It was a blast to the past to the days of ring-a-ding-ding as music lovers tipped their hats to the Chairman of the Board. Frank Sinatra was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and just as Frank would have wanted, the evening began in high style.
The Bowl’s outdoor terrace was transformed into a swanky ’60s nightclub, complete with 12-foot palm trees, pink satin sofas and a six-piece combo. To time-honored tunes like “In Other Words,” Frank fans sipped pink martinis and snacked on salmon tartare and ceviche shooters.
There was many a retro fashion statement in this crowd with revelers sporting everything from seer sucker suits to ice cream- colored polos, white loafers to leisure suits.
It was a great way to reminisce about one of most celebrated crooners of all time. “Sinatra brings back memories,” said former California Gov. Pete Wilson, “all of them pleasant.” The governor was quick to name “Night and Day” as his favorite tune. For Talese Brown, “The Lady is a Tramp” takes the top spot and for Pam Boucher, there’s nothing like breezes in “The Summer Wind.”
As the stars came out, bowl goers made a beeline for their boxes, where they savored slabs of lamb sirloin and roasted veggies topped off by strawberry mousse and velvet layer cake.
The program kicked off with William Shatner who only days earlier regaled the AFI with his special interpretation of “My Way.” On this occasion, the crowd was spared. Instead, Capt. Kirk beamed in to honor Jerry Goldsmith, the man who gave “Star Trek” its unmistakable sound.
Next, famed composer Quincy Jones took the stage. QJ transported the crowd back to the glory days of Frank, Sammy and Dean with a sassy rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon.”
“I arranged that tune in a Reno hotel room 40 years ago,” the music maker recalled. “But Frank owned it. He owned everything he did.”
With vintage clips rolling on the wide screen, Frank Sinatra Jr. wowed the crowd with classics like “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”
Also inducted to this year’s Hall of Fame were violin virtuoso Joshua Bell and country songbird Trisha Yearwood.
And they were singing the praises of some unsung heroes-music teachers who make a difference through the L.A. Philharmonic’s Music Matters program.
In keeping with tradition, the evening wrapped up with a spectacular pyrotechnics and water extravaganza set to the theme from “Hawaii.” It was a bang-up way to say aloha to a summer of music and magic under the stars.