Massachusetts Was Once Home to the Legendary Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis, Jr., was one of the most internationally recognized stars of stage, screen, vaudeville and concert halls. He was also a Masshole, albeit a temporary Masshole.

Well, what do you know? It seems all roads lead through Massachusetts.

Samuel George Davis, Jr. was born in New York City on December 8, 1925. To say Sammy moved around a lot would be an understatement. It would also be an understatement to say Sam spent his entire life working to entertain the masses worldwide for over six decades.

Sammy Davis Jr. was a true showman, the likes of which the world has not seen since his untimely passing. All along the way, Sammy fought to break the "color barrier" that kept most black entertainers from performing in all-white venues.

Many of the top-tier hotels and resorts Sammy performed at refused to allow him to stay there forcing Davis to seek lodging in places that permitted "colored" guests.

At the height of his career, Sammy Davis Jr., along with pals Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, was the toast of the Las Vegas Strip. The Rat Pack was the epitome of cool when being cool was hot.

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Sammy's career began in 1928 when he was three years old. Sam danced with his father, Sammy Davis Sr, and Will Maston as part of the Will Maston Trio. According to legend, Sam Sr. took his son on the road rather than risk losing custody following a split with his wife, Elvera Sanchez.

When Sammy was about 14 years old, the Will Maston Trio landed a multi-year gig in Boston. The Boston Globe archives say Sam lived at 66 West Rutland Square between 1939 and 1941. According to reports, Sammy also lived at various addresses on Columbus Avenue.

The Globe archives recall a young Sammy performing at several bars near Boston's former Combat Zone, a notorious adult entertainment district.

In 1988, Sammy returned to Boston for a concert at Symphony Hall with John Williams and the Boston Pops.

Sammy Davis Jr. died on May 16, 1999. He was 64.