Swing had become a distinctive and danceable music style by 1940. The Swing Era featured big bands led by outstanding instrumentalists, e.g. Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey. Frank Sinatra got his start at this time when his mother bought him a then rare (and expensive), microphone and valve public address system (as well as a convertible). Frank was then able to make himself indispensable to bands he thought might further his career. During the period 1940 to 1950 before The Voice's vocal cords haemorrhaged and he developed a sometimes abrasive stage personality, his tender delivery and boyish looks made him the first teen idol. Apart from his music his greatest achievement was perhaps his consistent stand against racial intolerance.

 

This show tells the story of Frank Sinatra's seven visits to Australia between 1955 and 1991. 

1955: Sydney and Melbourne Stadium - promoter Lee Gordon - travels with daughter Nancy - Melbourne Stadium burns to ground

1957: Cancelled Tour - insufficient room on QANTAS

1959: Tour to meet up with Ava Gardner - discovery of Diana Trask

1961: Asian Tour - Sydney stopover - telecast finest live performance in existence

1974: Comeback Tour - media confrontation

1988: Sanctuary Cove opening - support act Peter Allen - interviewed by Clive James 

1989: Ultimate Event with Liza Minnelli and Sammy Davis Jnr

1991: The Final Concert, Melbourne with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme

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Some backing tracks have been specially commissioned for this show for example, "Night and Day" is based on the live Melbourne recording of 1959 which utilised Red Norvo and the Australian Tommy Tyco orchestra, "One for My Baby" is the little known arrangement by Gordon Jenkins and Trask's version of "Oh Boy" was created for the first time for this show.