Dear Editor:
It’s that time again. May 14th, 2009 marked the eleventh year anniversary of the passing of Hoboken’s favorite son, Frank Sinatra. His music, movies and records are still strong sellers and the recently released CD ‘Sinatra at the Meadowlands’ is a welcome ‘new’ addition to the many recordings already in circulation. It’s a 1986 performance and again showcases his marvelous voice and stage presence. His admirers, including the likes of vocalists Peggy King (peggyking.org), Jill Corey (jillcorey.net) and Harry Prime (he can be Googled) are still active. King is contemplating a recording session of pop standards beside performing for various charities as is Corey as she gets accustomed to her new California digs and Harry Prime who is still performing at the Roasted Pepper bistro in Chalfont, PA every Thursday evening before a packed house is toying with the idea of a compilation CD of tunes he sang with the Randy Brooks, Jack Fina, Tommy Dorsey and Ralph Flanagan orchestras in the heyday of the Big Band era titled ‘Four Big Bands…One Big Voice.’ I hope these fine artists toss in a Sinatra tune or two. Each anniversary (be it Frank’s passing or birthday) is a reminder to us all of the incredible talent still with us even though the man is gone. The power of Sinatra remains as strong and influential as ever and with the aforementioned artists including Tony Bennett, Michael Buble, Michael Feinstein and yes even Barry Manilow around to carry Frank’s high quality standards plus the Sinatra shows on radio and satellite radio such as Sirius-XM, fans of every music genre are indeed fortunate. And yes, Francis Albert Sinatra, we do miss you.
Herb Stark
PS: In October of 2003, my wife and I were invited to attend the premiere of ‘Sinatra: His Voice. His World. His Way’ at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It was a marvelous tribute that featured a live orchestra and singers combined with rare footage of Old Blue Eyes shown on huge screens that made you feel he was singing right to you! I’m hoping that the Sinatra family considers releasing a DVD of that entertaining, family-oriented event (assuming such a film exists).