The Rat Pack

Sammy Davis, Jr.
December 8,1925 -  May 16, 1990.
Born in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York.
Sammy Davis, Jr., didn't have the easiest of childhoods. His parents break- up when he was very young caused him to go on the road with his father, Sammy Davis, Sr., who had assumed custody of his son. Throughout the ensuing years, Sammy learned to dance, he learned to deal with race issues which were so prevalent during those times, and he even did a tour of duty in the United States Army.  He was discharged in the mid '50's, and, following in his fathers footsteps, answered his life's calling:
Entertainment!!!
In 1959, Sammy Davis, Jr., became a founding member of one of the world's most recognizable and loved ensembles:
The Rat Pack.
Those cats were cool, with a capital "C.O.O.L."
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop.
For the life of me I can't even imagine what it was like to have been anywhere near those five men. The very essence of cool, and bad-to-the-bone charisma and charm. Those guys were pure, unadulterated, smokin' great talent. They did it all, and so did Sammy: singing (Candy Man, #1 in 1972), dancing (Will Mastin Trio), acting (Ocean's Eleven), comedy (Mister Wonderful and Cannonball Run).  You know we only cited a smidgen of 'em. Wow.
They're all gone now, but make no mistake, they live on...in movies, in print, and most importantly, on vinyl. Take a night some time and throw on an LP of Sammy singing some of his great recordings. If you ain't moved after listening to that, well, tell them to bury you 'cos you're no longer with us. Thanks for everything Sammy. You did it the right way, man. It was all "groovy babe."
(Photo courtesy of Ralph - that lucky stiff)