Tommy Sands
Born
Aug. 27, 1937
in Chicago, IL
Tommy Sands was a natural-born entertainer who began his professional career at age 5 when he sneaked out of the house and successfully auditioned, solo, for a local radio program. At 10, the pop music prodigy boarded a Chicago city bus alone and fast-talked his way into a role on WBKB TV’s "Lady of the Mountain" series. By 12, Sands was a featured performer on the KWKH Louisiana Hayride radio show, working alongside country stars Hank Williams, Faron Young, Webb Pierce and the Maddox Brothers and Rose, and by 1954, was being represented by famed promoter Col. Tom Parker. That led to a string of appearances with Elvis Presley and a contract with RCA Records, where legendary guitarist-A&R man Chet Atkins personally oversaw all of Sands' sessions. While Presley became a sensation, Sands made little impact until his riveting 1958 performance as an Elvis-type rock 'n' roll idol in the Kraft Theater television show "The Singing Idol." The top rated drama led to a deal with Capitol Records and his first million-selling hit “Teenage Cutie.” A bona fide overnight rock 'n' roll star on par with Ricky Nelson and Pat Boone, Sands toured the country playing stadiums full of wild-eyed fans, but, after starring in "Sing Boy Sing," a motion picture version of "The Singing Idol," Sands began dividing his time between singing and acting jobs. He memorably costarred in Disney’s "Babes in Toyland" and joined the sprawling ensemble cast of "The Longest Day." In 1960, he married Nancy Sinatra after a whirlwind romance that dominated teen and gossip magazines. Musically, Sands distanced himself from rock and roll and, like Bobby Darin, developed a more sophisticated nightclub act. After his marriage ended in 1965, Sands, weary from decades of nonstop work, retreated to Hawaii for a well-earned semi-retirement. |
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Four thoughts about Tommy Sands
I am still a fan of Tommy Sands. I watched the TV Kraft Theater, The Singing Idol, he's the greatest and the most handsomest person alive.
Definitely, he deserves his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Is he married, does he have any children, and where does he live? A Hawaii Fan!
I used to write to Tommy Sands between 1957-1960. I often wondered what had happened to him, I still have a lovely photo of you, that was sent to me aged 16 years old in black&white, my name was lynette lewis also named Rosie from silverdale, I would love to here from Tommy Sands as he is awsome!!!!!!!Takecare and best of luck.
from Lynette Singh
Just for you that have commented. I am a friend of Tommys he is doing well. He lives in studio city California. You could say he is retired. He is not married and is in touch with his daughter. He does small shows here and there Just for fun mostly
I danced for Tommy Sands when he had his show at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in 1993. I attended his wedding when he married Sheila Wallace. I loved his voice. It was a distinct pleasure to work and dance for him and be part of his show. Wish I knew how to get a hold of him just to say HI, how you doing, never forgot about him.
Dovie Borges
Kapolei, HI
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