Dear Readers,
Frank Sinatra left us on May 14, 1998 (Born Dec. 12, 1915) and although the song is ended the melody continues to linger on.
Through his music, Frank Sinatra was a friend to millions, a comfort during sad times, and a co-celebrant at happy occasions. And to millions of Americans of a certain age, back in the days when he was more accessible to his fans, he was like family. Here are some "family" memories of Frank:
Las Vegas Pit Boss Ed remembers:
This is a sad day for all of us in Vegas who worked with and for Mr. S. I am getting calls from so many who have been involved with him here. Cocktail waitresses, dealers, floormen and even Pit Bosses are breaking down.
I am getting calls from all over the world. A man and his wife who were old Sands customers just called and both are crying but just wanted to thank me for getting them in to see Mr. S on their last visit.
***
Ed, who was pit 21, remembers actress Rosalind Russel when she came in 1972 and she started playing. She's sitting in the center of the game with her husband beside her and the table is full. People recognizing her are coming around the table to watch her play. She says she is going to Caesar's to see Frank's show. A fellow at the end of the table asks her "Is that a good show?" Ros does not answer so the guy at the end speaks up again. "Miss Russell, is Frank Sinatra a good show?" She laughs stands up and says "I've been around a long time. I've seen Jolsen, I've seen Durante, I've seen them all. Frank Sinatra is the singularly greatest talent I have seen in my lifetime. And sweetie, I've been around". She adjusts her Mink coat again and sits down.
She continues to play and talks to those around her. A young couple standing behind her have just gotten married. Ros tells them to go see Sinatra. The young bride says it's just too expensive this trip. Ros continues to play.
I remind her it's getting close to show time and she needs to get going. As she gets up and her husband is getting the chips cashed out, she turns to the young couple and says, "Listen you kids. You're just married and in time you'll have your arguments and they can get really out of hand.
Make me this promise, if ever you kids are at each others throats, please stop for awhile and before you make any foolish decisions, pull out a Sinatra record and play it".
The fellow asks "Which one?"
Ros replies, "It doesn't matter. Some records of his will let you know how wonderful it is to be in love and some will remind you how terrible it is when you lose it".
Ros says "Do I have an agreement?" They both say yes.
She says "Good, let's all go to Caesars and hear Sinatra sing. You will be my guests." She heads out. Mink coat, hat and the couple in hand and yells back at me, "Eddie, I'm going to see The Man".
***
Sinatra was a very generous man and many of his good deeds were done anonymously. He was also a big supporter of P.B.S. television. In Las Vegas, when the P.B.S. station was just getting started, Sinatra would come by and visit and when they had fundraisers, he would ask other entertainers and friends to send something in.
What was not known till now is that at the end of the fund raising week, he would call and find out if they made their target. If not, he only wanted to know how much it would take to make it. He would send in a check for the difference the next day. The station was not to tell who this came from.
He did this year after year. Every year the station would announce they made their fund raising total. Mr. S made sure they did. Only stipulation was his name was not to be mentioned.
***
In San Francisco, there were many Sinatra memories:
In 1946, at the height of his singing career, students skipped school to hear him sing at Golden Gate Theatre. They stayed for show after show until Sinatra begged them to go home so others could get into the theater.
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He was in San Francisco a lot in 1957 to film the musical "Pal Joey". Sinatra could be found at Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill, which the filmmakers had transformed into the mansion of Joey's wealthy mistress (played by Rita Hayworth).
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When it came to charity, Sinatra was generous with his time and talent. In 1979, he filled in for an ailing Luciano Pavarotti at a benefit for the Moscone Memorial Family Fund (Mayor George Moscone was shot and killed by Dan White) at the Opera House, telling the crowd, "My name is Luciano Pavarotti, but this afternoon I lost 178 pounds".
***
Two years later, Sinatra was in San Francisco for a benefit concert for the Mental Health and Child Abuse Foundation at the Masonic. He paid the Nelson Riddle Orchestra to accompany him. But he told the organizers of the benefit that if the information got out that he was donating everything himself, he wouldn't give a nickel. I was there, with our local Bay Area Frankie Fan Club.
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As a Democrat, Sinatra sang at a political rally for presidential candidate John F. Kennedy at the Mark Hopkins. The well-dressed Democratic matrons greeted Sinatra with what was described at the time as "teenish clamor".
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Sinatra campaigned in San Francisco for Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown in his race against Ronald Reagan. After switching political parties, Sinatra was back in San Francisco to help President Reagan win re-election. "He sang better when he was a Democrat", a local columnist wrote.
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Frank Sinatra and his pals Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. kicked off their reunion tour at the Oakland Coliseum Arena in 1988, with Sinatra stealing the show and we fans were there.
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At the Circle Star in 1989, Sinatra marked the debut of his own brand of pasta sauce by holding up a jar of tomato-basil sauce. We fans all bought some.
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Frank Sinatra was once asked what he would sing if he had just one concert left.
"I'd do 'My Way'. I'd have to do 'I've Got You Under My Skin'. I'd do 'One for My Baby', which is sort of tied to me. You have to do what they want. After all, that's why they're there".
***
In Los Angeles, Frank Sinatra contributed $250,000 to Villa Scalabrini, proceeds from a "Tribute to Dolly" in Las Vegas and then added another $50,000, proceeds from a special concert at the Amphitheater, in 1979. The money was for a commercial kitchen for the Villa in memory of his mother Dolly.
***
If you visit the Villa Scalabrini in Sun Valley, California, you will see a lovely painting of Frank's mother Dolly.
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Here is a letter Frank Sinatra wrote in 1996 to Fr. Emilio Donanzan:
Dear Rev. Emilio,
Thank you so much for your letter. I am so happy to hear that the beautiful painting of my mother is located where all can see and admire. I'm delighted to hear about the success and prosperity of the Villa Scalabrini Retirement Center! It is a wonderful, caring and loving home and I am proud of my affil-iation! How marvelous to see the ratings to high! Congratulations on your hard work all these many years...The "fruits of your labor" are being seen every day and I thank you on behalf of the Sinatra Family for your dedication to the Center. You and your fellow priests are very special to us.
Thank you for your kind invitation to visit...perhaps one of these days I'll surprise you!
Keep up the good work and stay well.
With my warmest regards,
Frank Sinatra
