For decades, Elvis Presley has been remembered as the King of Rock and Roll, but behind the flashing lights, sold-out concerts, and endless headlines was a man judged by countless celebrities. Some praised him, others criticized him. Yet one opinion carried extraordinary weight because it came from a performer who understood greatness better than almost anyone else: Sammy Davis Jr.
What did Sammy really think about Elvis after years of knowing him personally?
The answer has surprised fans for generations.
Their relationship began long before Elvis dominated the Las Vegas stage. Back in the late 1950s, Sammy Davis Jr. was already one of America’s most respected entertainers, dazzling audiences with his singing, dancing, comedy, and unmatched stage presence. While many stars viewed Elvis as a newcomer disrupting the music industry, Sammy saw something entirely different.
One unforgettable story illustrates just how much mutual respect existed between the two legends. During a performance in Las Vegas, Sammy famously ended his show with a playful impersonation of Elvis Presley. Rather than feeling offended, Elvis sat in the audience laughing uncontrollably, applauding every exaggerated move and every humorous imitation. According to those who witnessed the moment, Elvis admired anyone with genuine talent and never took himself too seriously. His ability to laugh at his own image revealed a humility many critics rarely acknowledged.
That mutual admiration continued for years.
Their friendship extended far beyond brief celebrity encounters. Sammy visited Elvis during the filming of King Creole in 1958, and after Elvis returned from military service, the two reunited on Frank Sinatra’s television special. While the entertainment world often tried to pit artists against one another, Sammy and Elvis quietly built a friendship based on respect rather than competition.
Perhaps the most revealing insight came when Sammy addressed the endless debate surrounding Elvis and rock and roll. During a period when critics questioned Elvis’s musical style and cultural influence, Sammy dismissed the arguments with remarkable clarity. He explained that music was never about race or labels. What mattered was authenticity. In his eyes, Elvis possessed a genuine spirit that connected with ordinary people regardless of background. It was a perspective that challenged many of the stereotypes surrounding Presley during the height of his fame.
Their friendship also produced unforgettable moments away from the spotlight.
Jerry Schilling, one of Elvis’s closest friends, recalled evenings in Las Vegas when Sammy and Elvis spent hours laughing backstage after shows. On one memorable night, they unexpectedly wandered into a nearly empty lounge where Chuck Berry was performing. Instead of remaining hidden in a private suite, Elvis and Sammy happily sang along from the audience while Berry performed. Imagine witnessing three giants of American music sharing an intimate performance with only a handful of people present. Moments like these became legendary precisely because they were never staged for publicity.
As Elvis’s career faced increasing criticism and speculation, Sammy never abandoned his friend. Even after Elvis’s death, when rumors dominated newspaper headlines and television reports, Sammy chose to remember the man he had known personally rather than the myths created by others. He focused on Elvis’s kindness, generosity, humor, and unwavering passion for entertaining audiences.
Then came the statement that stunned so many fans.
When asked to rate Elvis Presley as a performer, Sammy Davis Jr. didn’t hesitate.
Instead of giving him a perfect score of ten, Sammy smiled and delivered a line that has become legendary:
“On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate Elvis 11.”
Those seven words spoke louder than countless newspaper reviews.
Coming from one of the greatest entertainers of the twentieth century, the compliment carried enormous significance. Sammy Davis Jr. understood excellence because he lived it every night on stage. For him to place Elvis above perfection was more than simple praise. It was a declaration that Elvis possessed a rare quality that transcended technique, popularity, or record sales.
Today, their friendship stands as a reminder that behind the fame were two extraordinary performers who recognized greatness in one another. While history often focuses on controversy, rivalry, and sensational headlines, the bond between Sammy Davis Jr. and Elvis Presley tells a far more meaningful story.
Sometimes, the most powerful tribute isn’t delivered from a podium or written in an obituary.
Sometimes, it comes from a friend who knew the truth all along.