Sammy and Dino Episode 8: Generation Gap / by Karina Longworth

Sammy Davis Jr. by Phillipe Halsman

Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

In the mid-1960s, 47 year-old Dean Martin proves he's still got it by knocking the Beatles off the top of the pop charts, and by launching his long-running TV show, which brought a version of his nightclub act into America’s living rooms every week.  But his middle-aged drunk schtick sours as the decade of hippies and Vietnam wears on. Sammy Davis Jr has his own challenges, living up to the expectations of a new generation of activists--and he only makes matters worse by embracing Richard Nixon. After disastrously dabbling with Motown, Sammy records “The Candy Man” -- a silly novelty single that he hated, but which ended up saving his career.

Dean Martin and the Golddiggers on the Dean Martin Show, c. 1972

Music:

The music used in this episode, with the exception of the intro, was sourced from royalty-free music libraries and licensed music collections. The intro includes a clip from the film Casablanca.  

Excerpts from the following songs were used throughout the episode: 

Calgary Sweeps - Vermouth

Chai Belltini - Vermouth

Gin Boheme - Vermouth

Gagool - Kevin MacLeod

Two Dollar Token - Warmbody

Glass Stopper - Vermouth

Thumbscrew - Sketchbook 2

Gaddy - Little Rock

Easy Listening in Jazz - Musique Libre de Droit Club

Lovers Hollow - Bitters

Chicken Steak - Truck Stop

Entrance Shaft 11 - The Depot

Latecomer (Bass Face) - Cafe Nostro

Credits:

This episode was written, narrated, and produced by Karina Longworth.

Our editor this season is Evan Viola. 

Research and production assistant: Lindsey D. Schoenholtz.

Social media assistant: Brendan Whalen.

Logo design: Teddy Blanks.

Sammy Davis Jr. and Richard Nixon, 1972