- Creator
- Wade, Adam
- Call number
- Sc MG 637
- Physical description
- 0.21 linear feet (1 box)
- Language
- English
- Preferred Citation
- [Item], Adam Wade scrapbooks, Sc MG 637, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library
- Repository
- Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
- Access to materials
- Request an in-person research appointment.
The three scrapbooks (ca. 1970s-1990s) in this collection document Adam Wade's career, including his directorial debut with Miss Everlasting Joy and his screenplay, The Dancer. The scrapbooks are comprised of printed matter on or about the singer/actor, reviews of plays, press releases, and photographs of family, friends, and fellow thespians. There are autographed photographs of Ernie Barnes, Anita Bryant, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis, Jr. Roberta Flack, Bill Maddock, Johnny Mathis, and Pat Morita, among others.
Biographical/historical information
Patrick Henry "Adam" Wade, singer and actor, began a career in the entertainment field after receiving both a Billboard and Cash Box award in 1960 for his two hit songs, "Tell Her for Me" and "Ruby". Adam Wade was born in 1935, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended Virginia State College (1925-1955) on a basketball scholarship. For two years prior to relocating to New York City (1960), Wade was employed as part of the polio virus research team for Dr. Jonas Salk. Wade came to New York in order to help his friend become a lyricist. After singing his friend's compositions, Wade was signed to a recording contract. He appeared in several television commercials, for Flic My Bic, Geritol, Totes, and Campbell Soup; had a television special (1967); and was one of the first African Americans to host a game show, Musical Chairs, A. M. (1975).
Wade worked in television, Broadway and Off Broadway theaters, and films. His television program credits include: Good Times, Kojak, Sanford and Son, The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show, Like It Is, and The Della Reese Show, among others. Some of his theater productions include: Hallelujah Baby, Same Time Next Year, and Staggerlee. His film credits include Shaft (1971), Across 110th Street (1972), Come Back Charleston Blue (1972), Gordon's War (1973), and The Education of Sonny Carson (1974).
Wade received CLIO (advertising) awards for "Virgin Islands 50 Dollar Days", 1972, and "Baby Sitter Campbell Soup", 1973. In 1995, he graduated from Lehman College, City University of New York.
Administrative information
Source of acquisition
Gift of Adam Wade, 1998.
Revision History
Finding aid updated by Lauren Stark. (2022 April 7)
Processing information
Accessioned by P. Williams, July 1998.
Using the collection
Location
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037-1801
Second Floor