JOHN DAVIDSON
How does one even begin to describe the professional accomplishments of someone with John Davidson’s legacy? Yes….that John Davidson!
And I’m not referring to the length of his career which is certainly noteworthy and beyond impressive but the comprehensive nature of his remarkable stint in the business of show or as some call it “showbiz”. In terms of what he hasn’t done or at least endeavored, the list is short and the exceptions, if any, are few and hard to recollect. The man has literally done it all… like EVERYTHING and that’s not hyperbole!!! But before we break it down, I’d be remiss if I didn’t share why, beyond his local ties to New England, John Davidson is so incredibly special to us here at Verdict.
You see, the simple truth is that, like many of you, John was a part of our household while we were growing up in the groovy 70s… a permanent fixture in our household, a trusted friend, an affordable babysitter and comedic relief when we needed a good, wholesome laugh. We grew up watching him, listening to him and more often than not, being entertained by him. And though he did briefly live in our home state during his formative years and still lives in New England, our connection to John transcends any physical geography.
Especially since the type of ‘connection’ that I’m referring to is based on someone that my generation grew up trusting and whose face, voice and image was ubiquitous… not just for months or years but for decades! The man was constantly on television, game shows, hosting the tonight show, on magazine covers, acting in movies, singing or performing throughout much of the 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond.
Do you see my conundrum and where this is going? Enter America’s heartthrob…John Davidson!
Yes, ‘that’ John Davidson with the million dollar smile, signature dimples, perfectly coiffed mane and irrepressible charisma. Can you tell that John was this girl’s first crush? I can only assume that most of you from my generation (Boomers) remember him but in the event you don’t recall him by his name or what he looked like (impossible), please Google any of the aforementioned hashtags: popular gameshow host in the 70s, most frequent musical guest host on The Tonight Show, The Hollywood Squares, etc., and John’s image will appear and endlessly populate much to the dismay of Google’s algorithm.
As previously noted, in light of John’s illustrious career in the entertainment industry – a career that now spans six plus decades, anything that I could possibly say about him or his work feels reductive. However, the truth is that John is one of the few artists that has the distinction of having worked in almost every facet of entertainment save for a few other notable exceptions.
Not only did he appear in many iconic movies, musicals, sitcoms & popular tv series, he also performed in various broadway productions, often in prominent or starring roles. He did countless shows in Vegas and routinely appeared on popular 70s-style variety shows including Sonny & Cher Show, Carol Burnett Show, The Love Boat and many, many more.
With his All-American, ridiculously good looks which comprised his impossible-to-miss oversized dimples and a million dollar smile, John Davidson was (and for many of us still is) America’s most beloved 60s/70s/80s/90s (and still counting) heartthrob! Akin in clean-cut appearance, likability factor and mainstream appeal to his modern successor Ryan Seacrest, also a very popular and well-liked celebrity & tv game show host, John broke the mold and paved the way for many who came later.
Eventually, John was offered his very own talk show but not before cutting his teeth standing in for the legendary Johnny Carson. In fact, John was the most frequently appearing musical guest host on The Tonight Show filling in for Carson when he was ill, on vacation or unavailable. He performed that guest host role a total of 87 times!
John then went on to host a series of very popular game shows including That’s Incredible, Time Machine, The Hollywood Squares and the ever popular $100,000 Pyramid. He actually hosted the very first reality tv game show whose name escapes me at the moment. Besides his acting career and several stints on Broadway, John also modeled, appearing in the Sears Catalogue and even graced the front cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine essentially in the buff but for one strategically placed leaf that covered his most private parts! Rumor has it that the leaf was not quite large enough to effectively do its job but I wasn’t there so I really don’t know.
John also appeared in several tv commercials and was a successful recording artist, recording twelve (12) albums throughout the 60s & 70s. Although most of the songs he recorded were primarily popular cover songs, five (5) of his albums reached the Billboard 200 Album charts.
