Can you spare a dime?
Updated: Aug 7, 2023
I was recently watching a clip online of Frank Sinatra on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson from 1976. Sinatra was introduced and sang a number with Doc Severson and The Tonight Show Orchestra, receiving a heartfelt standing ovation from the audience. Upon coming over to the couch to start the interview, Carson was making light of the fact that Sinatra was appearing on the show for very little money, what was known as “scale.”
Johnny Carson said, “It’s a little strange sitting here, watching you sing over there, for what we pay… I said, ‘My God that’s Frank Sinatra {singing} for three hundred and twenty dollars… how would you like it Frank, large bills?” Carson laughs and Sinatra joins in saying, “Dimes!” The audience erupts in laughter as well. But there is a special meaning to that exchange.
We all remember Frank Sinatra being that laid back star with nicknames like “Ol’ Blue Eyes” and “Chairman of the Board.” He was the leader of the famous “Rat Pack.” During those early years he was a thought of as a “man’s man,” a swinger, a real cool cat, the quintessential playboy. He lived a lifestyle that men of the 1950s and sixties could only dream of. He had powerful friends, lots of money & talent, and he was given respect by many people in the industry. He appeared to have the world as his oyster.
So it was unnerving to learn of an event that took place which shocked Sinatra and his family to the core.
One defining moment in Sinatra’s life story was the kidnapping of his 19 year old son, Frank Sinatra Jr. in 1963. A $420,000 ransom (around to three million dollars in today’s money) was demanded. The FBI was secretly assisting Sinatra, and the three amateur kidnappers were captured as soon as the ransom had been paid. Frank Sinatra Jr. was found safe and sound.
The ordeal rattled Frank Sinatra Sr.
The kidnappers demanded that all contact with Sinatra would be over payphone to avoid being caught. During one call organizing the safe return of his son with the criminals, Sinatra ran out of coins and was faced with the possibility that not having enough change in his pocket may have dire consequences.
It was reported that since the incident Sinatra carried a roll of dimes in his pocket all times until his death. As a reminder… and as a precaution. So when Johnny asked Frank how he’d like his Tonight Show fee to be paid and Sinatra replied, “Dimes!” there was a special meaning to that seemingly whimsical come back.
When Frank Sinatra died in 1998, it was noted that inside his coffin were a few items not normally buried with a body. A pack of Camel cigarettes, a Zippo lighter, a bottle of Jack Daniels… and a roll of dimes.
It would be fun to present a course on Frank Sinatra and listen to the music and revisit the career of the “Chairman of the Board.” Watch for that presentation to be shared on the website sometime this fall.
Are you a Sinatra fan? Do you have a favorite song of Frank's? Let me know in the comments below. Have a great weekend! 😊
Rob
Comments