Shecky Greene
1926-2023
An Absent Friends post becomes The first Grandstander Post of 2024, and the 2,680th post since the inception of this Blog way back in 2010. Who would have ever guessed that such a momentous post would involve legendary stand-up comic Shecky Greene?
Greene left this world on New Year's Eve at the age of 97. He was the classic night club comic and are there any like him anymore? He was headliner in Las Vegas, opening for acts such as Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. He was famous not only for his written material, but for his ability to riff on any topic for as long as was necessary to sustain a bit. As his 1950's and 1960's Vegas days morphed into the Seventies and Eighties, Greene became a regular of the television and game show circuit and also did some acting gigs.
However, Greene deserves this Tribute from The Grandstander for two reasons. One, how can you not recognize a guy with classic name like "Shecky", and two, it gives me the chance to put into print Greene's most famous joke:
"Did I ever tell you about the time Frank Sinatra saved my life??? There were 3 guys beating the hell out of me and then Frank said 'ok, that's enough.' "
Show biz legend has it that there might be a seed of truth to that joke.
RIP Shecky Greene.
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