World class tap dancer,musician drums just being one of many. He was so charismatic and a true gentleman. His many talents surpassed most of his peers in my opinion. Sammy was never in prison.
@RyanAcidhedzMurphy4 жыл бұрын
The song is autobiographical. Written by Jeff Walker about meeting a homeless street performer in New Orleans, who called himself Mr Bo Jangles to keep his identity from the cops. Walker had been arrested for public intoxication, Bojangles as part of a sweep after a murder. The men in the cell talked about different things, but after talking about his dog someone asked to lighten the mood, so the old man did some tap dancing for them. The song is often associated with performer Bill Robinson, who had the nickname Bojangles, and may be where the homeless man got the name from. He died without any money despite having been the highest paid black star of his era. His funeral was paid for by Ed Sullivan. Sammy Davis Jr was terrified he'd end up like Robinson. That's why the song was special to him. I think singing it was sort of a way to take control of one of his deepest fears.
@mrod76924 жыл бұрын
He did it all. Sang, danced, did comedy and acted.
@fccrick4 жыл бұрын
Dont forget a hell of Drummer to boot
@ifermaglich49853 жыл бұрын
And was a quick draw champion
@ridgemanron2 жыл бұрын
also was great at impersonations.
@GrimrDirge4 жыл бұрын
Sammy held his head high through a lot of shitty treatment. The haters are long forgotten, while he lives on.
@chrisalldis33753 жыл бұрын
Hi Gavin, I think Sammy & Sinatra were performing some where in LA in the sixties, as they were walking through the front door, they asked Sammy could he please use the servants entrance, Sinatra said if he goes through the servants entrance I'm going home.. suffice to say they let Sammy through...
@scottydogism2 жыл бұрын
This man was a true National treasure. So talented. I'm so lucky to have grown up watching this wonderful man.
@jmrs1508 Жыл бұрын
Yes he did, one of the Rat pack but couldn't stay in any of the Hotels on the Las Vegas strip. We have to respect those who lived long ago and changed the world💖
@trishlangford577311 ай бұрын
Absolutely. He was truly amazing.
@Lakeshore142 жыл бұрын
He was the ultimate entertainer. He could do it all. Miss his presence.
@karentecott6403 жыл бұрын
Birth of the Blues is a signature. He could do it all. Great dancer, actor, singer, drummer, impressionist.
@shirleynewman84832 ай бұрын
He was in a class by himself. Seeing this video, I realize how much we lost when he died.
@brainsareus2 жыл бұрын
This touches your soul & can make ya cry
@sheilamace76252 ай бұрын
Style and class, I loved to watch him dance, sing, act, or just talk. The man did it al L
@cynthiacook16463 жыл бұрын
Sammy was a great singer, actor, dancer, comedian, impersonator and all around great person. The first, and so far, only person to have the lights dimmed on the Las Vegas Strip when he died. I was there and got to see it. Mr. Bojangles was written in 1968 and was originally released as country. Sammy was in the Army during World War II and was stationed for a time at Fort F. E. Warren, for a special experiment to try and integrate the army. He was one of two blacks in the company, and when he and the other guy went into the barracks, the whites in there had grouped the bunks close together and had theirs's separate. The sergeant came in, saw what happened, jumped on the whites and told them there was only one color in the army, green and they had five minutes to get all of the bunks back in proper place. Later, when he found out that Sammy could not read, due to being on the stage in Vaudeville at the age of three, first with his mother and father, and later, with his father and close friend, whom he called uncle, and was billed as a midget due to his age and laws at the time, he taught Sammy to read. The whites in the group, with him, beat him and told him that, being black, he would never amount to anything, and this is where Karma stepped in. Years later, when JFK was president, Sammy was asked to dinner at the White House and also slept there. When he arrived, the security guard checked to see who was in the car, as per security, Sammy rolled down the back window and said, "don't I know you"? and the guy said not, it was the ring leader of those that gave him such a bad time at F. E Warren, and Sammy knew it was him. Here is the same guy, doing security work, while Sammy was an internationally know person, as I said, Karma. Some of his best movies, the original "Oceans Eleven," "Robin and the Seven Hoods," "A Man Called Adam," and a few more, appearances in many T. V. shows, including "All In The Family," in which he kissed Archie Bunker, I watched that episode just because he was in it and I died laughing, and many T.V. specials. Sorry this is long, but his like will never happen again, a one in a million person. Rest in Peace, Sammy.
