. According to Wiki, his symptoms started only a couple of months after this interview in August ‘89.
Google Mobituaries w/MO Rocca show on Sammy Davis Jr. It's Fabulous!
Happy Birthday in showbiz heaven Mr Sammy Davis Jr.🎉❤🎉
What a gorgeous guy ❤
Absolutely
I remember he died in 1990, the same day as Jim Henson. Such a sad day.
Sammy was the man! So much talent it's ridiculous. I'm glad I was around to witness him.
Great comment: So much talent it’s ridiculous… indeed!
Sammy appeared at Ithaca College in the 60's when I was there. He put on the most amazing concert I had ever seen or have seen since. He sang beautifully as he did here, he did impressions, he actually went around his orchestra and played EVERY instrument perfectly. He did magic tricks. danced like Fred Astaire. He was the most singularly talented individual ever. I never knew he appeared with Letterman. So great to see it here. Thanks, Dave.
Paul and the band did an amazing job backing one of the greatest legends of all time. It certainly sounded like a big band, if not better. It ain't no nickel and dime operation!
❤😢😂🎉
That just shows what great musicianship those guys had.
Perfectly written.
Ahhh, I didn't realize how much I needed that performance at the end. They just dont make 'em like that anymore! Sammy was a singular, amazing talent.❤️
Sammy was always the coolest cat!
Watching this reminds me that we have no entertainers at this level anymore. And this was Sammy Davis Jr., one of THE golden age celebrities, many decades into his career, performing on Letterman for a younger and more cynical TV audience, as we were about to enter the 1990s. It brought a tear to my eye when he sang at the end.
There was nothing he could not do, what a precious man.
It was wonderful to see Sammy again! Watching him perform live was one of the highlights of my life. Thanks for posting this
The challenges this man had to face and still he was able to walk on any stage with a smile that would light up anyones day and perform was truly incredible. A true legend of epic proportions! Miss you ❤
What a treat seeing the World's Most Dangerous Band slowing it down to back a Rat Pack legend. I have zero memory of seeing this at the time, or perhaps my then 18-year-old ears couldn't appreciate it yet.
Paul consistently impresses. His playing and solo are great! He's a so underrated and never considered as a great musician because he's also a great comedy mind. Can't he be both?
The Best…bless Sammy. The music lives on. ❤
Incredible the guests Dave had.
I was watching that night. Sammy's "No; we went serious!" still rings in memory as hilarious.
When I was a kid I watched Dave for the sketches and couldnt appreciate great interviews like this.
great singing, and the band. Always impressed with how well those guys can switch gears and make any genre sound like they invented it.
Wow! Sammy Davis Jr. was the real deal, wasn't he? These Late Night with David Letterman throwbacks are great. Keep them coming, guys. And Happy Holidays too, guys. Regards, Michael M. Kamau, Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa, 9th December 2023.
So much showmanship and musical talent. True legend.
Sammy was the MOST talented of the entire RAT PACK what an enertainer !
Agreed, and that is saying something, when one is competing against Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Sammy could sing, dance, act, tell jokes, do impressions and play multiple instruments.
Wow! What a great performance by everyone!
True.
For my money, Sammy had it all and was perhaps one of the most underrated performers of his era. Sure he was in stellar company, but he always had a couple tricks that no one else could pull off. The ones that could sing, dance, play musical instruments, act and who had serious comedy chops, were few and far between. For my money, Sammy was king.
Sammy made his last late-night appearance on this episode, He even sang
Absolutely beautiful performance. They don't make them like Mr. Sammy Davis Jr. anymore.
No rehearsal, no lip synch, just cool... now that was showbiz...
Also: ‘It ain’t all Candyman and Bojangles.’
Great quote.
The one and only Sammy!
Wow this was so good.
It was indeed.
What a man. What a band. Nice of him to ask Paul to take it, unplanned. (end of poem)
They used to call them " art " films !
Hate the clickbaity title. Nice interview, great performance, Mr Bojangles. :)
The real story can be read on the Dangerous Minds website. Sammy swung both ways.
This is a terrific interview. The sarcastic repartee in places is very funny.
RIP Sammy Davis Jr. My Idol!!!🙏🙏🙏
Pretty clear he was at his most comfortable singing. A Legend.
Dan Kellison talks about researching this moment on his appearance on our show.
What a unique talent and career in show business.
I heard Paul recount on a podcast that Sammy wanted the band to follow his lead and not rehearse but Paul wasn’t sure of that. This was later on when he followed Sammy’s wishes and let Sammy take what he knew was a masterful band onto and into his realm.
Sammy is the man!
Absolutely.
I sure do miss Sammy, Dean, Frank, Joey and Jerry as well. A golden era gone...RIP all those wonderful entertainers who have gone before us. No good entertainers anymore. Not of their caliber.🙏
Sheer unadulterated TALENT.
Aww man, I’ve been through the Intrepid once, I bet a concert on the deck would be crazy
Regarding Sammy Davis Jr. and Deep Throat, Linda Lovelace made some rather salacious claims involving Sammy back then in her memoir, for those who have any interest I suppose you can take them for what they're worth.
He was heavy cocaine user at the time also, so the sky was the limit.
This is AMAZING!!❤❤
It is.
Now that's SHOW BIZ !!😁👍🏻👍🏻
What a band!!!
Sammy, multi talent
Thanks!
Beautiful. All class, to Dave and the band. Humble AF. Comedy genius and musical marvel.🤙❤️
It was some more laid-back whenever we get the smoke on shows we use a society I’ve gotten so stupid. We think we can get secondhand through the screen.
This was during Dave’s “awkward” period. Adulthood.
Sammy: Simply the BEST..Tina Turner
Dave would've been taking some serious notes at the theater.
An ad a minute in.WHY
To the pay the bills and keep the show on air.
11th 😊 What a legend ❤
I bet Lucille wishes she had a different last name on that night.
Anyone know the name of the song?
I Can't Get Started with You
Did Sammy Davis Jr die AGAIN?
His last t.v show.😢
---------------------------- the projectionist ....'who was there'?.....totally forget to ask Sammy if the show was any good....thanks4sharing ....
Poor Sam, with one of the cancerettes which killed him
He would die a year after this appearance.
TLP shoutout!
His hair is very shiny
😂
👏👏👏
👂 💚 🌎 🌏 🌍
gee I think he needs a little more grease in his hair
As he put it “styles changed”. He keep his old hair and style of clothing from the days of the Rat Pack.
Amazing voice..Class!
Awkward .
Did I hear him right when they finished the song? I think he told Paul, “No rehearsal, see? It’s better.” Amazing. I guess if the WMDB is backing Sammy (like when local musicians would back Chuck Berry on tour), it’s ingrained in their bones enough that they can skip rehearsal and just go off a chart and the feeling of the moment. I don’t care much for old vocal tunes like that but hell yes did I stick around to hear Sammy. Hard to think of a more multi-talented performer. We’re lucky we had him.