Van: Scott Henderson
Verzonden: woensdag 23 november 2022 17:30
Aan: sinatraphiles@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Onderwerp: [sinatraphiles] November 23 - THIS DATE IN SINATRA HISTORY
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=869731617305918
at 1.18 min. live images!
note: Frank was escorted by the Iranian Boy Scouts as he walked to the center
of
the Sports Arena at exactly 6:35 p.m. The capacity crowd of 12,000 gave him a
standing ovation. Frank launched into the opening number but the crowd continued
to buzz throughout the concert. There was simply no let up. Fighting an
inferior sound
system and a constant din from the large crowd, Frank marshaled on with his
usual
repertoire. and sheer determination. After "Nancy," Frank discarded any notion
of
offering more ballads, closing out the show with five consecutive swing
numbers,
with the band playing big and loud. As he sang in the round with Spiro Agnew at
ring-
side and Bill Miller conducting, one can only wonder what was going through his
mind.
The 55 minute concert concluded at 7:20 p.m. and Frank exited the arena
surrounded
by the boy scouts. Certainly a most unusual Sinatra concert.
Ed
Michael LaPorte asked:
Any details of this available?
Brian Chearno:
All I can tell you is,
Sinatra did two concerts. November 23 & 24 as benefits for the National Iranian
Society for the Welfare of the Blind.
Queen Farah Pahlavi establish national centers that promoted American film,
music, literature and art. This might have been how it came about. Sinatra knew
the Shah. He was quoted as saying "He was often in the company of the shaw."
Also the boys from Chicago were reportedly running casinos in Iran. I've come
across no newspaper or articles detailing anything about what went on. Only the
dates were mentioned in the press.
In February Sinatra met "secretly" in New York with George H Bush, at the time,
head of the CIA. He offered to help with intelligence since he was traveling in
various circles around the world. Specifically mentioned were the Shah and
Prince Philip. When George Bush was asked about this at a press conference in
April 75, he declined to answer.
This is a entry I found from spyweb about someone in attendance. Take it for
what it's worth. I can't confirm any of it:
November 28th, 1975
Copyright 2002 - Spyweb.us All rights reserved
The Sinatra Concert
The year was 1975 , the Shah of Iran was at the height of his power and had
created great wealth for the upper classes . My father's wealth alone was over
fifty million U.S. Dollars .
II shall never forget that evening in November 75 when I was a guest at the
Rudaki Opera house to enjoy Frank Sinatra's live concert .. My mission was
complete and I was flying back to London the next day.
IThe concert was very private, being performed in front of Empress Farah
Pahlavi and selected guests . My father who owned the building next to the
Opera house (rented by Rudaki hall for the use of the Performers) had an
invitation which he passed on to me .
IThe box on the upper floor that I was sitting in was next to the Royal Gallery
and watched very closely by SAVAK agents (the secret police). A gorgeous
looking woman sat next to me who looked like a Persian version of Cindy
Crawford . "Why are you here alone ?" She asked me with a beautiful smile . "
Sinatra is my favorite singer and I would not have missed his show for all the
tea in China." I answered . I knew she was a SAVAK agent. The purse that she
held on her lap was not typical of a lady's evening purse in terms of size and
looked like something heavy was inside it. Her name was "Homeira", and when I
told her I was flying back to England the next day, she said she could call me
during the month of June(76) as she was planning a trip to London for the
purpose of visiting an old friend . I gladly gave her my phone number.
IThe national anthem was played and the Empress entered the Royal Gallery while
the crowd rose to their feet. I was stunned by her grace and beauty .. She was
the Perfect Queen .
Sinatra was not just a great singer. He was a symbol of American power and
wealth , and when I saw him bow in front of the Empress , I realized how great
Iran was under the Shah and how the Western world would not have wished to
allow that.
The concert ended with my favorite song : " My Way " ..
Rudaki Hall was a modern opera house and concert hall equipped with the very
latest theatrical and electrical devices. The hall was named after the blind
10th century Persian poet, Rudaki . The architect was a Persian American, Dr.
Eugene Aftandilian, who studied in Iran. By contrast to the Hall's overpowering
vertical exterior, its horseshoe theater within had the cozy, white-and-gold,
red-plush air of a 19th century european opera house, complete with two tiers
of boxes and gallery above.
There were many faces and characters at the Grand Reception, but the most
beautiful young lady who stood out from the crowd was "Shahrazad"who was
married to a friend of mine by the name of Amdal .
"What are you doing here alone?," Asked Amdal.
"I'm here to see ol' blue eyes . Isn't that why you're here ?" I answered, as
we walked up the grand staircase .
Scott Henderson:
I have always been curious about the Iran concert and I remember digging around
about it last year. Didn't find a lot but first here's an excerpt from an
interview with Bobby Lamb, trombonist, who toured with Sinatra and played the
Iran dates:
On November 20, we were back in the London Palladium. This was to be followed
by a trip to Iran to play for the Shah at his palace, and one other concert
that we didn't know about. By now, Sinatra was using mostly American musicians
apart from British musician Vic Ash and myself. A message had been sent to the
Iran authorities that visas were required for 56 Americans but it forgot to
mention one Irishmanme! We arrived at the airport after our fantastic flight
and we were going through immigration and passport control. When they saw my
Irish passport they yanked me into a small room. It was very dingy, and bad a
bare electric light bulb, a table and chair. Heavy policemen were shouting at
me in a language I couldn't understand. Meanwhile the coach, with the
orchestra, was waiting outside and couldn't leave with out me. The policemen
wouldn't let me go; they thought I was an Irish terrorist looking for arms!
Eventually, my road manager, who was a big black guy about 6 foot 6 inches
tall, burst into the room and started to pull me out. They screamed and pointed
at me and he started screaming and pointing at them. The Shah and the palace
were mentioned, and we got on the coach with my passport stamped. Phew!
The gig at the palace was amazing; the room was all set in deep blue and gold,
with stars on the ceiling. It was the most sumptuous place I have ever seen. We
had a small audience including the Shah and his wife. It was very charming and
elegant. The next day was for the second gig which we didn't know much about.
We got in the coach and drove for about 20 miles out into the middle of the
desert where there was. a huge sports building, with indoor race track and all
mod cons, seating about 24,000. A huge stage was built in the middle so that
Frank could move around and work all four sides of the hall. The orchestra was
in the centre like a boxing ring. It was strange to see such a different
culture going wild and showing so much appreciation for the music, and what we
were doing.
The full article can be viewed here:
http://www.nationaljazzarchive.co.uk/stories?id=228
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This calendar, or any parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any fashion
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