On 27th May 1950 Frank Sinatra made his TV debut on NBC in the TV Film Star-Spangled Review staring Bob Hope He went on to be one of the most successful and recognizable figures in music history!
1950 was a good year for Frank Sinatra: he was still married to the love of his life Ava Gardner and he made his first visit to the UK!
In July, Frank topped a variety bill at the London Palladium, two performances each night, with matinees twice a week. Also billed were Wilson, Keppel and Betty (the famous sand dancers), Maudie Edwards and the lugubrious comedian Max Wall. Music was provided by Woolf Phillips and the Skyrockets Orchestra. Sinatra performed over a dozen songs on the bill.
The same month, on Sunday 16th July, with music provided by Woolf Phillips and the Skyrockets, Sinatra performed a concert at The New Opera House Blackpool, with Ken Lane on piano. The Concert was produced and presented by Harold Fielding.
The British song London By Night was first recorded upon Sinatra’s return to the US later in 1950, for Columbia records, the arrangement by his most frequent arranger at Columbia Alex Stordahl and the same day he recorded If Only She’d Look My Way (Ivor Novello & Alan Melville). The record of both songs was a special release in the UK in early 1951.
You can read more about Sinatra through the ages in Sinatra Stories 1940s-1980s!
And five more years to go with the love of his life!
