Rat Pack Impersonators keep Mr. Bojangles alive

One of the most popular songs in a Rat Pack Tribute show is Mr. Bojangles, as it was performed by Sammy Davis Jr. Sammy's poignant treatment of the tune is captured by many of today's
Rat Pack Impersonators. Sammy had an album titled Mr. Bojangles, and after his death, his wife Altovise launched a live stage show about Sammy's musical career, named after the song.

But Mr. Bojangles, so associated with Sammy, was recorded by many diverse artists, including Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Whitney Houston, John Denver, Chet Atkins, Elton John, Jim Croce, and Harry Belafonte, among others. In 1971, a version by a group called The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band reached number 9 on the Billboard pop chart.

These days, you're most likely to hear Mr. Bojangles performed in Sammy's style during a Rat Pack Tribute, where a performer will put on white gloves and a derby and offer a vocal, whistling, some tap dancing, and a lot of emotion. . .the way Sammy did it.

To see Sammy performing Mr. Bojangles, visit this Rat Pack Tribute Page at YouTube.

Celebrating a Rat Pack Member's Life

Every year, Ohio is the site of a celebration of the life of Dean Martin in the city of Steubenville, where he was born and spent his early years. The event goes on for four days each June, the month in which Dean was born (birthday: June 7th) During the festival, locals and visitors take in parades, contests, Italian food, and plenty of entertainment including performances by Rat Pack Impersonators. And of course, there are many fond reminiscences of Dean from people who knew him. It's an upbeat, fun event, with festivities including a meatball eating competition.

The star of the Festival is Dean's daughter Deana who presides over the celebration and sings for the visitors. Deana happens to be a fine singer who does concerts around the country and has also hosted her own nationally syndicated radio show.

To learn more about the Dean Martin Festival, visit the festival's official website, and for a show re-creating Frank, Dean and Sammy, visit this tribute to the Rat Pack.

Michael Jackson Impersonators

The legendary stars with the most impersonators paying tribute to them would be Elvis and Marilyn Monroe of course, and there are also several Rat Pack Impersonators, not to mention Cher and Neil Diamond acts. But right up there with that group would be impersonators of Michael Jackson. There are many accomplished performers who transform themselves into MJ, even creating the look of his much modified nose. Some even do a remarkable job of moving on stage like Michael did.

They will probably enjoy a resurgence of interest with audiences who will want to re-live Michael's legacy, at least in a tribute.

Most of them are in the U.S. like the most prominent performers E'Casanova and Joby Rogers, both of whom could claim the support and encouragement of Michael. But MJ impersonators have even turned up in far away locations like the People's Republic of China where you'll find someone named Wu Di, the performer seen here in Beijing.

Rat Pack Impersonators Songs

Some Rat Pack Impersonators groups start their show with their Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. tribute artists taking the stage all at once for an opening song. It might be Where Or When or The Lady Is A Tramp. After that, one of the performers usually remains on stage for some solo songs, after which the others also take their turns for solos.

There are almost always duets of Me And My Shadow featuring the Sammy Davis and Frank Sinatra impersonators, and Sam's Song with the Dean and Sammy acts.

Popular songs for all three to perform include Luck Be A Lady, Birth Of The Blues and Mack The Knife.

And finally, the show often includes two Frank Sinatra titles that aren't really Rat Pack era songs, but are crowd pleasers. And those would be My Way and New York, New York.