Just Play Like You Do in the Basement by Rick Porrello (Book Review #2249)

Rick Porrello’s memoir, Just Play Like You Do in the Basement, is a beautifully rendered coming-of-age story set against the glittering and turbulent backdrop of 1980s show business. With deft storytelling and unflinching honesty, Porrello recounts his astonishing journey from a Cleveland basement drum room to international stages alongside the legendary Sammy Davis, Jr.—a path paved by family ambition, natural talent, and the magnetic pull of jazz.

At just eighteen, Porrello stepped into the spotlight as the youngest member of Sammy Davis, Jr.’s touring entourage, following in the footsteps of his older brother and guided by a father whose dreams for his sons were steeped in both music and legacy. What unfolds is far more than a tale of glamorous performances in Las Vegas, Paris, and Rio. It is a poignant meditation on identity, pressure, and the difficult choices that define a life.

Porrello’s prose captures the nervous exhilaration of his first rehearsals, the thrill of being on stage with a musical giant, and the disorientation of navigating life on the road. He writes with clarity and heart, reflecting on his family’s expectations, the thrill of forbidden romance, and his eventual decision to walk away from music altogether to pursue a career in law enforcement.

But perhaps the most compelling layer of this memoir lies in its generational depth. Porrello weaves in the weight of his family’s Sicilian-American history—one marked by organized crime, tragedy, and resilience. His grandfather’s murder, his father’s complicated ties to the Cleveland Mafia, and the influence of mentors like Louie Bellson give the book a gravity that elevates it beyond the traditional music memoir.

Just Play Like You Do in the Basement offers readers a rare and intimate glimpse into the world behind the velvet curtain, illuminating the price of fame and the quiet power of choosing a different path. Rich in musical lore, family dynamics, and personal reflection, this memoir is both a tribute to a bygone era of entertainment and a universal story of self-discovery.

Fans of music history, coming-of-age narratives, and emotionally resonant memoirs will find Porrello’s journey unforgettable. His story—told with rhythm, restraint, and remarkable candor—is ultimately about more than drums. It’s about knowing when to play the following note, and when to put down the sticks altogether.

Written by Jeyran Main

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