CELEBRITY TALES AS I REMEMBER THEM: FRANK SINATRA

Frank Sinatra turned 77 in December of 1992 and they threw him a huge bash in his kind of town, Las Vegas. It was invitation only and the guest list read like a “who's who” of show biz royalty at the time. Don Rickles, Steve and Eydie, Debbie Reynolds, Barbara Eden, Tom Dreeson, Jane Russell, and, I suppose for the thrill of stepping out of context, former Vice President Spiro Agnew were among the celebs expected to be in attendance to fete “'Ol Blue Eyes.” A number of invitations were also sent to select members of the media and, for some reason, I got one. I was working for ABC and had signed an agreement that I wouldn't accept gifts that were worth more than $50 (thanks a lot Alan Freed). The company construed this particular invitation as a gift so it immediately became null and void when I opened the envelope. However, as fate would have it, I was dating a woman who happened to be a reporter for the Chicago Tribune and she had also been sent a +1 invitation to the bash. The Tribune Company saw this as an opportunity to cover the story, unlike the wisdom that prevailed at ABC that told them it was some verboten gift. We got to Vegas on the Saturday of the party which was, appropriately, at the Desert Inn, where Frank had been performing since 1951, and settled into the room to prepare for the pre-concert cocktail party where we would have a chance to rub elbows with the glitterati. As we rode the elevator down to the area where a private limo was going to take us to “the ball,” (I know...right?) I noticed Leslie Nielsen riding with us. We made small talk and I found him to be down to earth and very real. It was refreshing. We walked into the room and were ushered to round tables that held about 8 to 10 people. I saw that I was sitting next to Barbara Eden, so, honestly, I couldn't tell you who else was at that table. I remember later telling my dad that I chatted with Spiro Agnew and my dad responded in his almost stereotypical Brooklyn accent, “Oh yeah? Did you tell that goddamned son of a bitch that I can't stand him?” “No, Dad,” I answered, “It never really came up.” We had a lovely time having cocktails and a “nosh” and then it was time for the big event. Francis Albert was going to give a private musical audience to a “close circle of friends” and I was walking the Red Carpet with them. It was, without question, one of the most surreal experiences of my life. We walked into the theater and were again escorted to tables. Our table was in the front.....right at the stage. The orchestra, led by Frank Jr. was flawless and Frank was uncharacteristically humble as he thanked the crowd for spending his 77th with him. He had a little trouble getting to some of the places he used to be able to venture vocally and forgot a lyric here and there, but nobody cared. The crowd was loving every minute of the show and was mesmerized by the mere fact that this was Sinatra crooning up there. There are a handful of “must see” performers that come along in ones life time. In mine, there are some that I've made it to and some I've missed. I saw James Brown perform live twice, at his peak, in the 60's. I never saw Elvis live nor did I see the Beatles, but I got to see George Harrison with Bob Dylan at MSG. One and a ¼ birds with one stone.....not bad. I suppose a Liberace show might have been quite an experience too, but, on this particular Saturday night in December of 1992, I got to cross off the #1 on my must see bucket list – I got to experience Frank Sinatra.