The text of the following letter - written by Mr. Frank Sinatra - appeared in the same magazine the next week.
Transcript follows. Huge thanks to Dolly.
Transcript
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
30 comments:
BURN
Boom, Sinatra'd.
That's an ass-handing. Pure class.
"St. Swithin's day"?
Love it!
re: Ben
St. Swithin's Day
Two talents - one a class act, the other...well, just look at headlines from the last decade or so! I guess age didn't smarten him up any!!!
Well, Frank, not everybody likes the limelight.
There's a difference between being a star and a musician.
To be fair, Francis had his share of embarrassing headlines himself over the years...
Of course no one is perfect, however, I wouldn't exactly say it's fair to compare these embarrassing moments!
Yes, there is a difference between being a star and a musician but don't expect fans and the public at large to understand this. A success can define themselves one way but that doesn't mean everyone else will. That's the way it is when you put yourself out in the public like that and that was the point that Frank was trying to get across!
The copyright claim he closes with - awesome!
I don't completely agree with Frank, but I get what he's saying. Very interesting letter!
Hey Linus -- if you're alluding to the idea that Frank Sinatra isn't a "musician", then your opinion would be well against some of the most celebrated jazz musicians ever.
Completely agree! Reminds me of a dialogue between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in Good Will Hunting. And by the way, Frank Sinatra was a great musician and performer, and because of that a star.
When you've loved and lost the way Frank has... then you know what life's about.
frank sin art acts
Hey, George! Swing, baby - you're platinum!
Absolutely LOVED Sinatra's comment after he saw Sinead O'Connor rip-up a picture of the Pope on SNL... if he caught her walking down the street, he'd hit her like a man!! That dude was the BEST!
Frank was a class act. They simply don't make 'em like that anymore!
This letter is disgusting. George Michael is an incredible talent and a gift to the world. He is not the first person to want something and then have it happen to discover that it was not what it was imagined to be.
He was always a shy man and the George Michael supernova after Faith was released was too much for him to handle. I don't see what is wrong with guiding your career to suit you. George does not owe the world a thing and we should all just be thankful for being able to listen to the amazing music he has produced in the last twenty-five years.
sinatra was a great writer.
I agree with Renee.I think George made a good decision back then.After all Frank Sinatra (not my cup of tea but I respect him)has a typical american point of view. Americans like to create real "Cultfigures". Most of their biggest stars went down on their own "creation" keeping in mind what happened to Elvis,Michael Jackson and see even now what's happening to Whitney Houston who obviously is totally "out of control" to live her own life. I'm happy that George always tried to stay true to himself and to live the life he WANTS to live even if it's not what the media or some people expect of him. IMO that fact is one of the reasons that at almost 47 Y of age he's still very much around after more than 25 years. I'm very gratefull for that. He's multitalented and still very much alive and kicking and that's all that matters. I hope he stays inspired in order to bring out some more brilliant and timeless material in the future. He sure was an inspiration in my life and nothing Mr. F. Sinatra ever said will ever change that.
Re: Jeb
I am loving the spinal tap quote!
hey...not everyone has to totally enjoy and revel in superstardom....we are not all from one mould...i can see franks point of view...and that suited his POINT of view....but everyone sees life from varied angles...we are not all the same....do not judge anyone people.....we are ALL individuals and you cannot apply one theory to everyone in the world.....george is truly a gifted man...and even IF you've been in the same situation...it doesn't mean the same outcome applies...george did what was best for george and that is his right...you would all be better people if you chose NOT to judge people....what right is it of yours....i can see frank in his own mind was just trying to help...but heck...frank had entirely different issues to george didn't he...so there you go...different people....diffrent lives......i'm just happy for george if he is happy and that is true raw respect....and he has many like me....mel
Frank and George are two of popular music's greatest gifts...Frank had the luxury of possessing one of the greatest voices of all time.
Frank also had the greatest lyricists and composers that ever lived working for him.
George on the other hands possesses one of the greatest voices and has the ability to write some of the most beautiful lyrics and compose some of the most beautiful music in pop music history.
A very wise man. Knew how to protect himself and not be precious
I am a fan of George (only of his music) :-))
I love Frank Sanatra...he really had some talent..sadly the same can't be said for George Michaels
http://www.lagatafiera.com
I think both are wonderful artists but very different - no doubt
What a great letter! Not sure what the negative comments are about.... It's not like Sinatra didn't suffer at times because of his fame. And it's certainly not an attack on George Michael! This letter is simply a timeless piece of advice from the old to the young: Be grateful for all that you have for one day it will all be gone. Amen, I say.
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