@shellygill50292 жыл бұрын
Sammy Davis Jr. was the consummate entertainer/performer. He could do it all: dance, sing, act, play drums, impersonate popular singers of his time, improvise and be very funny. He started out in Vaudeville with his dad and uncle as a toddler. There is film of him from back then tapping like crazy. It was the Will Mastin Trio. When Sammy was young (possibly in his 20's) he was in a bad car accident and lost an eye. This effected his dancing and he had to learn to make adjustments. Frank Sinatra a big entertainer at the time and took Sammy under his wing and broke the 'white barrier's' for Sammy that prevented him from staying at hotels where he was performing. This opened up the big venues for Sammy. He was a member of the Vegas Rat Pack: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. They all acted together in a couple of movies. There was no one like Sammy Davis Jr. then and there will never be another like him again. A true legend.
@edu4562 жыл бұрын
The band is amazing. Mr. Davis is perfection.
@rebeccagray724 жыл бұрын
Sammy Davis, Jr is/was the total package!!! To me he was a legend in his own time. He started in vaudeville with his family when he under 5 yrs old. Think he was 3. He was comedic, a serious actor, a dancer, a singer all wrapped up in a small package that exploded with talent!!!! I grew up watching him and loved him the first time I saw him. Do research on him-it would definitely be worth your time.
@davidlee31384 жыл бұрын
Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Jr You'll find it ✌❤🤙
@Peter-oh3hc4 жыл бұрын
Was gonna recommended that too
@Vincent-nc3gg2 жыл бұрын
The Most talented entertainer EVER ,this guy did everything Sing,dance,comedy acting ,,NOBODY is even Close to him!!
@robertparsons88354 жыл бұрын
Nice choice! Sammy was amazing.
@trishlangford577311 ай бұрын
Mr. Wonderful. Always was, always will be. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@xirknight4 жыл бұрын
Sammy was insane talent, I’m talking legend status. This was late in Sammy’s career, you should check out his earlier performances, dancing, singing, acting he did it all, think he started like age 6! Fun fact, my dad who is an old school true very simple country/hillbilly guy loved Sammy so much my mom told he wanted to name me after him.. I can’t sing, dance, white as a ghost, and Sammy just to smooth. I love the old big band era, all them instruments live would be amazing.
@scottydogism2 жыл бұрын
Like you my dad also loved Sammy.
@trishlangford577311 ай бұрын
Actually he started at three years old.
@chrisalldis33753 жыл бұрын
A kind generous, warm human being & a great Entertainer
@terrygarcia8972 жыл бұрын
Sammy been dancing since about 5 years old. He was great then rip my friend. TX
@annameadowshelvie57144 жыл бұрын
God, I miss Sammy Davis, Jr. An interesting man and such a great all-around entertainer. Back when he was at the height of his popularity, I was a kid and he was "my mom's" generation. I only wanted to hear my teenage crush artists, not someone "old' like I thought he was, lolz. Now I look at those old performances and marvel at how good they were.
@alexandriajohnson6656 Жыл бұрын
I can count on one hand the number of celebrities who when they died, I cried. I still have fingers left. But when I heard about Sammy, I cried like a baby. I just couldn't stand the thought of the world's loss.
@dalemcmillan7231Ай бұрын
Loved Sammy!❤ such a huge talent. The man could do it ALL❤
@annalykins15794 жыл бұрын
I remember Sammy, he was on TV all the time❤️Rest in Peace ☮️
@kylesummers15652 жыл бұрын
What a treasure he was!! Peace, Love!!
@angelabarazzone78994 жыл бұрын
Sammy was part of the Rat Pack.
@js-jd1dx Жыл бұрын
#LEGEND ❤ Love this song. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Did this song justice as well. Mr. Davis Jr. Always performed this phenomenally ❤
@kittyrx7guy4 жыл бұрын
My favorite singer of all time. Mr Sammy Davis Jr, he is the most complete entertainer of all time. Half black and Jewish, and what a voice. This song makes me cry every time I hear it. I hope people can hear him more he is a voice that needs to be known more. With his fellow rat pack members are the golden standard in music and all entertainment. I remember at a tribute show MJ made him cry. Thanks for this upload. Love it, love it, love it!
@thomasgiles69913 жыл бұрын
Mr. Bojangles was the mayor of Harlem, Bill Robertson. Also check out the Nicholas brothers.
@lrsrosebud4 жыл бұрын
I could listen to Sammy sing all day long! Smooth!
@voodooacidman5 ай бұрын
my favourite version of this wonderful song! tysm! big love to all people :)
@youngThrashbarg4 жыл бұрын
Mr Wonderful himself. Recommending you react to Candyman too.
@jmrs1508 Жыл бұрын
Sammy Davis Jr is one of the original Rat pack. As a Las Vegas native, I love this guy. RIP Sir. The song is just a great song written by a country singer who was in jail in New Orleans.
