(From Nancy's book online and the Guestbook page)

APRIL 1-4, 1982: An engagement at Resorts International in Atlantic City.

Backstage at Resorts International in Atlantic City,
A.J., Amanda and I had the very good fortune to meet
Frank Garrick and his wife. Frank, Dad's godfather,
was the one who gave him one of his first jobs.

APRIL 4, 1960: The soundtrack for Can-Can, released by Capitol, included such classics as "It's All Right with Me," "You Do Something to Me," "Let's Do It" and "I Love Paris."

APRIL 4, 5, 9, 1956: In the second group of marathon recording sessions with Nelson Riddle in this incredibly prolific year, Dad recorded 15 songs. Among them: "It Could Happen to You" and "Hey Jealous Lover." Total output for the year: 63 songs.

MARCH 26-APRIL 8, 1952: Dad returned once again to the stage of New York's Paramount, this time with Buddy Rich, comedian Frank Fontaine and former Pied Piper June Hutton, who was married to Axel Stordahl. But the big-band era was over, the bobby-soxers who had lionized him had grown up.

APRIL 1-28, 1942: Back in New York after a series of one-nighters in the Midwest, the band returned for a blockbuster month at the Paramount.

APRIL 5, 1987: He attended the funeral of Buddy Rich in Los Angeles.

APRIL 5-8, 1982: In New York FS conducted Sylvia Syms's recording session for the album Syms by Sinatra. Produced by Frank Sinatra and Don Costa for the brilliant song stylist, this collaboration was the culmination of a dream that began in the early 1940s when Sylvia and Frank met on 52nd Street, where they had gone to hear Billie Holiday. "Lady Day" herself introduced them to each other, then took the aspiring Sylvia and Frank, who had just joined Tommy Dorsey's band, across the street to see Mabel Mercer. Sylvia Syms: "Mabel was not a great singer, but she had a way with words and phrasing that was unique. Lady Day, whose talent was just the opposite, had an animal instinct about Mabel and enjoyed bringing people to listen to her. As a conductor, your papa put phrasing into my mouth that had never occurred to me—and it became incredibly simple. He is the greatest delineator of words. I sit and watch him even now, as a performer watching another performer, not believing the lessons I'm learning." My father admired Holiday and Mercer, and both he and Sylvia were influenced by them. Dad produced and conducted this album for "Buddha," as he called Syms. Don Costa had a heart attack just before the recording sessions began. These were the last arrangements he wrote.

Album cover photographed by Berliner and Rowe.

APRIL 4, 5, 9, 1956: In the second group of marathon recording sessions with Nelson Riddle in this incredibly prolific year, Dad recorded 15 songs. Among them: "It Could Happen to You" and "Hey Jealous Lover." Total output for the year: 63 songs.

MARCH 26-APRIL 8, 1952: Dad returned once again to the stage of New York's Paramount, this time with Buddy Rich, comedian Frank Fontaine and former Pied Piper June Hutton, who was married to Axel Stordahl. But the big-band era was over, the bobby-soxers who had lionized him had grown up.

APRIL 1-28, 1942: Back in New York after a series of one-nighters in the Midwest, the band returned for a blockbuster month at the Paramount.

Link to Frank's Recordings thread: SYMS BY SINATRA (1982) (Sinatra Conducts)

APRIL 6, 1987: He attended the Marvin Hagler/Sugar Ray Leonard title fight at Caesars Palace.

APRIL 5-8, 1982: In New York FS conducted Sylvia Syms's recording session for the album Syms by Sinatra. [see above]

APRIL 6, 1977: He taped a portion of the television special Frank Sinatra and Friends at NBC studios in Burbank.

MARCH 26-APRIL 8, 1952: Dad returned once again to the stage of New York's Paramount, this time with Buddy Rich, comedian Frank Fontaine and former Pied Piper June Hutton, who was married to Axel Stordahl. But the big-band era was over, the bobby-soxers who had lionized him had grown up.

APRIL 1-28, 1942: Back in New York after a series of one-nighters in the Midwest, the band returned for a blockbuster month at the Paramount.