As previously shared, John Davidson’s professional achievements are many – way too many to list here. And his extended run in showbiz (literally one of the longest and most successful runs ever) is perhaps the best and truest testament to his many talents and versatility both as a host and a performer. This leads us to present day John which is where we come in.
John Davidson undeniably has many passions but topping the list of “favorite things to do” is MUSIC… emphasis added! And while it’s true that there were more lucrative offers along the way, John’s primary love and expression of choice has always been singing, playing his guitar and writing songs.
That said, it’s fair to say that John has found his Happy Place in the curves of a new partner who he affectionally named “Rhinestone Pink Guitar”. But before we introduce her to you and get into the details about our musical connection to John and how it all began. poignantly, all roads lead back to Ernest Thompson or as we’ve coined the phenomenon, The “Six Degrees of Ernest Thompson” Syndrome.
I have dedicated an entire blog entry to Ernest and attribute the incestuous nature of Verdict’s current artist roster to Ernest and his penchant for keeping it in the family. Look for it in the weeks to come. But first a word from our sponsor… Critical to your understanding of John’s career as a working musician is New Hampshire’s best kept secret, “Club Sandwich”. If you’re not already familiar with it, “Club Sandwich” is a music venue located in Sandwich NH.
“Club Sandwich” is also John’s very own Theatre Club, aptly named since it is located in Sandwich N.H. The venue is an intimate gathering space with a throwback feel for both locals and tourists alike who want to experience John in a more personal, intimate setting. If you haven’t been, you really need to go so that you too can experience JD in all of his theatrical splendor! Club Sandwich embodies all that John is and becomes while performing. In short, don’t miss this opportunity…tickets sell out fast!
And now the bad news… Much to his fans’ dismay, last year John sadly announced that this year (2025) would be his “last year” performing at Club Sandwich before retiring his show.
Needless to say, this year will mark the end of an era not only for John but for all of us who have had the pleasure of being entertained by him for over half a century. However, after announcing that this would be his very last season at the club but staying true to his joyful spirit, John revealed that he had a parting gift to share with his fans. That gift, inspired by newfound love in his golden years, is a beautifully penned song titled: “Walk With Me” – an original composition that represents John’s swan song. “Walk With Me” is out now and available to stream on all major streaming platforms. Click here to listen.
And there you have it…John Davidson’s parting words in the form of a wholesome love song or so we thought. That was until an UNexpected phone call from John asked us to check our email. There, in our inbox, was a link to a video of John holding his cherished six-string covered with what appeared to be pink feathers. Her buxom body barely recognizable due to all the bling surrounding her strings. What are we looking at exactly, I asked my assistant? She didn’t know.
My eyes desperately tried to process the image that I was seeing on my computer screen and signal my brain. She was curvy, covered in pink plumes and all blinged out in rhinestones but who was this well endowed vixen and why was John Davidson cradling her neck? I wanted to know. I needed to understand. I hit play. What followed was one of the most disturbing displays of affection that I have ever witnessed between a man and his instrument. And yet, unable to employ the necessary restraint to turn away, I too quickly fell under her spell.
The following is my first-hand account of the events that unfolded that fateful day…let it serve as a cautionary tale. Beware the Rhinestone Pink Guitar!
“It was clear from the start, ever shy but once bitten,
I could not look away, instantly I was smitten.
But what was it about her, I could not even think,
And despite my confusion, she was pretty in pink.
And try as I did to just break away,
I could not find the strength, the girl had a way.
It’s been said that Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,
But pink tones and rhinestones, are hard to upend.
So I reached for my mouse but it was too late,
Her power and beauty were simply too great.
Now under her spell, I know I wouldn’t get far.
So damn you John Davidson and your Rhinestone Pink Guitar!“
Verdict warmly welcomes John Davidson to its artist roster and invites all of you to show him some love! CHECK OUT the teaser reel to “Rhinestone Pink Guitar” UNDER THE NEW MUSIC PAGE. CHECK BACK SOON FOR THE OFFICIAL Rhinestone Pink Guitar MUSIC VIDEO, JOHN’S LATEST RELEASE ON VERDICT.