@jackpeters90483 жыл бұрын
Sammy was a song and dance man extrodinaire.....great era of talent
@donkelmcn12 жыл бұрын
Sammy Davis Jr was incredible! A triple threat, he could sing, dance and act. I’m so glad that you are discovering him and this kind of music.
@148ESTHER3 жыл бұрын
One of my all time favorite. Sammy Davis Jr, master singer, master performer
@scottydogism2 жыл бұрын
He had a glass 👁️. Of coarse that didn't matter. I just remembered it. Loved this man.
@shevawn19734 жыл бұрын
Sammy was the total package.
@robb93953 жыл бұрын
Indeed! He was one of the coolest cats! And incredibly talented!
@lindarogers22712 жыл бұрын
Glad you showed this video I loved this song as a teen. He usually dance more on this song but he was up in age on this one. Mr. Bojangle was a dance an amazing dancer. Mr. Bojangal was shown on Shirley Temple shows dancing with her. Also he was an African American.
@bardwelldavidjelliff76323 жыл бұрын
Actually, the song was written by a country western artist. He met a man, in a Louisiana jail; the man said his name was Bojangles. The song is not about Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, of the Shirley Temple movies. However, when Sammy sang this song, he did think about Bill Robinson, and his own fears of end his caterer and life much the same as Bill Robinson: Almost broke and merely a caricature of who he once was.
@ttrob934 жыл бұрын
Sammy wrote the book on Smooth, the coolest cat in the yard.
@carolcjh89383 жыл бұрын
Oh, how I miss seeing this wonderful entertainer. He and the Rat Pack were all great. You are so right about the Big Band sound. I was born in the early '40s so I have experienced all of the different music over eight decades. I feel so fortunate to still be rockin'. As a matter of fact, I am going to see the Rolling Stones tomorrow night in St. Louis, MO. lol RIP Charlie Watts. (drummer)
@LaptopLarry3304 жыл бұрын
Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was an actor, singer, and tap dancer. He performed during the late-19th Century, and well into the 20th Century. Sammy Davis, Jr. was a child prodigy as a singer and dancer in the early 1930s, and Robinson mentored Davis, Jr. as he was growing up. Bill "Bojangles" Robinson appeared in a number of Shirley Temple films, and is known for his dance performance with Temple in the 1935 film, "The Little Colonel".
@stevemccormack99483 жыл бұрын
This was originally a country song from the 60s. Sammy Davis made it his when he recorded it in the early 70s. The original version he did was magnificent.
@mikeyates79313 жыл бұрын
Sammy Davis Jr was cooler than the flip side of the pillow and smoother than silk sheets
@heidithatswho.24814 жыл бұрын
You should check out some from his Rat Pack days😁
@allybandy30474 жыл бұрын
Agreed. I literally grew up watching the Rat Pack in black and white on a square 50's TV.
@wrangler19574 жыл бұрын
Mr. Sammy Davis Jr. was a class act.
@chrisstones12492 жыл бұрын
There's one downside to this vid and Sammy , we'll never see their like again.pure class and style and humanity.rest in peace you legend 💎💎💎
@bookwoman534 жыл бұрын
Hi. Great reaction. Bill Robinson was Sammy’s idol. Sammy said that the Bojangles song began to haunt him. He worried that his career would eventually fail and that he’d struggle for work. Bill Robinson was very successful and one of the highest paid black performers of his day. In the end he died penniless. When you have time you should take a look at a video of Sammy tap dancing. You may also want to look up a man from the next generation called Gregory Hines.
@willow08284 жыл бұрын
Sammy Davis Jr. is a legend! Sammy Davis Jr. could do everything. He could dance, he could sing and he could act. If you ever get a chance. You should watch Gregory Hines, also legend. May they both rest in peace. Anyway, Gregory Hines pays tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. They both dance together. What a treat!
@richo65374 жыл бұрын
Rip Sammy, love all his work, and talent. You gotta check out Robbie Williams, he does a cover of this, it's amazing. Also check out Robbie's songs Let Me Entertain You, Angeles, and Better Man. The live at Wembly is the versions you have to react to though. Super charismatic.
