Sinatra and Me: In the Wee Small Hours

Sinatra and Me: In the Wee Small Hours

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  • Create Date:2021-06-24 12:31:01
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Tony Oppedisano
  • ISBN:1797119184
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Summary

An intimate, revealing portrait of Frank Sinatra—from the man closest to the famous singer during the last decade of his life。

More than a hundred books have been written about legendary crooner and actor Frank Sinatra。 Every detail of his life seems to captivate: his career, his romantic relationships, his personality, his businesses, his style。 But a hard-to-pin-down quality has always clung to him—a certain elusiveness that emerges again and again in retrospective depictions。 Until now。

From Sinatra’s closest confidant and an eventual member of his management team, Tony Oppedisano, comes an extraordinarily intimate look at the singing idol。 Deep into the night, for more than two thousand nights, Frank and Tony would converse—about music, family, friends, great loves, achievements and successes, failures and disappointments, the lives they’d led, the lives they wished they’d led。 In these full-disclosure conversations, Sinatra spoke of his close yet complex relationship with his father, his conflicts with record companies, his carousing in Vegas, his love affairs with some of the most beautiful women of his era, his triumphs on some of the world’s biggest stages, his complicated relationships with his talented children, and, most important, his dedication to his craft。

Toward the end, no one was closer to the singer than Oppedisano, who kept his own rooms at the Sinatra residences for many years, often brokered difficult conversations between family members, and held the superstar entertainer’s hand when he drew his last breath。

Featuring never-before-seen photos and offering startlingly fresh anecdotes and new revelations that center on some of the most famous people of the past fifty years—including Jackie Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Sam Giancana, Madonna, and Bono—Sinatra and Me pulls back the curtain to reveal a man whom history has, in many ways, gotten wrong。

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Reviews

Jackie

A poignant, loving, and no-holds-barred tribute to the legendary performer, Frank Sinatra。 Of course, most people know who he is, but probably don’t know much about his birth, upbringing, and life’s dream。 A generous, yet humble man (in many ways), Sinatra always remembered where he came from, loved fiercely and loyally, and had the backs of family, friends, and fans。 Even if you think you know all about him, I’m sure there will be a tidbit or two that will surprise when reading Sinatra and Me: A poignant, loving, and no-holds-barred tribute to the legendary performer, Frank Sinatra。 Of course, most people know who he is, but probably don’t know much about his birth, upbringing, and life’s dream。 A generous, yet humble man (in many ways), Sinatra always remembered where he came from, loved fiercely and loyally, and had the backs of family, friends, and fans。 Even if you think you know all about him, I’m sure there will be a tidbit or two that will surprise when reading Sinatra and Me: In the Wee Small Hours。 A fond, intimate remembrance of a great celebrity by a trusted and true-to-the-end friend。 Includes Source Notes, Acknowledgements, & Index。 。。。more

Vanessa

As a massive Sinatra fan, this book was everything I hoped for and far MORE。 I’ve read many books on Ol’ Blue Eyes, and this one has by far been my favorite。 Tony does a beautiful job at capturing such wonderful and personal stories from his time with Sinatra and I couldn’t get enough。 My favorite part about his storytelling is how he was able to share all aspects of Sinatra; the good, the bad, the ugly, yet he told each story with so much love and respect for him。 He humanized him and gave even As a massive Sinatra fan, this book was everything I hoped for and far MORE。 I’ve read many books on Ol’ Blue Eyes, and this one has by far been my favorite。 Tony does a beautiful job at capturing such wonderful and personal stories from his time with Sinatra and I couldn’t get enough。 My favorite part about his storytelling is how he was able to share all aspects of Sinatra; the good, the bad, the ugly, yet he told each story with so much love and respect for him。 He humanized him and gave even more depth to an already complicated, but unparalleled person。 You could feel their profound connection and his admiration for him through every word。 I loved everything about this book from start to finish。 。。。more

