Sinatra’s Final Curtain: Fans React, Remember

Back in 1942, three young bobby-soxers managed to get tickets in the 10th row to see Frank Sinatra at the Metropolitan Theater in Providence, R.I. Featured with Frank was a young singer named Marcie McGuire. (She later appeared in the movie “Higher and Higher” with Frank, Mel Torme and Barbara Hale).

We cried and swooned and literally tore our hair out when he sang “I Couldn’t Sleep a Wink Last Night” and “The Music Stopped.”

The stage-door teens were not turned away after the show but were given autographs and a picture of Marcie and Frank. Even then, Frank was a caring performer who loved his public.

Little did we know that we were in the presence of a future legend. It was awesome.

EVE BIAVA

Dana Point

*

During the later years of World War II, I saw Frank Sinatra perform live at the Paramount Theatre in New York City, and for my 50 cents on the same show could be Sammy Davis Jr., Peggy Lee and other well-known entertainers.

One incident that stands out in my memory took place in 1944 when, as a mailman working out of Station G on West 52nd Street, I was delivering mail on 47th Street. I saw a large crowd, mostly girls, gathered in front of a barbershop. Because I had mail to deliver at this barbershop, I pushed through the crowd and recognized Sinatra getting the final touch-up on his haircut. On both sides of the front door was a double line of bodyguards. As Frank walked past me to get into his limousine waiting at the curb, the crowd of girls went crazy. About eight girls hailed a taxi and ordered the driver to “Follow that car!”

Thanks, Frank, for fantastic entertainment.

MARTY LEVINE

Huntington Beach

*

Frank Sinatra: a great artist.

He had class, style, presence--the ability to pick himself up off the floor and go on. People related to him because the emotion in his voice was genuine--he really experienced the things he sang about.

He was so much a part of the times in which he lived because when he sang about love or rejection or hope or about just plain resilience--the universal things we all go through--who couldn’t say, “Yes, I’ve been there, I know what it’s like”? And that’s what a great artist does. He speaks, or in this case sings, for the rest of us.

EDITH HARVATH

Buena Park

*

Like countless others, I was deeply saddened by Frank Sinatra’s death. It’s hard to accept that the Chairman is gone. He was a remarkable talent, one that could never be either duplicated or replaced. It was Frank who first got me interested in jazz when I was a kid. And if I’m ever in a bad mood, a dose of Frank can always make me smile.

The world just seemed a much hipper place when Frank was around. He’ll be missed.

JOHN McELLIGOTT JR.

Fullerton