Sammy Davis Jr. Plays The Drums, Vibraphone, And Piano Playing "Let's Keep Swinging" In 1968 (Rare) 

I’ll give that to Prince. Who could REALLY proficiently play piano, drums, bass, guitar, sing, dance, could certainly play two mallet pentatonic scale on a vibraphone.

@@ampeg Prince is one of my favroites also. He was proficcient in everytihng he did, and was among the most talented and hardest working artists of all time. He rivaled Jimi Hendrix on guitar in my opinion also. He also wrote and produced every song in his catalogue. But he was not a dancer like Sammy Davis Jr. This is why between the two, I give it to Sammy for showmanship..

@@louisd95714 well he didn’t tap dance but pretty sure prince had some moves Sammy couldn’t just do.

@@ampeg Sammy Davis Jr. was a singer, an actor, a comedian, a vaudevillian, a movie star, a TV star, a stage star, an impressionist and an all-around show biz personality. Prince was not cosidered a comedian, an impressonist, nor a stage star. His only movie was Purple Rain, and it wasn't any acting on his part. He more or less was acting like himself. In additon, he wasn't a TV star either. Sammy Davis Jr. was all of these, which is why I am giving him the crown for the greatest all around entertainer.

@@louisd95714 got it you love Sammy Davis Jr. Btw prince did under the cherry moon also. Sammy acted? Did a role where he didn’t do his schtick?

allowed?????? Imma step away from that one......

Don't forget photographer and his ability to do gun and rope tricks.

I don’t think we had any idea just how talented he really was in the 60’s !!! On top of the prejudice he was up against thru out his life, SDJ was the best multi talented performer and gave of his time & money to help others & fight injustice . Touché Mr. Davis & thank you for giving your ALL ! Your are missed ….

Yes Sir 😂

Where's the time machine.....I want to go back!!!

don't be silly

Coke addics, all of them

Oh god a “things were more talented” curmudgeon from back in the days of yore. A prime example of stupidity. I’m old, and know damn well that music, talent are blossoming and being taken to new heights. I’m NOT saying these guys weren’t amazingly talented but just shut up acting like the it all dried up after this generation and it’s just redundant now. ITS NOT!

@@ampeg Amen

Not genius, c’mon. Good on the drums but smoke and mirrors on the vibes and piano. Not saying he’s not supremely talented as a showman, singer, dancer, and drummer. But saying he fluent on vibes and piano is a stretch

@@ampeg as a life long player, multi instrumentalist, I have to agree. But it is great and inspiring

@@morbidmanmusic kinda, here’s a couple of youngsters that haven’t turned 20 yet. I find them pretty inspiring: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4xPYv_mqviY.html

The fact you detractors are talking solely about piano and vibes? What about singing? Entertaining? Drums? All this 50 years ago. Me thinks this clip is a SAD commentary on today’s entertainers who walk around with a chihuahua in their purse or guys like Justin beiber who grab their crotch and sing with auto-tune vocal correction. C’mon folks. You sound like bigots. Give Sammy his props.

@@cedjazz dude you are clueless

I envy you. You got to see him anew. Your comment made me smile. Enjoy!

Well said and couldn't agree with you more👍👍

I wasn't aware that he was a songwriter too🤔

And people wonder who influenced Prince!

@jazz eliott I agree, simply put today it's all sizzle and no steak...lol

Truly I never saw such a Man wow

🤣🤣🤣 That was cute!!!

Good 1!!!

🤣😅

Russ that is really funny man!

Haha. If he did do the dishes he probably tap danced while singing in the kitchen and spun the plates, threw them in the air and had them land straight into the dish drainer without a scratch.

I had the absolute joy of meeting him, and he was so awesome. Took time to make a young woman feel like the only one in the room, with class and care.

Sammy was outstanding to say the least, an icon, however, based on actually being a musical genius on just about any instrument he chose, guitar (check out Rock n Roll Hall of Fame 2004), piano, drums (ask Sheila E.), voice range, musical diversity, musicianship, and performance, Prince is arguably the greatest and most talented all around entertainer in history.