APRIL 5-8, 1982: In New York FS conducted Sylvia Syms's recording session for the album Syms by Sinatra. [see above]

APRIL 7, 1977: He sang the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium, then went back to NBC to finish taping Frank Sinatra and Friends, which aired later in the year.

APRIL 7, 1957: He did another guest appearance on The Bob Hope Show.

APRIL 2, 7, 19, 1954: In three sessions, FS recorded songs for the Swing Easy! album, including "All of Me," "Taking a Chance on Love" and "Just One of Those Things," which, though recorded up-tempo, was, according to my Dad, "the saddest song ever written."

APRIL 1-28, 1942: Back in New York after a series of one-nighters in the Midwest, the band returned for a blockbuster month at the Paramount.

APRIL 8, 1983: FS and Jackie Gayle performed at Arizona State University in Tempe.

APRIL 5-8, 1982: In New York FS conducted Sylvia Syms's recording session for the album Syms by Sinatra. [see above]

APRIL 8, 1981: In his first recording session since 1979, Dad recorded three songs in Hollywood: "Bang, Bang," "The Gal That Got Away"/ "It Never Entered My Mind" and "Everything Happens to Me," which was never released. These were to appear on the album She Shot Me Down.

APRIL 8-27, 1974: Frank began a tour to benefit the Variety Clubs International, appearing for the first time since 1963 at New York's Carnegie Hall. In Variety one critic wrote: "He did everything right. They shook, yelled, stomped, clapped together, stood up at least five times." Mary Campbell of the Associated Press added, "He proved he's still Chairman of the Board." At $150 a head, the show brought in $250,000 for the showbusiness charity that protects homeless, abused and orphaned children. The tour took him next to Providence, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Chicago.

APRIL 8-10, 1964: In Los Angeles, Bing, Dean and Frank recorded the soundtrack album for Robin and the 7 Hoods.

APRIL 8, 1963: Sinatra hosted at the annual Academy Awards presentation.

APRIL 8, 1947: At Ciro's in West Hollywood, Dad heard that reporter Lee Mortimer, dining at a nearby table, had just called him "a dago son of a bitch," and after an angry altercation, proceeded to punch him out. Arrested for assault, Frank was bailed out, and the sheriff revoked his gun permit. The bad blood between him and Mortimer ran deep—after all, this was the guy who began the 50-year smear that cost Dad some important jobs and caused the family so much heartache—and the case wasn't settled until the day he was scheduled to go to trial: Frank paid him $9,000 and was ordered by the court to give a public apology. The story made headlines around the country, and though some applauded my father for teaching Mortimer a lesson he deserved, it was also a field day for his critics in the press, who were becoming increasingly numerous.

APRIL 1-28, 1942: Back in New York after a series of one-nighters in the Midwest, the band returned for a blockbuster month at the Paramount.

[Ian Bradley]

Originally Posted by Bob

APRIL 5, 1987: He attended the funeral of Buddy Rich in Los Angeles.

APRIL 5-8, 1982: In New York FS conducted Sylvia Syms's recording session for the album Syms by Sinatra. Produced by Frank Sinatra and Don Costa for the brilliant song stylist, this collaboration was the culmination of a dream that began in the early 1940s when Sylvia and Frank met on 52nd Street, where they had gone to hear Billie Holiday. "Lady Day" herself introduced them to each other, then took the aspiring Sylvia and Frank, who had just joined Tommy Dorsey's band, across the street to see Mabel Mercer. Sylvia Syms: "Mabel was not a great singer, but she had a way with words and phrasing that was unique. Lady Day, whose talent was just the opposite, had an animal instinct about Mabel and enjoyed bringing people to listen to her. As a conductor, your papa put phrasing into my mouth that had never occurred to me—and it became incredibly simple. He is the greatest delineator of words. I sit and watch him even now, as a performer watching another performer, not believing the lessons I'm learning." My father admired Holiday and Mercer, and both he and Sylvia were influenced by them. Dad produced and conducted this album for "Buddha," as he called Syms. Don Costa had a heart attack just before the recording sessions began. These were the last arrangements he wrote.

Album cover photographed by Berliner and Rowe.

