(16 May 1998) English/Nat
News of the death on Thursday night of Frank Sinatra, one of the world's most beloved entertainers, sank in around the world on Friday.
Friends and fans across America came together to remember the singer for the joy he brought them both through his songs and through his films.
Francis Albert Sinatra was born here, in a tough, working-class neighbourhood, on December 12, 1915.
His birthplace was burned down years ago, leaving only a brick wall, a wooden door and an arch.
But set into the sidewalk is a bronze plaque that reads "Francis Albert Sinatra - The Voice."
It is here that people are gathering a day after death to mourn and reminisce about not only a great entertainer but - for many of them - a childhood friend.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Beautiful guy. Nice guy. No trouble, nothing with him. We used to stay together, hang together, ride together. Everything we used to do together. That's it."
SUPER CAPTION: John D'Amico, childhood friend of
It seems that everyone in Hoboken has some kind of personal connection to the crooner that they treasure.
Some have photos of a young Frank frequenting their stores or relaxing at their homes.
Others told of letters and stories of good deeds done by a man who never forgot his hometown.
One old friend, Dolly Della Bella, proudly presented the actual letter that Frank Sinatra had sent her husband, who had been taken ill a long time ago.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"When my Joe was in the nursing home, my husband was sick in the nursing home, and Frankie found out and he sent the letter right to the nursing home. See?"
SUPER CAPTION: Dolly Della Bella, Sinatra Fan
Before Sinatra died of a heart attack on Thursday in Los Angeles, he hadn't been back to Hoboken in about 17 years.
But that seems to matter little to the people here who say they'll mourn him for a long time to come.
Across the river in New York City - the town Sinatra immortalised in song, as a measure of his popularity, for the first time in years, New York tabloids restarted their presses to announce the death of the crooner.
"Extra! Extra!" the New York Post screamed in red on the cover of a last-minute edition that hit the streets after 7 am Friday.
appeal truly spanned the decades, attracting fans among the old and young alike.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"He was from my era, I truly, truly will miss him - the best singer in this WHOLE world."
SUPER CAPTION: Candy Dubois, Sinatra fan
Back in Hoboken on Friday morning, childhood friends and fans gathered at Leo's Grandevous to swap "Frank" stories.
The bar displayed wall-to-wall framed photographs and memorabilia of the star.
Publicity shots from a movie role, and shots of him with fellow rat-packers Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior festooned the walls.
82-year-old owner Leo DiTerlizzi remembers the first time he met Frank Sinatra.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I said it before, I met Frank before he became famous, about 1940, and when we met together we were at the Rusty Cabin, and that's when he got called to sing a song. Tommy Doors' band was there, and he got up and sang two songs. He came down the next day, he says to me 'Leo, I'm signing up with Tommy Doors' band'. I said 'great'.
SUPER CAPTION: Leo DiTerlizzi, friend
In Los Angeles fans and news crews spent the day on Friday outside Frank gates on a palm-lined street in Beverly Hills, California.
They've been arriving in droves since the early morning hours, leaving flowers near the entrance to home, as friends and family continue to pay their respects to the entertainer.
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23 авг 2024
