November 3, 1964 WHBQ-TV, Memphis, TN

Talent Party

Tuesday, November 3, 1964

In late October 1964, Sam was out again on a Supersonic Attractions tour, this time headlining with Jackie Wilson. On Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, the tour had reached Memphis where they were to perform that evening at Ellis Auditorium. Sam got a call that afternoon from local DJ George Klein, a personal friend of Elvis Presley, who asked him to appear on his local dance program. Sam talked Wilson into going along with him and, Klein convinces the two of them to do a version of “Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha” together, even though this record was nearly five years old by this time. Sam performs the first verse and, out of nowhere, Wilson glides onto the stage and takes over the next verse. It initially appears as if Jackie had butt into Sam’s performance. But it quickly becomes clear that it was all planned and all in fun. Sadly, it was to be Sam’s last live television appearance.