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Frank and I are brothers, right? We cut the top of our thumbs and became blood brothers. He wanted to cut the wrist. I said, ‘What, are you crazy?’ No, here’s good enough.
-- Dean Martin |
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| Johnny & Skinny - A Remembrance |
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Posted by Admin on: Monday 24 January @ 06:19:11 |
 The first time I saw Johnny Carson in person was at the old Chateau Vegas restaurant on D.I. Road behind the Convention Center in 1977. It was about 2 am. He was seated with a very attractive woman (maybe his wife) and two men. I remember after he finished his meal watching him sign a few autographs on his way out the door. Although I lived in Vegas during that time, I never had the chance to see him perform at one of his many weekend gigs at The Sahara. I always figured why pay to see someone I see free on TV all the time. Boy, was I wrong !
After Resorts International opened in Atlantic City (1978), many big stars started appearing there. I think Frank Sinatra kind of legitimized the venue when he signed a multi-year contract there.
One crispy fall day in 1980 (I'm back in Atlantic City now) I received a call from Skinny D'Amato's son Angelo. He wanted to know if I wanted to go to Johnny Carson's opening at Resorts with him and his Dad.That night I drove over to Skinny's Ventnor home. Angelo had arranged (much to his Father's dismay) a stretch limo to chauffeur us to and from the show.
Limos were not Skinny's style.Even though his clothes closet was the size of most people's living rooms, he was basically a man with simple tastes.I think he would've been happier going to the show in my old Ford.
Entering the giant Resorts Superstar Theatre, the waters seemed to part. People were fighting over who would escort Skinny and his party down front. After watching Skinny peel off a crisp $100. bill to the maitre' d, I could understand why.
The opening act was Phyllis McQuire. She seemed to play her entire set to Skinny and lovingly introduced him telling of the wonderful times she had playing the 500 Club with her sisters.
Finally, it was time for Heeeere's Johnny ! Carson was greeted with a standing ovation by the capacity crowd. He proceeded to entertain us with slightly more ribald humor than the NBC censors would allow. He didn't work "blue" like Buddy Hackett. There weren't any four letter words. He was more like an aging Peck's bad boy with a winning grin - boyish and charming. I thought he borrowed a lot from Jack Benny. They could both get bigger laughs from a joke that didn't work just by utilizing their facial expressions. Both were consummate pros with exquisite comic timing.
Johnny also introduced Skinny and reminisced about driving down to Atlantic City back in the late 50's to see Sinatra. Carson was marvelous. I regretted waiting this long to see him.
When the show was over Skinny said he was going backstage to say hello to the two performers. Angelo asked if we could join him. Skinny told us to go watch TV in the goddamn limo or words to that effect. Needless to say, we did as we were told.
It was a wonderful memory. There aren't too many show biz icons left.The word icon and especially the word legend are too freely tossed around these days. That night I was lucky to spend time with two of the genuine article.
Rest in Peace, Johnny and Skinny.
Rick Apt
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| An Organization That Swings! |
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Posted by admin on: Saturday 15 January @ 10:16:55 |
Founded in 1986 by jazz and studio trombonist Milt Bernhart ("I've Got You Under My Skin"), the Big Band Academy of America is a non-profit organization devoted to furthering the public's knowledge of and interest in big bands, both past and present.
Those who join the BBAA as supporting members receive four action-packed newsletters per year, as well as the opportunity to purchase tickets to the Big Band Reunion, the BBAA's annual luncheon/concert, at a specially discounted rate. The 2005 Big Band Reunion will be held the afternoon of Sunday, March 6th, at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, California. The recipients this year of the Academy's highest honor, the Golden Bandstand award, are drummer Louie Bellson and trumpeters Clora Bryant and Snooky Young.
In its role as a non-profit organization, the BBAA distributes all monies remaining after expenses to groups and individuals involved in one way or another in the advancement of big bands. In 2004, the Academy made a dozen studio-quality Sennheiser headphones available to the Los Angeles Jazz Society. In past years the BBAA purchased band instruments and uniforms for local schools.
Since Milt Bernhart's death, his son David has assumed the presidency of the Big Band Academy, working in concert with a board of directors that includes notables such as trombonist Bill Tole and pianist Joe Harnell. David is happy to hear from anyone interested in learning more about membership in the BBAA. He may be reached at the Big Band Academy's e-mail address, miltbernhart@email.com.
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| Bobby Darin, Kevin Spacey and Beyond The Sea |
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Posted by admin on: Thursday 02 December @ 17:17:48 |
Eight days ago I attended a screening of "Beyond The Sea" sponsored by The
Museum of The Moving Image in NYC. What made this special was the promise of
Kevin Spacey's attendance for a Q & A after the film was shown. It was held
in a small 200 seat theatre on the 4th floor of a 42nd street multiplex.