What a wonderful post - I must give Nancy's book a really close read sometime soon. Of course, Billie and Mabel were such huge influences on the young Frank - it's lovely to have their names checked and historical context given. To my shame, i only have one CD by mabel mercer - born in Burton-upon-Trent, I think, here in jolly old England. I have virtually the complete works of Billie, I think - more of an acquired taste over the years for me than Frank - but wow! - what a way straight to the heart of a lyric - ineffable!

APRIL 9, 1984: At the Academy Awards ceremony at the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, FS presented the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to Columbia Pictures' Mike Frankovich.

APRIL 9, 1983: A collection of Dad's paintings was auctioned off for charity at the Sheraton Plaza in Palm Springs. The proceeds went to a local family counseling service.

APRIL 9, 1981: He attended opening day of baseball season at Dodger Stadium.

APRIL 9, 1978: In Jerusalem, he dedicated the Frank Sinatra International Student Center at the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus. He also visited the Youth House he built in Nazareth, met with Prime Minister Menachem Begin and spent time with his dear friend Teddy Kollek, mayor of Jerusalem.

Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin welcomes
American emissaries Frank Sinatra and Gregory Peck.

APRIL 8-27, 1974: Frank began a tour to benefit the Variety Clubs International, appearing for the first time since 1963 at New York's Carnegie Hall. [see April 8th]

APRIL 8-10, 1964: In Los Angeles, Bing, Dean and Frank recorded the soundtrack album for Robin and the 7 Hoods.

APRIL 9-22, 1958: Back at the Sands, he played two shows a night for two solid weeks to the usual SRO crowds.

APRIL 4, 5, 9, 1956: In the second group of marathon recording sessions with Nelson Riddle in this incredibly prolific year, Dad recorded 15 songs. Among them: "It Could Happen to You" and "Hey jealous Lover." Total output for the year: 63 songs.

APRIL 1-28, 1942: Back in New York after a series of one-nighters in the Midwest, the band returned for a blockbuster month at the Paramount.

APRIL 8-27, 1974: Frank began a tour to benefit the Variety Clubs International, appearing for the first time since 1963 at New York's Carnegie Hall. [see April 8th]

APRIL 8-10, 1964: In Los Angeles, Bing, Dean and Frank recorded the soundtrack album for Robin and the 7 Hoods.

APRIL 10-11, 1962: With Neal Hefti arranging, he recorded 12 new songs for Reprise. Among them: "I'm Beginning to See the Light," "I Get a Kick Out of You," "They Can't Take That Away from Me," "Love Is Just Around the Corner," "At Long Last Love," a new twist on that old standard, "Tangerine" and "Don'cha Go 'Way Mad" (with 10 "baby's" in succession and trombones playing the same pulsing note for 16 bars). Dad wanted to have a whole new sound and feel—more jazz. "I Get a Kick Out of You" was recorded at a much faster tempo than when he performs it on stage with the same chart. On this album, Sinatra and Swingin' Brass, Frank Sinatra once again reminds us of the importance of words: "The hardest thing is to pick the songs that mean something, and even when the words don't mean much, to sing them in such a way that they seem to."

Album cover from the Ric Ross collection,
photographed by Berliner and Rowe.

APRIL 9-22, 1958: Back at the Sands, he played two shows a night for two solid weeks to the usual SRO crowds.

APRIL 10, 1954: Returning to the scene of his first triumph with the Hoboken Four, Dad made a brief appearance on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour.

APRIL 10, 1949: Dad recorded his top ten single "The Huckle Buck" at CBS Studio on Vine Street in Los Angeles. "It's not a bad record," recalled producer George Siravo. "In fact, it's quite an entertaining package with a chorus and a characteristically kicking contribution from saxophonist Herbie Hamer. I'll never forget that session, because that's the last time I or anybody else saw Herbie. That night after the date, he got killed crossing the street."

APRIL 1-28, 1942: Back in New York after a series of one-nighters in the Midwest, the band returned for a blockbuster month at the Paramount.

[Nick in Toronto]

Re: The Hucklebuck. This was the first 78 that really got me hooked on FS. But not for the HBK; rather for the charming song on the flipside called It Happens every Spring. It was the title song to a Ray Milland baseball film and to hear the film version next to the FS version is a real education in what Frank could do with a melody and some rather odd lyrics to make them seem brilliant.

