Why it's a numbers game for Buddy Greco

Life is something of a numbers game for Buddy Greco. He’s just turned 84 and this is his 60th visit to the UK.

He’s on a run of 33 dates around the UK, on the back of his 70th album.

The big draw is that he’s no tribute act. The Rat Pack of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis were his best friends in the 60s and a quick search of the internet throws up dozens of images of them all having fun together during those heady days in Vegas.

Frank Sinatra rated his pal highly, saying “Buddy can make anything swing - nobody comes close in that department".

“The originals were my dearest friends in the world and I certainly miss them,” said Buddy.

“I tell stories about my relationship with Frank and Sammy and so on during the evening.”

Buddy Greco is a true legend and has been headlining in Vegas since the 1950s, yet his voice remains mellow and smooth. He started his career as pianist and vocalist for jazz musician Benny Goodman. When Goodman was recruiting for a bebop band, Buddy was one of the musicians he hired. Buddy, of course, went on to become one of America’s most popular entertainers.

He boasts Grammy and Emmy awards along hits including The Lady Is Tramp, Around The World and Girl Talk.

And now he’s taken on this huge UK tour and shows no sign of slowing.
Buddy says: “I’ve been very fortunate. My father lived until he was 99 and I have just turned 84.

“The music business is only a number. I don’t look it and certainly don’t feel it.

“I have always had a very successful career in Britain. This is my 60th trip here over the years.

“I first came with Benny Goodman in 1949. People have been wonderful to me all of my life. At one of the venues this time around a man in his 80s came up to me and asked me to sign a flyer from that Benny Goodman concert.

“Yet we have a whole new audience too. Young kids want to know about what it was like. They want to know about Marilyn Monroe, who was also one of my good friends. I love doing this.

“I do it because I love it. I’m now at that point where I just enjoy it more and more.”

Frank and Buddy
The tour takes in mostly theatres, compared with the cabaret venues of the past.

Buddy takes to the stage and does some numbers from his vast repertoire along with a little bit of chat about his great friends in the Rat Pack and their golden says in Vegas, then the tribute band The Rat Pack Is Back do their stuff, before the intermission. After that, Buddy’s wife of Lezlie Anders - who he is proud to point out is more than a couple of decades younger than he is – comes on for her tribute to Peggy Lee, before the pair combine for the finale. The Goodman Allstars Band and the Flamingo Vegas Showgirls complete the Las Vegas Experience.

While he’s not traveling, he’s settling down in the south-east to tweak his stage musical – a ‘Fever’ tribute to Peggy Lee, which he’s planning to take to the West End next year.

“We’ve found a gorgeous flat in Westcliffe on sea. I sold my house and nightclub in Palm Springs – we’re going to be here for quite a while!”

And there seems to be no stopping the creative talent that already has an impressive pedigree: “I’m a piano player/singer, not the other way around,” he said. “I try to get my hand into as many things as possible.”

“I’ve just finished my 70th album and I’m still writing, and recording and performing. And as long as the good Lord allows that’ I’ll carry on!”

Words by Patrick Astill, first published, and copyright Derby Telegraph