Still feeling the strain following his hugely successful solo debut album three years previous, George Michael told the LA Times  in September of 1990 that he would be shunning the limelight prior to, and during, the decidedly low-key release of his new album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1; specifically there were to be very few interviews, no promotional music videos, and no tour. Many fans were understandably displeased with his approach, but the reaction of one person in particular will forever stand out.

The text of the following letter, written by the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra,  appeared in the same magazine the next week.

Transcript of Letter:

FRANK SINATRA

September 9, 1990

Dear Friends,

When I saw your Calendar cover today about George Michael, “the reluctant pop star,” my first reaction was he should thank the good Lord every morning when he wakes up to have all that he has., And that’ll make two of us thanking God every morning for all that we have.

I don’t understand a guy who lives “in hopes of reducing the strain of his celebrity status.” Here’s a kid who “wanted to be a pop star since I was about 7 years old.” And now that he’s a smash performer and songwriter at 27 he wants to quit doing what tons of gifted youngsters all over the world would shoot grandma for – just one crack at what he’s complaining about.

Come on George, Loosen up. Swing, man, Dust off those gossamer wings and fly yourself to the moon of your choice and be grateful to carry the baggage we’ve all had to carry since those lean nights of sleeping on buses and helping the driver unload the instruments

And no more of that talk about “the tragedy of fame.” The tragedy of fame is when no one shows up and you’re singing to the cleaning lady in some empty joint that hasn’t seen a paying customer since Saint Swithin’s day. And you’re nowhere near that; you’re top dog on the top rung of a tall ladder called Stardom, which in latin means thanks-to-the-fans who were there when it was lonely.

Talent must not be wasted. Those who have it – and you obviously do or today’s Calendar cover article would have been about Rudy Vallee – those who have talent must hug it, embrace it, nurture it and share it lest it be taken away from you as fast as it was loaned to you.

Trust me. I’ve been there.

(Signed, ‘Frank Sinatra’)

© 1990 Frank Sinatra

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Frank Sinatra Letter to George Michael appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEuU97SXnKs

Frank Sinatra and Angie Dickinson reminisce about filming Ocean's 11, the 1960 movie that features a gang that plans to rob multiple casinos in one night. This movie also features the other members of the Rat Pack, the name given to Sinatra’s circle of celebrity friends: Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop.

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Frank Sinatra and Angie Dickinson Remember Ocean's 11 appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG5WAFzwlIA

On February 7, 1978, Ronald Reagan roasts Frank Sinatra on an episode of The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast, a program that aired periodically and involved having well known people “roast” – or make jokes at the expense of – a celebrity. Sinatra had endorsed Reagan as his candidate of choice in the 1970 California gubernatorial race; be sure to see what Reagan said could have happened if Sinatra had not helped in his campaign.

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Ronald Reagan Roasts Frank Sinatra appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH3wNHoto50

A very young looking Frank Sinatra appears on television for the first time on May 27, 1950, trading jokes and barbs with Bob Hope on the latter’s television show. Already well established as a singer, Sinatra made his presence known in Hollywood when he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1953 for his role in From Here to Eternity.

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Frank Sinatra’s First Television Appearance appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wp6mCcD_ok

Clive James interviews Sinatra about his love for singing and the video shows clips from opening acts and a song from Sinatra who is called the “most famous man in the world.” In 1988, Frank Sinatra travels to Australia to perform at the Sanctuary Cove concert, 14 years after he vows never to return to that country because of negative comments about him in the press.

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Frank Sinatra Returns to Australia appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnlG7MEL5NA

Fellow entertainers attend Frank Sinatra’s memorial, with Wayne Newton, Debbie Reynolds, Joey Bishop and more talking about Sinatra’s legacy. Historian Rick Ross also chimes in and Jerry Lewis is a noted no-show. Sinatra, a singer and actor, died on May 14, 1998 and was eulogized by his son, Frank Sinatra, Jr.

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Frank Sinatra’s Memorial appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiXsoLEljyw

Bill Newcott interviews Frank Sinatra, Jr. for My Generation inside the Capitol Records building in Los Angeles where Frank Sinatra recorded much of his music. The two discuss some of Frank’s more famous friends, including Dean Martin; how the world of music changes in the 1960s with Elvis Presley’s music plus the British Invasion; how Frank Sinatra, Jr. served as his father’s musical director for the last 7 years of his concert performances; and more.

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Frank Sinatra, Jr. Reminisces About His Famous Father appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y-jBbkikEA

Larry King shares an amazing story of how he, as a local radio host, was able to get Frank Sinatra to agree to a three-hour interview in 1963 at the height of his popularity. Sinatra was in Miami to perform at the Fontainebleau and typically avoided the press. Find out more about this remarkable story.

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Larry King Reveals Secret Behind Frank Sinatra Interview appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTmKdSwJ1Q0

In 1975, Frank Sinatra sings a humorous tribute song to Orson Welles, the actor and director who was receiving a lifetime achievement award from the American Film Institute. The song was set to the tune of “The Lady is a Tramp” but using the phrasing “he’s a champ” along with lines that describe Welles.

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Frank Sinatra Sings to Orson Welles appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV1ilPr2ECg

Frank Sinatra was well-known to many people and when he passed away on May 14, 1998, many of them discussed his legacy with Larry King: his daughter, Nancy Sinatra; Mia Farrow; Joey Bishop; Shirley Jones; George Schlatter; Eartha Kitt; and Vic Damone.

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Friends Remember Frank Sinatra as a Humanitarian appeared first on Witnify.