For Reagan, Rogich snared ‘God Bless The USA’ for a song
Las Vegas political operative Sig Rogich gained national fame as a director of “The Tuesday Team,” the powerhouse advisers who managed President Ronald Reagan’s 1984 re-election campaign. During that campaign, Lee Greenwood recorded a song that was right in Reagan’s campaign wheelhouse: “God Bless the USA.”
Rogich and the late Phil Dusenberry, chairman of the advertising agency BBDO North America, agreed that the song — which neatly invoked “God” and USA” in its very title — needed to be used in Reagan’s campaign commercials. They also wanted it to be used at the Republican National Convention in Dallas.
Rogich contacted Greenwood and asked if they could use the tune, released in the spring of that year and rising fast on both the Billboard country and Hot 100 charts (eventually hitting No. 7 and No. 26, respectively). Greenwood swiftly agreed to donate the song to Reagan’s campaign; Rogich sent him a contract and a ceremonial stipend of $1.
The song was then included in a documentary played at the convention, which was to air live on all major networks — a first f0r a political convention. Rogich recalls Reagan welling up as he watched the final 30-minute clip in the Old Executive Office Building at the White House.
But it turned out “God Bless the USA” was not Greenwood’s to sell. Media giant MCA Universal head Lew Wasserman called Rogich to explain that his company actually owned the rights to Greenwood’s music — especially the hot-selling “God Bless the USA.” The message carried weight. In those days, Wasserman was often referred to as the most powerful man in Hollywood.
“I told Lew how sorry the president would be to hear that message,” Rogich says, especially since he had already seen and loved the final version.
Wasserman told Rogich he would mull this series of events, and call back. He never did.
The song, of course, became an anthem for Reagan and military functions across the country.
As an epilogue, a few months after Rogich spoke with Wasserman, the two met at a cocktail party during the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Reagan made an appearance, and at one point the three were standing together. (You can see the film clip of the three talking that evening in the movie “The Last Mogul,” a story about Wasserman.)
“I turned to the president in front of Lew and said, ‘Mr. President, we owe a word of thanks to Lew for letting us use his song ‘God Bless the USA.’ In typical Ronald Reagan style he was effusive with gratitude and thanks.”
Wasserman said, “Oh you’re very welcome, Mr. President.”
Then, as Reagan walked away, Wasserman whispered to Rogich, “Sig, you really (expletive) me on that song.”
The two got a laugh, and a story for the ages, out of that moment.
RICHIE ON BOARD FOR SAMMY BIOPIC
The man who inspired several generations of entertainers, on the Strip and beyond, is finally receiving an authorized biopic. For the first time, heirs to the estate of Sammy Davis Jr. have teamed up to develop a movie about Davis’ life and career. The heirs will be producers on the project.
Those on board include Lionel Richie, as a producer; author Burt Boyar, producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Hollywood agent Mike Menchel. Boyar and his wife, Jan, collaborated with Davis on his memoir, “Yes I Can.”
In a statement, Richie, who headlines at Axis theater at Planet Hollywood, said, “It’s an honor for me to bring the life of one of my idols and friend to the screen. I’m so grateful to be working closely with the Davis family on this and couldn’t be happier to be moving forward on this passion project.”
Producer di Bonaventura (“Transformers”) added, “Sammy’s life story is an unparalleled tale of what can be achieved with unbridled perseverance and talent. It is at its essence a uniquely American story of one man’s ability to use his talents to reach the pinnacle of his profession.”
No timeline or shooting location has been released. This effort is made possible after a court order last April settled 27 years of disputes over Davis’ intellectual property rights. Davis’ children (Manny Davis, Mark Davis, Jeff Davis and Tracey Davis) have expressed “overwhelming excitement” about the film.
He has been depicted for 20 years in “The Rat Pack is Back” show, currently playing at Tuscany Suites’ Copa Room, among many otehr onstage tributes. Also, former “Rock of Ages” cast member Eric Jordan Young is working with ex-“Jersey Boys” music director Keith Thompson on a musical adaptation of Davis’ career that they hope to tour, or even bring to Broadway.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section, and Fridays in Neon. He also hosts “Kats! On The Radio” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and appears Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with Dayna Roselli on KTNV Channel 13. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.