Overture to Sinatra The Musical

https://shortstreet.co.uk/productions

Currently playing in the West End at the Aldwych Theatre, Sinatra The Musical is currently the place to be for lovers of the Great American Songbook and fans of Ol' Blue Eyes. Joel Harper-Jackson, perhaps the greatest living crooner, captures the many aspects of Sinatra's turbulent life both as a singer, an actor and a lover. 

It's apt that the show is in London Sinatra having appeared many times in the capital and other parts of the UK.

Back in the 1950s Frank Sinatra made a couple of trips to the UK. In 1950 he had a two week engagement at the London Palladium starting on July 10. It wasn't like today where an artist has the stage to himself with maybe one thirty minute support act. Back then the audience had to endure a whole host of supporting acts - all nine yards of them. 

I wonder what Sinatra thought of Max Wall's smutty jokes or the sand dancers Wilson, Keppel and Betty? I bet he stayed in his dressing room! 

His second visit to these shores was in 1953 beginning on June 14 at the Grenada in Tooting accompanied by the Billy Ternent Orchestra. Ternant, a native of Newcastle, was, in retrospect, a surprise choice given the fact that there were bands such as Ted Heath, the Squadronaires, the Skyrockets and Tommy Sampson around who would have been more suitable. Still the tour received generally favourable reviews so they must have done okay.

From Tooting the tour took in Bristol, Birmingham, Glasgow and Liverpool. It was also the first time his long time accompanist Bill Miller came with him.

Because of his Oscar-winning performance in From Here to Eternity Sinatra had little time for touring and it wasn't until 1962 that he returned for four London performances: Midnight Matinees at the Royal Festival Hall and the Leicester Square Odeon followed by two concerts at Hammersmith Odeon. This time with Bill Miller (piano, MD); Harry Klee (reeds); Emil Christian (vibes); Al Viola (guitar); Ralph Pena (bass) and Irv Cottler (drums) - what a line-up!

In 1970 Sinatra returned to the RFH for four concerts - two in May backed by an augmented Count Basie Orchestra with Harry Edison on trumpet and two in November backed by a star studded British orchestra. The November concerts were very high profile. Princess Grace of Monaco made the introductions and Bob Hope was the support act - a far cry from Max Wall!  

After the first of his many 'retirements' Sinatra played his first gig at the Royal Albert Hall in May 1975 returning in November to the Palladium along with Basie and Sarah Vaughan - Billy Ternent must have been booked elsewhere.

1980

1977 and 1978 he played, RAH and RFH respectively before returning in September 1980 to play RFH (8th-13th) and RAH (16th-21st).

Former BSH correspondent Liz Harris attended one of the RAH performances and she shared her memories of the occasion in a 2013 post - Liz 1980.

This was, arguably, the peak of Sinatra's UK concert performances. He made appearances into the '90s but the voice wasn't what it used to be and, reportedly, he had difficulty remembering lyrics. It was a sad end for 'The Voice of the Century' who died on May 15, 1998. I well remember the day and the sadness I shared with the world.

Of course, being Sinatra, he may have died but he hadn't laid down. In 2006 a multimedia show - Sinatra at the London Palladium - featured videos and recordings by Sinatra coupled with an onstage big band as well as a troupe of dancers. It was a great show albeit somewhat confusing trying to connect everything that was happening simultaneously.

Now, in 2026, with Sinatra The Musical, The 'Chairman of the Board' is still in business. Lance

N.B. Much of the above information was obtained from the 1980 Souvenir Programme.