The King Of Cool Dean Martin
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With his suave good looks and smooth baritone, Dean Martin was known as the "King of Cool", and was a member of the legendary Rat Pack, alongside Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., to name a few.
Dean Martin lived a glittery life of booze, women, and big money. He was always in company with the biggest of Hollywood stars and the mob. He was one of America's favourite entertainers. To top it all off, he even beat The Beatles to become the No. 1 hit in America for one week with his track “Everybody Loves Somebody.”
But what does “King of Cool” even mean? Nick Tosches, who wrote a biography on Dean Martin, described Martin as a classic menefreghista, Italian for “one who does not give a f—.
That’s a pretty accurate description considering the choices that he made in life. He thought formal education was a complete waste of time and that he was smarter than all of his teachers, which eventually led him to drop out of high school and set out to brave the world in front of him to accomplish a name for himself.
He worked as a milkman, a drugstore clerk, a gas jockey, a liquor bootlegger and at one time, a fighter. Martin, a welterweight fighter competed under the ring name Kid Crochet, with even three knockout victories to his name. After getting knocked out in a boxing match, however, Martin found work as a blackjack dealer.
He worked as a milkman, a drugstore clerk, a gas jockey, a liquor bootlegger and at one time, a fighter. Martin, a welterweight fighter competed under the ring name Kid Crochet, with even three knockout victories to his name. After getting knocked out in a boxing match, however, Martin found work as a blackjack dealer.
There, he started singing for the amusement of his co-workers. Ultimately, getting humbled in the boxing ring worked in his favour as he was offered a position in a band, causing Martin to leave his job and chase the celebrity life.
He gained his career breakthrough together with comedian Jerry Lewis in 1946 when they performed in nightclubs and later had several appearances on radio, television and in films.
He gained his career breakthrough together with comedian Jerry Lewis in 1946 when they performed in nightclubs and later had several appearances on radio, television and in films.
Martin was viewed as the biggest party animal. Always seen with a glass of whisky in his hand, especially during his club performances, which set out his image as a “hard-drinking womanizer.”
Funnily enough, his usual golden-coloured drink that was thought of as whisky was actually apple juice; even his slurred speech from drinking was a part of his act!
Funnily enough, his usual golden-coloured drink that was thought of as whisky was actually apple juice; even his slurred speech from drinking was a part of his act!
Today would have been Dean Martin's 106th birthday.
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Comments
carlReyes —
The best of best ..
TRUDY BACON —
I COULD LISTEN TO DEAN ALL DAY!