Mel Glazer has enjoyed a diverse career. A renowned songwriter and lyricist, Glazer has written songs recorded by Elvis Presley (such as the theme to the movie, “Speedway”), Etta James (“Guess Again”) and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin. He also collaborated with such legendary artists as Carole King and Sammy Fain.
As an actor, Glazer just completed a run in the teleplay “Minions of the Race,” on PBS, where he played the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Glazer also teaches songwriting and related music courses at Hunter College, Queens College, and Hofstra University.
However, there’s another facet to Glazer’s life that takes precedence – his adoration for Hoboken’s favorite son. “Aside of what he brought to us musically, I truly believe that Frank Sinatra was a role model,” Glazer said. “I was fascinated by Sinatra and became a student of his life. Most of what we know about him has been created by the media and what they fed us. Because the sensational stuff sold books, magazines, tabloids. I’ve studied his entire lifetime and put him into balance and try to remember what he truly was.”
Glazer has put together a presentation on the life and times of Frank Sinatra, called: “Sinatra, Through the Eyes and Ears of a Songwriter.”
“I’ve taken the program to many different libraries and organizations for many years,” Glazer said. “The more I understood about Frank Sinatra, the more I wanted to share it with other people.”
Glazer will bring his presentation to the Weehawken Free Public Library Monday night at 7 p.m. Admission to the program is free.
“It’s an opportunity for people to get to know Frank Sinatra, professionally and personally,” Glazer said. “It’s a fresh perspective, showing Sinatra as a role model and as a man of the humanities. Language, literature, philosophy, history, you name it.”
Glazer said that the 90-minute presentation will portray “The Chairman of the Board” in a totally different light, showing the charitable and intelligent sides.
“He was extraordinary,” Glazer said. “In his young years, when he was singing with the Harry James Orchestra, he had to learn proper diction. He showed that you don’t have to be a prisoner of your background. That took extraordinary intelligence.”
Added Glazer, “He was also close to God with his charitable work. It was almost like he was doing God’s work. Not many people know that about Sinatra.”
Glazer said that Sinatra was also different because of his on-stage persona.
“He wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable on stage,” Glazer said. “He helped to change the masculine, macho culture, proving that it was OK to cry if you’re a man. You’re no less of a man if you cry. He was the first performer to step in front of a microphone and display that kind of emotion.”
Glazer said that his affection for Sinatra goes far beyond being simply a fan.
“It’s not a question of being a fan,” Glazer said. “It’s a question of truly respecting the man. After researching him and what he was all about, I got a feeling that I got to know him, going back to the days when he was on the streets of Hoboken. He fought against bigotry. He fought against injustice. I have a passion for the role model that Frank Sinatra is, professionally and personally.”
Despite being a renowned songwriter, Glazer said that he never had a chance to meet Sinatra, who died in May of 1998.
“I really would have loved to meet him,” Glazer said. “I guess our timing was just a little off.”
Glazer said that he has a lot of fun speaking about Sinatra in presentations like the one he will give Monday night.
“It’s been a joy,” Glazer said. “I’m invigorated by it. Everyone has a good time. There’s interaction between the audience and me. All these people who come have something to say about Sinatra. When I speak at these presentations, no one ever wants to leave. I think this one will be special, because it is so close to Hoboken. I’m proud to be there.”
For more information about Sinatra: Through the Eyes and Ears of a Songwriter, contact the Weehawken Free Public Library at (201) 863-7823 or log on to www.melglazer.com.
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