From the linked article: "Larry Gates, who portrayed Polonius in Hamlet at Lincoln Center in 1975, told Aaronson (who worked on the show as a dresser) about a memorable night in the 1950s when Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, and Dean once gathered on the roof of the 68th Street apartment. “Jimmy was on the conga, and Harry was singing ‘Banana Boat (Day-O)’ — and this was two years before the song was even out,” Gates said. The group enjoyed their music session until three or four in the morning. Dean was known to rehearse on his roof, which has two levels and a view of Sheep Meadow."
Has this been reported/proven any place? I do know about Dean playing the conga, but I've never heard of him playing with Portier and Belafonte for an impromptu roof top concert.
To the best of my knowledge, Larry Gates made that up. Gates worked on "Anybody Seen My Gal," which Dean had a bit part in, but beyond that, everything else he said seems to be fabricated.
I wouldn't be surprised to learn he talks to his ghost and Dean warns him to use the subway rather than drive as the "car curse" is attached to him now.
From the linked article: "Larry Gates, who portrayed Polonius in Hamlet at Lincoln Center in 1975, told Aaronson (who worked on the show as a dresser) about a memorable night in the 1950s when Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, and Dean once gathered on the roof of the 68th Street apartment. “Jimmy was on the conga, and Harry was singing ‘Banana Boat (Day-O)’ — and this was two years before the song was even out,” Gates said. The group enjoyed their music session until three or four in the morning. Dean was known to rehearse on his roof, which has two levels and a view of Sheep Meadow."
Has this been reported/proven any place? I do know about Dean playing the conga, but I've never heard of him playing with Portier and Belafonte for an impromptu roof top concert.
To the best of my knowledge, Larry Gates made that up. Gates worked on "Anybody Seen My Gal," which Dean had a bit part in, but beyond that, everything else he said seems to be fabricated.
Thank you for sharing! I was just trying to find this photo two days ago, funny coincidence.
Have you had the opportunity to visit the apartment?
I wouldn't be surprised to learn he talks to his ghost and Dean warns him to use the subway rather than drive as the "car curse" is attached to him now.