@alexfleming91443 жыл бұрын
One of a few all round entertainers that could act,sing and dance not to mention a bit of comedy
@RAD-82ndABN4 жыл бұрын
I grew up watching Mr. Sammy Davies Jr., singer/songwriter and greatest dancer (Kept up with Gene Kelly), incredibly talented tap dancer, and very funny comedian!Mr. Davies was highly paid and sought after, great entertainer! Favorite Comedy Movies Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin. Watch the RAT Pack nightly entertainment Specials and funny Roast specials in Los Vegas. RAT Pack-Together with Sammy Davies Jr. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawson and Joey Bishop! Sammy Davies Jr very suave, smooth and had a swag, rich, elites, politicians and everyday people paid Top dollars to be part of that and guarantee to always be Entertained!!! Mr. Davies is a class act. His signature song was Mr. Bojangles he loved that song, (makes me cry every time he sings it!) Reason he sing at the end of the shows, That song was art imitating his real life story. He said, he needs to be reminded of his past, he can never forget it. Especially when he went into a dark times in his life when he lost his eye in an accident! Especially losing his livelihood and his source of income being handicapped! Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin helped him snap and get out of it they helped revamp his career! Until the Day when Mr. Davies the last of Rat Pack to passed away, always said that Sinatra and Dean Martin was his real live eternal brothers!!! You should watch TAP with Sammy Davies Jr. (RIP) and Gregory Hines (RIP) it was a classic great movie that’ll had you laughing, dancing, jumping feel good mood and even feel sad crying moments. You should watch it with whole family you would not be disappointed!!! God Bless and take care!!!
@guyturbide63483 жыл бұрын
🇨🇦👍👏👏👏👏 I am 61 years old This song gives me goosebumps every time You should do a couple one of the Rat Pack Frank Sinatra , "Send in the Clowns Live Deen Martin . Everybody loves somebody You gonna love it Keep the good work ✌
@minnidrake85164 жыл бұрын
Sammy was the coolest of the cool great voice great performer always left everything on the stage he rocks sammy style
@otiscruse609910 ай бұрын
Greatest entertainer of all time.
@hockemeyer12 жыл бұрын
Sammy Davis and his Rat Pack buddies Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin were masters! Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was a real person. He was in many movies in the 1930s. He did 6 Shirley Temple movies and I believe taught her to dance when she was 8 years old. He was the first to dance up and down stairs. He did a dance duet with Shirley where they danced up and down stairs.
@valogden3 жыл бұрын
One of my all time favorite songs and performers!
@doct96333 жыл бұрын
The Greatest entertain of all time!.
@yambo594 жыл бұрын
I wish he had done a dance number with this so you could see what a great dancer he was, check out some of his dance videos hes a dancing legend.
@jkknight92093 жыл бұрын
I remember listening to this song since I was maybe five years old. It makes me feel something wonderful and sad that I can't even describe. Your voice is actually kind of lovely, too.
@dannyhaines23873 жыл бұрын
Glad you got to see him! More on u tube!
@aubreymae19233 жыл бұрын
❤I LOVE this song! Mr. Bojangle's was a real person who tapped dance for a living...there is a biographic movie called "Mr. Bojangle's"...you should check it out. Very fascinating.
@wesalker34794 жыл бұрын
He was 60 YEARS OLD at this performance! ! !
@patricialivingston5349Ай бұрын
There is no one like Sammy... world class on steroids. Bill Bojangles Robinson.. also world class.
@GivnoFyux4444 жыл бұрын
A fine actor too.
@xratedshkinny58094 жыл бұрын
Should of watched the one wen he was young he's amazing man
@nancyf29884 жыл бұрын
One of those rings was a gift from Elvis. Sammy admired it and Elvis took it off and insisted Sammy take it.
@colinfraser71502 жыл бұрын
Top 3 entertainers of all time.
@bigsteve62003 жыл бұрын
Bill "Mr. Bojangles" Robinson, was a real person. Dancer extraordinaire. You can KZbin him. Look up Sherly Temple, Bill Robinson dance. As far as the song goes. It is fictional. I hope you can react to another Sammy Davis Jr performance. Old Man River. Rock on.
@bettyreed57254 жыл бұрын
The Birth of the Blues by Sammy.
@adamh27124 жыл бұрын
Love this song!
@creditorclass65132 жыл бұрын
See how Michael incorporated the lighting, the hat etc in how he would perform Billie Jean live.
@terrygarcia8972 жыл бұрын
I miss Sammy. TX
@wesalker34794 жыл бұрын
Sammy was so popular that, I can remember some of his records being played on "rock and roll" radio stations when I was growing up. His father was in vaudeville and "Jr." started performing with him at the age of . . . . . THREE! His career really started to "take off" in . . . . . 1933. He died before retiring, in 1990. They shut down Las Vegas for ten minutes upon his death. Darkened every light.
@veganapiranha73654 жыл бұрын
The song was written by Jerry Jeff Walker back in 1968, recorded and sung by nearly everyone. The name was used by many street performers of the day, and Walker said this song was a tribute to all of them.
