My Dance With Mr. Bojangles

55-28638-sammy-davis-jr-1440786389

When I was a reporter at the S.F. Examiner in the late 1970s, I was assigned to write a feature about people who live and work at Lake Tahoe. Sammy Davis Jr., aka “the world’s greatest entertainer,” kept a residence there.

As it turned out, “Mr. Show Biz” was going to be performing at Harrah’s Resort & Casino while I was in town. I had booked a room at Harrah’s. What a feather in my cap it would be to interview the singer, dancer, impressionist, musician and Rat Packer for my story. I called the casino’s PR person. No dice, he told me: “Mr. Davis doesn’t do interviews.” … read entire blog post on Purple Clover.

View All Published Posts

A Career In Images

  • Group shot with Martha Stewart on her porch

    Group shot with Martha Stewart on her porch

  • Cover shot for my book Troopers

    Cover shot for my book Troopers (© Barbara Bordnick)

  • Cocktail party at Gracie Mansion with jazz singer Anita O’Day (© Barbara Bordnick)

    Cocktail party at Gracie Mansion with jazz singer Anita O’Day (© Barbara Bordnick)

  • Holding F. Murray Abraham’s Oscar at People party

    Holding F. Murray Abraham’s Oscar at People party.

  • On roller coaster for People magazine story

    On roller coaster for People magazine story

  • An unsolicited love note from Frank Sinatra after I wrote about him

    An unsolicited love note from Old Blue Eyes after I wrote about him

  • Interviewing Lillian Gish

    Interviewing Lillian Gish

  • Interviewing Paul Newman

    Interviewing Paul Newman

  • Ruth Buzzi press lunch

    Ruth Buzzi press lunch

  • With drag queen Lori Shannon at Finnochio's

    With drag queen Lori Shannon at Finnochio’s

  • Interviewing Flo, coffee shop waitress

    Interviewing Flo, coffee shop waitress

  • Rocky Picture Horror Show

    Rocky Picture Horror Show

  • Singing lessons with Hal Schaefer, Marilyn Monroe's vocal coach

    Singing lessons with Hal Schaefer, Marilyn Monroe’s vocal coach

  • Interviewing Carol Burnett

    Interviewing Carol Burnett

  • Interviewing Ansel Adams

    Interviewing Ansel Adams

  • Beach Blanket Babylon cast with pineapple

    Beach Blanket Babylon cast with pineapple

  • Interviewing man with snake

    Interviewing man with snake

  • Top rankers, Advocate newspaper