[Please click "Read More..." to read the rest of this article.
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| New Rat Pack CD: Boys Night Out |
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Posted by admin on: Wednesday 01 September @ 10:47:27 |
 On September 28th, Capitol/EMI will release "The Rat Pack: Boy's Night Out", a 19-song collection of tunes made popular by our favorite three amigos. Click 'Read More' for the full text of the press release, or click here for the track listing.
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| Exciting New Bobby Darin CD + DVD Release |
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Posted by admin on: Saturday 21 August @ 23:20:08 |
One the most exciting acts of the 20th century has got to be Bobby Darin; if you've never listened to him, you really should. He was perhaps, among THE most talented performers of his generation, accomplishing so much before his untimely death at age 37 that you had to wonder if he'd ever gotten much sleep.
Well, people are starting to take more notice of Darin and you will undoubtedly be hearing even more about him in the coming months. This Fall Kevin Spacey is staring in a biography about Darin that we think is going to really open a lot of ears to some music that should never have been forgotten in the first place.
Along those lines, the studios have finally gotten around to releasing some previously unavailable live Darin material. Like last years smash hit, "The Ultimate Rat Pack Collection', this new set includes BOTH a CD and a DVD - and at an unbelievably low price.
We're expecting this item to be available in the next two weeks. Meanwhile, have a look at Aces Back to Back!
UPDATE: As of September 2nd, THIS ITEM IS IN-STOCK NOW AND MOVING FAST!
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| BRANDO & SINATRA - MY TAKE (a short essay) |
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Posted by admin on: Monday 05 July @ 13:01:28 |
On The Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire, and even to some degree Last Tango in Paris are as good as screen acting gets. Brando's intensely volatile prescence created a primer for Al, Jack, J.Dean, DeNiro, Caan, Depp, and I'm sure many others along the way. The guy was electric in all these films. His approach was as unique to acting as Frank's was to the Great American Songbook..
If Frank set the standard for popular singing, then Marlon did it for screen acting. Frank was a unique alternative to the croonings of Crosby and Columbo in his heartfelt song renditions. He lived within the song as Brando lived within the role. You could say (and I will) that Sinatra had a Stanislavskian approach to a song, living and breathing the composer's story just as Brando did for a screen character. A method singer if you will.
Even at his worst ( Candy, Burn, A Countess in Hong Kong etc. ), he was always interesting to watch. He was still Brando. Even at Frank's worst ( Feelin' Kinds Sunday, The Old Master Painter, and Mama Will Bark etc. ) he was still Frank. ( Well, maybe not the last title ). If Frank was the alternative to the crooners of the day, then Brando filled that role with HIS contemporaries as well. It doesnt mean Marlon was better than Cagney, Flynn, Tracy etc. It's just that his approach was different from anyone before him.
Gene Kelly once said that he considered Astaire "the Cary Grant of dancing" and himself "the Brando of dancing". Not better, just different.
Brando and Sinatra both brought a defining individuality to their respective specialties. Like I said in the header, this is just my take.
Rick Apt
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| Rest in Peace: Billy May & Milt Bernhart |
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Posted by admin on: Thursday 22 January @ 21:38:34 |
We are deeply saddened to have to report on the passing of not one but two great musicians today: Billy May & Milt Bernhard. Both are renowned for their contributions to music in general and very specifically to the career of Frank Sinatra
Billy May is known for, among other things, arranging many of Frank Sinatra's classic Capitol-era tunes. His distinctive arranging style gave many of Sinatra's classic up-tempo tunes their punch. We suggest listening to Come Dance With Me if you need a reminder of just how great this man's works were.
Milt Bernhart will forever be remembered for his classic trombone solo on I've Got You Under My Skin, but of course his contributions to Jazz & American Popular Music were far greater than that.
Both of these gentlemen were simply giants of their era; they will be sorely missed.
More details as we receive them.
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| New Rarities Store Category |
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Posted by admin on: Friday 12 December @ 16:39:09 |
Over the years we've had many, many requests for rare or otherwise one-of-a-kind items. While we've often bought and sold these items we've never had the opportunity to place them online so people can browse. That is now changing with the introduction of the new Rarities section of the the blue-eyes.com store.
In this section you'll find records, autographs, and memorabilia from years gone by and every single item is guaranteed to be difficult if not impossible to find. While you may not want to buy them, you're certainly going to want to browse!
Stop by and take a look. The items listed will change frequently and, in most cases, are limited to one in-stock. Once they're sold we remove them from the store.
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| Sinatra Turns 88 |
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Posted by admin on: Friday 12 December @ 00:09:56 |
 Eighty-eight years ago today Francis Albert Sinatra was born. At blue-eyes.com we raise our glasses today to toast the man who has left us such a rich musical heritage.
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