Susan

A very interesting book。 The author became a personal friend but also somewhat of a caretaker of Frank Sinatra。 He was along for the ride and was part of a lot of really interesting and fun periods of Frank's life。 He relayed many stories of Frank's generosity and kindness to friends, family and even total strangers which also was balanced by the well-known tales of Frank losing his temper and punching journalists in the nose。 One of the highlights of my concert-going life was seeing Frank in co A very interesting book。 The author became a personal friend but also somewhat of a caretaker of Frank Sinatra。 He was along for the ride and was part of a lot of really interesting and fun periods of Frank's life。 He relayed many stories of Frank's generosity and kindness to friends, family and even total strangers which also was balanced by the well-known tales of Frank losing his temper and punching journalists in the nose。 One of the highlights of my concert-going life was seeing Frank in concert in Boston in the 80s。 Great book about one of our iconic singers。 。。。more

Kristine

Sinatra and Me by Tony 'Tony O' Oppedisano is a free NetGalley ebook that I read in early June。With chapters titled with Sinatra songs, Oppedisano (an Italian's Italian) writes this book with the experience of a confidante at his side since 1972 and with stories not very often told。 He's had really rich, exciting life, all on his own; a natural musician and performer。 He also sets to rights things that other authors have misconstrued and recalls memories to paper with such incredible precision, Sinatra and Me by Tony 'Tony O' Oppedisano is a free NetGalley ebook that I read in early June。With chapters titled with Sinatra songs, Oppedisano (an Italian's Italian) writes this book with the experience of a confidante at his side since 1972 and with stories not very often told。 He's had really rich, exciting life, all on his own; a natural musician and performer。 He also sets to rights things that other authors have misconstrued and recalls memories to paper with such incredible precision, specifically Sinatra's regrets, feelings of emptiness, emotional pain, yet also of generosity, loyalty, and charisma。 。。。more

Vnunez-Ms_luv2read

Very good read from an insider of Frank Sinatra’s camp。 I did learn new things about the subject matter that I had not read in previous books。 Very interesting read。 Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review。 Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review。

*TUDOR^QUEEN*

4 StarsMy love for entertainment biographies drew me to this tome, especially since I had only a generic knowledge of ole "Blue Eyes"。 I was first lured in by Sinatra's music when I saw the delightful sleeper film "Once Around" in the early 90's。 The movie was about a close knit Italian family。 Their daughter Renata (Holly Hunter) met much older, wildly successful entrepreneur Sam (Richard Dreyfuss) and their unlikely romance was a whirlwind that led to marriage。 At that highbrow wedding, Renata 4 StarsMy love for entertainment biographies drew me to this tome, especially since I had only a generic knowledge of ole "Blue Eyes"。 I was first lured in by Sinatra's music when I saw the delightful sleeper film "Once Around" in the early 90's。 The movie was about a close knit Italian family。 Their daughter Renata (Holly Hunter) met much older, wildly successful entrepreneur Sam (Richard Dreyfuss) and their unlikely romance was a whirlwind that led to marriage。 At that highbrow wedding, Renata's father (played by Danny Aiello) took the microphone from the wedding band to address the couple, summing it all up by singing the song that was swirling around them since their relationship's inception: "Fly me to the Moon"。 I was swept away by this very romantic song, and later downloaded/purchased Sinatra's infectious live performance of this track。 Author Tony Oppedisano aka "Tony O" met Sinatra at the age of 21 and ultimately became his best friend and work colleague by the time of Sinatra's death。 Tony was so trusted by the Sinatra family that he was with him at the moment of death, accompanied him to the hospital morgue and was the last person to lay eyes on him when his casket was closed。 Oppedisano was born in Brooklyn to an Italian family, although his reddish hair was an irony。 He was like an old soul and loved to sing music like Sinatra's。 Performing in clubs, he eventually met and befriended NY club owner Jilly Rizzo。 Up until that point Jilly was Sinatra's very best friend and right hand man when Sinatra toured in concert。 On December 8, 1972 Tony was at Jilly's and finally met Sinatra。 Eventually Jilly, Tony and Sinatra became a trio of best friends, but Tony's ultimate loyalty was to Jilly。 Tony moved to California to live and work with his new friends。 When Jilly unexpectedly died in a grizzly car accident one night, Tony assumed the role of Sinatra's closest friend and confidant。 Sinatra's ultimate happy place was a compound he owned in the California desert, and he and Tony would sit around the pool with Jack Daniels talking into the wee hours of the morning。 Sinatra's normal time to get up to start his day was 3pm, so that shows just how long they would jaw into the dawn。 They talked about so many things like Frank's enduring love for his first wife Nancy Sr。, his view of just how Marilyn Monroe died, his relationship with the mob and his secret charity donations。 This book also confirmed a surprising story that was recently revealed in author Bill O'Reilly's new book "Killing the Mob" about the mob contract out on actor/producer Desi Arnaz。 I also enjoyed reading about Sinatra and Tony's friendships with other iconic entertainment stars of the time, particularly Don Rickles (Tony worked with him before and after Sinatra's death) and Dean Martin。 It also was very interesting learning of the dynamic of Sinatra's final marriage to Barbara Marx, and her tumultuous relationship with the children from Sinatra's first marriage to Nancy Sr。 It was very obvious that Tony was as close as you could get as a friend to Sinatra, which led to a very enjoyable and meaningful first read about this Italian American entertainment icon。Thank you to the publisher Scribner for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley。 。。。more

