till the day my dad died, he would of gladly strangled him...
Posted on 04/14/2012 6:21:30 PM PDT by nickcarraway
As the BBC quest to find The Voice goes on, the original and the best singer given that title was Frank Sinatra, says Richard Havers.
Seventy years ago, on a November evening in 1942, Robert A. Weitman, one of the most influential men in American entertainment had been persuaded to drive out from Manhattan to Newark, New Jersey, to check out the singer who had recently left Tommy Dorsey’s band to go solo.
According to Weitman, who was the manager of the prestigious Paramount Theatre on 43rd Street and Broadway at Times Square in New York City, not since Rudy Vallee had he seen a singer who induced so much squealing from young girls in an audience. The singer was Frank Sinatra.
Weitman was impressed enough to offer Sinatra a booking at the Paramount on a show to be headlined by Benny Goodman – one of the most popular bandleaders in America. They were booked into the theatre for four weeks from December 30th 1942 to play the tried and tested formula of a 2 for 1 show that included a movie – in this case, Star Spangled Rhythm starring Victor Moore and Betty Hutton – along with live entertainment featuring ‘theKing of Swing’, Benny Goodman and his famous Orchestra, his young vocalist, Peggy Lee, and the Radio Rogues along with Moke and Poke providing the laughs. Frank Sinatra, who had turned 27 a couple of weeks earlier was included as an extra-added attraction and billed as, ‘The Voice That Has Thrilled Millions’.
On the opening night, after Benny had worked his way through numbers including ‘Taking A Chance on Love’, his theme song, ‘Let’s Dance’ and Peggy had sung ‘Why Don’t you Do Right’ it was time for Frank. Benny Goodman’s introduction could not have been more low key, “
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
BFL
His best song: “I Did It My Way” - My dad has a record collection of Sinatra, Martin, ect. and we’d listen in the evening for hours just by firelight. It was great memories.
Because there are no more standards (contemporary songs that every artist sings) and singers aren’t as prized for their singing voices anymore as they are for their “celebrity” status.
Hard to replace someone when the entertainment world doesn’t appreciate talent anymore.
Sinatra was a jerk. I play his LPs backwards for yuks.
Frank’s voice was absolutely pure. Simply one of the best in “pop” music ever. I was fortunate to see him in 1991. He was singing off a TelePrompTer but it was absolutely magical. Also, do yourselves a favor and get Sinatra Live at the Sands. Count Basie and his orchestra played and it was Sinatra in his prime in Vegas in 1966.
Yes, Sinatra was great. But for me, please play some Dean Martin.
Thanks for posting these nick.
I have that cd. Count Basie and his orchestra are fantastic.
It’s an unpopular opinion but I’ve never found anything the least bit interesting about Sinatra or his choice of music. He is to music what Budweiser is to beer; very popular and bland, tasteless and boring IMHO
till the day my dad died, he would of gladly strangled him...
Crosby had far more talent and was a much bigger success.
Why?
Why did he want to and why didn't he do so?
After 1960, Sinatra was a republican btw.
Thank you for that. As it was ending, I realized that I had had a smile the entire time. Thanks again.
called him a draft dodger... i guess he wasn't alone in his generation that thought that
“After 1960, Sinatra was a republican btw.”
Really? I’d like to believe that. Did this have anything to do with Sammie Davis Jr. being denied an invite to the White House?
Sid Mark on the radio. Every Saturday, great stuff.
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