On July 9, 1959, Sammy Davis Jr. hosted his first ever TV special. But he had to come to Canada to do it, right here to CBC. In the United States in the 1950s, corporate sponsors largely controlled what was seen on television. "Sponsors didn't see that a show hosted by a Black performer would be the kind of show they would want their product associated with," explained Canadian television historian Blaine Davis. "Presumably because consumers might be turned off by the association of their car or

4.8K views · 423 reactions | 50 years ago this week Sammy was awarded a gold record for his hit song “The Candy Man.” Here is a very rare video of him receiving it. | Sammy Davis Jr. | Facebook

On this day in 1971, Sammy recorded his iconic song “The Candy Man” for MGM. Here’s a clip we love of when Sammy performed it on the 1987 MDA Telethon for Jerry Lewis and the kids! #sammydavisjr #sammydavis #sammydavisjunior #sdj #sammycentennial #music #onthisday #history #theratpack #ratpack #thecandyman #mdatelethon #jerrylewis #sing #live #mgm #mgmrecords #1980s | Sammy Davis Jr.