The early days of big names in Vegas – Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Frank Sinatra and catch that guy on the right! Heeere’s Johnny.
Try to imagine four top entertainers ‘working a room’ like that today. (Instead of a stadium.)
The early days of big names in Vegas – Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Frank Sinatra and catch that guy on the right! Heeere’s Johnny.
Try to imagine four top entertainers ‘working a room’ like that today. (Instead of a stadium.)
Ms. Holland,
I was surprised Johnny Carson was singing with the masters. He did OK. What year was this? I was trying to guess by Carson’s looks.
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It looks to me like maybe the late 60’s/early 70’s? If you watch this on youtube, I think there are some commenters with more info. One of them said it was the only time Johnny Carson ever sang in public.
It’s something, isn’t it?
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Ms. Holland,
In the 1970s because I worked swing shift, I was frequently up late at night. Johnny was a necessity, for me to de-stress if I was staying in. I thought I knew a lot about him, until your clip, and I was trying to figure out why I didn’t know that he sang.
Looking how everyone looks I’m guessing about 1966. Dean and Johnny in particular look pre 70s to me. Frank and Sammy tend to look older than that, but I will stay with 1966.
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WOW. I had no idea he sang, too. Leno may be as funny, but he can’t touch Johnny in overall talent.
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Johnny Carson will remain the gold standard. A utterly decent and mannerly guy who not only had a wicked sense of humor but a real sense of play.
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Carson had a large well of goodwill built up with his audience. Almost like watching your favorite baseball player come up to bat. Even when he struck out, a joke that fell flat, you did not care. He would joke about the bad joke and the audience stayed with him. The other late night hosts do that, but not with the ease of Mr. Carson.
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Yeah, he was the goods alright. And he had that Bob Hope way of sneaking up on a laugh.
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