- Title: UNITED STATES: FRANK SINATRA TURNS 80
- Date: 19th December 1995
- Summary: PATTY LABELLE, TONY BENNETT, BOB DYLAN, LITTLE RICHARD AND RAP GROUP SALT'N'PIPA PERFORMING ON STAGE
- Embargoed: 3rd January 1996 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES/ FILE
- City:
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA3F37C0QMM0YVWE0L13U1PWH1T
- Story Text: The man known to millions throughout the world as Ol' Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra, officially celebrates his 80th birthday on December 12. But that didn't stop the great and good of Hollywood from turning out in force at an early birthday party to honour the man they call The Chairman Of The Board.
The gala event was taped for broadcast in the U.S. on his birthday.
Rumours have been rife about Sinatra's health since he collapsed during a performance in March 1994 of his trademark song "My Way" at a concert in Richmond, Virginia, United States.
He is reported to have told friends that he will never perform in public again, but that has not stopped the legend of the singer and actor who began his career 60 years ago.
Sinatra rocketed to stardom, rivalling even the "Old Crooner" Bing Crosby.
But in 1952 his career appeared to be at an end when his vocal chords haemorrhaged. But he managed to convince a Hollywood producer to take him onto a film called "From Here To Eternity" and his career boomed once more, this time not just as a singer but also an actor.
Sinatra vehemently denied rumoured connections with organised crime syndicates, claims spotlighted in 1972 when he was ordered to appear before a Congressional Committee and proclaimed his innocence.
With the election of his Hollywood friend, Ronald Reagan, to the Presidency of the United States, his strongly held right-wing Republican views finally found a home in the White House.
But political differences and rumours of organised crime connections have done nothing to diminish the admiration and esteem those in Hollywood hold for Ol' Blue Eyes.
Entertainers as far apart in style as Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Little Richard and rap stars, Salt-N-Pepa, turned out to wish him a happy birthday. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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