SAMMY DAVIS Jr.
By Mahnuel Muñoz
On December 8, 1925, a man of such immense talent was born in Harlem, New York, that it is inconceivable that he could accommodate himself in his minuscule stature. Singer, dancer, actor, and imitator, and excellent in every aspect, Sammy Davis Jr. is one of the mirrors in which every performing artist should look at himself at least once in his life.
Belonging to the very ancient and noble tradition of vaudeville, Sammy began performing as part of the Will Mastin Vaudeville Troupe when he was only five years old. The group gained great popularity, and even opened for Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra, when Sammy met Frank after World War II, they began to get better-paying gigs, just when they needed it most, and it was in part thanks to Sinatra’s mediation.
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In 1954 Sammy began his solo career and signed for the Decca Records label. His first big hit on the charts was “Hey There”, number 18 in the fall of that year. With “Hey There” hot on Billboard, Sammy had a car accident returning home to Los Angeles from Las Vegas. He lost an eye and almost the desire to work. Frank Sinatra helped Sammy recover and in June 1955 his album “Starring Sammy Davis Jr.” reached the top of the charts and stayed there for six weeks.
Sammy was here to stay, and he did so with unusual force: in 1955 he placed three singles in the North American top 20 and debuted on Broadway with the musical “Mr. Wonderful.” During the 1960s his popularity grew exponentially thanks to his work as part of the misnamed “Rat Pack,” the group of charming rogue artists led by Sinatra. He was also the unintentional protagonist of racist controversies due to his marriage to the Swedish actress Mai Britt. In 1972 he had his biggest recording success with his version of “The Candy Man”, from the soundtrack of “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory”.
Sammy, a lifelong smoker, died of cancer on May 16, 1990, aged just 64.
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