By David Sher
I never met anyone like Sam Tenenbaum.
You likely haven’t either.
Sam passed away on December 5th at age 81.
He was four months younger than me, and we went through elementary school together. In fact, we graduated in the last eighth-grade class at Crestline Elementary.
No one could have predicted Sam’s future—particularly Sam.
In elementary school, you might describe Sam as thin and meek, the kind of guy who gets sand kicked in his face in those old Charles Atlas advertisements. But Sam decided to do something about it.
He attended Shades Valley High School before going to Marion Military Institute. He returned to Birmingham after his junior year and graduated from Phillips High School, where he lettered in wrestling.
At the University of Montevallo he studied vocal performance and trained as an operatic tenor, landing roles in opera productions at the Temple Theater.
Wrestling and singing became his twin passions.
As a member of the city’s bodybuilding community, Sam worked as a crew member on the feature film “Stay Hungry” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was Schwarzenegger who encouraged him to adopt a more exotic wrestling persona, suggesting modifying his name to “The Great Kaiser” and adding a mask and a feigned Austrian background.
Sam continued to sing throughout his wrestling career performing in Birmingham opera productions including “The Barber of Seville” and “Susannah.”
Sam captured both sides of his remarkable life in his 2015 autobiography, The Unmasked Tenor: The Life and Times of a Singing Wrestler.
Sam’s book is where my regret begins.
How I Supported Sam
Before I discuss my regret, I want to emphasize that I supported Sam.
Years ago, when I was board chair of the Downtown YMCA, I organized a celebration for Neal Norris, a longtime employee completing his 25th year. I asked Sam to sing, accompanied by Amos Hudson on piano—the same Mr. Hudson who had been our music teacher at Crestline Elementary. Sam was thrilled and thanked me many times.
At our 50th elementary school reunion, I suggested to the organizer that Sam perform at our evening party. I’m sure the organizer had doubts, but Sam blew everyone away when he belted out “Edelweiss” from The Sound of Music. It must have been a great triumph for Sam—performing before peers who sat there in disbelief.
My Regret
Today I attended Sam’s celebration of life at the Levite Jewish Community Center.
The ceremony was planned for a small room, but attendance was so great that it was moved to the basketball court. A recording of Sam singing “Ave Maria” was showcased. His singing coach bragged on Sam’s talent and played the piano, and one by one, Sam’s friends came to the microphone to share stories and heartfelt remembrances.
Then one speaker made a statement that hit me hard: “I’m sure everyone here has a copy of Sam’s autobiography.” The nodding heads confirmed it—almost everyone had bought a copy.
But not me.
How do I say this nicely? Sam was persistent. Every time he greeted someone, he would ask them straight out to buy his book.
I read a lot—though mostly audiobooks rather than physical books. I decided to hold my ground and tell him no.
But Sam wouldn’t take no for an answer. Every time I saw him, he asked again. We had mutual friends who witnessed these exchanges and would gleefully remind Sam that I still hadn’t bought his book. They really enjoyed riling him up.
And I was proud of myself for not giving in.
Now that Sam has passed away, I feel remorse for not doing this small favor that would have made him happy.
In 2021, Sam told al.com: “I would like to do something before my time is up to make this a better place for everybody—all different types of people and races. I’d love to see a more tranquil environment. I just want to give back. I’ve been fortunate and there’s so many nice people that suffer.”
That quote makes me feel even more guilty.
I will miss Sam, and so will many others. He leaves behind his sisters Nancy Roth of San Francisco and Jan Tenenbaum-Aguet of Naples, Florida, along with countless friends who were touched by his generosity and unique spirit.
And I will try to remember to do the little things that make people happy—even when it means giving in.
David Sher is the founder and publisher of ComebackTown. He’s past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).
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Invite David to speak for free to your group about how we can have a more prosperous metro Birmingham. dsher@comebacktown.com
Would Amos Hudson possibly have been the choir director at Highlands Methodist Church in Five Points?
Loved David’artcle. He was my friend to, sorry I did not see him much in his last year. He was a gentle soul.
Yes, Amos Hudson was the choir director at Highlands Methodist Church in Five Points and one of my most favorite people.
This article took courage to write. I admire this author.