My Years On the Road with Sammy Davis Jr.
Cleveland Stories Dinner Parties
Storyteller: Rick Porrello
Doors open at 5:00pm, with the storytelling beginning promptly at 7:00pm
- Weekly series combining great food with great stories about Cleveland’s past
- FREE ADMISSION – NO COVER CHARGE
- In addition to our regular menu, we will be offering affordable specials on these nights
Story topic this week…
My Years On the Road with Sammy Davis Jr.
At eighteen, Ricky Porrello left his basement music room to drum for Sammy Davis, Jr. Amid glamour and thrills, he faced family pressures, love, and Mafia roots—ultimately choosing between the stage and a future in police work. Take a behind-the-scenes journey with Rick as he shares incredible stories from his time on tour and hear first-hand what life was really like traveling with one of showbiz’s biggest stars. Packed with music, memories, and surprises, this evening shines a spotlight on an unforgettable era of entertainment.
Rick Porrello Bio
Rick Porrello is an author, musician, and retired police chief. His unlikely career path began as a teenage jazz drummer performing with a legendary entertainer known simply as “Sammy.” After walking away from the stage, he went on to serve more than three decades in law enforcement, including ten years as a police chief in suburban Cleveland. Porrello is the author of five nonfiction books, including The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia and To Kill the Irishman, which was adapted into a film starring Ray Stevenson, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Christopher Walken. Just Play Like You Do in the Basement marks his first memoir. He lives in Ohio.
The goal of the Cleveland Stories Dinner Party is to bring to life some of the fun, interesting stories about Cleveland’s past – from sports, to rock ‘n roll, to Millionaire’s Row, — the series will focus on tidbits from Cleveland’s past that will really thrill the audience. The Music Box is presenting this series in partnership with the Western Reserve Historical Society’s new Cleveland History Center. We think the Cleveland History Center is one of the most important museums in Cleveland. An unknown gem that Clevelanders should know more about, and support. It is the only museum in Cleveland dedicated to preserving and documenting the history of Cleveland. The Cleveland History Center includes two mansions, the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum, Chisholm Halle Costume Wing, Research Library, Kidzibits Hands-On Gallery, rotating exhibitions, and the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel.
See all Cleveland Stories dates here.
