This fan story was told to a very dear friend of mine, and took place in
the 70s or 80s. She used to live in a very bad neighborhood in Southern
California, where drug dealers often did business and displayed violent
behavior. One of her neighbors had a daughter who needed major surgery
on her legs, which were suffering from severe infection and deformity.
The young girl of about 14 or 15 loved Frank, and so her mother sent in
her daughter's poster of Sinatra to his fan club with a letter that
spoke of her child, and asked if Mr. Sinatra might autograph the
poster. Frank was notified, and immediately contacted the hospital
where the daughter had been admitted, and requested that all surgical
and outpatient bills be sent to him for payment. When the girl came out
of a successful surgery, her room was filled with dozens of red roses.
Frank also sent the family tickets to come see him perform in Florida (
the Fontainebleau, I believe), and said that he wanted to meet them
after the show. After speaking with them and hearing about their life
and neighborhood, he bought them a house in a safe, lovely
neighborhood. Because of his warmth and generosity, they escaped the
dangers of their drug-infested neighborhood. And he signed the poster.

-Lisa Delao
California

Submitted by Ken P. on December 29, 2000:

I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO SEE FRANK SINATRA TWICE
IN CONCERT, MADISON WISCONSIN IN 1968 AND ROSEMONT,
ILLINOIS IN 1990.
IN MADISON I EXPECTED A VERY SHORT CONCERT BUT OF COURSE
MR. SINATRA GAVE A VERY LONG AND GREAT PERFORMANCE.

THE SAME HELD TRUE IN 1990.

WHAT ALSO SURPRISED ME IN 1990 WAS THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE
DRESSED TO THE "NINES" AT THE CONCERT. TUXS AND EVENING
GOWNS. WHAT A GREAT EVENING.

MY LATE FATHER ALWAYS LIKES TO SAY HE AND FRANK WERE FRIENDS.
ON VACATION IN LAS VEGAS IN 1954 MY FATHER WAS WATCHING
FRANK PLAY CRAPS AND WHEN HE TURNED TO LEAVE MY FATHER WAS
RIGHT BEHIND HIM AND HE SAYS TO MY FATHER " EXCUSE ME SIR".
OF COURSE THAT MADE THEM OLD FRIENDS.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR A SUPER WEB SITE.

SINCERELY,
KEN

Submitted by Ilona on August 24, 2000:

I was 18 and was allowed by my father to go to South Lake Tahoe to find work.  I couldn't work in the casinos, but I got real lucky and got a job as a maid at Harvey's Wagon Wheel Hotel.  The night life was great and a lot of big names played at Harrah's.  The man who was head of security at Harvey's and I became good friends and he had been in South Shore for quite a while. He took me to a lot of great shows and almost always arranged for us to go to the star's dressing room after their last show of the evening.

This particular evening we were in Kay Starr's dressing room after her fantastic show.  She was so sweet and I guess I was a bit odd because I knew all of her songs and especially the Cole Porter songs (mid sixties-bit odd).  I was telling her I liked the music and the lyrics of Sammy Cahn & Jimmy Van Heussen.  She seemed happy to know that younger people did enjoy her kind of music.

All of a sudden a couple of knocks were heard on the door and in bounces a man with a huge bouquet of roses for Kay.  When he put the roses on the table I almost fell out of my chair........because there stood Frank Sinatra (Heart be still).  Oh WOW!!! Beautiful......dressed in a tux and shinny black shoes.........I don't think I heard a thing that was being said.....I remember hearing my name and realized I was being introduced to him and I stammered "good evening, Mr. Sinatra."  Next thing I knew he's standing in front of me, with one hand on his hip, shaking his head; then all of a sudden he says "Excuse me, the name is Frank................. don't age me any faster PLEASE" (He was 49 at the time).  He was smiling at me the whole time; (but oh my gosh, those BLUE EYES.....WOW).

I couldn't believe this was happening to me.  He kept prompting, "now surely you can manage to say FRANK, can't you? (I knew I was blushing big time).  I barely managed to answer "yes, sir".  He starts shaking his head and saying "no,no,no, the name is Frank!"  His eyes had a twinkle in them that I will never forget and I knew he was teasing me, but I could barely get out the name, "Frank"; oh I knew I was blushing like never before.  It's one of those moments in life where you would like to vanish and at the same time hold onto it forever.

My friend figured it was time to rescue me from myself (even though I might add he was chuckling), so he made our excuses and thanked Kay as well as Frank (This was not at all new to him).  I did remember my manners and thanked Miss Starr for everything and a beautiful show.  I told them both that it was a real pleasure to meet them.  At that point Frank took my right hand and kissed it and said "have sweet dreams."  (That was an understatement if ever there was one).  He says, "I couldn't resist, your blush is so marvelous, and don't forget the name is Frank."  Nicest man I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  No doubt in my mind.  That memory is the best in my life.  I already thought the world of him, he only added to the charm of the voice I listen to often.