Frank Sinatra was born 100 years ago.
Come fly with me, time.
Me and Ronnie Leigh, in the WAER studio. (Photo by Tom Honan)
The sounds of Francis Albert have meant so much to me since my father turned me on to him when I was really small.
Syracuse singer Ronnie Leigh had a similar introduction, I discovered when I interviewed him for the latest installment of my Mark It Up podcast for Syracuse Public Media site WAER.org.
You can hear the episode by clicking the link below.
http://waer.org/post/ronnie-leigh-pays-tribute-frank-sinatra
Leigh will sing from the Songbook of Sinatra at a special Centennial show Dec. 10 at Drumlin’s in Syracuse. Patricia Oasis will perform songs from another American legend, Billie Holiday, who also was born 100 years ago.
That’s something in my book.
I had the chance to see Sinatra perform live several times, once in the 80s when he still really had it and drew bigger ovations at the Kennedy Center than President Reagan, and once in the 90s when it was somewhat less so but his fans were still thrilled.
I never got to see Holiday perform live.
Here are the details for the Syracuse nightclub-style show for Upstate New Yorkers or those from further out willing to drive:
Location: Drumlin’s Country Club, 800 Nottingham Rd., Syracuse, NY 13224
Date: Thursday, December 10
Show Time: 7 p.m. Doors: 6 p.m.
Tickets: General admission $25 available online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com, by phone at 800-838-3006 and at Pascale’s Italian Bistro at Drumlins.
Drumlins will be set up nightclub style. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.
Produced by Live Space Entertainment. Contact Tom Honan at 315-263-2254 with any questions.
Are you a fan of Sinatra, and if so, why? Are you a fan of Holiday, and if so, why? Who is your favorite singer of that era, and why?
Mark Bialczak 
I can’t believe that Sinatra was born 100 years ago… wow! You are so right, how time flies. There are certain songs of his and Billie’s that I will never forget. I think you will all have a great night at this special event… Enjoy!
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That’s the thing about great music, Ali. Close your eyes, and it doesn’t matter what time it is or where you are. ❤ You and I can listen to a song together and be in the same place. Or continents apart. 😉
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Very true!
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wow, how cool – i’m a fan of both and i have to say i’m a sinatra and I’m also a crosby fan from that era. have never seen a live performance by any of the 3.
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I recently watched ‘White Christmas’ for the first time, Beth, with food blogger Liz on the other end of the phone, and it made me more of a fan of Bing! He was more than I remembered him from the TV specials of my youth, for sure. 🙂
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Love Frank! Not too many people in my generation do. Girls loved him and guys wanted to be him. He had it all: looks, voice, attitude. His name conjures up images of vintage Hollywood and Las Vegas-timeframes that some people long for. Hiearing his songs still sends chills down my spine.
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He had the mojo, Deanna, that’s for sure! You got that right. 🙂
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I never was a huge fan of Sinatra but I didn’t dislike his music either. I don’t really remember Billy Holiday.
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Enjoy him when you get a chance to hear him, PJ. And if you come across Billie, tell me what you think, ny friend.
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Thanks, I will!!
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Love Sinatra, Holiday, and Bialczak.
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Love Koplow, Sinatra and the run up to the holidays. 🙂
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