One of my friends in the industry reminded me that May 14th was the day that The Chairman Of The Board passed away. I grew up with the music of Frank Sinatra. One of my favourites was The Lonesome Road, with the Nelson Riddle arrangement, from his album A Swingin' Affair.
It's like those moments in history we always remember: Where were you when JFK was shot? Where were you Maggie Thatcher announced her resignation? Where were you when Frank Sinatra died? I remember I was in Boston, Massachusettes USA visiting my sister who went to University there and was graduating on the day his death was announced. So I remember the day, the place and the time vividly.
I read with interest today that the United States Postal Service is honoring Ol' Blue Eyes with a postage stamp. The story is an incredible one. The Postal Service in America gets over 50,000 requests for stamp honorees and it usually allows 20 individuals per year. As Frank Sinatra Jr said its the American Dream finalised to be placed on the stamp. Francis Albert Sinatra was the embodiment of the American Dream and really, we we all sing along, our own dreams of being a singer. Here's the story from Forbes if you haven't seen it:
It is always sad to see a report of the passing of a Hollywood giant. Gone are the days of stars like Charlton Heston, who made his mark in such epics as Ben Hur, El Cid and the comedy It Happened One Night. I love all three of these and now I am going to go back and look at some of the other films he did - like Earthquake.
When I went to license his DVD programme and his presentation of The Bible, I hadn't realised what an impact he had had with The Ten Commandments. Hence, why he had such a devout following and why our release in the UK of The Bible, with Charlton Heston as a presenter, has been one of our perennial best sellers.
His love for history and The Bible is so apparent and convincing to so many. His acting will forever leave us spellbound as well!
I listened this morning to BBC Radio 5 and the family of Norman Wisdom, who had to take the decision to put Norman into a nursing home. The family have taken a great deal of criticism for this decision, but this documentary that will air showing the tough decisions they had to make is a tribute to Norman and shows the tough decisions families are faced with. The Secret Life Of Norman Wisdom will air on BBC2 TV tonight.
As we all grow older, we sometimes don't realise the burden we are on our younger family members. But, then again, we have the experience and the stories that make life worth living.
What I enjoyed most is that Norman moved into the residential home and found something he loved most: an audience. Although now, apparently, Norman has declined in both mind and body, he still plays for an audience. God love a national symbol, Norman Wisdom.
We all feel sorry for Amy... but should we? Perhaps this is just how 21st Century musicians are. I mean, we had The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Elton John back in the 60s and 70s... were they any better than Amy? It seems, sadly, that creative talents go hand in hand with self-destruction. I am unsure why - maybe there is something in the genes for creativity? Painters and actors are much the same.
I just went to the Tate Modern exhibition of Louise Bourgeois and she too is a strange individual - her work is amazing. I do like Amy's songs - I do hope she gets to perform again and make a comeback and I do hope she doesn't lose her creativity to her personal issues.
I went to a literary luncheon with The Oldie Magazine at Simpson's In The Strand a month or two back. Richard Ingrams, the editor of The Oldie, always has wonderful speakers and this lunch was no exception. And the best speaker was a fellow I had never heard of - but he got me all emotional - Gervase Phinn.
His anecdotal stories about school children and the rewarding profession of teaching are fabulous - rich in culture and humour. I was moved by his 15 minutes in front of an adoring crowd at Simpson's.
So, after the lunch I went and did my research and I found out that there was a DVD to be launched this Autumn. Well, I have put it on the cover of our Christmas Music & Memories catalogue. I do hope you enjoy his humour - it's perfect for this time of the year as the children look forward to Christmas break!
It is a day we shall all remember - just as I was saying yesterday. Where were you when you heard that Luciano Pavarotti died? I was on my way to work when Nicky Campbell mentioned it on Five Live this morning. So sad. The world has lost a superstar. He changed music - all music, not just classical music. He brought classical music to the masses.
Jeremy Isaacs mentioned a story today when he visited Pavarotti and at one point Bobby Charlton walked in, and the great man Pavarotti got up and bowed as if he were meeting someone greater then himself.
We shall dearly miss a man who was so much more than just a singer. He was a family man, surrounding himself with family after a concert. A true legend who has left an enormous legacy and enormous void to fill. Strange how truly famous people don't show up in the gossip magazines or take money for access to their wedding. He just went out to sing, as he says, as well as he could every single time he took the stage or got behind a studio microphone.
Please remember him as he would like to be remembered... at the top of his profession.
Pavarotti will go down as perhaps being the highlight to the 1990 World Cup - but his highly demanding and gruelling tours and performing and recording schedule went unnoticed until his later years when he started missing more and more of the many dates and venues he regularly visited.
I shall sit back today and put on a few of his greatest albums and recordings and thank him for making the world a better place. He certainly did that through music.
You know how I judge if someone was truly famous? If I can remember where I was when they passed away. We always say it about JFK. But this is the true litmus test. It works for Frank Sinatra. I was in Boston, Massachusetts on holiday with my youngest sister.
I only mention this because I received the loveliest letter from an avid fan of our catalogu. Phil Napier, of The Sinatra Music Scoiety, wrote to me earlier this month asking if I would like to join the Society. The magazine the Society produces titled "Perfectly Frank" is quite educational and informative as well. Phil enclosed a copy for my persusal. Thank you Phil! I will become a member. I advise anyone else who is a big Francis Albert fan to join as well.
The honorary members reads like a who's who of the UK music world: Michael Parkinson (I hear he is retiring!), David Jacobs, Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, Vic Damone and Malcolm Laycock, just to mention a few. I did see Michael's 100 Top Entertainers of the 20th Century and guess who he listed above each and everyone: That's Right: Frank Sinatra. I can't argue with that. Here's why - live he was certainly the chairman of the board! Live In St. Louis!
Music Legends: Elvis Presley & Nirvana's Kurt Cobain
Interesting findings in Graceland yesterday. I just read that a gun that belonged to Elvis Presley was found in a porta-potty outside of the 'Elvis After Dark' exhibit on his Tennessee estate. The handgun was stolen by a man who was visiting the exhibit which was commemorating the 30th anniversary of the death of the 'King of Rock 'n' Roll'. Sources believe the gun may have accidentally fallen into the toilet and the thief chose not to retrieve it. He must not have been one of the many truly dedicated Elvis fans...for the true fanatics, having a piece of memorabilia would be worth a dig through the toilet sludge.
Isn't it amazing that 30 years after his tragic death the Elvis fan base is still so massive? With pages and pages of internet fan sites, festivals, exhibits and die-hard followers, his legend looks set to last another three decades.
Just recently Forbes listed the top-earning dead celebs and the King was knocked from his throne. Kurt Cobain, whose death was just 13 years ago, took over the title with earnings of $50 million.
Both could arguably be the most influential musicians of their respective times, but whose impact was bigger? Who can stand the test of time? I'd say Elvis, but the numbers don't lie.