I was given this 78 at the cottage, along with some others, but this was the seminal record for me. We had no electricity in those days, so I had to play these records (Everybody loves Somebody,- Just for Now,- Its Always you, You Lucky People You, and Our Love Affair, the last of which FS recorded under the Pseudonym With Vocal Refrain on a wind-up Victrolla. I still like It Happens Every Spring to this day, and soon came around to Just for Now, Everybody Loves Somebody, and the Dorsey tunes. I returned to the city that fall determined to get some MORE, little knowing that It would begin a lifelong hobby.

APRIL 11, 1984: With Tom Dreesen and Buddy Rich, he performed at the Civic Center in Pittsburgh.

APRIL 8-27, 1974: Frank began a tour to benefit the Variety Clubs International, appearing for the first time since 1963 at New York's Carnegie Hall. [see April 8th]

APRIL 11, 1966: A classic Sinatra song was recorded, "Strangers in the Night," which was a smash single and the title cut of what was to become a number-one album for 73 weeks. The title song received four Grammys: Best Vocal Performance, Record of the Year, Best Arrangement and Best Engineered Record. Once again he was named Top Male Vocalist in the Playboy Jazz Poll.

APRIL 10-11, 1962: With Neal Hefti arranging, he recorded 12 new songs for Reprise. [see April 10th]

APRIL 9-22, 1958: Back at the Sands, he played two shows a night for two solid weeks to the usual SRO crowds.

APRIL 1-28, 1942: Back in New York after a series of one-nighters in the Midwest, the band returned for a blockbuster month at the Paramount.

[lorenzotedesco]

Originally Posted by Nick in Toronto

Re: The Hucklebuck. This was the first 78 that really got me hooked on FS. But not for the HBK; rather for the charming song on the flipside called It Happens every Spring. It was the title song to a Ray Milland baseball film and to hear the film version next to the FS version is a real education in what Frank could do with a melody and some rather odd lyrics to make them seem brilliant.

Nick,

"It Happens Every Spring" is a great song from the Columbia era. And the Milland film you refer to was required viewing around our house "every Spring". Funny how a cheesy film could produce such a beautiful gem of a song. Re "The Hucklebuck": That item is best left in the capable hands of Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton.

Larry

APRIL 12-13, 1985: At the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.

APRIL 12-15, 20-21, 1979: He performed for six nights at Resorts International in Atlantic City.

APRIL 8-27, 1974: Frank began a tour to benefit the Variety Clubs International, appearing for the first time since 1963 at New York's Carnegie Hall. [see April 8th]

APRIL 12, 1972: Dad competed on a pro-am team in the Dinah Shore Golf Tournament.

Frank enjoying one of his favorite pastimes
during his retirement.

APRIL 9-22, 1958: Back at the Sands, he played two shows a night for two solid weeks to the usual SRO crowds.

APRIL 12, 1945: "The President is dead," said the radio announcer. I was only four, but there was no misunderstanding those four words. My dad had lost a hero. The times were changing. Harry Truman, FDR's Vice President, stepped into the Oval Office. Looming on the horizon were Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The bobby-soxers were growing up, but Frank Sinatra was still on top.

APRIL 1-28, 1942: Back in New York after a series of one-nighters in the Midwest, the band returned for a blockbuster month at the Paramount.

APRIL 12-13, 1985: At the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.

APRIL 13, 1984: FS and Quincy Jones joined to record the album L.A. Is My Lady in New York City at A&R studios. Songs: "Until the Real Thing Comes Along," "After You've Gone" and "L.A. Is My Lady."

Album cover from the Ric Ross collection,
photographed by Berliner and Rowe.

APRIL 12-15, 20-21, 1979: He performed for six nights at Resorts International in Atlantic City.

APRIL 13-16, 1978: He completed his postponed engagement at the Sunrise Musical Theater in Fort Lauderdale.