I was watching a video of stevie wonder and then I came across as a receomended video.

@@ILOVELEESIN Well, you hit on two of the most talents musicians and entertainers ever. Stevie is still very alive and he is sometimes forgotten nowdays of what a musical genius he is - and what a great voice he has. Sammy Davis Jr is considered one of the greatest entertainers of all time. And back then - these guys like Sammy - were all about entertaining the audience and loving the audience - not bringing some wierd attitude to the stage. Sammy's life was hard growing up when he did in the 20s and 30s - but he didn't bring that to his entertaining. Nobody did - almost all big time entertainers of all colors grew up in harshtown back then.

Glad you got the chance...we don't see talent like this anymore...

I always figured he had too because he was fighting for rights and respect, something Dino and Frank already had. And he started younger.

@AMT True

@@TheWasif Truth

@AMT Truth

💯

💯

Sammy Davis, Jr. = G.O.A.T 🎭 The World’s Greatest Entertainer -- Pure & natural talent. I wish I still had his autograph. I would frame it.

Damn,this guy is too good.

A hoofer, a crooner and a musician. A man of many talents.

Plus he was is the cannonball run!

@@Kgio-2112 damn I forgot he was in that.

Being a huge Prince fan, I said the same when I saw this! But I’ve gotta give Sammy a leg up cuz he was a decent actor also!! This is pretty cool!!

@@chuckst98 And he did great impressions also!

Just heard a radio show talking about Sammy being a drummer & had to check it out on RU-vid. I also thought he reminds me of Prince & his talent as well.

what is stopping you? As a player myself.. I can't see the issue.

@@morbidmanmusic It's an issue when you've been schooled a certain rigid way for literally a lifetime. Imagine being a typist doing it the "proper" 10 finger way for decades and then trying to master a 2-finger hunt-n-peck method but at breakneck speed like Sammy does. It can be done, but you're at a huge disadvantage.

@@ZeroChannelZero I understand. At 61 years old, I am spending A LOT of time un-learning some long-ingrained approaches to instruments, to music; attitudes and assumptions that sometimes restrained my creativity. I get ya. Keep making mistakes! :)

​@@jahnbon I know right? You probably hail from the same school as me, where you're supposed to keep the backs of your hands level, y'know the old nun's method of putting pennies on the backs of your hands and if they fall off then you get whacked with a ruler lol. Well if you tried putting pennies on Sammy's hands they'd fly off and get stuck in the rafters. That's the only way to get that aggressive sound he does @3:13

I would put him a close second behind Wayne Newton. I've seen both live.

@@blakedannion9232 no disrespect, but Wayne did not even come close to Sammy's vocal range, he couldn't dance, he couldn't act, he couldn't do impressions and did not play as many instruments. Wayne knew how to milk a crowd and was a decent entertainer. I also saw theme both many times. But, we all have opinions.

@@ricksegal3065 It's all subjective. Sammy was awesome, no doubt, I liked Wayne better. And as far as "Milking" the crowd: That's the most important skill of a live entertainer. Getting real obscure: My oldest sister used to run the largest dance competition/organization in the world for young dancers. One year, I helped her with a show in Las Vegas. I met a young Australian entertainer named Angelique Cassimatis. This girl could do everything. My sister had her sing/dance/ and do some skit acting. This girl was amazing, apparently she's a big deal in Australia now. As a teen, she could pretty much do everything Tracy Ullman could do as an adult. She may end up on the "Best" list someday.

@@blakedannion9232 very true. Nice story, I'll try to look the girl up on RU-vid. Take care and stay safe.

Right lol?

short boring book then.

He did not blend in ,he stood head and shoulders above ALL.he was also a real life Quick draw ,with hand guns, blend in??!! yes RIGHT!!! LOL.

@@davidsimms4508 No he didn't...Everyone loved Sammy Davis, but; if you weren't there; you don't understand...Everything Sammy did; he got from someone else...He wasn't an innovator. He was a "triple threat" though, so the industry had use for him...All the songs he sang were covers...He didn't stand above anyone...But, He did walk side by side with the greats of the era.