@danieldehoyos26043 жыл бұрын
There is a video of mr bojangles dancing
@NoActuallyGo-KCUF-Yourself4 жыл бұрын
You're really cranking out the videos, and it looks like all the practice is showing: the overall quality is steadily improving, and I am most impressed by the wide variety of music! I love any good music - rock, blues, ska, classical, punk, rap, metal, even some electronic dance music, and a little bit of country. This channel is showcasing them all. Keep it up!
@RedBud315 Жыл бұрын
He was never formerly educated and didn't learn to read and write until he joined the Army where he was seriously mistreated by all the soldiers except for this one Sergeant who sort of took him under his wing. Sammy used the hate directed toward him to make people love him with his talent. He also played several instruments and was a national quick draw champion more than once. Can't help but smile any time I see or hear Sammy singing.
@bobbymunoz16703 жыл бұрын
My favorite Jerry Jeff Walker song. Jerry Jeff wrote it about a man he met in jail in New Orleans.
@robbieholroyd80842 жыл бұрын
Favorite song
@pamroan29672 жыл бұрын
Smooth as they come! He tapped when he was a little boy
@sherrithompson13604 жыл бұрын
Loved him
@katiedeal32004 жыл бұрын
Blind in one eye, one of the best of the best, part of the RAT PACK and DANCING KING.
@jonplukehughes28073 жыл бұрын
He is the definition of cool and it’s effortless, I like frank sinatra love sammy Davis jr
@musicairplanes48844 жыл бұрын
There was only one Sammy. That man could dance!
@lerchfreyley14 жыл бұрын
The original was by Jeff Walker. The most popular version was by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band....check it out...the guitar playing is epic
@randyman13314 жыл бұрын
Nitty Gritty Dirt Bands version is amazing, that entire album is actually.
@rebeccamelvin37364 жыл бұрын
Actually the original was written by and performed by Jerry Jeff Walker who has a pretty awesome catalog of songs himself. L A Freeway and Red River Valley come immediately to mind. But he had a host of gems. Was a buddy of Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson back in the day.
@ChadTheGirlDad4 жыл бұрын
One of my favorite performances of all time
@fccrick4 жыл бұрын
A couple more u should check Sammy doin "Old Man River", "Birth of the Blues" studio and the do Birth of the Blues full comedic act with the Rat Pack...
@ginauvari80184 жыл бұрын
Content. Walker said he was inspired to write the song after an encounter with a street performer in a New Orleans jail. While in jail for public intoxication in 1965, he met a homeless man who called himself "Mr. Bojangles" to conceal his true identity from the police.
@michellejackson66794 ай бұрын
Sammy was one of the best of the Rat Pack.. Frank Sinatra was the Chairman of the Board but there was Dean Martin, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford as far as I remember.. going by my Dad talking to me way back in the day.. I will say... every story I've heard.. Frankie would refuse to perform if even the hotel wouldn't allow Sammy to stay there. Sammy was Iconic in an era where he was most definitely discriminated upon.
@GooniesNeverSayDie19804 жыл бұрын
How you got through this music video without tearing up, I will never understand....😶😕😞😟😢😥
@ole94214 жыл бұрын
Tears in my eyes everytime.
@neilburns43213 жыл бұрын
You can't. I tear up everytime. A true classic.
@creditorclass65132 жыл бұрын
Michael's white suit in Smooth Criminal was also taken from Fred Astair. He, along with Prince were real students of what came before them.
@chaffkell Жыл бұрын
Walker said he was inspired to write the song after an encounter with a street performer in a New Orleans jail. While in jail for public intoxication in 1965, he met a homeless man who called himself "Mr. Bojangles" to conceal his true identity from the police.
@anitaharris90957 ай бұрын
It a real story that happened to the writer of the song, Jerry Jeff Walker. It's based on a street performer that met in a New Orleans Jail. Another fun fact Sammy Davis Jr. was part of the rat pack along with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra to name the most popular of the members.
@cynthiacook16463 жыл бұрын
Check out, "The Shelter of Your Arms," I Want To Be Me," " Old Black Magic," etc.
@tapduff3 жыл бұрын
He was the greatest!!! Listen to What kind of Fool Am I
@kenshumaker59624 жыл бұрын
Listen and watch Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers doing Jumping Jive
@neailgoodloe46773 жыл бұрын
CLASSIC!!!!!!
@hamishmcdog484 жыл бұрын
Sammy is the greatest. He was the best of the Rat pack in terms of pure talent. I have his portrait on my wall to my left . LFR, watch the movie Taps. Features Sammy and the incredible Gregory Hines.......god rest his soul