Candid, rhythmic, and deeply human…
In this absorbing memoir, Porrello revisits his unlikely journey from a Cleveland basement drum room to touring with Sammy Davis Jr., one of the most electrifying entertainers of the 20th century. The youngest in a family where drumming was a tradition, Porrello grew up in the shadow of both his older brother Ray—who landed gigs with Count Basie and later Davis—and a family history marked by mob ties and violence. After Ray’s sudden exit from the band, Porrello—barely out of his teens—took over the drum chair for Davis, facing punishing rehearsals, ever-changing set lists, and the immense pressure of sharing the stage with a legend.
This is a story that merges heritage, mentorship, and the cultural stage with uncommon honesty. It brings forth the exhilaration and anxiety of the spotlight, Davis’s dazzling contradictions, and the heavy shadow of familial expectation. Particularly compelling are his portraits of Sammy’s generosity and perfectionism, and the grit of life on the road. Yet what distinguishes the memoir is its honesty about ambivalence: even as Porrello’s music career soared, a quieter fascination with law enforcement began to draw him away from the stage. Clear-eyed and reflective, this memoir is as much about identity as it is about show business. Fans of music memoirs, behind-the-curtain stories, and candid meditations on family and purpose will discover plenty to savor here.
Next Hat Press, LLC, 2025
ISBN 9798987831243
Pub date October 15, 2025 (ebook), November 1, 2025 (Paperback, Hardcover)
