Matt McAvoy Book Review

Rick Porrello is the real deal – a somewhat humble and matter-of-fact overachiever, who I have garnered – and you will, too – massive respect for after reading this memoir.  It is predominantly about his years working as a drummer for Sammy Davis Jr., and the charmed life he led while doing so, travelling the world, mixing with celebs and making some money – all before his 21st birthday.  Many will think this is a dream life of its own, but it was never what Rick really felt was his calling: he finally gave this life up – at still a tender, young age – to pursue his real ambition of joining the police force.  And he didn’t just become a cop, but worked his way up through the ranks to become a chief of police.  And his achievements don’t stop there: a top-selling author and the writer of the source material for adapted movie Kill the Irishman – the subject of which the author has personal knowledge – it’s fair to say that Rick is not only something of a polymath, but a sparkling example of inspiration to us all.

His calling for a life in criminal justice was undoubtedly spawned from his family’s involvement in organized crime, and the murders of several close members when he was young.  It is an interesting life, to say the least.  But, as mentioned, this is not generally an autobiography.  The book’s title is an obvious one to explain.  Personally, I would have liked to see more of Rick’s life generally, involving more of the crime and policing element, including his books about organized crime, but I get the distinct impression that Rick was keen to move away from that, into an area of his life – music – which means a great deal to him.  I also acknowledge there are many true-life crime books, one or two by the author himself.

Rick is enviable in the respect that he seems to have struck just the right balance between fun, career, achievement and celebrity in his life that many would consider peak fulfilment.  I don’t want to jinx his life, or suggest that it hasn’t been a soul-sapping struggle at times – I’m sure it has, like all of ours – and I’m in no doubt that the man is surely not perfect, but I think it’s not unreasonable to suggest that his journey has been a good one in comparison.  I do hope he has enjoyed it and still is, for you get the impression there is much more to come from Rick.  He is a good writer, I’m sure a very good musician, and I don’t doubt a good cop, too.  You wish him well, if only for one reason, and that is the big, infectious smile perpetually stuck to his face in the photos in this book.  I’m glad I got to read it, and do hope very much that Rick follows it up with a sequel on the years which followed.