On December 3, 1990, the Society of Singers hosted a truly magnificent evening, a standout event in music history, though perhaps not widely known by all. This night saw Frank Sinatra honored with the prestigious Ella award, but more significantly, it brought together an unparalleled assembly of music legends to pay tribute to “The Chairman of the Board.” Icons from the big band era, voices that defined generations, gathered to celebrate Sinatra. This Frank Sinatra 1990 event marked a poignant reunion; singers like Connie Haines and Jo Stafford, who had performed alongside Sinatra 50 years prior in the early 1940s, graced the stage once more, singing the same songs in his honor. Witnessing artists relive such distant memories is a rare and beautiful spectacle. While one might anticipate diminished performance quality from legends aged 65, 75, or even older, the evening proved otherwise, with even 94-year-old George Burns delivering a surprising and heartfelt performance.
The Setting: A Night for Singers
The context for this unique gathering was set by the legacy of the big band era. As conductor Henry Mancini noted: “The 1940s was known as the era of the big bands. Dorsey, James, Miller, Basie, Ellington, big bands, live music. They also produced a special kind of vocalist. No tricks, no electronics, just singers. Singers who stood in front of the big bands.”
This spirit permeated the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where the Society of Singers convened. The event was a tribute to one of their own, Frank Sinatra, celebrating his 60 years of unparalleled contribution to music and entertainment worldwide. The Society itself represented a bridge between contemporary popular artists and the legendary performers of the big band era. They united on this specific evening to perform their greatest hits while honoring the man they called the chairman of the board.
Ginny Mancini shared a personal memory illustrating Sinatra’s early impact: “To celebrate our engagement, we went to the Empire Room of Waldorf Astoria to hear a young singer named Frank Sinatra. He entered from the back of the room to an Axel Stordahl intro with a cup and a saucer in his hand and came in to sing ‘they’ve got awful lot of coffee in Brazil’, followed by a stunning rendition of Kurt Weill’s ‘Lost In the stars’… Well of course you see, Mr. Wonderful and I were experiencing the wonder of young love, and so you see how Frank Sinatra came in to play, and the memory lingers on… Tonight we honor the Pied Piper Frank Sinatra, with an award inaugurated last year in the name of Ella Fitzgerald. That says something about the integrity for which it stands.”
Honoring the Chairman: The Ella Award Presentation
Following a performance of “There Will Never Be Another You” by the First Lady of Song herself, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra ascended the stage, accompanied by his granddaughters, A.J. Lambert and Amanda Lambert, to accept his award.
The exchange between the two legends was warm and familiar:
Frank Sinatra: I love you!
Ella Fitzgerald: I love you too for many years!
Frank Sinatra: No mine longer than yours tho.
Ella Fitzgerald: Not that much longer
Frank Sinatra: Yea yea, I am older!
Ella Fitzgerald then addressed the audience: “Ladies and Gentlemen, what can I say, what can we say about this great wonderful man who has brought so much pleasure in his music to you, but to say we love him. I love you, they love you, and I love you, we just keep on saying we love you.”
With that, Frank Sinatra received the lifetime achievement Ella Award from the Society of Singers.
Frank Sinatra, in his acceptance speech, displayed his characteristic humor and humility: “I have been honored in my lifetime, twice. First time by the police department of Hoboken New Jersey, and a few days later my old man took care of the job. But, it is difficult to find words to tell you how much I appreciate what you’ve done, all of you, for the organization, which I am very proud to be part of; and to be in this part of the show business, the singing end of show business and I mean I just put (Gene) Kelly down so many times dancing I thought I better stay with singing because it was embarrassing, you know what I mean? I felt badly for him at the time.”
Unforgettable Performances and Tributes
The award presentation was followed by a moment for the ages: Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald performing “The Lady Is a Tramp” together. Their chemistry was palpable, and Sinatra, clearly savoring the moment, prompted them to repeat the final section twice. It was a unique duet, a piece of American musical history unfolding live on stage at this special Society of Singers night.
Following this iconic pairing, Jack Jones took the stage to perform a personalized version of Gerard Kenny’s “I am a singer,” with lyrics adapted specifically for Sinatra. As Jones sang the lines, “He is Sinatra, he sings us songs, he brings the words to life, and he keeps the beat where it belongs,” Frank Sinatra was visibly moved, tears welling in his eyes.
After this emotional tribute, Jack Jones introduced another legend: “Ladies and Gentlemen, no show about singers would be complete without a performance for one of the truly great vocal artists, the silver throat of Nathan Birnbaum ladies and gentlemen.”
George Burns, at 94 years young, quipped: “Thank you for the standing ovation. Look, if I can stand, you can stand. Frank Sinatra recorded Young At Heart years ago and sold millions and millions and millions. That’s the song I’m gonna sing tonight. At my age you can follow anybody.” He then proceeded to sing “Young At Heart,” interjecting with his personal philosophy: “You know, I’ve been around for a lot of years, and there’s one thing I believe, and it works for me, and it’ll work for you too. You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.”
