This week, we take a moment to honor the memory of the greatest singer in the history of American Music, The Chairman of the Board himself, Mr. Francis Albert Sinatra.
Today, our dear leader would have been 92 years young and would probably still be making appearnces, although he stopped singing a while back. As everyone who knew and loved him knows, he was born December 12, 1915 in Hoboken New Jersey and made his singing debut on the Major Bowes radio program in the 30's.
Every decade he sang in he was as popular as he always was, from the idol of the "Bobby soxers" to the teensof the 50's, the young swingers of the 60's, the 70's classy folk, the Me generation of the 80's and the retro fans of the 90's all came to love his music.
Frank will always be synonymouos with the time in the 60's when "The Rat Pack" ruled Las Vegas. Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford held court at the Sands hotel for a number of years in the 60's, turning a free-wheeling show into an iconic time where the rules didn't apply.
"The Summit" ruled the roost is the Sand's main showroom. Frank's straight sining, Deano's loveable drunken persona, Sammy's high-stepping passion, Peter Lawford's laconic straight man cameos and Joey Bishop, the man Frank called "The hub that turns the wheel," with his comic wit and uncompromising deadpan humor, built a legend that few have come close to even attempting to replicate.
I met Frank Sinatra in the early 1990's when he performed at the Long Beach Arena on Valentine's Day. I was working security that night, ushering people to their seats in the concourse level, so I have an almost perfect view of the man. But the thrill I wasn't expecting was after the show.
Normally, we leave after the house is cleared, but on this night we were told to stay before we were let go for the night. The head of the company, whom I met once, was working the show as well and let the entire secruity contingent, about 30 of us, to the side entrance, having us form two lines, almost like an honor guard. Next thing I know, Mr. Sinatra comes out and begins to shake hands with each of us, saying "Thank you" for our work tonight. I couldn't believe it was happening and when he got to Me, I took his hand and said, "No, thank You, Mr. Sinatra" He smiled, and moved on. I felt like I touched the Holy Grail.
So today, on the anniversary of his birth, I present two tributes to the Chairman. First, Frank's version of the Lerner and Loeb classic from "Guys and Dolls," the first "unofficial" anthem of Las Vegas, "Luck Be A Lady," performed by that new icon of Vegas, the Foutains at the Bellagio. And if you have it, raise a glass of CHivas in his honor.
"Luck (Be A Lady Tonight)"
Second, since it's only two weeks before Christmas, I wanted to feature one of Frank's favorite Christmas songs. So I picked a track from the "Christmas With The Rat Pack" CD, one of Frank's personal favorites. I'm not sure but I believe that this version comes from Frank's TV series from the 50's.
"I Got My Love To Keep Me Warm"
Happy Birthday, Mr. Sinatra.
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