APRIL 8-27, 1974: Frank began a tour to benefit the Variety Clubs International, appearing for the first time since 1963 at New York's Carnegie Hall. [see April 8th]

APRIL 9-22, 1958: Back at the Sands, he played two shows a night for two solid weeks to the usual SRO crowds.

APRIL 13, 1947: At the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, Dad received the Thomas Jefferson Award for his fight against intolerance. That same day, he was interviewed by Walter Winchell and Louella Parsons on their radio shows.

APRIL 1-28, 1942: Back in New York after a series of one-nighters in the Midwest, the band returned for a blockbuster month at the Paramount.

[Gregory]

WOW. The Thomas Jefferson Award must have been quite an honor for Frank.

sure was and Frank deserved it. God bless Frank Sinatra.

APRIL 13, 1984: FS and Quincy Jones joined to record the album L.A. Is My Lady in New York City at A&R studios. Songs: "Until the Real Thing Comes Along," "After You've Gone" and "L.A. Is My Lady."

One more song was recorded by Sinatra that evening—"Body And Soul." Now, after 24 years, it is finally being released officially. See: Nothing But The Best (post #4).

APRIL 14, 1984: At the Spectrum Arena in Philadelphia with Tom Dreesen.

APRIL 14, 1981: FS was at California's Edwards Air Force Base for the landing of the space shuttle Columbia. I think if the Air Force would have allowed him to, Frank would have gone along for the shuttle ride.

APRIL 12-15, 20-21, 1979: He performed for six nights at Resorts International in Atlantic City.

APRIL 13-16, 1978: He completed his postponed engagement at the Sunrise Musical Theater in Fort Lauderdale.

APRIL 8-27, 1974: Frank began a tour to benefit the Variety Clubs International, appearing for the first time since 1963 at New York's Carnegie Hall.

APRIL 9-22, 1958: Back at the Sands, he played two shows a night for two solid weeks to the usual SRO crowds.

APRIL 1-28, 1942: Back in New York after a series of one-nighters in the Midwest, the band returned for a blockbuster month at the Paramount.

APRIL 15, 1986: He talked with students at a Student Tea and Dinner at Yale University with writer, lawyer and friend Sidney Zion.

APRIL 15, 1983: In Boston, FS, Dionne Warwick and Marvin Hamlisch performed at a benefit for ailing Red Sox outfielder Tony Conigliaro to help cover his huge medical expenses.

APRIL 12-15, 20-21, 1979: He performed for six nights at Resorts International in Atlantic City.

APRIL 13-16, 1978: He completed his postponed engagement at the Sunrise Musical Theater in Fort Lauderdale.

APRIL 12-MAY 23, 1977: After a week at home, Dad went on the road with a series of appearances in small venues: the Circle Star Theater in San Carlos, California, the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and a week with Dean Martin at the Westchester Premier Theater in Tarrytown, New York.

APRIL 15, 1977: In San Francisco, FS threw out the first ball at Candlestick Park during the Giants-Dodgers game.

APRIL 8-27, 1974: Frank began a tour to benefit the Variety Clubs International, appearing for the first time since 1963 at New York's Carnegie Hall.

APRIL 15, 1971: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, recognizing my father's lifetime of public philanthropy and private kindnesses, honored him on Oscar night with the distinguished Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

FS: "I've been thinking about why you have to get famous to get an award for helping people. If your name is John Doe, and you worked night and day doing things for your helpless neighbors, what you get for your effort is tired. So, Mr. and Mrs. Doe, and all of you who give of yourselves to those who carry too big a burden to make it on their own, I want you to reach out and take your share of this because if I have earned it, so too have you."

APRIL 9-22, 1958: Back at the Sands, he played two shows a night for two solid weeks to the usual SRO crowds.

APRIL 1-28, 1942: Back in New York after a series of one-nighters in the Midwest, the band returned for a blockbuster month at the Paramount.

[SinatraIsLove]

FS: "I've been thinking about why you have to get famous to get an award for helping people. If your name is John Doe, and you worked night and day doing things for your helpless neighbors, what you get for your effort is tired. So, Mr. and Mrs. Doe, and all of you who give of yourselves to those who carry too big a burden to make it on their own, I want you to reach out and take your share of this because if I have earned it, so too have you."

What a generous, humble man!