The star-studded performances continued with Harry Connick Jr. singing “More.”
Then came another poignant reunion. Jo Stafford, Sinatra’s friend from the Tommy Dorsey era and a member of the Pied Pipers, performed “I’ll Never Smile Again.” It was a moment suspended in time, echoing their collaborations from the 1940s and demonstrating that five decades hadn’t diminished the magic. The sheer improbability of gathering these legends together after 50 years underscored the significance of the Society of Singers event.
Jo Stafford performing on stage at the Frank Sinatra 1990 Society of Singers tribute event
Next, Tony Bennett expressed his awe: “Oh boy, what a beautiful night, what a magnificent night. I’ve seen many shows in my life but this is the greatest audience and the greatest performers I’ve ever seen. Frank Sinatra asked me to sing this song and I love it. It is a magnificent, wonderful song.” He then delivered a stunning rendition of “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”
The energy remained high as The Manhattan Transfer and Connie Haines performed a lively “Snootie Little Cutie.”
A particularly touching segment featured Peggy Lee, who shared her deep affection and memories: “Hello Frank. I have so many memories, and Barbara, you simply must forgive me; I’ve been in love with that man all the years I’ve known him. But it’s OK, it’s platonic, I think… I think about those things, you know, one day we built a home. You built yours and I built mine upon a hill, and a lot of wonderful things happened there. I even remember the firecrackers you used to set off about three or something in the morning. First it frightened me but then I realized it was Francis Albert up there. With Jimmy Van Heusen and all the gang. And, we had barbecues, well we had one barbecue I remember, and all those dear things, so many…” She followed this heartfelt reminiscing with a special version of “The Man I Love,” dedicated to Sinatra.
The evening also included a dance performance by Tony Danza and Gretchen Wyler, Herb Jeffries singing “Flamingo,” and Tony Martin delivering a perfect rendition of “There’s No Tomorrow – O Sole Mio.”
Voices of the Big Band Era
Frances Langford introduced a sequence celebrating the women who sang with the iconic big bands. This segment featured a breathtaking lineup:
- Kay Starr (68) performing an unbelievably vibrant “What a difference a day makes.”
- Helen Forrest (73) delivering an outstanding “I Had the Craziest Dream.”
- Martha Tilton singing “And the Angels Sing.”
- Bea Wain performing “Deep Purple.”
- Kitty Kallen, admitting “Will you help me? I am scared to death,” sang a beloved “It’s been a long, long time.”
- Helen O’Connell performing “Tangerine.”
- Fran Warren showcasing a powerful voice on “I Want a Sunday Kind of Love.”
- The Sentimentalists followed with “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” leading into Joe Williams performing “Alright, Okay, You Win.”
Sinatra the Songwriter: A Special Segment
The night also shed light on a lesser-known aspect of Sinatra’s talent: his songwriting. Steve Lawrence introduced this segment: “For many years, Frank Sinatra has received many awards for his artistic achievements as a singer, as a performer and as an actor. But there is another creative side of Frank that is generally not too well known. Now besides singing a lot of great songs, he also wrote quite a few of them. And, this evening Eydie and I selected a couple of our favorites composed by Francis Albert, and ladies and gentlemen, we’d like to celebrate Sinatra the Songwriter.”
Eydie Gorme then sang “This Love Of Mine,” followed by Steve Lawrence’s beautiful rendition of “I’m A Fool To Want You.” Hearing this song performed live, with Sinatra himself present, added a unique layer of significance.
A Grand Finale
This unforgettable night by the Society of Singers drew to a close with the entire ensemble singing “Dream.” Afterward, Sinatra took the microphone one last time.
Frank Sinatra: May I thank you, fellow singers and performers. I love you. I am kinda hung up a little bit with my throat so I won’t say too much, but it was a marvelous evening tonight. I had a great time tonight, I really did.
The evening concluded with everyone joining together to sing “Alright, Okay, You Win,” capping off a truly historic gathering of musical talent.
The Frank Sinatra 1990 Society of Singers event was more than just an award ceremony; it was a living tapestry of American music history, a night where legends honored a legend, creating moments of pure emotion, nostalgia, and unparalleled musical brilliance that remain timeless.
You can learn more about the Society of Singers via their website here. The special events section lists past honorees:
ELLA honorees (most recent listed first):
2014 Mike Love, 2011 Smokey Robinson, 2010 Natalie Cole, 2009 Herb Alpert & Lani Hall, 2008 Andy Williams, 2007 Gladys Knight, 2006 Johnny Mathis, 2005 Elton John, 2004 Celine Dion, 2003 Barry Manilow, 2002 Placido Domingo, 2001 Julie Andrews, 2000 Tony Bennett, 1999 Joe Williams, 1998 Rosemary Clooney, 1997 Lena Horne, 1995 Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, 1994 Peggy Lee, 1992 Tony Martin, 1990 Frank Sinatra, 1989 Ella Fitzgerald.
Short video clips from various tribute nights may be available on the Society of Singers YouTube page.
You can support the Society of Singers and their cause by purchasing items from their shop page.