Debra Pawlak

I received an advanced reading copy (arc) of this book from NetGalley。com in return for a fair review。 There have been many books written about legendary singer Frank Sinatra and I have read several of them, but this particular book stands out for me。 Tony Oppedisano was a member of Sinatra's inner circle for decades。 As a much younger man, he met the older Sinatra through Jilly Rizzo--Sinatra's best friend for many years。 After Jilly's untimely death, Oppedisano took his place as Sinatra's pal I received an advanced reading copy (arc) of this book from NetGalley。com in return for a fair review。 There have been many books written about legendary singer Frank Sinatra and I have read several of them, but this particular book stands out for me。 Tony Oppedisano was a member of Sinatra's inner circle for decades。 As a much younger man, he met the older Sinatra through Jilly Rizzo--Sinatra's best friend for many years。 After Jilly's untimely death, Oppedisano took his place as Sinatra's pal and confidante。 As a result, Oppedisano had a first-hand, up close view of the life Sinatra led in his later years。 He shared many highs and lows, as well as his experiences not so much with Sinatra the singer, but Sinatra the man。 According to Oppedisano, Sinatra always retained some of the traits he picked up as a child--his quick temper and his readiness to deck someone who crossed him--or at least if he perceived that they crossed him。 On the other hand, Sinatra was extremely generous to family, friends and even strangers。 He often performed many acts of kindness on the Q。T。--never wanting anyone to be indebted to him or to think his generosity was a way to gain publicity。 He honestly did it from his heart。 Oppedisano talked about his own experiences with Sinatra and it wasn't always easy being his friend。 He expected companionship 24/7 and many of his intimate pals devoted their own lives to him--Oppedisano was no exception, but he had no regrets and would do it all again。 It was an interesting read and one of the better books I've found about the Chairman of the Board。 Thanks to Oppedisano, we get a glimpse of what it must have been like。 If you are a fan of Sinatra, you won't want to miss this one! 。。。more

Casey Wheeler

This book is another attempt to make some money off of a relationship with Frank Sinatra。 I found it to be borderline boring without a great deal of new information that can be found in more qualitative biographies of Frank Sinatra。 As I am a fan of Sinatra, I keep getting suckered into reading these types of books。 After this one, I am done。I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodrea This book is another attempt to make some money off of a relationship with Frank Sinatra。 I found it to be borderline boring without a great deal of new information that can be found in more qualitative biographies of Frank Sinatra。 As I am a fan of Sinatra, I keep getting suckered into reading these types of books。 After this one, I am done。I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog。 。。。more

