I love music, always have.
I love books, always have.
So when the 2 can come together, I'm all for it!
With Deconstructing Sammy I found that rarity- a book that is not only biography of a musical icon, but attempts to solve the mysteries surrounding his life and death, and provides a 'can't put it down' read! I was hooked by the 2nd chapter! Birkbeck draws you in, and KEEPS you there!
When we think of musical legacies that are healthy and ongoing, we think of Elvis, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Sinatra. We don't think of those that have faded, due to legal troubles, beneficiary fights over the estate/use of,or those that were sold away.
Deconstructing Sammy is a book that should be read by EVERY aspiring artist, no matter what their field. It is a true tale of what can happen when you surround yourself with people who are only thinking of themselves/leeching off your fame, that take advantage of you financially and focus you on the short term, not 30 years in the future. It teaches us how making bad decisions can affect future royalties to you AND you heirs.
The book is the tale of the American Dream gone asunder- Davis literally rose from a broken home, with very little normal education, to become one of the top all-around entertainers> He came through segregation and earned respect. How it all crashed and burned is a lesson for anyone!
I was shocked to learn that Sammy Davis Jr. an entertainer that I grew up with and loved, had amassed and gone through multiple fortunes in his life, and that after his death his estate was 15 million in debt. How could such a prolific and iconic figure for multiple generations, become so adrift was amazing and sad.
Deconstructing Sammy follows Davis' life as lawyer Albert "Sonny" Murray attempts to help Davis' widow, Altovise, to untangle the web of debt and deceit, and to try to wrestle back control of Davis' estate from the IRS and Davis' so called friends.
There was SO much that Davis had to overcome. That people took advantage of him really is not a surprise. It is the WHO that took advantage of him that is THE surprise. We've all heard the rumors of Sinatra's "Chicago" connections, but seeing how they played in Davis' life is shocking in the amount of greed involved and the level that they took advantage of Davis' talent.
In the end, you'll feel disillusioned, but the back-story of Sonny and his parent's version of the American Dream is uplifting. You'll come to share Sonny's tenacity to learn more and to solve the puzzle, the need to get to the truth, once and for all, to make sense of such a sad turn of events. You won't be shocked at how things end with Sonny and Altovise, you'll just be sad.
I walked away from this book with a new found respect for Davis and I hope Birkbeck's book will instill Davis' legacy to a newer, younger generation!
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