Dear Editor:
May 14, 2010 will mark twelve years since Hoboken’s favorite son, Frank Sinatra passed away. There’s nothing much more to say except his legions of fans, both ‘ordinary’ and ‘notable’ are as strong as they ever were to continue remembering all the great pop standards brought to popularity by this once-in-a-lifetime entertainer. Among his fans, the likes of vocalists Peggy King, Harry Prime who sang with the Tommy Dorsey band after Frank went out on his own and Jill Corey (all of whom at one time or another sang during the big band era with the popular Ralph Flanagan orchestra in the 1950s) continue to perform to this very day. Even Hannah Flanagan, the wife of the late bandleader has nothing but high praise for Sinatra’s high standards when it comes to interpreting songs like ‘Funny Valentine,’ ‘Weep They Will,’ and ‘Come Fly With Me.’ In a grand tribute to Frank, choreographer Twyla Tharp’s dance ensemble is entertaining theater goers in ‘Come Fly Away’ on Broadway these days using the voice and music of Sinatra.
Add the talents of Frankie-Philes Michael Feinstein, Michael Buble and Tony Bennett to name just a few plus Sirius-XM satellite radio programming hosted by daughter Nancy…who could ask for anything more to keep the Sinatra legend forever in our hearts and minds?!
Herb Stark