Wendy Salazar

I have been a Sinatra fan for many years and I was concerned another biography would reiterate what I have already read about him。 It seemed what was recounted consisted of what happened that Tony was a witness to and I can appreciate that。 It was not boring and read nicely。 I’m sure there were more successes and failures that weren’t presented but it was a great read about an iconic musician。

Gail O'Connor

This memoir of Mr Oppedisano's history with Frank Sinatra was extremely entertaining and gave the reader an insight into Sinatra's personal life。 Keeps you mesmerized until the final page。 A great read if you are a Sinatra fan。 This memoir of Mr Oppedisano's history with Frank Sinatra was extremely entertaining and gave the reader an insight into Sinatra's personal life。 Keeps you mesmerized until the final page。 A great read if you are a Sinatra fan。 。。。more

Nathan

Captivating from start to finish and mandatory reading, in my opinion, for anyone seeking to understand Sinatra at length。 Truly, much has been made about the man and his off-stage endeavors (for better and worse)。 Where you end up regarding The Chairman is your own adventure, but I think that Oppedisano and Ross’ work here is laid bare for your consideration。 Does it cover every single solitary scandal and triumph? Of course not。 The author appears to just be commenting on what he knew/was witn Captivating from start to finish and mandatory reading, in my opinion, for anyone seeking to understand Sinatra at length。 Truly, much has been made about the man and his off-stage endeavors (for better and worse)。 Where you end up regarding The Chairman is your own adventure, but I think that Oppedisano and Ross’ work here is laid bare for your consideration。 Does it cover every single solitary scandal and triumph? Of course not。 The author appears to just be commenting on what he knew/was witness to during his time with Sinatra。 Focusing more on the latter stages of his career, we get a very intimate look on how one of the best in show business—or any business, for that matter—dealt with changes, whether they emerged from cultural shifts, old age, and tragedies。 It makes some people look pretty good in hindsight, but one person, despite Tony O。 making numerous concessions to give the benefit of the doubt, simply doesn’t get out of this with an improved reputation。 The chapters are parsed crisply and cleanly, demarcated to focus on his friends, music, women, etc。, with little call-back to other parts of the book。 You don’t have to be a Sinatra super-fan to know who’s who; furthermore, and to the authors’ credit, you don’t get too far without also sharing in the sorrows and triumphs。 It was stated that this work was meant to separate myth from reality, and, in that regard, it’s stupendously valuable。 Comparing it to other Sinatra biographies, it definitely reads more smoothly (i。e。 it doesn’t come off as too academic), and I say that because I know of some fellow readers who get quickly turned off by something bogged down with a lot of citations。 Beyond its unique insight into Sinatra’s inner circle, I believe it also grants new power to the man’s music, especially his work from the mid-1970s and on。 It’s not a salacious tell-all, but an earnest, warm tribute from a friend。 Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for the advance read。 。。。more

Patricia Becker

My mom was the ultimate Sinatra fan and to her dying day had a huge poster of young Frank hanging on her closet door。 My father had a passing resemblance to Frank, and I grew up with Frank singing throughout our home。 Every birthday, Mother's Day, or Christmas, someone gave mom a book about Frank, a biography, a new coffee table book, whatever was out there。 She loved Frank。And so, I had to read this book。 I totally enjoyed Tony Oppedisano's reminiscences about his time with Frank。 At times I co My mom was the ultimate Sinatra fan and to her dying day had a huge poster of young Frank hanging on her closet door。 My father had a passing resemblance to Frank, and I grew up with Frank singing throughout our home。 Every birthday, Mother's Day, or Christmas, someone gave mom a book about Frank, a biography, a new coffee table book, whatever was out there。 She loved Frank。And so, I had to read this book。 I totally enjoyed Tony Oppedisano's reminiscences about his time with Frank。 At times I could smell the cigarette smoke and taste the whiskey; it felt like you were right there。 Loved the descriptions of Jilly's and the scenes there。 There's just so much here。 Deeply honest and heartfelt, this book is a must for anyone with a love for or an interest in Frank Sinatra。 Love the man, love the music -- great book。Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read Sinatra and Me。 。。。more